Throughout 2022, Americans for the Arts went through a Strategic Realignment Process to redefine our role as a service organization to the arts and culture field. The conversations we’ve had during this process have been enlightening and inspiring, and as we enter a new stage of growth, we’re proud to share the Designing Our Destiny platform for strategic planning and a transformative approach to our work in the new year.
The Latest News
During last year’s Strategic Realignment Process, Americans for the Arts and Arts Action Fund staff heard from stakeholders that advocacy is both a key strength and among their top priorities. Staff also heard that how we do our work is as important as what we do. Based on direct feedback from members and stakeholders, Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund have adopted Equitable Advocacy as the lens through which all our decisions are made.
American for the Arts’ leadership has been tapped by the Biden administration as part of a collective of prominent artists, scholars, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and state and local public officials who have demonstrated a sustainable commitment to the arts and humanities across the country, for the re-establishment of President Biden’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH). Among the appointees to the committee is Nora Halpern, who has served as Vice President of Leadership Alliances for more than two decades at Americans for the Arts– the longest-running national arts advocacy organization represented within the collective of distinguished members.
Americans for the Arts’ national arts advocacy approach has evolved to position the arts as a driver for community development year-round. The first of these 12-month equitable advocacy programs starts today, April 18 and 19, 2023, and includes 12 representatives from arts agencies in ten states including Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia.
Each April, National County Government Month, celebrates the work of county government employees in communities across the country. This year’s theme, “Counties RISE!,” stands for Resiliency, Inclusion, Solvency, and Empowerment. And the exclamation point captures the enthusiasm and passion for local county stories. From events to social media to proclamations, get to know more about your local county this month! For the second year in a row, Americans for the Arts is thrilled to sponsor NACo's “I Love My County Because” wall calendar, composed of artwork from students in grade K-12.