In partnership with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Americans for the Arts is pleased to present Representative Leslie Herod (D-CO) with the Public Leadership in the Arts Award for State Arts Leadership. The award recognizes a state legislator who has consistently advocated for the advancement of pro-arts legislation, funding, and promotion in their region. The ceremony took place this morning at the NCSL Jobs Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Americans for the Arts today announced its annual National Arts Marketing Project Conference, held virtually December 7–8, 2021. As the nation continues to react and respond to the changing landscape created by the pandemic, uncertainty is the only constant. The conference will prepare the arts and culture field with tools, tactics, strategies, and inspiration to go forth into 2022 and beyond. The National Arts Marketing Project Conference is the largest gathering of arts marketers in the country.

Americans for the Arts today announced the recipients of this year’s national Arts + Business Partnership Awards, recognizing six U.S. companies, an arts and business partnership, and a business leader for their exceptional commitment to the arts. The awards will be presented by Americans for the Arts on October 15, 2021, at a virtual gala. This year’s honorees include the companies Audible (Newark, NJ); NMG Network (Honolulu, HI); University of Michigan Credit Union (Ann Arbor, MI); Underestimated People of Purpose (UPOP) (Denver, CO); Universal Orlando Resort (Orlando, FL); and Vestar (Phoenix, AZ). These companies have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the arts through grants, local partnerships, volunteer programs, matching gifts, sponsorships, and board membership.

Americans for the Arts today announced its October celebration of National Arts and Humanities Month, a coast-to-coast collective celebration of culture in America. The arts and humanities have played a critically important role during the COVID-19 pandemic and in amplifying the need for racial equity across the country. National Arts and Humanities Month is the time for communities to come together in unified celebration of the power of the arts to make a difference and change our lives for the better.

Americans for the Arts and the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) today announced Delaware Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long as the recipient of the 2021 Public Leadership in the Arts Award for State Arts Leadership at this year’s NLGA Annual Meeting held in Point Clear, Alabama. The annual award honors a public official who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts at the state/territory level. 

Americans for the Arts and the National Association of Counties (NACo) tomorrow will award Mercer County Commissioner Greg Puckett of West Virginia the Public Leadership in the Arts Award for County Arts Leadership. Commissioner Puckett is known throughout Mercer County for his steadfast dedication to the arts, community development, and prevention efforts. As an avid proponent for the creative sector Puckett understands not only the economic and community values of the arts, but also their health and safety benefits.

Americans for the Arts announced today the recipients of the 2021 Americans for the Arts Leadership Awards at Americans for the Arts’ Annual Convention. Given annually, the awards recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations committed to enriching their communities through the arts.

Americans for the Arts today announced that Boston-based arts administrator Allentza Michel has been awarded the Jorge and Darlene Pérez Prize in Public Art & Civic Design, a first-of-its-kind national program established by the Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation. The award will include a cash stipend of $30,000, as well as additional support for Michel to participate in learning opportunities and discussion about her work with national leaders in the arts and other allied fields.

Nolen Bivens, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts, and Nina Ozlu Tunceli, Executive Director of the Americans for the Arts Action Fund, released a statement in response to the Biden administration’s proposed fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget.

The Board of Directors today announced that Robert L. Lynch has agreed to retire as President and CEO of Americans for the Arts, effective immediately. The Board accepted the decision at its meeting yesterday evening, and thanked Bob for his 36 years of service to the organization and the arts in communities across America. Bob has dedicated his life to the arts, in particular increasing access to the arts for everyone, and we know he will continue to be a passionate advocate for many years to come.

Americans for the Arts will host its virtual Annual Convention June 8-11, 2021. Through 24 sessions, over 800 participants will gather to better understand how the nonprofit arts field can build an equitable arts, culture, and creative economy together as we reemerge and rebuild from the pandemic. The Annual Convention is an opportunity for the field to explore how to put creative workers and cultural organizations to work as part of a collective recovery.

Americans for the Arts will be joined virtually by more than 500 grassroots advocates from across the country for the National Arts Action Summit, held April 5–9, 2021. The annual event will give advocates crucial policy briefings and advocacy training from experts in the field and then put that training into practice during Arts Advocacy Week in meetings with elected officials. Arts Advocacy Week will take place April 12-16, 2021.

Americans for the Arts and the National Association of Counties (NACo) have awarded former Oakland County Commissioner Shelley Taub of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, the Public Leadership in the Arts Award for County Arts Leadership. The award was given today at NACo’s virtual Arts and Culture Commission event, and honors an elected county official who has significantly advanced the arts in the community they serve. 

Americans for the Arts announced today three extraordinary artists as recipients of the 2021 Johnson Fellowship for Artists Transforming Communities: Rosten Woo of Los Angeles for his work in public art and design, Laurie Woolery of New York for her work in theater, and Eddy Kwon of Brooklyn and Cincinnati for their work in music. With unprecedented circumstances created by the pandemic and the challenges facing artists, Americans for the Arts is spreading the Fellowship award to benefit three artists this year, honoring the top finalists for the 2018 (public art), 2019 (theater), and 2020 (music) Johnson Fellowship. Each artist is recognized with a $20,000 award.