News Room
Read the latest arts news
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On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) re-introduced the Equity Through the Arts and Humanities Act (H.R. 3239). The legislation would create a grant program through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for nonprofit and public entities, including faith-based and community organizations, that serve and are led by people of color.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, poet Jeanne-Marie Osterman met with Americans for the Arts President & CEO Nolen Bivens at the Yale Club in New York City to discuss her recent poetry book, Shellback. During the meeting, Osterman donated royalties from her book to Americans for the Arts to help support the National Initiative for Arts & Health Across the Military.
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Today, March 21, we celebrate the power and joy of poetry on World Poetry Day. It’s no surprise that we celebrate poetry in early spring. The days are longer, birds are chirping, flowers are blooming. What could be more poetic! Whether you choose the whimsy of Shel Silverstein, the power of Audre Lorde, the musicality of Joy Harjo, or the romance of Percy Bysshe Shelley, treat yourself to a poem today. Maybe even let your imagination go and write one!
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Americans for the Arts submitted testimony to the U.S. House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee calling for “…federal funding for both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) at no less than $211 million each for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024.” Funding at no less than this amount would match or exceed what the Biden Administration proposed in their FY24 budget request released earlier this month.
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How are you celebrating Music in Our Schools Month®? Throughout March, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is running a fantastic program around Music in Our Schools Month®. Read about the history of the program, learn how to secure a local proclamation, download images and handouts for publicity, and join NAfME for a big celebration on March 28!
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Americans for the Arts joins the 2023 Supernova International Ska Festival as their official Impact Partner. The fitting union affirms Americans for the Arts’ mission of advancing the diverse networks of organizations and individuals who cultivate the arts in the United States. Thriving at the intersection of music and community, Supernova Ska Festival will take place at historic Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, on September 15-17, 2023.
