Tuesday, May 14, 2019

June 13-16 at Hilton Minneapolis
 
Americans for the Arts will hold its 2019 Annual Convention in the Twin Cities from June 13-16, 2019. It is the largest gathering in the nation of arts leaders and their partners in creative business, education, and government. Through more than 40 sessions, participants will explore the deep economic, civic, and social impacts that the arts generate across the nation, as well as the role of the arts in creating and sustaining healthy and equitable communities.
 
Keynotes, Featured Speakers, and Performers
  • Friday, June 14, 12:00–2:00 pm: Artist Hank Willis Thomas and Michael Murphy, co-founder and executive director of MASS Design Group, will share their contributions to the National Memorial to Peace and Justice, the For Freedoms national billboard project, and other collaborations that engage difficult parts of the shared history of Americans. 
  • Saturday, June 15, 10:45 am–12:15 pm: Chandrika Tandon, founder and chairman of Tandon Capital Associates and a Grammy-nominated singer, will talk about how the creative economy can drive optimism and community growth. The annual Leadership Awards and the Robert E. Gard Award will also be given during this session.
  • Sunday, June 16, 11:00 am–12:30 pm: Hip hop artist Christian Parrish Takes the Gun (aka Supaman), and theatremaker Mark Valdez will explore how artists engage culture and heritage to bridge divides and strengthen community pride. Bush Foundation’s Erik Takeshita will moderate. 
  • The convention also features performances and exhibits by local artists, including Dessa, Aby Wolf, Dakota Drums, Ananya Dance Theatre, Gaelynn Lea, In the Heart of the Beast, Delina White, Kathy Mouacheupao, and Ifrah Mansour
Prior to Convention, two preconferences will be held June 13-14, including:
  • Public Art Preconference, which includes a presentation of the annual Public Art Network’s Year in Review, a recognition of outstanding public art projects that represent the most compelling works created in the prior calendar year.
Credentialed media are welcome to cover Convention and should contact Inga Vitols to register. 
 
“Americans for the Arts’ Annual Convention occurs at a critical time for the arts in America, a time when it’s more important than ever to come together and share promising practices and strategies aimed at preserving America’s cultural sector. Here, two cities, different yet deeply interconnected, carry a spirit of deep, honest community, human interaction, and collaborative process. There is no better place to celebrate that the arts are crucial to healthy, vibrant, equitable communities everywhere,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.
 
“We believe that communities are stronger when they are connected through culture and the arts,” said Reba Dominski, chief social responsibility officer for U.S. Bank. “Hosting Americans for the Arts’ Annual Convention in the Twin Cities, our headquarters, is a testament to the strong and vibrant arts community we have here. We look forward to the conversations and performances during the convention, which will continue to bring us together to create healthy communities rooted in culture and the arts.”  
 
The convention is generously supported in part by American Express, Bush Foundation, U.S. Bank, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and Ovation.
 
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 55 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
 
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