With the transition into September marking the unofficial end of summer, our Weekly Roundup took a brief (and socially distant) vacation—but we’re back this week with an expanded roundup of content for you. In case you missed any of it, read on to learn about using fully secured borrowing for your nonprofit, find out how to nominate yourself or a colleague for our advisory councils, get experienced advice on creating a Black Lives Matter mural in your community, listen to a discussion on the impact of COVID-19 on the arts community, and read (and endorse!) our policy proposal for the presidential candidates to Put Creative Workers to Work as part of a national recovery strategy.

Looking ahead to next week, when we celebrate National Arts in Education Week, register now for a free virtual chat on the importance of arts education with Josh Groban, Annette Bening, Denyce Graves-Montgomery, and more special guests. And just a bit further into the future, we’re already planning for National Arts & Humanities Month in October! Now is the perfect time to ask your city council, mayor, or governor to officially declare NAHM in your community—we’ve got a how-to guide to help you get started.

ARTSblog

How to Secure a Local Proclamation for National Arts & Humanities Month by Jay Dick
Each year, Americans for the Arts encourages advocates to work with their local and state elected officials to issue a proclamation declaring October National Arts & Humanities Month in their city, county, or state. For those who have never done this before, I thought that I would offer a how-to guide help you understand the process of obtaining a proclamation.

5 Tips for Implementing a Black Lives Matter Street Mural by Katie Cornell
Public art is an effective tool for local government expression because it amplifies messages of political and social importance with a clear and powerful statement. It also brings people together, creates social understanding, and aids the healing process. That’s just what it did in Asheville, N.C. Here are five tips from our experience creating a BLM mural in the city.

News Room

Nominations Open for Advisory Council Members
Do you or someone you know want to support and advise Americans for the Arts on the services we provide to the field? If yes, we invite you to nominate yourself or a colleague for one of Americans for the Arts’ Advisory Councils: Private Sector, Public Art, Emerging Leaders, or Arts Education. Nomination deadline is Sept. 21, 2020.

Actress Annette Bening and Singer/Songwriter Josh Groban Join Congressional Leaders and Americans for the Arts for 10th Annual National Arts in Education Week Discussion
Bening and Groban also will be joined by operatic mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves-Montgomery, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), and Dr. James Haywood Rolling Jr. for a #BecauseofArtsEd virtual chat about the value of arts education on Sept. 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET as part of our celebration of National Arts in Education Week. Participation is free!

Americans for the Arts and Over 775 Cultural Organizations and Creative Workers Come Together to Propose Plan for Putting Creative Workers to Work After Pandemic
Americans for the Arts, in partnership with over 775 cultural organizations and creative workers, has proposed a 15-action national recovery strategy that the next Administration can use to put creative workers to work. Organizations and creative workers can endorse this proposal and encourage others to join using a social media toolkit and other online communication tools.

ArtsU

ArtsVote FREE Virtual Event to Discuss the Impact of COVID-19 on Artists and the Arts Community and Policies for the Future
Artists Ben Folds and Annette Bening, President & CEO of Arts Midwest Torrie Allen, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Mary Anne Carter, and President & CEO of Americans for the Arts Robert L. Lynch discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the arts community and policies for the future.

Because That's Where the Money Is: Fully Secured Borrowing for the Arts
Fully secured borrowing is an approach to borrowing for nonprofits that has been used for over four decades, and is particularly well suited for these COVID-19 times. In this webinar, learn how to use this resource as a solid base for fundraising and earned revenue strategies, and how to quickly and easily place a firm fiscal foundation under your institution as you move ahead.

Photo of an artist working on the Black Lives Matter mural in Asheville, N.C. by David Huff Creative.