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 is pleased to welcome members of Congress and artists in select training sessions. Featured appearances include:  

• Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senate Cultural Caucus Co-Chair, providing a recorded video for “2021 Legislative and Political Update”
• House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), providing a recorded video for “2021 Legislative and Political Update”
• Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), live commentary for “COVID-19 Relief and Recovery” 
• Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), live commentary for “Legislating the Creative Economy,” as well as a recorded video for “2021 Legislative and Political Update”  
• Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC), live commentary for “Strengthening the National Endowment for the Arts”
• Rep Derek Kilmer (D-WA), live commentary for “Strengthening the National Endowment for the Arts”
• Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), live commentary for “Arts Education for Every Child: K-12 Education Policy”
• Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), live commentary for "Strengthening Arts and Juvenile Justice"
• Annette Bening, participating in “2021 Legislative and Political Update”
• Brian Stokes Mitchell, participating in “COVID-19 Relief and Recovery”
• Camille Zamora, Cristina Pato, and Lester Lynch, participating in “Supporting Cultural Exchange and Visas for International Artists”
• Carla Dirlikov Canales, participating in “Facts & Figures to Make the Case for the Arts”
• Bryan Doerries, participating in “Supporting Our Military and Veterans Through the Arts”
• Kim Schoenstadt, participating in “The Latest in Tax Policy for Artists, Organizations, and Philanthropy”

The five-day National Arts Action Summit will provide an opportunity for grassroots advocates to learn the latest in arts policy through issue-specific briefings, advocacy trainings, and networking opportunities. The full agenda is available here. Session topics include arts and culture agency funding, arts education, tax policy, COVID-19 relief and recovery, and the creative economy.  

During Arts Advocacy Week, state captains will lead advocates as they meet with their own U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives to garner support for pro-arts issues and share compelling stories and data about the impact and transformative power that the arts have in their communities.

“As the arts and culture sector recovers from the pandemic, and particularly now with a new presidential administration and newly installed members of Congress, it is more critical than ever for grassroots advocates to speak with their members of Congress and not only convey the vital contribution that the arts make, but also ask for immediate action to ensure this crucial sector of our economy thrives,” said Brigadier General Nolen Bivens (ret.), Interim President and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “By presenting a thoughtful, unified message to these decisionmakers, advocates can ensure their voice is heard when Congress considers issues like the budget, infrastructure, taxes, and job creation throughout the year.”  

Hosted by Americans for the Arts in collaboration with dozens of national, state, and local organizational partners, the National Arts Action Summit and Arts Advocacy Week is the largest gathering of its kind, bringing together a broad cross section of America's cultural and civic organizations. 

Media must register in advance and should contact Inga Vitols at [email protected], or 202-371-2830, for a registration code.  

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 over 60 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.