In honor of Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, Americans for the Arts CEO and President Bob Lynch and Ret. Brigadier General Nolen Bivens, U.S. Army co-authored an article to the Huffington Post about the unique challenges our military members face today and how the arts are helping them heal.

Gary Sinise and his Foundation were honored Wednesday, October 23 at a small lunch at the Park Hyatt Hotel hosted by Capitol File magazine, which was also the 30th anniversary of the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut. The Gary Sinise Foundation honors our Nation's defenders, veterans, first responders, and their families by "creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities."

During National Arts and Humanities Month, a nonprofit organization in Venice, California used art to help survivors of domestic abuse express painful feelings and heal from their truamatic experiences.

Have you been following the National Initiative for Arts and Health in the Military, and want to learn more about how the arts can help heal our veterans and active duty military members? Maybe you've read our White Paper: Arts, Health, and Well Being Across the Military Continuum - a product of this initiative - but have questions.

From September 18-21, over 50 select top level decision makers and thought leaders from the fields of business, government, the social sector, education, and the arts gathered together at two events held at the Sundance Institute: Americans for the Arts’ 2013 National Arts Policy Roundtable (NAPR) and our Executive Leadership Forum (ELF). 

In partnership with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), Americans for the Arts launched The National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military in January 2012. This Initiative advances the arts in health, healing, and healthcare for military service members, veterans, their families, and their caregivers.

Americans for the Arts, in conjunction with the Congressional Arts Caucus and 86 national co-sponsors, celebrates Arts Advocacy Day 2010 today. More than 500 arts advocates from across the country are meeting with their representatives on Capitol Hill, calling on Congress to support arts-friendly legislation and policies. A highlight of the day is a congressional hearing entitled “Arts Build Communities” hosted by Rep. James P. Moran (D-VA), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior. Advocacy has been at the core of Americans for the Arts’ history and is one of the many milestones being celebrated during the organization’s 50th anniversary year. Arts Advocacy Day 2010 brings together a broad cross section of America’s cultural and civic organizations, along with hundreds of grassroots arts activists.

Healing Newtown, a project of the The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, is focusing on the power of music and art to connect and heal a community that was shocked and devastated by the Dec. 14, 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook School. Since December, Healing Newton has been offering classes and workshops as well as hosting community events.

"Most dance companies make money by selling tickets to their performances. Boise-based troupe Trey McIntyre Project has a more expansive business model: 'We've decided that we have a real asset, which is the creative process itself. We're selling that,' says John Michael Schert, the company's co-founder and executive director.

Some corporate giants are interested in the pitch. The University of Chicago Booth Business School recently brought Schert in for advice on getting inspired, and several Boise businesses have teamed up with the dance company.

Americans for the Arts will participate in the 2nd National Summit: Arts, Health and Well-Being Across the Military Continuum hosted by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is a by-invitation event focusing on the benefits of arts exposure, active art-making, and issues related to research, policy, and practice in arts and health across the military continuum.

On August 8-10, Americans for the Arts partnered with the Aspen Institute Arts Program to convene the sixth annual Americans for the Arts Aspen Seminar for Leadership in the Arts. Every year, the seminar brings together a select group of 25-30 artists, philanthropists, corporate and foundation leaders, and arts practitioners in an engaged dialogue that explores how we can create a more vibrant role for arts and culture in American society.