Elizabeth Streb is an internationally acclaimed American choreographer, performer, and teacher of contemporary dance and movement. Her choreography, which she calls "POPACTION," challenges us rethink the interface between people, technology, and society.

Americans for the Arts president and CEO Robert Lynch was named on The NonProfit Times' 2014 Power and Influence Top 50. This is the third consecutive year Lynch has been recognized by the publication for his leadership for Americans for the Arts.

This year's Opening Keynote Address will feature Steve Stoute, Founder and CEO of Translation, former record label executive, and one of the most influential marketing minds of our time. Stoute delivers a wealth of knowledge in the areas of diversity, cultural marketing, and embracing today's generation of globally aware and media-saturated consumers.

Yesterday, July 24, Americans for the Arts and the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) presented Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann with the Public Leadership in the Arts Award for State Arts Leadership, which honors a public official who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts at the state level. Lt. Gov. Ellspermann will receive her award at the NLGA’s Annual Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, on July 24.

Longtime arts advocate Anthony Turney passed away July 4, 2014.  Turney had a varied career, spanning several cities, starting in New York as an event producer. He would eventually become Deputy Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, DC; Executive Director of the Dance Theater of Harlem; Administrative Director of the San Francisco Opera; and CEO of the NAMES Project Foundation. In 1996, he was ordained to the Episcopal diaconate and continued to work as a member of the clergy until his retirement.

Jay Dick, Americans for the Arts' Senior Director of State and Local Government Affairs, was sworn in as a Comissioner for the Virginia Commission on the Arts last month and will serve a 5 year term with them starting July 1, 2014.

Americans for the Arts held a leadership roundtable in Sun Valley, ID on June 26th - 28th. The Arts Leadership Roundtable brought together 30 artists, philanthropists, and corporate leaders in a proactive dialogue to explore how the arts can be utilized as a positive force for change. The focus of the roundtable was to explore the growing connection between the arts and technology.

Americans for the Arts mourns the loss of Rebecca Blunk, who passed away on June 22, 2014, along with New England Foundation for the Arts and the greater arts community.

On Wednesday, June 18, Bob Lynch and other members of Americans for the Arts' staff joined The Art Institutes for their Congressional Arts Reception honoring this year's Annual Poster Design Competition winners. This year's winners are Ameila Kohr who will be attending the Art Institue of Las Vegas, Madeleine Brackett who will be attending The New England Institue of Art, and first-place winner Ashley Devaney, who will be attending The Art Insititue of Charleston. 

On Wednesday, May 28^th, our President and CEO Bob Lynch keynoted the ArtsFund Annual Celebration of the Arts Luncheon in Seattle, Washington. He spoke about the state of the arts in the United States and their value to the country and to the Puget Sound region.

Americans for the Arts announced today that ten state teams would join a three-year pilot program to strengthen arts education by advancing state policy. Announced at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ legislative summit in Minneapolis, the ten states entering the pilot program are:

Ben Folds, musician and arts education activist, will speak Friday, June 13 at 11:30 a.m. with Americans for the Arts' CEO and President, Bob Lynch, at our 2014 Annual Convention. He will share with attendees his personal history and transformation into an artist-acitvist, which has allowed him to witness the power of arts education in transforming the lives of young students.

This opening keynote session will also include Bob Lynch's State of the Arts speech, the Leadership Awards Lunch, and a welcome from Nashville mayor Karl Dean. 

Americans for the Arts needs YOU to help us test the Public Art Network (PAN) Year in Review Database. The database allows you to search and find details about past works recognized by the PAN Year in Review from 2006-2013. Information about awardees from 2000-2005 will be added by the fall of 2014.

Americans for the Arts is pleased to announce the 2014 BCA 10: Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts in America, which recognizes 10 businesses of all sizes for their exceptional involvement with the arts. The awards will be celebrated on October 1, 2014 at a gala presentation and dinner in New York City, which will highlight the ways in which today’s businesses are using the arts to inspire employees, stimulate innovation, and foster creative collaboration all across the country.

Consumers spend nearly $150 billion annually on entertainment and the arts. How does this breakdown to spending on the arts in your individual community?

The Arts & Business Council of New York is talking employee engagement on Twitter this Thursday, May 29th!