The National Arts Marketing Conference has come to a close! A big thanks to all those who participated this year in San Jose and we hope to see you next year in Louisville!
Twenty-five Chinese Ministry of Culture executives just left my office. It was exciting to learn about Chinese cultural investment in projects -- from massive contemporary visual art colonies in Beijing and Shanghai to an exploding phenomenon of cultural festivals in cities and villages throughout their colossal country. They in turn were eager to learn how the arts industry is structured and supported in the United States. As they were leaving my office, 35 French, Belgian and Spanish business leaders arrived with the cultural officer from the French Embassy.
It's hard to believe that the 2010 elections were 20 days ago today. For those of us who work in politics the day is akin to a holiday but just because the elections our over it doesn't mean our work is finished - in fact we have a lot ahead of us. Now is the time when we sit down and figure out what the results from the ballot box mean for the arts and arts education.
In 1968, 7,000 companies were asked how much they give to the arts and why they give to the arts. In the original BCA Survey of Business Support of the Arts which was conducted in partnership with the National Industrial Conference Board we learned that businesses give to the arts to improve corporate image, improve sales and services, aid employee recruitment, attract other industries to the area, encourage tourism and benefit employees, community and society.
Sound familiar?
Today, all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives will be sworn in, and 13 new U.S. Senators will take the oath of office as a result of the November elections. It is critical to contact them now to show that the arts are important to you and your community.
In our newest NAMPRadio podcast, panelists Ron Evans, Matt Campbell, and Maris Smith talk with special guest panelist and jazz artist Dmitri Matheny about the day-to-day grind for individual artists having to promote themselves.
What does the future of the arts in America look like? How can my organization work even more effectively within my community?
The Americans for the Arts 2011 Annual Convention on June 16-18 in San Diego, CA will answer these questions and off the critical and timely professional development you need in local arts development, advancement, and policy.
Each year, Americans for the Arts presents awards to honor those who are committed to building communities through the arts. The National Arts Awards recognize high-profile artists and philanthropists; and National Public Leadership in the Arts Awards, recognize public officials.
"Federal support for arts and culture is now officially in the cross hairs of congressional Republicans, if that's a metaphor we're still allowed to use.
Americans for the Arts announced the first update to its National Arts Index, the annual measure of the health and vitality of the arts industries in the United States. The 2010 Index offers the first comprehensive picture of how the arts fared during the Great Recession.
National Arts Advocacy Day
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Washington, DC
April 4-5, 2011
Last night, President Barack Obama delivered his annual State of the Union speech before the United States Congress where he addressed three areas of concern that resonate with arts advocates: federal spending, jobs and education policy. Earlier this week, 165 conservative members of Congress representing the Republican Study Committee called for termination of the National Endowment for the Arts and key arts education programs at the U.S. Department of Education. We know that the battle to protect these programs will be tough this year, but with your help, not insurmountable.
Susan Smith Ellis, CEO of (RED), leads a creative powerhouse with the mission to combat AIDS around the world. Named one of the Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company, Smith Ellis will share how the work of artists, designers, and performers play a key role in the (RED) mission and its success in raising more than $160 million in four years.
Smith Ellis will inspire and motivate you with stories about the innovation, tenacity, and original business model that make (RED) a ground-breaking example for mission-driven organizations everywhere.
Now more than ever we need to come together to fight one of the biggest battles we have had to protect and save the arts. Listen to Nina Ozlu Tunceli's, Chief Counsel of Government and Public Affairs, short podcast about Kevin Spacey, this year's Nancy Hanks Lecturer, and Arts Advocacy Day. She even announces a celebrity who will testify in front of Congress!
One of the largest arts audience activities of the year happened earlier this week. Thousands of artists from around the United States and throughout the world prepared for months for this single event on one night in February. It's called the Super Bowl. Yes there was football, too and some pretty exciting football at that. But this is a televised sports event where no one leaves their seat during the commercials because they might miss some really cool, fun art.
Are you starting to hear the drum beats coming out of Washington?
Now is the time for arts advocates to mobilize with a strong and unified voice. Let's get 50,000 messages to Congress over the next week.
The House Appropriations Committee has proposed a mid-year budget cut to dozens of valuable federal programs, including support for the arts. They want to cut the National Endowment for the Arts budget mid-stream from $167.5 million to $155 million.
