A study from Michigan State University found a strong connection between childhood arts or crafts education and adult business ventures later in life.  In full, the findings were so surprising that researchers concluded that not only was there a link, but that arts and crafts in youth development are actually critical to economic innovation.  This research is a powerful piece of evidence that could disprove the commonly held theory that the arts are merely an extra-curricular for students and thus easy to add or cut. 

This August, officials from the White House, famous Hispanic artists, and Americans for the Arts staff were on hand to visit Meadow Homes Elementary School in Concord, California and observe its two year growth in a new arts-centered curriculum.

"Forty-four disasters worldwide caused at least $1-billion in damage last year," said Bob Ottenhoff, Chief Executive of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. He was speaking at a recent conference about developing guidelines for effective disaster philanthropy. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is working with state regulators to develop guidelines for disaster philanthropy.

In their first art exhibit specifically focused on the military life cycle, the Arts Council of Moore County, North Carolina, is planning to present “Homefront & Downrange: Witness the Art in Military Life” from June 5-July 10, 2015 in the Campbell House Galleries in Southern Pines.  The soldier’s story is told through the combat photography of Hunter Rudd, a Special Forces veteran of Middle Eastern conflicts; military spouse and narrative textile artist Kristen La Flamme will exhibit works speaking to the families of those who serve; and the story of returning ho

October is the month to #ShowYourArt, meet up for Creative Conversations, and celebrate the role the arts and humanities have in shaping and improving our communities - it's National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM)! 

As people travelled over this summer and took selfies and photos with their friends, often times public art ends up part of the backdrop - or the main focus of instagram photos and the like, whether or not people realize it.

Our CEO, Bob Lynch, reminds people public art can be found anywhere and everywhere - and the value of public art to a community - in this month's Huffington Post article. 

Three weeks ago, the Beaumont Independent School District (BISD) realized they must act on their $25m shortfall for next year; their solution was to cut 231 teachers targeting specific genres of educators like the fine arts. This angered groups of students and business owners (from creative industries like tattoo parlor owners), who went to the BISD board and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to protest in support of a TEA takeover of BISD which would have a better solution than targeting the fine arts teachers.

“Private Life” is a series of stories exploring the unique bonds, loyalties, and rifts of military and civilian life, the shared codes of conduct, and what it means to be a survivor. Choreographed and directed by Deborah Slater, the piece was written by Deborah Crooks, and features original music by Bruno Louchouarn.  It was inspired by a dancer who was a soldier throughout his whole career.

Another “Freedom Rock” was unveiled in Wapello County, Iowa, painted by muralist Ray "Bubba" Sorenson II in a partnership between the Ottumwa Area Arts Council and local Vietnam Veterans groups. The 11.5 ton boulder has been transformed into a Vietnam Veterans Memorial for the town of Ottumwa and will lead the way for a planned Freedom Trail, linking the town's veteran tributes to one another.

Arthur Bloom, founder of MusiCorps, and has been chosen as one of the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2014. He will be honored at “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” airing December 7 on the global networks of CNN.

On September 21^st, more than 400,000 people came out for the People’s Climate March in New York City.  And what could be found in that sea of thousands, carrying messages of fear and hope and action, was art. Ben Pomeroy from Hyperallergic was on the ground documenting the handmade creations—many collaboratively built—that were central to the march, acting as sounding boards and representing the diverse array of voices within the thousands.

Roberto Bedoya, cultural activist and Executive Director of the Tucson Pima Arts Council, recently wrote on creative resilience in communities of color, highlighting the Chicano practice of Rasquachification as a method of this resilience.  

Americans for the Arts congratulates State Arts Action Network (SAAN) member Anne Katz, Executive Director of ArtsWisconsin, on being selected for the third class of the National Arts Strategies’ (NAS) Chief Executive Program.

The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) is the celebration and grand finale stage and art show, which are the culmination of talent competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music for Veterans treated in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national health care system.

The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) is the celebration and grand finale stage and art show, which are the culmination of talent competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music for Veterans treated in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national health care system.