Musician and arts advocate John Legend delivered the commencement speech at the University of Pennsylvania on May 19^th, where he discussed the link between art and social justice. He also elaborated on the role the arts played in his childhood, particularly as a way to cope after his parents’ divorce.

“If I didn't fall in love, no one could ever betray me like that again,” said Legend. “The only thing I allowed myself to really love without reservation was music.”

Kerry Washington, actress and arts education advocate, wrote to the Huffington Post on May 20 about the real-life story of Kechelle from Anacostia in Washington, DC and the story of many other students like her whose lives were transformed in Turnaround Arts schools across the country. 

With grant support, a temporary display of public art has been installed along the Yahara River in the city of Madision, Wisconsin. Five local artists were awarded compensation funds to develop artworks that respond to the Yahara River. Some of the artworks are more responsive to the history, such as Thomas Ferrella's “Black Hawk Yahara: A River of Tears”. As stated in the original article, people have come to the river walk to see the artworks and are excited by the visual impact of the exhibition.

The leadership of Intersecton for the Arts in San Franciso has issued a press release pertaining to their recent lay-offs and long-term financial struggles. The organzation has made changes recently to help combat some of the challenges, however the Board of Director Chair and Interim Director still had to make drastic descisions this week. The organzation has laid-off many of their programming and support staff, but are still moving along with their fiscal sponsored work.

On May 24th the new 30-acre park on Governors Island will open to the public and will be the location of several public art pieces and the beginnings of a new public art program. Artists like Susan Philipsz and Mark Handforth have created artworks specifically for the site. Upcoming works will include a permenat sculpture by British artist Rachel Whiteread.

Rhode Island School of Design launched an innovative mapping tool to visualize STEAM activity worldwide during a STEAM Industry briefing held on Capitol Hill, May 7, 2014 in cooperation with U.S. House STEAM Caucus Co-Chairs Suzanne Bonamici (OR) and Aaron Schock (IL).

To help inform the work of the STEAM Caucus, Americans for the Arts would like to invite you to add your organization (or yourself) to the Map to reveal the growing STEAM network, share what’s working, and show decision makers where STEAM is happening.

The 9th Annual GI Film Festival presents both classic and premier films celebrating the heroic stories of the American Armed Forces and the worldwide struggle for freedom and liberty. This unique film festival will be held in the Washington DC area just before the Memorial Day weekend to honor the courage and selflessness of American troops.

American Legion Auxillary's kickoff event last night for their 2015 conference was a tribute to the arts, and how the arts help members of our military and veterns in re-entry and healing. Americans for the Arts' CEO and President, Robert Lynch; Director of Arts Policy, Marete Wester; and Board member, General Nolen Bivens, U.S. Army, Ret. attended and spoke at the event. 

President Obama visited Chicago last week to designate the Pullman neighborhood as a national monument. This designation will help to protect the remains of the Pullman Palace Car Company’s factory in Chicago, and preserve other buildings that were once part of the quintessential planned company town.

Americans for the Arts' Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Dame Julie Andrews made a special appearance at the 87th Academy Awards on Sunday. Andrews appeared onstage after a tribute to The Sound of Music, celebrating the 50^th anniversary of its release this year. She then presented the award for Best Original Score. Andrews, who received an Oscar nomination for her role in The Sound of Music, won the award in 1964 for her starring role in Mary Poppins.

On June 18, Philadelphia City Council announced that it would not decrease the Philadelphia Cultural Fund's budget. In his 2016 proposed budget, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter announced he would decrease the Cultural Fund's budget to $1.8 million - a cut of 40 percent. The City Council has now approved an amended city budget that will keep the Philadelphia Cultural Fund's budget at $3.14 million.

Last Friday, June 19, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed off on capping the state's film tax credit program at $180 million. In the bill, a provision stipulates that film productions will not be able cash in on awarded film credit until the middle of 2016. The law will also place a limit of issuing no more than $30 million per film, which could impact large productions selecting Louisiana to film.

On June 17, California Governor Jerry Brown approved an increase of $8.3 million from the state’s general fund to the California Arts Council, which is $2.1 million more than what he originally proposed for the 2015-2016 budget.

With its additional funding revenues—$1.1 million from the National Endowment for the Arts and $2.5 million in projected donations from its specialty arts license plate program—the California Arts Council’s budget will be $11.9 million, its largest budget since 2004.

Americans for the Arts' Artists Committee member John Legend will perform a free concert at The Kennedy Center on Wednesday, May 28th at 7:30 PM.

Americans for the Arts' Artists Committee member John Legend gave the commencement speech at the University of Pennsylvania on May 19, 2014.