News Room
Read the latest arts news
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Today the Obama Administration released its FY 2015 budget request to Congress, which includes funding for the nation's cultural agencies and programs, such as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Office of Museum Services, and the Department of Education's Arts In Education program.
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On Feb. 23, 2014 at the age of 110, Alice Herz-Sommer, a concert pianist and thought to be oldest survivor of the Holocaust, died in a London hospital. Mrs. Herz-Sommer was known around the world for her optimism and belief in the healing power of music. She shared her experiences and wisdom through books, YouTube Appearances and a short documentary film nominated this year for an Oscar. Born and raised in Prague, Mrs.
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Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam recently appointed Leo McGee to the Tennessee Arts Commission Board, which consists of 15 members of the state who have demonstrated a commitment to the arts.
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After more than three years of work, House Ways & Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) released comprehensive draft tax reform legislation on February 26, 2014 for review and comment.
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Blue Moon Brewing Company is celebrating the Lunar New Moon and the official launch of the @BlueMoonBrewCo Twitter handle with an interactive public art installation this Saturday, March 1, at DUMBO Plaza in Brooklyn, NY. When anyone 21 and older retweets @BlueMoonBrewCo on March 1, the moon will rise and Blue Moon Brewing Company will make a $5 donation to Americans for the Arts!
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Long round-trips aboard Amtrak trains dedicated solely for the purpose of writing? This is an idea that New York City-based writer Jessica Gross tweeted at Amtrak without ever thinking it could come true. But it did come true—when Amtrak offered Gross a free “test-run” residency aboard a train that traveled from NYC to Chicago and back.
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Americans for the Arts joins nearly 500 organizations from across the country in sending a letter to Congress in support of the IRA Charitable Rollover and legislation to make the provision permanent. December 31, 2013 saw the expiration of more than 50 different tax provisions that require congressional renewal.
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The Ford Foundation welcomes Lourdes Lopez as a newly elected member and the first artist to join its Board of Trustees. Ms. Lopez will serve a term of six years, set board policy for numerous topics, and oversee internal and independent audits while a trustee.
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According to a new plan, the National Gallery of Art and George Washington University (GWU) would take over The Corcoran Gallery of Art. As Washington’s oldest private art museum and a revered college of art and design, ceasing to exist as an independent institution would come with both a financial and emotional cost. The Corcoran’s 17,000 pieces of artwork that are worth an estimated $2 billion would be the National Gallery’s responsibility.
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Things are looking up for the nation’s state arts agencies. The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies reports that legislative appropriations increased 10.5 percent in 2014, to $306.6 million. This is the second year of growth following four Great Recession years of budget cuts.
KEY FINDINGS
1) State and jurisdictional arts agencies (SAAs) reported $306.6 million in legislative appropriations for fiscal year 2014.
