Friday, April 1, 2011
Americans for the Arts, in conjunction with the Congressional Arts Caucus and more than 80 national co-sponsors, announces the event schedule for Arts Advocacy Day 2011. The 24th annual event is organized by Americans for the Arts and is presented this year in partnership with Ovation, the only television network devoted to arts culture.
Arts Advocacy Day brings together a broad cross-section of America's cultural and civic organizations, along with hundreds of grassroots advocates from across the country, to advance the importance of developing and sustaining strong public arts policies and to advocate for increased public funding for the arts and arts education. Ovation CEO Charles Segars and Kerry Washington are honorary co-chairs of the event.
Events include the Nancy Hanks Lecture on Art & Public Policy, Congressional Arts Kick Off and a special hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee. Details for each Arts Advocacy Day event follow:
Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy:
| Who: | Kevin Spacey, Academy Award®-winning actor and Artistic Director of the Old Vic Theatre |
| What: | Kevin Spacey will deliver the 24th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy, a leading national forum for arts policy, intended to stimulate discussion of policy and social issues affecting the arts. He will be introduced by Charles Segars, CEO of Ovation and the 2011 Co-Chair of National Arts Advocacy Day. The lecture provides an opportunity for public discourse at the highest levels on the importance of the arts and culture to our nation's well-being. |
| When: |
Monday, April 4, 2011 |
| Where: |
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC |
| Why: | The lecture provides an opportunity for public discourse at the highest levels on the importance of the arts and culture to our nation's well-being. |
| Tickets: |
Seating is limited, and the deadline for ticket requests is April 1, 2011. |
Congressional Arts Kick Off:
| Who: |
Speakers at the Congressional Arts Kick Off include: Hill Harper, film and television actor and author
|
| What: | The Congressional Arts Kick Off marks the official start of the Arts Advocacy Day events on Capitol Hill. The Congressional Arts Leadership Award will also be presented at the Kick Off. The award, which recognizes distinguished service on behalf of the arts, is part of a series of Public Leadership in the Arts Awards given annually by Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors. |
| When: |
Tuesday, April 5, 2011 8:00 a.m. -; 9:30 a.m. RSVP is essential for press coverage. Please contact Catherine Brandt at [email protected]. |
| Where: |
Cannon Caucus Room 345 Cannon House Office Building |
| Why: | This high-energy event is always full of great, unexpected comments and sound bites. This year will be no exception. |
Special Hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee:
| Who: |
Witnesses providing testimony at the hearing include:
|
| What: | Special Hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on funding for the National Endowment for the Arts |
| When: |
Tuesday, April 5, 2011 |
| Where: |
Rayburn Building Room 2359, 3rd Floor |
| Why: | Witnesses' testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior will focus on the importance of the arts to the nation and the need to retain current levels of funding to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Their testimony will also underscore the importance of developing strong public policies for the arts and arts education. |
