Americans for the Arts released a statement in response to the executive order signed by President Trump that denies entrance into the U.S. by immigrant and non-immigrant visitors from seven Muslim-majority nations. In the statement, Americans for the Arts stands in opposition to policies that limit the free exchange of art, artists, and ideas based on nationality, faith, race, age or ability—and deplores the discriminatory nature of this travel ban.

The statement outlines the implications that this ban has on the arts, emphasizes how the arts improve international and cultural relations, and provides steps that can be done to take action and make a difference.

Read the full statement.