This week: As we looked back on last year's arts advocacy successes, including increased federal funding for the arts and new support for creative arts therapies for military personnel and arts programs for at-risk youth, President and CEO Robert L. Lynch and Artist Committee member Ben Folds once again took the case for the arts to Capitol Hill, asking a House Appropriations subcommittee to support $170 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. Here's what else you might have missed in a busy week for the arts!

ARTSblog

Increased Scope of Legislative Priorities Bears Fruit by Peter Gordon
In a process that began over a year ago, the Arts have gained increased support and funding through the Congressional appropriations process. While traditional legislative priorities garnered increased funding and support language from legislators, new areas also were recognized and encouraged by appropriators for the FY 2020 funding cycle, made possible by an active Congressional Arts Caucus and Senate Cultural Caucus, a growing coalition of pro-arts organizations, and motivated grassroots advocates in every state.

Business Spotlight: CEO Connects with the Arts to Develop Strong Teams by Henry Kurkowski
In my professional life, I have seen what the power of the arts in the workplace can accomplish with employees and the measurable impact the arts have on company team members regarding critical thinking, creativity, and productivity. I have found that a consistent engagement with the arts and employees is a powerful strategy to retain talented people while keeping up innovation and productivity. It develops more well-rounded team members, and that helps the whole team become more synergistic.

News Room

Americans for the Arts Celebrates Two Decades of Recognition in the Public Art Field
This year Americans for the Arts will both celebrate the work of the public art field through a review of the over 800 PAN Year in Review projects, and take a moment to pause and reflect on the PAN Year in Review program in order to relaunch a more equitable program in 2021.

Apply for Scholarships to Annual Convention and Public Art & Civic Design Conference
Full ride and partial reimbursement scholarships are available to members interested in attending the 2020 Annual Convention and Public Art & Civic Design Conference, June 26-28 in Washington, D.C. Opportunities include scholarships for emerging leaders, practicing artists, leaders of color, individuals with rural-based organizations, LGBTQIA+ leaders, and leaders from small-size budget organizations. Deadline is Feb. 24.

Americans for the Arts Welcomes Ira Sallen to Board of Directors
“Ira will add a depth of wisdom to the Americans for the Arts Board of Directors given his long experience in the arts and entertainment sector,” says board chair Julie Muraco. “His background will surely inform our work in support of artists and the Creative Industries, among other areas important to our mission.”

Americans for the Arts Artist Committee Member Ben Folds and President and CEO Robert L. Lynch Deliver Testimony to U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Urging NEA Funding Increase to $170 Million
In submitted testimony, Lynch expressed deep appreciation to Congress and the bipartisan work of the Subcommittee, and focused his testimony on the vital impact of the NEA—particularly for rural communities—and the remarkably far-reaching nature of the NEA. Folds, who is Chairman of ArtsVote 2020 and a board member of the Americans for the Arts Action Fund, brought to the subcommittee’s attention the notion of engaging and expanding new audiences, something very close to the work he does with symphony orchestras across the country.

Video

Watch Ben Folds testify on behalf of Americans for the Arts in front of the U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, asking for increased federal funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. (Video via the Arts Action Fund.)