This week’s reading and resources cover a community art project supporting restaurants in NYC’s Chinatown, a new NEA report on the intersection of arts and technology, a member briefing on our Diversity in Arts Leadership intern program, an educator’s guide about First Amendment protection for art and artists, and a chance for early arts leaders to learn how to use the arts as a catalyst for community impact, plus the latest in our Member Spotlight blog series. Read on to catch up on anything you may have missed the first time around!

ARTSblog

Think!Chinatown Uses Public Art to Help Local Restaurants by Yin Kong
ASSEMBLY for CHINATOWN was launched to build outdoor dining spaces at no cost to Chinatown businesses. We design, source materials from Chinatown vendors, and construct compliant dining barriers for restaurants. Artists beautify and personalize the space for the restaurants with the help of volunteer painters.

Member Spotlight: Ernest Disney-Britton by Linda Lombardi
Since its inception, the Arts Council of Indianapolis has provided programs and services to the citizens of central Indiana, and to hundreds of artists and arts organizations. Vice President of Community Impact and Investment Ernest Disney-Britton’s areas of focus include grantmaking, arts education, impact research, and equity partnerships.

News Room

National Endowment for the Arts Publishes Report on Artists’ Use of Technology as a Creative Medium
Spearheaded by the NEA in collaboration with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Ford Foundation, “Tech as Art: Supporting Artists Who Use Technology as a Creative Medium” includes nine case studies and mentions over one hundred artists and organizations working within the intersection of art and technology. 

First Amendment Watch Releases Guide on Censorship and the Arts
“Does the First Amendment Allow the Government to Censor Art?” addresses the relationship between freedom of speech and art censorship. It focuses on exploring two overarching questions: What are the limited circumstances under which public officials can censor art? And what protection does the First Amendment provide?

ArtsU

July 2021 Member Briefing: Equitable Recruitment and Support Through Internships
Americans for the Arts' Diversity in Arts Leadership internship team shares their challenges and successes managing an internship program, advancing diversity in the arts management field, and providing the newest members of the workforce with real-world career experience. A host arts organization and intern in the program also share their insights.

DIALogues | Using the Arts as a Catalyst for Community Impact
In this session, participants learn to build their own internal strategies by asking themselves key questions and learning how they can ensure their spaces and practices are activated with intention for sustainability and community-connectedness. This session is part of the DIALogues Professional Development Collection designed to support college students and emerging leaders underrepresented in arts leadership. Learn more and register for the full collection here.

Pictured: Counter at 388 Cafe & Deli on Eldridge Street in NYC’s Chinatown, art by Sarula Bao, photo by A+A+A Studio.