This week, we hope you will read a letter from Board Chair Julie Muraco on challenges Americans for the Arts has faced in recent months. The Board is committed to continuing the ongoing dialogue between leaders and members in order to bring about transformation in the organization.

Also this week, we invite you to reflect along with artist Zoë Lintzeris on using the arts to process and heal from the trauma of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and to join us in congratulating six deserving arts leaders who were honored this week with our annual Leadership Awards and the Jorge and Darlene Pérez Prize in Public Art & Civic Design. And in case you missed it, President Biden has made his recommendations for the FY22 federal budget—including an unprecedented increase in financial support for the National Endowment for the Arts!

ARTSblog

A Letter From the Chair of Americans for the Arts by Julie C. Muraco
I have read your letters and comments over these last months as Americans for the Arts has faced challenges. Both I and other board members are committed to continuing dialogue so that we can work together to find an equitable and sustainable future for Americans for the Arts.

How Processing COVID-19 as an Artist Transformed My Arts in Health Practice by Zoë Lintzeris
No one living in New York last spring will forget the tension and the morbidity that enveloped the city when COVID-19 hit. Even though all my work was canceled—including my first invitation to curate and co-produce a show in Manhattan—I knew I had to release what I was feeling.

News Room

President’s FY 2022 Budget Request Shows Big Arts Support
On May 28, the administration released its fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget request, which calls for the largest requested increase in the history of the National Endowment for the Art (NEA)—a $201 million budget. This is a $33.5 million increase over FY 2021 levels for the NEA!

Alma Robinson Honored with Michael Newton Award
The Michael Newton Award recognizes an individual for their innovation in developing arts and business partnerships for the arts and/or long-term achievement in effective and creative techniques to engage the private sector. The 2021 honoree is Alma Robinson, Executive Director of California Lawyers for the Arts.

Julie Baker Honored with Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award
The Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award honors an individual at the state level whose arts advocacy efforts have dramatically affected the political landscape. The 2021 awardee is Julie Baker, Executive Director, Californians for the Arts and California Arts Advocates (Sacramento).

Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer Honored with Selina Roberts Ottum Award
The Selina Roberts Ottum Award recognizes an individual working in arts management who has made a meaningful contribution to their local community and who exemplifies extraordinary leadership qualities. The 2021 honoree is Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer, Executive Director of the Queens Council on the Arts.

Jean Tokuda Irwin Honored with Arts Education Award
The Arts Education Award recognizes transformational leadership in arts education through strategic planning, strong programming, and engaging partners to achieve community goals. The 2021 honoree is Jean Tokuda Irwin, Arts Education Program Manager for the Utah Division of Arts and Museums.

Christine Her Honored with American Express Emerging Leader Award
The American Express Emerging Leader Award recognizes visionary leadership by an individual who is a new and/or young arts leader who demonstrates an ability to engage and impact their community. The 2021 honoree is Christine Her, Executive Director of ArtForce Iowa.

Artist Allentza Michel Receives the 2021 Jorge and Darlene Pérez Prize in Public Art & Civic Design
Michel is the second to be honored with the Pérez Prize in Public Art & Civic Design, which includes a cash stipend of $30,000, as well as additional support for Michel to participate in learning opportunities and discussion about her work with national leaders in the arts and other allied fields.

Annual Convention

The 2021 Annual Convention was an inspiring virtual gathering focused on equity, recovery, and solidarity across the arts sector. Registered attendees may log in to the conference platform to access content and rewatch sessions for the next three months.

Pictured: Larissa FastHorse presents a keynote session at the virtual 2021 Annual Convention.