It’s been a busy two weeks in America! In this double digest roundup, read our 2020 Election statements, first urging states to count every properly postmarked and received ballot (published before a projected winner was declared) and then congratulating the incoming Biden/Harris administration. And if that’s not enough election news, our members are reminded that voting is now open for our annual Advisory Council elections—be sure to cast your ballot by Nov. 23!

Also in this roundup: find links to recent webinars designed to support struggling arts organizations during these challenging times; read a case for financial support for the arts as a way to combat bias and injustice; get to know fellow members and mother-daughter artistic duo Rosine Bena and Ananda Bena-Weber; and learn what our president and CEO will be doing as a volunteer to work with the incoming administration on the arts and humanities.

ARTSblog

How the Arts Can Help Combat Bias and Injustice by Donna Walker-Kuhne
Why give money to the arts? Throughout every pandemic—and racial injustice is indeed an epic pandemic—the arts continue to define, shape, and sustain the narrative of the general population. Artists are natural innovators who can provide insight and help us consider solutions to the challenges we are confronting. Their work stimulates collective imagination; stirs our sense of possibility and has been shown to inspire us to action.

Member Profile: Rosine Bena and Ananda Bena-Weber by Abigail Alpern Fisch
Sierra Nevada Ballet founder and artistic director Rosine Bena and her daughter, associate artistic director and principal dancer Ananda Bena-Weber, spoke with us about their artistic collaborations, the work of SNB to expand its Academy and encourage talented students to remain in the Nevada area, and why they enjoy being members of Americans for the Arts. 

News Room

Americans for the Arts Action Fund Urges Every Legally Cast Vote to Be Counted Based on Each State’s Election Laws
To keep voters safe during the Coronavirus public health crisis, every state adopted some form of special voting accommodations this year, such as mail-in ballots and expanded early voting. These changes have yielded historically high voter turnout and many states passed legislation to allow for an extended counting period for all properly postmarked and received ballots.

Americans for the Arts Issues Statement Congratulating President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris
Americans for the Arts heartily congratulates Biden, Harris, and all the federal, state, and local elected leaders across the country who won their elections. The historic election saw record-high popular votes electing Joe Biden to become the 46th president of the United States and Kamala Harris, as both the first woman and woman of color, to be elected as vice president.

2020 Council Elections: Voting for Advisory Council Members is Now Open!
Americans for the Arts wants you to elect art professionals from the field to serve on one of four network advisory councils: Arts Education, Emerging Leaders, Private Sector, and Public Art. Voting closes November 23, 2020 at 1:00 PM ET and is restricted to members of Americans for the Arts at the Colleague level or higher.

Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch Selected to Serve in Biden-Harris Transition as Volunteer Member of the Agency Review Team
Serving as a volunteer citizen in his personal capacity, Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch is pleased to join the Biden-Harris transition Arts and Humanities Agency Review Team. Agency review teams are responsible for understanding the operations of each agency and ensuring a smooth transfer of power.

ArtsU

Before You Close: Strategies for Alternative Pathways Forward
The estimated total impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts sector stands at $13.1 billion and growing, with layoffs, furloughs, and canceled performances setting the stage for long-term financial impacts. This webinar speaks to organizations who are facing financial and operational hardships right now and offers specific solutions to consider, instead of closing their doors completely.

Preserving the Legacy of Your Arts Organization During Challenging Times
Long-time cultural worker Elysian McNiff Koglmeier shares best practices for preserving your institution's legacy. Learn how to digitize your collection and programs, what information is worth saving for today and tomorrow, ways to maintain and conserve your artworks for future generations, and the ever-popular topic of bringing your exhibitions and programming online to maintain relevancy.

Arts Vote artwork by Shepard Fairey.