As we process the results of Election Day 2021 and look ahead to next year’s midterms, Americans for the Arts will host a lively conversation on creativity and the future of democracy with civic artist Rosten Woo and political theorist Dr. Danielle Allen. Read on to learn more about this special event and register to join us virtually on Dec. 3.

Also this week, catch up on insights from a recent Arts Marketing Coffee Chat, view a public art installation that raises awareness of racial terror in local history, and get to know Americans for the Arts member Asiyah Kurtz. Plus: emerging leaders can register for our new professional development webinars on equity in arts administration.

ARTSblog

Member Spotlight: Asiyah Kurtz by Linda Lombardi
Located in Camden, New Jersey, Camden FireWorks is a Black-led, community-based arts organization that works to grow, gather, and invest in artists and artists-to-be in the Camden community. Executive Director Asiyah Kurtz is an applied anthropologist with 20 years of experience in leadership of private, nonprofit, and public sectors.

Three Insights Tools for Increasing Audience Engagement by Dr. Melissa Akaka
In the recent Arts Marketing Coffee Chat entitled “Research & Data: What Do You Need?” I shared the process for how arts organizations can address a specific a business problem by identifying data that an organization has or needs, which can provide insights into developing an effective solution.

News Room

Social Justice Projection Art Brings Awareness to Lynchings in Montgomery County, Maryland
Certain Party or Parties Unknown is a temporary multi-media public art exhibition which will be projected at multiple sites in downtown Rockville on November 5 and 6, 2021. The artwork focuses on victims of racial terror lynchings in the county to further community dialogue about racial justice and increase awareness of local history.

“Democracy and Civic Imagination” event Dec. 3 with Johnson Fellow Rosten Woo
What role does culture play in creating a civic imagination and creating a future for Democracy in America? Join civic artist Rosten Woo and political theorist Dr. Danielle Allen for a virtual conversation exploring strategies from political and creative practices that hold promise for creating a culture of citizenship and participation.

ArtsU

2021 Arts & Cultural Equity Studio | Emerging Leaders Collection
The Arts & Cultural Equity Studio (ACES) is a new professional development collection for emerging arts leaders looking to develop skills for career advancement. Join field leaders to explore cultural equity in arts administration across marketing, programming, and philanthropy in a series of webinars beginning Friday, Dec. 3. Registration support is available.

Photo by Lewis Guapo on Unsplash.