Washington, D.C. — Americans for the Arts announces the event schedule for Arts Advocacy Day 2012. The 25th annual Arts Advocacy Day event is presented by Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, in partnership with Ovation, the only multi-platform network celebrating all forms of artistic expression. It is also co-sponsored by more than 85 national organizations representing hundreds of thousands of arts, culture, business, civic and education institutions and individuals nationwide.

Events include The Americans for the Arts 25th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy, Congressional Arts Kick Off and a question and answer session and photo opportunity for the press. Details for each Arts Advocacy Day event follow:

The Americans for the Arts 25th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy:

Who:  Alec Baldwin, Academy Award®-nominated and Emmy Award®-winning film, TV, and stage actor and activist; Maureen Dowd, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist; Ben Folds, noted singer-songwriter and record producer; YoungArts alumni musicians, Charles Segars, Ovation CEO and Co-Chair of Arts Advocacy Day; Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts; Ken Fergeson, chairman of the board of Americans for the Arts.

What:  Alec Baldwin will deliver the 25th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy, a leading national forum for arts policy, intended to stimulate discussion of policy and social issues affecting the arts. Maureen Dowd will introduce Baldwin, and Ben Folds will perform along with alumni musicians from YoungArts immediately prior to the lecture.

When:  Monday, April 16, 2012
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Where:  John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall
2700 F St NW, Washington, D.C.

Why:  The lecture provides an opportunity for public discourse at the highest levels on the importance of the arts and culture to our nation's well-being.

Tickets:  Seating is limited, and the deadline for ticket requests is April 11, 2012.
RSVP is essential for members of the media. Please contact Catherine Brandt at [email protected] for tickets and press credentials. Press are advised to arrive by 5:30 p.m. for check in.

Congressional Arts Kick Off:

Who:  Speakers at the Congressional Arts Kick Off include:

• Alec Baldwin, Emmy Award®-winning TV, film and stage actor and arts advocate
• Pierre Dulaine, celebrated  ballroom dancer and dance educator
• Ben Folds, celebrated singer-songwriter and record producer
• Hill Harper, film and television actor, author and Co-Chair of Arts Advocacy Day
• Melina Kanakaredes, film and television actress
• Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts
• Nigel Lythgoe, producer of "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance"
• Johnathon Schaech, actor, writer and director
• Charles Segars, Ovation CEO and Co-Chair of Arts Advocacy Day
• Rep. Louise Slaughter, co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus
• Clay Walker, renowned country music singer

What:  The Congressional Arts Kick Off is held in conjunction with the Congressional Arts Caucus and marks the official start of Arts Advocacy Day events on Capitol Hill. In addition, the Congressional Arts Leadership Award will be presented at the Kick Off. The award, which recognizes distinguished service on behalf of the arts, is part of a series of Public Leadership in the Arts Awards given annually by Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors.

When:  Tuesday, April 17, 2012
8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
RSVP is essential for press coverage. Please contact Catherine Brandt at [email protected].

Where:  Cannon Caucus Room
345 Cannon House Office Building

Why:  Delegation of artists will remark on the importance of the arts and arts education to the nation and the need to increase funding to the National Endowment for the Arts to $155 million. Their comments will also underscore the importance of developing strong public policies for the arts and arts education. In addition, this high-energy event is always full of great, unexpected comments and sound bites. This year will be no exception.

Press Q&A and Photo Opportunity Session:

Who:  Artistic panel at this session includes:

• Alec Baldwin, Emmy Award®-winning TV, film and stage actor and arts advocate
• Pierre Dulaine, celebrated  ballroom dancer and dance instructor
• Ben Folds, celebrated singer-songwriter and record producer
• Hill Harper, film and television actor and author and Co-Chair of Arts Advocacy Day
• Melina Kanakaredes, film and television actress
• Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts
• Nigel Lythgoe, famed television producer and director
• Johnathon Schaech, actor, writer and director
• Charles Segars, Ovation CEO and Co-Chair of Arts Advocacy Day
• Clay Walker, renowned country music singer

What:  Artistic delegation will field questions from media about their remarks made during the Congressional Arts Kick Off.

When:  Tuesday, April 17, 2012
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Press – Please RSVP to Catherine Brandt at [email protected].

Where:  Cannon Caucus Room
345 Cannon House Office Building

Why:  This event will provide press with an opportunity to interact with the delegation of artists. In addition, it will be the only moment during which the artist panel will pose en masse for photos.

Arts Advocacy Day brings together a broad cross-section of America's cultural and civic organizations, along with hundreds of grassroots advocates from across the country, to advance the importance of developing and sustaining strong public arts policies and to advocate for increased public funding for the arts and arts education. Ovation CEO Charles Segars and Hill Harper are co-chairs of the event.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

Ovation is the only multi-platform network celebrating art, artists and all forms of artistic story-telling. Its programming tells the stories of artists, their work, and the powerful impact art has on each of us. Ovation programming is a one-of-a-kind mix of original and selectively curated series, films, documentaries and specials. The network reaches a national audience of 51 million homes and is available on cable systems across the country, as well as nationally on DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse. Ovation is also available in HD and VOD (both in standard and high definition). Ovation extends its linear channel experience for viewers online via its popular website, www.ovationtv.com. In addition to offering contests, trivia, facts and supplemental video online, the network has created an award-winning online community (www.ovationtv.com/community) for everyone from passionate artists to the curious. To date, over 190,000 pieces of original art have been uploaded to the site by members.