WASHINGTON—Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, today announces a robust schedule of events for the Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy and Arts Advocacy Day—part of the National Arts Action Summit—held on March 23-24. Now in their 28th year, the events are presented by Americans for the Arts and co-sponsored by more than 85 national organizations representing hundreds of thousands of arts, culture, business, civic, and education institutions and individuals nationwide.
“The Nancy Hanks Lecture serves as an opportunity for public discourse at the highest levels on the importance of the arts and culture to our nation’s well-being. Norman Lear embodies the connection between civil rights, social change, and the transformative value of the arts related to the many civic issues in today’s America,” said Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “Arts Advocacy Day is an opportunity for arts and community leaders to sit down with their members of Congress and not only convey the vital contribution that the arts make, but also ask for immediate action to ensure this crucial sector of our economy thrives. This strong, unified coalition has been instrumental in helping advance key legislative initiatives for over a quarter century.”
Monday, March 23: Legislative training and Nancy Hanks Lecture
The two-day event kicks off at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on Monday, March 23 with a day of legislative training sessions for 550+ grassroots arts advocates from across the country. Advocates learn about the current arts issues circulating on Capitol Hill and how to become effective advocates for increased support for the arts. On Monday at 6:30 p.m.,
Norman Lear, groundbreaking television producer, author, and social activist will deliver the 28th Annual
Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. His engaging lecture will address the social impact of art. Lear will be introduced by Grammy, Oscar, and Golden Globe award-winning artist
COMMON. The evening will also feature performances by the
Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and conductor
Nolan Williams, Jr.
Tuesday, March 24: Congressional Arts Kick Off and Lobbying
The Congressional Arts Kick Off is held in conjunction with the Congressional Arts Caucus and is designed to rally advocates immediately before they begin their lobbying visits with their members of Congress across Capitol Hill. During the event, which will be held in the Cannon Caucus Room, the Congressional Arts Leadership Award will be presented to Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), a member of the Senate Cultural Caucus. 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. Speakers at the kickoff include:
• Holland Taylor, actress, playwright
• Doc Shaw, actor, singer
• Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM)
• Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Congressional Arts Caucus Co-Chair
• Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ), Congressional Arts Caucus Co-Chair
• Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Congressional STEAM Caucus Co-Chair
• Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), Ranking Member on the U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee
• Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
• Jane Chu, National Endowment for the Arts, Chairman
• William “Bro” Adams, National Endowment for the Humanities, Chairman
• Robert L. Lynch, Americans for the Arts, President and CEO
• Vocal performances by featured singers of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra
Following the kickoff,
Holland Taylor, bandmates
Marc Roberge and
Richard On of
O.A.R., and
Doc Shaw will join over more than 550 arts advocates to make pre-scheduled Congressional visits and advance the importance of developing and sustaining strong public arts policies and to advocate for increased public funding for the arts and arts education. More information about our featured advocates is
here.
Due to security and space limitations, it is essential that media register in advance of the events. Press should contact Inga Vitols at
[email protected], or 202-371-2830, for press credentials.
Americans for the Arts extends its gratitude to the Rosenthal Family Foundation and Ovation for their generous support of the Americans for the Arts 28th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy. Americans for the Arts also thanks Ovation for their additional support of Arts Advocacy Day.
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.
