It’s the week you’ve been waiting for: time to make plans to gather (virtually!) with your fellow arts leaders at the 2020 Annual Convention and Public Art & Civic Design Conference. Register now and join us June 23-25 for the same quality breakout sessions, keynotes, and networking opportunities you love about our convenings—all served directly to your home (no need to convince your boss to pay for that extra hotel night!).

Also this week, we’re diving into COVID response and recovery from various angles: Tune into our webinar outlining the PPP loan forgiveness process, learn why local arts agencies are essential to communities in times of crisis, get ideas on how to reshape arts programming and engagement for virtual audiences, and discover how artists can partner with municipalities to address a host of community issues, including crisis recovery. Finally, read the story of the Frogtown Artwalk, created by an arts collective in LA County to connect residents and support local artists.

ARTSblog

10 Reasons to Invest in Your Local Arts Agency During a Crisis by Randy Cohen
America’s local arts agencies lead, cultivate, and support the ability for arts and culture to thrive. They ensure vibrant and accessible arts experiences for all. LAAs are an essential tool for local leaders as they work to rebuild their economy and promote social cohesion in the wake of COVID-19. Here are 10 reasons why investing in LAAs benefits everyone.

How to Combat Gentrification (and Save an Arts Community) by Tracy A. Stone
In the working-class Elysian Valley neighborhood in Los Angeles, efforts to create a strong arts community through an annual arts festival has bridged divides among residents and is providing support to mitigate gentrification and displacement for artists.

Artists as Essential Workers with and within Local Government:
Models & 3 New Resources for a Creative Way Forward by Pam Korza
Municipal and county government officials face unfathomable challenges in recovery and reconstruction stemming from COVID-19. Artist-in-Residence programs have demonstrated that artists working in partnership with government are essential workers who bring creative practices and solutions to issues that municipalities face.

News Room

Registration Open for Virtual Summer Conferences
The newly virtual 2020 Annual Convention and Public Art & Civic Design Conference, happening June 23-25 from the comfort of your home, is the chance for arts leaders across the country to gather virtually and better understand the current health crisis, how we are responding to it, and how the arts field can move toward recovery.

ArtsU

How Crisis Management Changed our Internal and External Operations for the Better
The current COVID-19 pandemic has forced arts organizations across the globe to rethink and reshape the way they operate and present their programs. Learn a variety of ways to transition fine and performing arts events into virtual experiences and discover digital tools that increase internal and external engagement.

PPP Loan Forgiveness
The long-awaited Treasury guidelines and application form on loan forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) have finally been released. Hear from Americans for the Arts staff and expert guest speakers on the guidelines and how arts groups and artists can apply for loan forgiveness.

Pictured above: Frogtown Artwalk installation by Jericho Woggins. Photo by Gary Leonard.