Secretary Madeleine Albright spoke on the importance of art in cultural diplomacy at ArtsSpeak during the Democratic National Convention in 2012.

The ArtsSPEAK event in Charlotte during the Democratic National Convention took place at the Mint Museum on September 4, 2012. Joe Lamond, President and CEO of NAMM moderated a panel of elected officials, advocates and arts leaders. Featured speakers included: Madeleine Albright, Former U.S. Secretary of State; Richard W. Riley, Former U.S. Secretary of Education and former SC Governor; Mayor Kevin Johnson, Mayor of Sacramento and the 2nd Vice-President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors; Secretary Linda Carlisle, North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources; Jay Everette, Senior Vice President, Community Affairs Manager Wells Fargo and Chair, Board of Trustees for Mint Museum of Art; James E. Rogers, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Duke Energy and Co-chair, Charlotte In 2012 Convention Host Committee; Bernie Williams, jazz musician and champion New York Yankee-outfielder; Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts.