Americans for the Arts Action Fund

Meet Susan (Suzy) Delvalle and Jamie Bennett our new interim co-CEOs at Americans for the Arts! Suzy brings 20+ years of experience in the arts, enhancing mission-based orgs and promoting equity. She is passionate about enhancing the impact of mission-based organizations and promoting opportunity and equity in the cultural sector. Suzy believes in the transformative power of artists in communities and seeks to leverage her expertise to be of service to the creative practices that are close to her heart. Jamie has a depth of experience having worked at the intersections of nonprofits, philanthropy, and government with arts, culture, and comprehensive community development across rural, suburban, Tribal, and urban geographies. Previously he ran ArtPlace America and worked at the National Endowment for the Arts as a political appointee during President Obama’s administration and at the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs during Mayor Bloomberg’s administration. 🙌 We are thrilled to welcome their vision and expertise to our organization!

👏👏 The arts in #connecticut mean business…4% of our state’s GDP! Increased support & championship at all levels really does matter. Thanks for the research & data, Americans for the Arts. #MakeItHere 👏👏Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Connecticut Office of Tourism CT Office of the Arts (COA)

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis & National Endowment for the Arts Release New Data: "Arts are big business—and a growth industry in the U.S.—according to the annual Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account report by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The nation’s arts and culture sector (nonprofit, commercial, education) was a $1.1 trillion industry in 2022 that supported 5.2 million jobs. That represents 4.3% of the nation’s economy—a larger share of GDP than powerhouse sectors such as Transportation, Construction, Education, and Agriculture. The nation’s arts economy continued to outperform the entire U.S. economy in 2022 (+4.8% vs. +1.9%)." - Americans for the Arts

Americans for the Arts and Race Forward are thrilled to announce our support of 14 local projects as part of the inaugural Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy! From Alaska to Alabama, these individuals and organizations will be hosting a variety of activities and events in their communities that explore our history, how it shapes our present, and how everyday people are organizing to build an equitable and racially just future. The Cultural Week of Action will be supported by organizing partners to help to amplify and elevate this important initiative. ✨PolicyLink  ✨People's Action  ✨Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley ✨National League of Cities ✨National Civic League ✨Narrative Initiative  ✨Narrative Arts ✨German Marshall Fund of the United States ✨Equitable Cities LLC ✨Djimon Hounsou Foundation The Cultural Week of Action is for EVERYONE. The week of action will take place from September 27 – October 5 in communities across the country. Learn more about the 14 local projects and see how YOU can get involved at culturalweekofaction.org.

TOMORROW: Join us June 11 at 3 PM ET for a Community Conversation on Arts & Mental Health. 🌱 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eaziFTR4 We are honored to be joined by Dana Knapp, ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council, Elysian (McNiff) Koglmeier, National Organization for Arts in Health, and Sarah VanLanduyt, Arts Council of Johnson County as discussion leaders for this important conversation. The arts are being used to address mental health needs and improve quality of life in programs across the country, and we are excited to hear both from our discussion leaders and YOU about how we can continue to advocate for and advance this work.

Have you heard? Americans for the Arts Action Fund 2024 Why the Arts Matter factsheets are now available for all 5️⃣0️⃣ states, DC, and Puerto Rico. Find your factsheet and share how the arts and culture industry impacts your state! #WhyTheArtsMatter 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ebwv5ST4

Watch a recording of our recent webinar, Renewed Moments for Arts & Healing: Creating Shifts and Movements in Policy. 🌱 🎨 🩺Learn about the research and practices in arts and culture that have surfaced in our communities as a response to coping with public health issues. The webinar explored potential movements and shifts in policies and offer actionable ways to advocate for arts in the community. Speakers from The Epi Arts Lab (University of Florida - Center for Arts in Medicine) and Project ReFOCUS (a collaborative effort between Howard University and UCLA) and Appalachian Artisan Center presented their research findings and use cases, showing the intersection and impact between arts and health. 🎦 Thank you to our presenters! Watch now: https://lnkd.in/eS_a8KZq #ArtsandHealth

Join us in advocating for the NEA & NEH to be funded at $211 million in FY25 during #NationalArtsAdvocacy Zoom-In Week. You can take action NOW by writing a letter to Congress https://lnkd.in/gqTNZX3B

We kicked off National Arts Advocacy Zoom-In Week! Experience #NationalArtsAdvocacy Week with us and Americans for the Arts by taking action NOW at https://lnkd.in/eK-PMxzJ

NEXT WEEK: Join us as we learn more about arts and healing through the advocacy and policy lens! 🩺🎨📣 Register for our Arts and Health Webinar on May 14th. 🔗 bit.ly/3UwmDgL The Epi Arts Lab, Project ReFOCUS, and the Appalachian Artisan Center will present research on the intersection of arts and health and how to implement these practices in your community. #ArtsandHealth