Request for Proposals: work with us on the Arts Impact Explorer! 🎨📊 The Art Impact Explorer is an interactive tool that shows how the arts impact and integrate into 29 different aspects of community life. Submit an RFPs to help us update impact points, new organizations and publications! The RFP is open until July 15. Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3W4wFaO You can check out the Arts Impact Explorer and learn more: https://bit.ly/3W3MHlw

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 Kresge Foundation celebrates 100 years of service! The Kresge Foundation recently commemorated their founding on June 11, 1924, with a centennial celebration at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The event was attended by our newest interim co-CEOs, Jamie Bennett, National Endowment for the Arts Chair María Rosario Jackson, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and many others, plus, performances from a vast array of local artists. 🎤 The centerpiece of the evening was a conversation between The Kresge Foundation President and CEO Rip Rapson and former President Obama. Since 1924, The Kresge Foundation has expanded equity and opportunities in America’s cities through grantmaking and social investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development. 🎨 Through their Arts & Culture program they aim to ensure creativity is valued widely as an integral resource for health and sustainable places. This can be seen through initiatives like Kresge Arts In Detroit, which recently announced their 2024 Fellows and Gilda Award recipients! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gurSUMZ6 🥳 Congrats on the big 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣! 🎥 Watch a recording of the event here: https://lnkd.in/gyD-tSGU

Learn about the transformative impact of the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX)! A partnership between Art of the Rural and Appalshop, Inc, this creative leadership program strengthens professional and intercultural competencies while building connections across racial, economic and geographic divides. Since its start in 2014, RUX has hosted eight cohorts in 13 communities, and has since expanded to a network of almost 300 Kentuckians and Minnesotans from all backgrounds, including artists, educators, farmers, elected officials, entrepreneurs, nurses, and more. 🎨🩺📚 🤝 From connecting diverse leaders to 💬 fostering community dialogue, learn how non-profit organizations around the country are bridging divides to make a difference and building stronger local communities. 📰 Read more in a recent article from The New York Times: https://lnkd.in/ehyUYesT

📅 Join us at the Texas Advocacy Summit & Awards hosted by Texans For the Arts on June 27 in Waco! Discover and learn all about how advocating for the arts can transform communities, bring joy, and create vibrant spaces. Let’s paint Texas with creativity and fun! 🎨 🎙 Plus: Make sure to catch the Keynote Presentation: The Superpowers of the Arts delivered by our own Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research and Genna Styles Lyas, EdD, MEd, BFA, Director of Community Engagement & Equity at 1:30 PM CST. You'll learn how to talk about the arts and use cutting edge data in powerful ways to funders, decisionmakers, and the media. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ggdKyagz

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.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to Nolen Bivens as he transitions out as President and CEO of Americans for the Arts. As he begins this next chapter, we celebrate his leadership and lasting impact. As a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, Nolen has brought the benefit of the arts for service members and Veterans to the forefront of the conversation on the arts impact on society. His advocacy for the arts as a national asset, driven by his Seven Principles, have guided our shift to equitable arts advocacy. During his tenure, Nolen invested in #AEP6, the first research of its kind to examine the role of the BIPOC arts community. He also originated partnerships and launched initiatives with national racial justice organizations and multiracial thought leaders to further advance and democratize Americans for the Arts’ policy and advocacy agenda. Thank you for leading us with integrity and your contributions to ensure everyone can experience the arts throughout their lifetime. Best of luck in your next chapter! 🎨✨