Trust for the National Mall’s Post

The Kettering Foundation is integrating the arts into all areas of our work because of their capacity to affirm and advance democratic values. We are pleased the federal government shares that commitment. The National Endowment for the Arts and the White House Domestic Policy Council recently convened Healing, Bridging, Thriving: A Summit on Arts and Culture in Our Communities, which provides many examples of the ways in which the arts are “essential to the well-being, health, vitality, and democracy of our Nation.” https://lnkd.in/giVi4xVZ

This is a really important piece to digest when thinking about the consistent doom-mongering about the state of the arts, lack of funding and the scarcity trap everyone finds themselves in (not only financial, also time, mindset and more). I quote from Chrissie, as there's no need to paraphrase: "Recent newspaper headlines describing the plight of “England’s cultural jewels”, with national institutions like the RSC “barely hanging on”, as loss of local authority grants and the cost-of-living crisis bite, make it important to recognise the political austerity into which Heart of Glass was born.  Savage economic and social inequalities and the brutal divisiveness that can follow have long been a reality for its communities. A fearless determination to work with partners to confront this has led Heart of Glass to consciously expand what ambition and quality mean......Words like co-creation and collaboration have become ubiquitous (YES HAVEN'T THEY?!). Yet support for artists doing such work is not always there. More than simply identify itself as a learning organisation, Heart of Glass has worked to create spaces for collective learning and unlearning." How can institutional structures (including funders, including the big cultural organisations) learn and unlearn. What can this mean for allowing artists the support to do deep work in communities, on the periphery? How can we resist the narrative of "not enough' which becomes a self perpetuating micro-violence from those who have salaries and a lot to work with toward those on the edge (and their communities and stakeholders) doing important and invisible work (RSC Exec Producer has just been advertised at 115k a year - with respect this is not hanging on) - like Heart of Glass and many many many many others. How can we truly and deeply support those who have fearless determination and step out to make new things rise from the ground? Thanks Dr. Chrissie Tiller - for this timely piece.

What occurred in Florida should serve as a wake-up call. We must redefine the art's impact and how we measure that impact. If you're interested in learning about an innovative tool for measuring the outcomes of arts and concrete public value to improve your relevance, resources, and revenue, please message me. #artsadvocacy #artsimpact #artsfunding #artsmanagement #artsmeasurement

🇺🇸 Yesterday as we honored Memorial Day I realized how important it is to recognize how this holiday can influence the world of investing: 1. Market Closure: U.S. stock markets, including the NYSE and NASDAQ, are closed on Memorial Day, leading to a temporary pause in trading activity. 2. Reduced Trading Volume: Trading volume often decreases around Memorial Day as many traders and investors take time off, potentially leading to higher volatility and wider bid-ask spreads. 3. Market Sentiment: Positive economic data related to consumer spending over the holiday weekend can boost investor confidence, while negative data can have the opposite effect. Get to know the details of Memorial Day: https://lnkd.in/ed66j9Jj #Investing #MemorialDay #MarketTrends #InvestmentStrategies #Avestix #AVXI

Did you know that Memorial Day originated in the New York town of Waterloo to remember fallen soldiers of the Civil War? Yep, then following WWI, it became recognized as a day to remember fallen soldiers of all wars... ...and also became a federal holiday. Here is an blog article I published with a local magazine a number of years ago. It illustrates one use of educating readers, which could then lead them to your landing page. After you take a moment to remember your fallen soldiers, message me to chat more about how using blog posts could elevate your business!

History

Do you or someone in your network have a connection to the Mason Square community in Springfield? Join us tonight! Enter the heart of Mason Square's history at "Collecting Mason Square Stories," a community event by the Mason Square Racial History Project on Thursday, April 25 from 4 to 7 PM. Join us as we work to preserve our neighborhood's rich history through stories from our community's past, leveraging these stories as catalysts for healing and societal change as we build the future together. Engage in an evening of storytelling and connection, where memories hold weight and legacies are honored. In this gathering, we center the invaluable wisdom of our community elders, whose lived experiences illuminate our path forward, though all are welcome to attend and share their stories. Together, we'll engage in three core activities: 1) Storytelling Sessions: Share your personal experiences and family histories as we capture the essence of Mason Square through audio and video recordings. Let your voice be heard and your story be immortalized for generations to come. 2) Archival Showcase: Bring along your treasured photographs, news clippings, and memorabilia to be scanned and preserved in our growing archive. Together, we'll weave a tapestry of memories that paints a vivid picture of our shared heritage. You will be able to take your items home that night. 3) Timeline of Mason Square: Join us in crafting a dynamic timeline of Mason Square's history, mapping out the pivotal moments and milestones that have shaped our community. As we connect the dots of our past, we pave the way for a future steeped in understanding and unity. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of something truly meaningful. Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or simply have a story to tell, "Collecting Mason Square Stories" promises an evening of connection, reflection, and collective storytelling. Your story matters—come add your voice to the chorus of our vibrant community narrative. https://lnkd.in/exXAk77G

We are here to ELEVATE THE ALPHA SPIRIT: STRENGHTHING THE BROTHERHOOD & STANDING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

Smiling can have a positive impact on your professional life. Improved Sales: A salesperson's smile can be a powerful tool in sales and marketing. A warm and genuine smile helps build trust with potential customers and increases the likelihood of making a sale. Perceived Competence: Research indicates that when individuals smile at work, their colleagues perceive them as more competent, confident, and approachable. This perception often paves the way for better job opportunities and career advancement. Enhanced Creativity: Positive emotions, often associated with smiling, have been linked to increased creativity and improved problem-solving abilities. This can be especially beneficial in professions that demand innovative thinking. If you're not having fun, then it's just work.   Let's smile!

London’s 1000th blue plaque has been unveiled - If you had to guess how many blue plaques there are in London, what would you say? If your answer was 1000, well done, you read the headline. As of today (September 19), there are officially 1000 plaques in the capital.  The first-ever London plaque was placed in 1867 to show where Lord Byron lived. The house was demolished in the 1890s and on its site now sits a John Lewis, which bears a plaque commemorating the old plaque commemorating Byron.  The blue circle is now a ubiquitous London symbol. They offer insights into local history, celebrating places where people lived and died, or sites of historical significance. The latest addition honours the headquarters of the Women’s Freedom League, who fought for women’s rights in the early twentieth century. The group was an offshoot of the militant suffragette group the Women’s Social and Political Union and followed the motto ‘dare to be free’.  This new blue plaque follows news that they might soon spread throughout the entire UK and comes as the sponsors of the plaque scheme are looking to diversify their roster. Only 15 percent represent women and even fewer represent people from minority backgrounds.  Blue plaques are almost all made by one man and woman, whose livelihoods come mainly from making the ceramic discs. He commented on the new drive for diversity, saying, ‘The names are no longer just English names, which is significant because, you know, the people who’ve come to this country from all over the world have made a disproportionately large contribution.’ ‘It’s changing now, which is very much for the good.’ Here’s to another thousand plaques, and then some more plaques commemorating those ones. Fancy seeing the 1000th plaque for yourself? You’ll find it at 1 Robert Street in Westminster. Did you see that three London universities have been named the best in the UK? Listen to Time Out’s brilliant new podcast ‘Love Thy Neighbourhood’: episode seven with Big Zuu in Oxford Circus is out now. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.   It’s been almost 160 years since the first plaque was placed  https://lnkd.in/e_cTddC7