Americans for the Arts
Promoting the power of the arts to build better lives, better communities, and a better nation. All the arts for all the people!
For Debra, the journey to become an Art Director at Essence magazine was anything but easy. A key step was participating in our Diversity in Arts Leadership (DIAL) internship program. DIAL provides paid internships at art organizations and 1-on-1 coaching from a business mentor. She credits DIAL with helping her to forge the priceless connections that enabled her to get where she is today.
Financials
Programs
Arts + Social Impact Exlporer
The Arts + Social Impact Explorer is an interactive online tool that draws together more than 1,000 data points on how the arts impact and integrate into 26 different sectors ranging from education and innovation, to health and wellness, immigration, faith and environment. The tool provides quick top-line research, example projects, core research papers, and lists service and partner organizations doing this work, as well as provides printable PDF fact sheets to share with decision-makers.
www.americansforthearts.org/socialimpact
Arts & Economic Prosperity 5
Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 is our fifth study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry's impact on the economy. It documents the economic contributions of the arts in 341 diverse communities and regions across the country, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $166.3 billion of economic activity during 2015—$63.8 billion in spending by arts and cultural organizations and an additional $102.5 billion in event-related expenditures by their audiences. This activity supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in revenue to local, state, and federal governments.
This study puts to rest a misconception that communities support arts and culture at the expense of local economic development. In fact, communities are investing in an industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, and is the cornerstone of tourism. Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 shows conclusively that, locally as well as nationally, the arts mean business!
National Initiative for Arts and Health Across the Military
The National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military advances the arts in healthcare, healing, and well-being for military service members, veterans, their families and caregivers.
Working across military, government, private and non-profit sectors, the goals of the National Initiative are to:
Raise visibility, understanding, and support of arts and health in the military;
Advance the policy, practice, and quality use of arts and creativity as tools for health in the military; and
Make the arts as tools for health available to all Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, and staff, Veterans, military families, and caregivers.
Arts Education Navigator
With over 300 contributors and over 175 partner organizations, the Arts Education Navigator is your connection to the tools and resources you need to make the case for arts education!
Do you believe in the transformative power of arts education? The Arts Education Navigator will help you transform your passion into action. Follow this six step process to move from simple supporter to empowered advocate!
Your Role: Understand your role in the arts education ecosystem and where to place your influence to be most effective in your advocacy.
Your State: Learn which policies affect arts education in and out of school in your state and who to talk to about them.
Your Interest: Unpack the buzzwords in the field of arts education and connect with other organizations to learn more about what you can do.
Your Strategy: Brush up on your casemaking skills and connect with the latest tools to start crafting your advocacy strategy.
Your Target: Determine who to approach with your advocacy and how to best make the ask to your audience.
Your Story: Share your story with others and learn about what else is happening around the country.
Volunteering + Events
National Arts Action Summit, April 5-9, 2021
In the past year, we’ve seen more pro-arts policy advanced in the legislative process than ever before. As we work together to see the arts and culture sector recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdowns, local and national advocacy efforts will be a critical tool. The National Arts Action Summit will equip advocates to share data and authentic stories about the impact of the arts in their communities to educate federal decision-makers about why supporting the arts and culture sector is essential.
Join Americans for the Arts, organizational partners, and hundreds of advocates from April 5-9, 2021 for the National Arts Action Summit. Over these five days, advocates will gain a depth of knowledge from policy experts at Americans for the Arts and many organizational Partners. Learn compelling up-to-the-minute data, the latest in arts policy, and how to effectively engage decisionmakers to support the arts, arts education, and much more! You will also be able to watch a recording of these webinars whenever you like to refresh your understanding of the issues. Attendees will also connect with other advocates from their state and across the country.
Business Committee for the Arts
The Business Committee for the Arts (BCA) of Americans for the Arts was founded in 1967 by David Rockefeller, and encourages, inspires, and stimulates businesses to support the arts in the workplace, in education, and in the community. The Business Committee for the Arts of Americans for the Arts is comprised of companies and their leaders within who recognize the role the arts play in advancing business goals and transforming communities. Member companies and their leadership serve as ambassadors for the mission and engage on key initiatives including messaging, advocacy, and strategic alliances within the private-sector community. Business Committee for the Arts members demonstrate a commitment to positively impacting the arts in America. With access to a community of like-minded companies and peers, the network is a catalyst for greater leverage of the arts to address broad business, community and social issues.
