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Americans for the Arts

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Building collective power for the arts so they thrive in every community—since 1960. Any post deemed to be in violation of this policy is subject to removal.

*Facebook Moderation Policy* As the arts are emblems of community and expression, we welcome (and encourage!) your comments and perspectives on the content we post on Facebook. We generally do not moderate posts and comments on our page, except in rare occasions where content is offensive, threatening, or libelous; is racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise discriminates against a class of people; contains spam or fraudulent links; or endorses illegal activity. The views expressed in Facebook comments are created by our community, and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Americans for the Arts.

10/14/2026

"Advocating for the arts matters so much to me right now because we’re at this very decisive moment,” says Los Angeles-based artist, illustrator, and writer Audrey Chan.

📣 We’re proud to announce Audrey as our 2026 Americans for the Arts Artist Fellow.

Audrey centers community stories in research-based projects that challenge dominant historical narratives. During her two-year residency with AFTA, she will connect her creative practice with our arts policy, research, and advocacy work, showing how artists can help shape cultural policy from within institutions.

“The power to shape our present and future is being taken out of our hands, and decision-making in our country has become less and less democratic. AFTA’s work is about getting our power back.”

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3W8TL2y

10/13/2026

Big news! We are thrilled to celebrate that our CEO Erin Harkey has been named to the inaugural NAACP Advancement List, a national recognition honoring outstanding professionals across multiple industries who are breaking barriers, driving innovation, and setting a powerful example for the Black community through their work.

This honor underscores our core mission: ensuring arts and culture have a permanent seat at the table as we build stronger, more equitable, and thriving communities.

Thank you to the NAACP for recognizing this vital work, and congratulations to all of Erin’s fellow honorees!

✨ Explore the full inaugural class here: naacp.org/advancement-list

10/09/2026

Atlanta, thank you for the warm welcome! 🧡

Our AFTACON 2027 preview brunch brought together arts leaders from across Atlanta for a first look at what's coming to The ATL in June 2027. We heard remarks from AFTA CEO Erin Harkey and Adriane Jefferson (City of Atlanta), and were joined by Doug Shipman (South Arts), David Manuel and Dr. Joycelyn Fowler (Fulton County Arts and Culture), among nearly a hundred other arts leaders from across the metro area.

Plus, spoken word artist Amena Brown brought the house down with a powerful performance.

We can't wait to be back in Atlanta for AFTACON, June 7–10, 2027.

10/08/2026

"When we dance in unison, our pulses begin to synchronize," says Letitia Fernandez Ivins, Senior Director, Civic Strategies & Partnerships at The Music Center in Los Angeles. "That's a pathway to a stronger democracy."

Join Letitia and arts advocates from around the country in celebrating National Arts and Humanities Month. Share your story and .

Explore all the ways to speak up and show up for the arts this month, including how to use our toolkit: https://bit.ly/4i33NuG

10/07/2026

The arts showed up in full force at the 2026 Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy. ✨

We engaged — Tony Award-winning actress, director, and educator Phylicia Rashad spoke about the arts and their role in American life, introduced by two-time Tony Award winner Kara Young.

We honored — three extraordinary leaders:
🏅 Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) — 2026 Senate Arts Leadership Award
🏅 Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) — 2026 House Arts Leadership Award
🏅 Nina Ozlu Tunceli — Lifetime Achievement Award for National Arts Leadership

We inspired — Performances by Step Afrika! and members of the West Virginia Symphony, and remarks by AFTA CEO Erin Harkey, Board Chair Kristina Newman-Scott, and Event Co-Chairs Lyndon K. Boozer and Nancy Stephens energized advocates from around the country.

The conversation continues. The movement is building. Join us. 🌎

10/05/2026

October 2026 is National Arts and Humanities Month! 🎉

Through October 31 and beyond, we’re asking you to Add Your Voice — and there are four ways to do it:

📣 Contact Congress — Kennedy Center, NEA & NEH, IMLS, arts education, and arts & economic data
🗳️ Get Out The Vote — visit ArtsVote.org to activate your community and make your voice count this election season.
🎥 Share Your Story — post with and to show why the arts matter to you.
🤝 Gather with Advocates — host or join a National Arts & Humanities Month event in your community.

Our toolkit has everything you need — social templates, legislative asks, key stats, and ready-to-use content. Download it and start making your voice heard.

Access the Toolkit → https://bit.ly/4i33NuG

Photo: Letitia Fernandez Ivins, The Music Center (Los Angeles, CA)

10/02/2026

On September 17 in Seattle, AFTA CEO Erin Harkey delivered the keynote for ArtsFund's Celebration of the Arts.

The evening brought together artists, supporters, and leaders from across Washington's cultural, philanthropic, and business communities.

Also featuring cultural performances by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra - USA, and performers from the 5th Avenue Theatre, it was a reminder of what a region can build when it invests in creativity.

Thank you, ArtsFund, for the invitation and for your work on behalf of Washington State's arts and cultural sector. ✨

📷: Alan Alabastro

10/01/2026

Last night, the 2026 Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy brought together artists, advocates, policymakers, and civic leaders from across the country for a night that reminded us why this work matters. ✨

Tony Award-winning actress, director, and educator Phylicia Rashad delivered a powerful message about the arts and their role in American life — in conversation with award-winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and introduced by award-winning actress Kara Young.

We honored three extraordinary champions of the arts:
🏅 Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) — 2026 Senate Arts Leadership Award
🏅 Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) — 2026 House Arts Leadership Award
🏅 Nina Ozlu Tunceli — Lifetime Achievement Award for National Arts Leadership

AFTA CEO Erin Harkey, AFTA Board Chair Kristina Newman-Scott, and Event Co-Chairs Lyndon K. Boozer and Nancy Stephens welcomed guests for a night of celebration and advocacy.

With a breathtaking performance excerpt from Step Afrika! and music by members of the West Virginia Symphony — it was a night we won’t soon forget.

Thank you to everyone who joined us — in person and around the world. Stay tuned — more to come.

09/30/2026

📊 Data Drop: In Museums We Trust

69% — seven in 10 Americans — trust public museums like the Smithsonian to present American history accurately, according to our latest national survey with NORC at the University of Chicago.

The finding comes amid debate over a White House directive concerning exhibits at the National Museum of American History — making this trust especially notable right now.

Our findings also echo recent research from the American Alliance of Museums, which found that museums remain among Americans' most trusted sources of information.

At a moment when public trust in institutions is under scrutiny, museums are holding steady as places Americans believe in.

Visualization by artist Mike Renaud.

09/29/2026

Join arts advocates from across the country and around the world on September 30 at 7:30 PM ET — watch live on YouTube. 🌎

Register now to receive a reminder and the livestream link. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4AwjMZC

Tony Award-winning actress, director, and university leader Phylicia Rashad will deliver the 36th Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy — speaking on the role of the arts in a healthy democracy. 🎭✨

The evening will honor distinguished champions of the arts:

🏛️ Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) — 2026 Senate Arts Leadership Award
🏛️ Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) — 2026 House Arts Leadership Award
🏅 Nina Ozlu Tunceli — Lifetime Achievement Award for National Arts Leadership

Also featuring:
🎤 Branden Jacobs-Jenkins in conversation with Phylicia Rashad
🎭 Award-winning stage and screen actress Kara Young will introduce them
💃 A special performance by Step Afrika!

Address

1275 K Street NW, Suite 1200
Washington D.C., DC
20005

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Friday	9am - 5:30pm

Website

https://bit.ly/m/Americans-for-the-Arts, https://www.americansforthearts.org/advocate/protect-the-nea

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