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Americans for the Arts

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Americans for the Arts

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.

05/28/2026

HBCUs have long shaped American culture — producing generations of artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers, and creative leaders whose work defines the national story.

New bipartisan Senate legislation introduced by Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Senator Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) would help strengthen arts education and cultural programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities by expanding allowable uses of federal funding under the Higher Education Act. Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.) has introduced this legislation in the House.

“As a graduate of Howard University, I have seen how HBCUs foster artistic excellence and creative leadership,"" said Erin Harkey, CEO, Americans for the Arts

The HBCU Arts Act would support:
→ Arts education programs
→ Paid internships and apprenticeships
→ Student support services
→ Cultural preservation and Black art collections
→ Career pathways for emerging creative leaders

Investing in arts education means investing in the next generation of cultural leadership.

Read More 🔗 https://bit.ly/4315fpa

05/22/2026

When San Diego proposed cutting 85% of local arts and cultural funding, it wasn’t just a budget decision. It was a statement about what a city values — and who it’s willing to leave behind.

In a new San Diego Union-Tribune op-ed, Americans for the Arts CEO Erin Harkey and California for the Arts CEO Julie Baker are clear: the arts are not a line item you cut when times get hard. They are the infrastructure that keeps cities connected, economies moving, and communities whole.

“San Diego’s arts are not optional. They are essential. They are jobs, mental health support, and community infrastructure.”

San Diego isn’t alone. From local budget fights to federal threats against the National Endowment for the Arts and other cultural agencies, communities across the country are making the case that arts funding must be prioritized — from city halls to Congress.

Budgets are values. And right now, Americans for the Arts — alongside state and local partners — is making sure decision-makers know what’s at stake.

Ready to take action?
➡️ Get involved in your local community — show up, speak up, and make your voice heard
➡️ Tell your federal representatives to protect arts funding — 🔗 https://bit.ly/4uXN8MF
➡️ Hear more from Erin on the Prebys Foundation’s Stop & Talk podcast — 🔗 https://bit.ly/4eYeptR

05/20/2026

Americans for the Arts Chief Programs Officer Ayanna Hudson joined host joni palmer on One Albuquerque Media’s Take Another Look to discuss her path to the arts, the vision behind AFTACON 2026, and what’s next for the field.

As arts leaders prepare to gather in Albuquerque this June, the conversation offers a deeper look at the ideas, relationships, and civic imagination shaping this year’s convening.

The conversation explores why convening matters, what creative leadership looks like right now, and how communities across the country are organizing for impact through arts and culture.

Listen now: https://bit.ly/4nCQi64

05/18/2026

The arts belong in the 2026 election conversation.

On May 26, Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund are hosting the next webinar in our ArtsVote series:

ArtsVote: Ask the Right Questions
Engaging Candidates in Your Community

Whether you’re an arts advocate, nonprofit leader, educator, or community organizer, this session will provide practical tools for engaging candidates safely, effectively, and nonpartisanly during election season.

Topics include:
→ Candidate questionnaires
→ Town halls and public forums
→ Hosting candidate events
→ Elevating arts issues in your community
→ 501(c)(3) election-year compliance

Because advocacy is a year-round activity — and every community deserves arts champions.

May 26 | 2:00–3:00pm ET

Register: https://bit.ly/4dd0nDl

05/16/2026

Have you participated in the National Arts Policy Survey? If not, please take two minutes to participate right now. The responses will directly shape how Americans for the Arts advocates on Capitol Hill and across the country.

In just five questions, the survey covers:
→ Federal investment in the NEA, NEH, and cultural infrastructure
→ Arts education
→ Creative workforce support
→ Artist income stability
→ Arts in health and human services

There’s also space to share your story. Because data makes the case — but the stories make it matter.

Two minutes. Five questions. A direct impact on federal arts advocacy.

Survey 🔗 https://bit.ly/48kT61m

05/15/2026

The field is gathering in Albuquerque.

Artists. Advocates. Policymakers. Organizers. Educators. Community leaders.

At a moment when arts funding, cultural infrastructure, and creative workers face enormous pressure, AFTACON 2026 is where the national conversation turns into coordinated action.

From Molly Ringwald on storytelling and democracy to Julián Castro on creative communities and civic life, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of the field — and the urgency of this moment.

This is more than a conference. It’s where the field comes together to shape what comes next.

Registration closes May 18. Albuquerque, NM | June 2–5

Register now: aftacon.org

05/13/2026

Meet the voices of AFTACON 2026.

Molly Ringwald on arts and democracy. Yosi Sergant on art as organizing. Dr. Shelly Lowe on Indigenous knowledge as cultural foundation. Julián Castro on creative communities and civic life.

Diversity of thought, of medium, and of experience — organizing for impact.

These are just a few of the voices coming together in Albuquerque, NM, June 2-5.

Registration closes May 18.

Full lineup in the comments.

05/07/2026

When AFTACON comes to Albuquerque this June, it arrives in a state that knows how to organize for impact — where arts advocacy starts at the community level and builds into something bigger.

Debra Garcia y Griego, Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and Americans for the Arts board member, has directed more than $100 million in cultural investment across all 33 counties and 23 tribal communities in New Mexico. Her work is built on a foundational belief: culture is essential infrastructure — as vital to the health of communities as any road or bridge.

“Our department prioritizes place-based and community-led approaches that respect local knowledge and leadership. We believe that the people closest to the culture must be the ones who direct its future.”

New Mexico’s creative community has shown up — from AFTACON “First Look” receptions in Albuquerque and Santa Fe to the local advocates making the case for the arts on Capitol Hill. That momentum doesn’t happen without leaders like Debra helping to build it. We’re honored to have her voice in the room.

AFTACON June 2–5 | Albuquerque, NM

Read our full Q+A: https://bit.ly/4d2iAC0

05/05/2026

The arts need champions. And champions need data.

Last week, Americans for the Arts joined LA County Department of Arts and Culture for the Arts Datathon — a full day of data exploration, collaboration, and hands-on workshops built around one urgent question:

How do we build and maintain knowledge in a time when facts and reality are under attack?

AFTA CEO Erin Harkey, VP of Research Randy Cohen, and Director of LAA Community Engagement & Equity in Research Genna Styles-Lyas joined colleagues at Inner-City Arts. And after a moving evening with friends and supporters at the home of Craig Emanuel and Deborah Zipser, our recent visit to California made one thing clear: the arts are foundational, not optional.

This is exactly the kind of work that supports our federal policy agenda. And right now, Americans for the Arts is asking the field to weigh in directly.

We just launched the 2026 National Arts Policy Survey — five questions, two minutes, and your responses directly shape how we advocate on Capitol Hill.

Survey link in comments. 👇

05/01/2026

AFTACON is June 2–5 in Albuquerque. A few things to know:

👉 The session lineup is live across nine pathways
👉 Incubator spots are filling fast — select yours before they’re gone
👉 Our hotel block is now sold out
👉 Nearby hotel options are listed at AFTACON.org

If you’ve been waiting to register — or still need to select your Incubator — this is the nudge you needed.

Register, pick your incubator, and find nearby hotels at AFTACON.org.

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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