National Endowment for the Arts

10/07/2026

How do you measure the economic impact of the arts and culture sector? A new guide from National Endowment for the Arts is an important resource for those seeking to use federal data to answer questions about the arts and cultural sector and its economic contributions. This guide covers available data sources that can be easily accessed to gather statistical information within three broad areas of interest:
➡️ Workers in the arts and cultural sector
➡️ Arts and cultural organizations and businesses
➡️ The economic impact of the arts and cultural sector

Read "National Endowment for the Arts Guide to Economic Data about the Arts" at bit.ly/ArtsAndEconomicData

This guide is part of the Arts Endowments’ National Arts Statistics and Evidence-based Reporting Center (NASERC), which provides the public with frequently updated statistics on the health and vitality of the arts in the United States. Learn more at bit.ly/MeasuringTheArts

10/05/2026

“It's not good because it's traditional. It's traditional because it's good.” —Juan Díes

How many kinds of Mexican music are there? Juan Díes and Victor G. Pichardo know the answer is far more than most people realize.

Discover the remarkable range of Mexican son, a rich tradition of regional folk music from across Mexico, that Díes and Pichardo share through their Sones de México Ensemble in Chicago, Illinois. What began with a 1994 performance together grew into decades of performing, teaching, and creating opportunities for new generations to discover the depth of Mexico’s musical traditions.

Their work ensures that Mexican son isn't simply preserved—it continues to grow and bring communities together. Juan Díes and Victor G. Pichardo are 2026 National Heritage Fellows, recipients of the nation's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.

Juan Díes & Victor G. Pichardo (Chicago, Illinois) keep the many vo...

10/02/2026

Check out our recap of Chairman Mary Anne Carter's trip to L.A., which included hosting the 2026 NEA Jazz Masters concert! 🎵✨

Swipe to learn more or head to the blog for more photos from the visit: https://bit.ly/4B0mHtM

10/01/2026

"Music is a communicative art. And it's not the style of the music. It's what you do with it in terms of being able to affect not only your own feelings about the music, but also the feelings of the person who is listening. To be able to offer them something."

2026 Jazz Master Patrice Rushen is a pianist, composer, producer, and music director whose pioneering career bridges jazz, R&B, classical, and pop genres. Learn more in our new Jazz Masters tribute video.

2026 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Patrice Rushen is ...

09/30/2026

“Our nation’s heritage is not confined to museums or history books. It is carried in woven fibers and carved wood, embodied through music and movement.”

—National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter

Our tribute videos to the 2026 National Heritage Fellows highlight the honorees in the places where their work takes shape. Follow them into workshops, rehearsal spaces, community gathering places, and the landscapes that have influenced them. Hear their reflections on the people who taught them, the questions that guided them, and why their work continues to matter.

Watch: https://bit.ly/4AF2xoP

09/29/2026

"What makes his music so different and so special is that you're invited. You're involved."

2026 Jazz Master Airto Moreira is a defining voice in jazz percussion. His skill on instruments ranging from the tambourine to the bongos led to him becoming one of the most influential musicians in his field. Learn more in our new Jazz Masters tribute video.

2026 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master is a defining voic...

09/24/2026

"There's a competitive spirit in the music, but there has to be a collective effort with that. And that's how we move the music forward."

2026 Jazz Master Carmen Lundy is an award-winning vocalist, composer, and arranger whose multifaceted artistry has significantly influenced modern jazz over a career spanning more than five decades. Learn more in our new Jazz Masters tribute video.

2026 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Carmen Lundy is an...

09/23/2026

For , we spoke with Mountain BizWorks' Craft Your Commerce program director Jamie Karolich about disaster preparedness and recovery for artists and craftspeople. 💡📝

Check out our full Q&A with Jamie: https://bit.ly/4cUXW7W

09/22/2026

Join us at the Mexican Cultural Institute for a special evening celebrating three extraordinary artists who have been named 2026 National Heritage Fellows by the National Endowment for the Arts: Belen Escobedo, Juan Díes, and Victor G. Pichardo.

During this special presentation, the three honorees will join us share their personal and artistic journeys, discuss the traditions that have shaped their work, and offer our audience a glimpse into their respective art forms through special demonstrations and performances.

📅 Thursday, October 1 | 7:00 PM
📍 Mexican Cultural Institute (2829 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C.)
🎟️ Free admission. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4jg2E3R

09/22/2026

📆 REMINDER: next week we are celebrating the 2026 National Heritage Fellows with TWO special events…

🎞️ Sept. 29 - Film Screening and Conversation at Arena Stage
🏅 Sept. 30 - Award Ceremony at the Library of Congress

Find more information about these events: https://bit.ly/4cGsudj

(NOTE: Both events are free, but reservations are required for the film screening! Ceremony will be live streamed at arts.gov)