Americans for the Arts

08/21/2026

“A lot of communities don’t have traditional arts and culture infrastructure.”

That’s AFTA CEO Erin Harkey speaking to NPR about why state-level models like the Nebraska Cultural Endowment matter so much right now.

The Endowment is a unique public-private fund — philanthropic donations matched dollar-for-dollar by the state — that has helped sustain the Nebraska Arts Council and Humanities Nebraska. It’s proving especially critical as the Trump administration’s proposed 2027 budget calls, for the sixth time, for eliminating the NEA and NEH entirely.

Erin’s point cuts to the heart of the issue: without dedicated infrastructure, many communities have nothing to fall back on when federal arts funding is threatened. Nebraska’s approach offers a real-world example of what states can build to fill that gap.

Read the full NPR story: https://n.pr/4cyOWov

A unique public-private endowment has long shielded Nebraska's cultural scene from federal budget cuts. But a massive state deficit is putting its future in jeopardy.

08/20/2026

There’s a version of a well-funded school that has music, theater, visual arts, and dance. Where students don’t just memorize content but learn to think, collaborate, express, and adapt. That version exists — but it requires federal investment. 🎨

A recent national survey found that roughly 9 in 10 Americans believe arts education is important for students, and 83% support government funding for pre-K–12 arts education. The five well-rounded education funding streams we’re fighting for — including Title I, Title II, Title IV-A, Title IV-B, and dedicated Arts Education grants — are what keep those programs alive, especially in low-income communities where local funding runs out first.

The President’s FY27 budget would cut these investments dramatically.

Tell Congress this summer: the well-rounded student is worth funding. Every single one. ✊

🔗 https://bit.ly/4uXN8MF

08/19/2026

📊 Data Drop: New Research on Public Support for Arts Education

Arts education isn’t a luxury — the vast majority of us agree it’s essential.

Every month, Americans for the Arts partners with NORC at the University of Chicago to translate national public opinion into visual stories. This month, we’re sharing insights from a survey conducted in May, tackling a critical question: How do Americans view the future of arts investment and education?

After surveying 1,047 adults across the country, the data revealed an overwhelming 77% of Americans agree that arts education should be available to all students — from their earliest pre-K classes through higher education.

This latest Data Drop leaves no doubt: communities value arts learning for all, building a powerful case for public investment. 🎨

Visualization by artist Mike Renaud

08/18/2026

📣 Introducing AFTA’s Newest Staff

As Americans for the Arts continues to grow its capacity for fundraising, advocacy, and communications, we’re pleased to welcome three new staff members to the team:

→ Thelma Barnett, Senior Director of Individual Giving and Major Gifts
→ Christopher Mulé, National Advocacy Initiative Project Director
→ Jenny Thomas, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

Each brings valuable expertise that will strengthen our ability to advance the arts nationwide. Please join us in welcoming Thelma, Christopher, and Jenny to AFTA! 🎉

08/17/2026

📣 Did you miss our Arts in Education Advocacy Webinar? The replay is here.

Catch up on the conversation about why arts in education matters — for student achievement, workforce readiness, and equity and what you can do to support it — and then get ready for National Arts in Education Week, September 13–19.

▶️ Watch the replay: https://bit.ly/4gxkj5h

Then, put it into action: our National Arts in Education Week Toolkit is live, with social templates, newsletter content, legislative priorities, and one-pagers to help you advocate in your own community.

🧰 Get the toolkit: https://bit.ly/3IecR0I

Arts education is for Every Student, Every Community.

08/14/2026

You are cordially invited to join us virtually on September 30th for an inspiring evening dedicated to the power of the arts to unite, engage, and drive change.

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 also honor two champions of the arts in Congress:

🏛️ Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) — 2026 Senate Arts Leadership Award
🏛️ Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) — 2026 House Arts Leadership Award

Arts advocates from across the country and around the world will be watching. Register for the free livestream.

🔗 https://www.nancyhankslecture.org/

08/13/2026

Honoring a Legacy of Arts Advocacy

After 33 years of dedicated and transformative service, Nina Ozlu Tunceli will be leaving her roles as Executive Director of the Arts Action Fund and Chief Counsel of Government and Public Affairs at Americans for the Arts on August 14, 2026, to pursue new career opportunities.

📸: Nina Ozlu Tunceli (center) with Americans for the Arts Government Affairs and Arts Action Fund colleagues (L-R) Olivia Tarpley, Tooshar Swain, Jay Dick, and Morgan Furnari

As the founding Executive Director of the Arts Action Fund, Nina leaves an enduring legacy — growing the network to over 450,000 grassroots advocates, launching the nation's only arts-focused and bipartisan political action committee, spearheading the ""Arts = Jobs"" economic impact campaign and the “Art. Ask for More” arts education PSA campaign, and securing annual federal arts funding and vital economic relief legislation for arts organizations and artists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3S6Zu7y

We are deeply grateful for Nina's passion, expertise, and decades of dedicated service. Our organization remains fully committed to expanding legislative advocacy, strengthening grassroots mobilization, and ensuring the arts thrive in every community.

Please join us in thanking Nina for her extraordinary dedication and wishing her every success moving forward.

08/12/2026

AFTA Honors Orange County Mayor Demings

Americans for the Arts, in partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo), recently honored Orange County, FL Mayor Jerry L. Demings with the Public Leadership in the Arts Award for County Leadership.

Over his tenure, Mayor Demings has grown Orange County’s investment in arts and culture to $31 million this year alone, including $15 million in grants for cultural arts programs — a testament to his sustained commitment and long-term vision for his community's future.

As AFTA CEO Erin Harkey noted, Mayor Demings’s leadership shows what's possible when local officials commit real resources to the arts: stronger economies, more jobs, and a richer quality of life.

Congratulations, Mayor Demings, on this well-deserved recognition!

📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/4i3IoSo

08/11/2026

Get ready for the final stretch of the election season!

Join Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund for ArtsVote Webinar: Amplifying Your Impact and the New Marketing Toolkit — an in-depth walkthrough of our newly launched ArtsVote Marketing Toolkit.

🗓️ August 25, 2026
🕒 3:00–4:00 PM ET / 12:00–1:00 PM PT

Learn how to leverage our national campaign materials, access new customizable graphics, and partner with local arts organizations to drive civic participation in your community.

Moderated by Morgan Furnari, Arts Action Fund Manager.

Speakers:
Alyssa Fisher, Chief Government Affairs Officer, AFTA
Erin Harkey, Chief Executive Officer, AFTA
Jamey Lundblad, Chief Marketing Officer, AFTA
Yosi Sergant, Founder and Partner, Taskforce

Save your seat: 🔗 https://bit.ly/3SrPtlp

08/10/2026

Food today or savings tomorrow? No artist should choose.

Americans for the Arts is proud to endorse the ASSET Act, introduced by Senator Chris C***s and colleagues, which would remove outdated asset limits on public assistance programs like SNAP, TANF, and LIHEAP.

For many artists, income is unpredictable by nature: project-based, seasonal, and often without benefits. Public assistance programs are a lifeline that allows creatives to weather lean months without derailing their careers. But outdated asset limits force people to choose between saving a small cushion and staying eligible for the support they need.

In Senator C***s‘s press release, our CEO Erin Harkey said the bill “gives our nation‘s artists the financial dignity to build a stable future” — without risking the safety net they need to survive.

The ASSET Act protects public assistance so creatives can safely save for the future.

📣 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4hmi7P2