Shortly before the National Endowment for the Arts came into being in 1965, a group of enterprising people got together to create what is now known as Americans for the Arts. Since its first iteration in 1960 up until the present, Americans for the Arts has striven to ensure that arts education and leadership are available to all. Their work spans many disciplines and even now involves the business sectors of America to help ensure that the arts has a lasting place in our American way of life.
Before today, I had never heard of this group, which is quite honestly sad considering the work that they are doing. But like many things in the world, there are a lot of people wanting to create organizations to promote the things they care deeply about; so, it's easy to miss something if you're not out there searching for it. Part of the reason I started this "Causes to Celebrate" series was so that I could learn more about organizations that support causes that I believe to be important and also to highlight some of the ones I already knew about and share them with the rest of you. So even if you've never heard of some of these groups and organizations, rest assured that I'm right there with you learning and growing, too.
Americans for the Arts has some serious money behind it, too--philanthropic donations coming from both domestic and international investors. And while that may be off-putting to some, the mission of the organization is something worth promoting:
Our mission is to build recognition and support for the extraordinary and dynamic value of the arts and to lead, serve, and advance the diverse networks of organizations and individuals who cultivate the arts in America.
Connecting your best ideas and leaders from the arts, communities, and business, together we can work to ensure that every American has access to the transformative power of the arts.
What I like most about their approach is that they are working with leaders from all walks of life to ensure that the arts are appreciated and promoted. Having not only civic leaders involved, but also business leaders and the public, Americans for the Arts gains traction from places where they might not otherwise be found. And while it may seem obvious that promoting the arts in our schools, work, and play are vitally important, sometimes this can get forgotten in the rush to cut costs, save money, and make a profit. Sometimes there are investments that don't offer a monetary benefit, but which offer benefits to the hearts, minds, and souls of people. And that is what Americans for the Arts is seeking to promote and remind us about with their work.
There is so much work that they're doing that even I find it daunting to try and find everything there is to do and be involved in, but from what I can see, Americans for the Arts is looking to provide information on the arts to people in so many ways. They also have programs to encourage the arts in the world, and I feel like if more people knew about their existence, there is a lot more that could be done all throughout America--things they could help with, things people could benefit from. And that is why, today, I am really excited to promote Americans for the Arts as a cause worth celebrating.
When I was growing up, my parents made sure we lived in places that offered opportunities for art, music, dance, and computer technology. Since I was little, my parents have loved video games--which is a recognized form of art nowadays, though it was less so when I was a kid. But seeing and sharing in that love of games with them, and then being able to try out ballet, flute, and then singing--I can attest to the joy and the wonder and the importance of the arts in my life. These things were vital to my growth, and unfortunately there are too many parents and kids who don't get to have those kinds of experiences here in America.
I am grateful that my parents understood the necessity of the arts for ensuring life-long benefits, and I believe that being involved in the arts is important to the health and welfare of not only kids, but also adults. From my mom still taking dance classes to my dad still working on his art from time to time, I have seen how much the arts can transform the lives of aging Americans. And for me, that is comforting as well as inspiring. And we need to make that available to everyone--and not just here in America, though I'll be happy to start here if that's the best we can do (though I know we can do more.)
The arts create a space for self-expression that is vital to being a human. It connects us to others and to the world around us in a way that is...well, to me, fundamental. It also helps us to better understand ourselves.
So, to illustrate this point, I wanted to share with you a story I read about. It involves the wife of a Chinese dissident and Nobel Laureate who was recently able to leave China and its repressive regime. Her husband was imprisoned for promoting democracy and democratic ideals, and his wife was forced to live in near-isolation--her every move watched and reported on. Her mental health suffered, and in order to cope, she took photographs of dolls, as well as writing--much of which she had to hide. For her, this was a way of coping with the stress and pain of her life, but it kept her alive; it kept her soul from being crushed.
That is how important art is. If you'd like to read more about her, you can find a beautiful story from the New York Times and Nick Frisch entitled "Liu Xia Rebuilds Her Career as an Artist."
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