I N T HIS IS SU E: We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For | AEP6 | A Year of Rapid Change 2021 Annual Convention Coming to Your Screen | Civic Engagement: “Saving All My Love For You!”
Americans for the Arts
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Arts Link Mission Published three times a year for our Professional Members, Arts Link provides insight and expertise on the latest trends, resources, tools, and ideas in the field of local arts agencies and arts professionals. Written by Americans for the Arts staff and guest contributors, Arts Link brings together arts advocacy news, member spotlights, and highlights of artists and arts organizations from across the country so that our members can continue to create a world where everyone has access to the arts and their transformative power.
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JUNE 8–11, 2021
Annual Convention Convention.ArtsUSA.org
Arts Link Managing Editor Linda Lombardi llombardi@artsusa.org Arts Link Editorial Committee Kelly Fey Bolender Angela Bowen Bossut Regina Burgher Lauren Cohen Ben Davidson Graham Dunstan Isaac Fitzsimons Heather Flanagan Morgan Furnari Nicole Goodman Peter Gordon Cedeem Gumbs Ruby Lopez Harper Danielle Iwata Jerelle Jenkins Nikki Kirk Pam Korza Clayton Lord Pauline Féo Pereira Christina Ritchie Marissa Shadburn Ami Scherson Jessica Stern Inga Vitols Patricia Walsh Ann Marie Watson Arts Link Design Studio e2 Cover “Together” poster by Franceska Gámez, commissioned by the Latino Center of Art and Culture as part of their Sacramento Artist Corps program. Advertising Opportunities For information about rates, schedules, and discounted advertising packages, please contact us at exhibits@artsusa.org. Copyright 2021, Americans for the Arts.
“ I Don’t Know, but I Been Told, If You Keep on Dancin’ You Never Grow Old,” by Urban Bush Women, photo by Hayim Heron.
SPRING 2021 Contents FEATURES
06 A Year of Rapid Change The arts advance equity by putting people first
12 We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For In response to COVID-19, leaders from the field, fighting for the field THE ART OF WELL-BEING Noni Olabisi, Mask, Acrylic on canvas, 16” x 16”, 2020
DEPARTMENTS
04 Working for You Americans for the Arts News
Arts & Economic Prosperity 6, American Rescue Plan Act, National Arts Action Summit
10 MemberCenter You Belong Here
Member Spotlight: Billy Ocasio, Annual Convention, New Reader Survey
16 Leadership in Practice Inspiring Leadership Through Example
An Artist’s Approach to Civic Engagement, 2021 Johnson Fellows
18 The Toolbox Information to Help You Succeed
COVID-19 Relief for the Arts Sector & Creative Workers, Inclusive Creative Economy, New Arts & Military White Paper, Arts as a Solution to Corporate Objectives
02 From the President Message from Interim President and CEO Nolen V. Bivens
03 Editor’s Note Preview of stories this issue, trivia, highlights from the bookstore, and web features
SPRING 2021 | ARTS LINK | 1
From the President
T
he one-year mark of the COVID-19 global pandemic in March highlighted how important it is to reflect on the insurmountable loss, challenges, and inevitable changes we have gone through as individuals, as families, and as an organization.
AMID ALL THE CHANGE AND CHALLENGES, we were
looking to the future of all other Americans for
able to partner with many great organizations
the Arts events and the possible ways to lower
in advocating for relief and recovery for the
any barriers for access.
entire creative economy. Through it all, I have been fortunate to observe the Americans for the Arts staff and board of directors navigate In response to the financial challenges that many are facing due to the pandemic, and thanks to the continued
some of the most difficult, uncertain times with grace and resilience, grit, and strength.
Recognizing the social challenges and financial hardship that artists and arts organizations have faced, both historically and especially in the last year, along with the urgent calls for reform, all of us at Americans for the Arts are
With most crises come an array of opportuni-
finding new ways to focus on our valued mem-
ties and this has been true to Americans for the
bers and how to better serve creative workers.
registration support was
Arts in the last year. We have found significant
We are changing. With these changes and your
available for anyone who
areas in need of reevaluating and reimagining,
input, we hope to cast a new community vision
not only within the organization, but across the
for ourselves as an organization and for our
whole field. We have also found a need for a
members, networks, and the arts field at large.
commitment from this year’s organizational partners, full
would otherwise not have been able to participate in the 2021 National Arts Action Summit.
deeper focus in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; a need for more transparency and understanding among different groups; and a need for more unifying pursuits.
Finally, during my time as interim president and CEO, my commitment in the path forward for Americans for the Arts has been, and will continue to be, focused on centering equity in
All that we have learned so far has
all we do. I am certain that the ongoing efforts
emboldened us to take significant steps
towards this path will also help us achieve a
toward serving our members and the field in
higher and more genuine level of power-sharing,
more accessible and diverse ways. As local
which will elevate our organization to a place
arts agencies and community leaders commit
of more trust, deeper partnerships, and
to transforming systems, we are collaborating
greater accomplishments.
with the field through shared leadership and genuine power-sharing strategies. One such effort included a big shift in organizational engagement with members. With the unyielding commitment of key partners, we were able to offer full registration support to
I am deeply grateful to each of you, our members, and stakeholders for continuously trusting Americans for the Arts and our work throughout this time—I am proud of the work done so far and confident in all that is yet to come.
all individuals who would otherwise be unable to attend the National Arts Action Summit. Due to the success of this initiative, we are now
2 | ARTS LINK | SPRING 2021
The Source for Arts Professionals In the Know
Editor’s Note Online
A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, COVID-19
forced organizations to cancel performances and events and close venues. Artists A FOUR-PART ARTSblog
and creative workers lost jobs. Too many people
series, “The Impact
lost loved ones. Protests for racial justice and
of COVID-19 on Intentionally
civil rights flooded the streets across the coun-
Marginalized Artists and Creative
try and around the globe. For better or worse,
Workers,” delves into the financial,
2020 was a sea change. We don’t yet know what
social, and
2021 will bring, but spring—and vaccines—
Trivia
creative impacts of
inspire feelings of renewal and hope. But there is also anxiety, even in the cautious optimism. As we move into recovery and reopening, it is
COVID-19; stories of
IN THE SPIRIT of fun for
resiliency; and
fun’s sake, we’re happy to
how artists
introduce a bit of trivia to each
and creative workers stepped up to help their communities in
issue. We hope you enjoy playing!
times of need. It also investigates
Question: What organization
differences in experience based on
dedicated to creative leadership
race, gender, and disability. Read
has adopted a policy of no internal
the series online here.
meetings on Fridays?
Image by Elf-Moondance from Pixabay
worth remembering that while we are all in the same storm, we are not in the same boat. Throughout 2021 Arts Link will explore changes in the arts and culture field brought on by this past year. If there is one positive takeaway from 2020, it is the field’s intentional focus on equity; the work centering BIPOC voices; and the dedication to dismantle discriminatory structures, processes, and practices to build
Hint: The answer can be found in
equitable ones in their place. Going back to
one of the Features in this issue!
in-person work and events can’t mean going backwards to the way things were.
BOOKSTORE
Our Feature stories in this issue focus on equity, creative workers, and advocacy. In “A Year of Rapid Change,” Rishard Allen, Danielle Iwata, Christina Ritchie, Marissa Shadburn, and Jessica Stern look at organizations leading the
HOW TO BE A BOSS BY JUSTIN KERR
way on equitable approaches to grantmaking
Good bosses are fundamental to successful
and operationalizing a person-first mentality. In
organizations. It’s hard work and if you want to be
“We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For,” Clay
good at it you have to get two things right: people
Lord explores the impacts of COVID-19 on the
and process. How to Be a Boss covers how to lead
nonprofit creative sector and the leaders who
and motivate your team, how to give feedback,
stepped up to fight for the field.
how to get people promoted, and much more. Buy your copy today.
We’ve also made some changes to Arts Link. In addition to this page, we’ve updated the look of
THE ARTIST’S GUIDE TO PUBLIC ART BY LYNN BASA
our Feature articles and added a Reader’s Sur-
Learn how to find, apply for, and win a public art
vey so you can provide feedback. I hope you’ll
commission. First-hand interviews with experienced
reach out and let us know what you think.
public artists and arts administrators provide in-the-trenches advice. This newest edition
—Linda Lombardi, Managing Editor
discusses how the political climate affects public art, the types of projects that receive funding, where that funding comes from, and more. Buy your copy today.
LINDA LOMBARDI, (she/her) is the communications manager for Americans for the Arts, and a theater director and dramaturg. Read more. Photo by Jendayi Asha Creative
AmericansForTheArts.org
SPRING 2021 | ARTS LINK | 3
AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS NEWS
WORKING FOR YOU of admission on meals and beverages, Photo courtesy Andrew Shurtleff Photography.
retail shopping, transportation, and lodging. These dollars provide vital income to local merchants, energize the neighborhood, and pay for salaries and wages in non-arts sectors. Studies show the vast majority of audiences fully intend to return to the arts post-pandemic. AEP6 will capture the impact of those attendees and demonstrate the significant role the arts will play in our post-pandemic economic recovery. Each AEP partner receives a unique economic impact report customized for their community (sample report). Partners can choose to focus on an individual city or town, a county, a multi-county region, or an entire state. Previous partners have included arts councils, city/county arts agencies, community foundations, economic development agencies, chambers of
SEEKING COMMUNITY PARTNERS Americans for the Arts Seeks Community Partners to Participate in Arts & Economic Prosperity 6
has been documenting these economic
commerce, and more. Data collection
impacts for a quarter century.
will be completed throughout calendar
We all appreciate and value the social
year 2022 and reports will be released
benefits that the arts bring to our com-
in June 2023. Surveys will request
munities: they ennoble and inspire us;
information about FY22 budgets and
foster creativity, empathy, and beauty;
attendance in order to provide an
bring us joy; help us express our values;
additional year of daylight between
and build bridges between cultures. Our
the pandemic and the study data.
AEP studies amplify the conversation by
Professional members of Americans
demonstrating that an investment in the
for the Arts receive a discount on the
arts is an investment in the economy.
subsidized participation fee, which is
Our previous study, AEP5, revealed that the nonprofit arts were a $166.3 billion
payable in three installments across three calendar years.
industry in 2015—$63.8 billion in spend-
To learn more or to request a contract
ing by nonprofit arts organizations and
for review, contact Ben Davidson,
an additional $102.5 billion in event-
senior director of research services,
related spending by arts audiences. This
at bdavidson@artsusa.org.
economic activity supported 4.6 million THE NONPROFIT ARTS and culture
jobs and generated $27.5 billion in gov-
industry is big business—it
ernment revenue. The arts, unlike most
supports jobs, generates government
industries, leverage significant additional
revenue, and is a cornerstone of tourism.
spending by their audiences—$31.47 per
The Arts & Economic Prosperity™ series
person, per event, not including the cost
4 | ARTS LINK | SPRING 2021
The Source for Arts Professionals In the Know
American Rescue Plan Act Passes THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021, a $1.9 trillion stimulus package
proposed by President Biden, was narrowly passed by Congress along party line votes and enacted within the first 50 days of the new Administration. The large relief package will speed up recovery from the economic and health effects of COVID-19. Some key highlights in the newly enacted law include: + Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance covered period was extended
to September 6, 2021, for both previous W2 and self-employed workers with an additional $300 per week. The initial $10,200 of unemployment insurance benefits will be non-taxable in 2020 and 2021 for households with an adjusted
National Arts Action Summit Convenes Advocates
gross income under $150,000. + Federal direct economic stimulus checks of $1,400 per taxpayer and $1,400
per child and adult dependent. Payments will completely phase out for taxpay-
IN EARLY APRIL, Americans for the Arts,
ers with more than $80,000 AGI for singles, $120,000 for heads of household,
organizational partners, and more than
and $160,000 for married couples. Major increases were also made for the
800 advocates from across the country gath-
Child Tax Credit.
ered online for the 2021 National Arts Action
+ $350 billion for state and local government relief with language clarifying
eligible use of funds for assistance to small businesses, nonprofits, and hardhit industries like tourism, travel, and hospitality. + Popular SBA loan and grant programs received $25 billion for a new restau-
rants and bars grant program as well as an additional $15 billion for Targeted EIDL loans, $7.25 billion for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans, and $1.25 billion for Shuttered Venue Operators Grants (SVOG). + For education programs, $1.25 billion was awarded for evidence-based sum-
mer enrichment educational programs and $1.25 billion for after-school programs.
Summit, the largest collaborative advocacy for the arts event of the year. Sessions included 2021 Legislative and Political Update, COVID-19 Relief and Recovery, National Alignment for Equity in Federal Programs, and many more. Thanks to the continued commitment from this year’s organizational partners, and in response to the financial challenges that many are facing due to the pandemic, full registration support was available for anyone who would
+ For cultural programs, $135 million was awarded to the National Endow-
otherwise not have been able to participate in
ment for the Arts, $135 million to the National Endowment for the Humanities,
the Summit. With a new Presidential Admin-
$200 million to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and $175 million
istration and dozens of new members of
to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Congress, 2021 brings immense change to our
A full list of relief funded programs can be found on the Arts Action Fund’s
country. By presenting a thoughtful, unified
COVID-19 Resources webpage.
message to these decisionmakers, advocates can ensure their voice is heard when Congress considers issues like budget, infrastructure, taxes, and job creation throughout the year. As we work together to see the arts and culture sector recover from COVID-19, local and national advocacy efforts will be a critical tool. The 2021 National Arts Action Summit equipped advocates to share data and authentic stories about the impact of the arts in their communities. Register to watch recorded sessions on ArtsU.
SPRING 2021 | ARTS LINK | 5
“ Women’s Resistance” by Urban Bush Women, photo by Hayim Heron.
A YEAR OF RAPID
CHANGE THE ARTS PUT PEOPLE FIRST IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
A
s we enter the second year of life with COVID-19, the impact of this past year can still be felt in every corner of our lives. Work
was disrupted; loved ones lost; and a 24-hour news cycle inundated us with political upheaval, the murder of Black Americans, and racist attacks on Asian Americans. Arts and culture organizations were forced to cancel events, lay off staff, and drastically shift budgets. The facts of the coronavirus and institutional racism forced deeper examination of everything from unconscious biases to work environments to program access. Of all the discoveries of 2020—positive and negative—the most impactful is perhaps the most obvious, but too long overlooked: organizations are made of people and exist for people. In the pages that follow, we explore two areas where arts and culture organizations are taking the lead and making progress towards more equitable practices for their communities and staff.
AN EQUITABLE APPROACH TO GRANTMAKING by Rishard Allen, Christina Ritchie, and Jessica Stern Local Arts Agencies (LAAs) play a critical role in their communities as a support system for the arts. Pre-pandemic, LAAs invested an estimated $2.8 billion into our cultural ecosystems, and have consistently been at the forefront of navigating how to distribute funds more equitably throughout their community. The existential need for that support was
“ Leaders must bring real intention and attention to not only their own well-being at work and at home, but also to the energy and resilience of their team.” Andi Williams | Center for Creative Leadership
crystalized in 2020 by the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism. As the work of the arts and culture sector continues to evolve—responding to new community needs, incorporating advances in technology, and refocusing attention and resources on those who have been historically marginalized—so, too, should the strategy of grantmaking.
SPRING 2021 | ARTS LINK | 7
A YEAR OF RAPID CHANGE
Photos (l to r): Visitors at the Metal Museum, Memphis, TN. Cazateatro Bilingual Theater Group pop up performance at ArtsMemphis. Photos courtesy ArtsMemphis.
ArtsMemphis and the Arts Council of
expand grantmaking to individual artists
board members, local arts funders, and
Indianapolis are two LAAs who car-
with increased funding from foundations
other local arts agencies were invited
ried long-planned strategies into the
who saw the agency as a ready-made
to share input regarding the program’s
COVID-19 experience and learned things
vehicle to support artists where the
priorities and grantmaking strategy.
to keep along the way.
foundations themselves could not.
From these conversations emerged
For arts organizations, general oper-
an emphasis on Community Impact
Funds who has worked over the last
As one of the nation’s United Arts
ating support grants became the central
as a core metric of an organization’s
six years to change a 58-year legacy of
focus with a streamlined questionnaire
performance. This new criterion, made
favoring white-led institutions to one
that prioritized urgent financial need.
up of five priorities (Talent, Access,
that supports their full diverse commu-
ArtsMemphis offered applicants the
Partnerships, Education, and Reputa-
nity, ArtsMemphis made predetermined
option to have a conversation rather
tion) designed to provide flexibility for
changes and immediate responses to
than submit a written application, and
the numerous types and sizes of arts
their community’s needs.
found that most grantees chose to have
organizations, would come to define
that conversation. Grant payments were
the program, comprising 50% of each
focused their funding decisions on arts-
In the past, the agency had typically
expedited to get funds to organizations
applicant’s total score. Diversity, Equity,
mission-based organizations, centering
as soon as possible. After baseline
and Inclusion are considerations across
evaluation on mission achievement,
amounts were determined, increases
all five priorities. While the effects of
administrative and artistic capacity,
were provided to Black-led organizations
COVID-19 interrupted the public panel
board engagement, and financial sta-
and organizations that serve a majority
adjudication that would have taken
bility. In the data collected early in the
of people of color.
place in April 2020, preliminary scores
pandemic, the massive scale of layoffs
According to President and CEO
revealed that this restructuring had a
shifted their focus immediately to the
Elizabeth Rouse, the changes had a pow-
positive benefit on small and midsize
needs of individuals in their commu-
erful impact. “Removing barriers from
organizations’ performance. For 2021,
nity, rather than the organizations. Arts
the grantmaking process combined with
ACI was challenged with determining
organizations had been forced to cancel
the option to have intentional conversa-
how to proceed with the program, for
contracts or other engagements with
tions deepened relationships between
instance, if the application should be
80% of the artists employed the prior
ArtsMemphis and our grantees and
simplified. Ultimately, informed by the
year, equating to approximately 8,500
allowed us to shine in our sincere role as
tremendous resilience documented
lost artist jobs. “Organizations are made
a community support system.”
from the arts community, they decided
of people,” Chief Operating Officer Tracy
In the Midwest in the fall of 2019,
to keep the application the same.
Lauritzen Wright shared. “And if people
the Arts Council of Indianapolis (ACI)
are suffering, we decided that is where
led an inclusive restructuring of its
flexibility and inclusivity of the Com-
the support was most needed initially.”
Annual Grants Program for nonprofit
munity Impact prompts will provide
arts organizations that would inform the
applicants with the space they need
program’s 2020 application. Grantees,
to share how they’ve continued to
ArtsMemphis accelerated the prepandemic goal in their strategic plan to
8 | ARTS LINK | SPRING 2021
“We’re confident that the increased
The Source for Arts Professionals In the Know
connect with the community,” said Grant
navigating their own experiences,
and Other Activities on Mental Health,
Officer Rishard Allen, “even if it looks
traumas, and daily lives. Brooklyn-based
show that just 30 minutes of active arts
different than what they’re used to.” For
performance ensemble and dance com-
activities daily may lower anxiety and
ACI, COVID-19 validated their learnings
pany Urban Bush Women (UBW) has
depression and increase life satisfac-
and intentions to center equity in their
always held core values, as featured on
tion. Members of UBW’s artistic staff
grantmaking program.
their website, of validating the individual,
lead breathing/movement exercises,
catalyzing for social change, building
reflections, or yoga during staff retreats
here to stay, at least for now. As with
These changes and learnings are
trust through process, entering commu-
and occasional meetings to allow staff
the case of ArtsMemphis and the Arts
nity and co-creating stories, celebrating
to recover and replenish. Its leadership
Council of Indianapolis, LAAs across
the movement and culture of the African
acknowledges that everyone is in the
the country can continue to find more
Diaspora, and recognizing place matters.
process of shifting—and has been for
equitable ways to distribute support.
According to Development/Visioning
the past year. Making time for these
Partner Assistant Brooke Rucker, “Even
exercises goes back to the core value of
prior to the pandemic, UBW offered
“validating the individual,” and under-
flexibility that allowed its staff to invest
standing that employees are people first.
OPERATIONALIZING A PERSON-FIRST MENTALITY by Danielle Iwata and Marissa Shadburn
in their passions and authentically show
According to a statistic from August
up.” Children were always welcome in the
to in-person work environments,
2020, “40% of U.S. adults reported
studio, which meant that in the transition
employees and the communities they
struggling with mental health or sub-
to virtual space, it was already accepted
serve will still be navigating a collective
stance abuse” during the pandemic,
that there would be children on screen.
trauma. A continued appreciation for
and according to a poll conducted by
Staff at CCL are working towards
Even when companies return
the person-first mentality will remain
Monster, over two-thirds, or 69%, of
a “Burn Bright” mindset, and culture:
necessary for organizational success—
employees are experiencing burnout
“We recognize that when we keep
not only for the bottom line, but because
symptoms while working from home.
pushing without stopping to recharge, it
it is the right thing to do.
“Burnout at those levels means signifi-
impacts our performance, judgment, and
cantly reduced energy, engagement,
effectiveness as individuals, as teams,
and performance,” according to Andi
and as an organization. If we can’t show
Williams, MAEd, director of population
up as our best selves, we can’t do our
health sector portfolio from the Center
best for our clients or for our friends
for Creative Leadership (CCL), an insti-
and family,” says Pete Ronayne, PhD,
tution dedicated to cultivating innova-
leadership solutions partner from CCL.
tive leadership practices.
Their Burn Bright approach includes
“The current environment of
weekly emails (Burn Bright Bursts) with
turbulence and uncertainty requires
mindfulness tips, peer-to-peer learning
us to focus our attention not only on
opportunities (Burn Bright Sparks), and
how we work, but importantly, how we
professional development (a Burn Bright
meaningfully recharge in small, short,
learning journey). CCL has worked to
sustainable ways,” Williams continues.
develop this culture over time. Ronayne
“Leaders must bring real intention and
shared that one simple way that CCL
attention to not only their own well-being
started was by instituting a policy for
at work and at home, but also to the
no internal meetings on Fridays: “This
energy and resilience of their team.”
opens up calendar time for the sort of
As nonprofits reimagine the
deep work and concentration that is
workplace for the future, it is essen-
inherently more productive…people feel
tial to recognize that people are the
less rushed at the end of the week and
driving force behind every organization.
head into the weekend feeling at least a
Their safety—mental and physical—is
little more recharged.”
paramount to achieving missions and creating a more equitable workplace. Cultivating these types of environ-
Arts organizations have an edge when it comes to creative engagement for staff in a digital setting. Preliminary
ments begins with compassion—an
findings from the study, COVID-19
understanding that employees are
and Social Distancing: Impact of Arts
AmericansForTheArts.org
RISHARD ALLEN (he/him) is the grant officer at Arts Council of Indianapolis where he assists the manager of grant programs with grant and fellowships programs management. Read more.
DANIELLE IWATA (she/her) is a program coordinator at Americans for the Arts, a graphic notetaker, and a dance enthusiast. Read more.
CHRISTINA RITCHIE (she/her) leads individual giving for Americans for the Arts. In addition, she has been a fashion blogger, image consultant, and costume designer. Read more.
MARISSA SHADBURN (she/her) is the field education coordinator for Americans for the Arts where she supports the creation of digital learning for ArtsU. Read more.
JESSICA STERN (she/her) serves as senior manager of local arts and business partnerships at Americans for the Arts and enjoys exploring, cooking, and listening to music from all over the world. Read more.
SPRING 2021 | ARTS LINK | 9
YOU BELONG HERE
MEMBERCENTER FEATURED SPEAKERS We are excited to highlight artists and organizations leading the conversation on reimagining the arts field, including: Larissa FastHorse is a
2020 MacArthur Fellow, award-winning writer/ choreographer, and co-founder of Indigenous Direction, the nation’s leading consulting company for Indigenous arts and audiences. FastHorse has been recognized and awarded for her radical inclusion, creating space for Indigenous artists, stories, and experiences in mainstream theater and countering misrepresentation.
ANNUAL CONVENTION Coming to Your Screen June 8–11, 2021
The virtual 2021 Annual Convention will
Jer Thorp is one of the
focus on the future as we start reemerg-
world’s foremost data artists
ing and reimagining our creative field and
and a leading voice for the
communities. Join us as we explore how
ethical use of big data. His
to put creative workers and cultural orga-
upcoming book, Living in Data, reimag-
nizations to work as part of our collective
ines how data might be truly public, who
recovery. Areas of focus include:
gets to speak its language, and how, by
Centering Equity in Creative Recovery.
In this moment of disruption for the cultural field, how can arts organizations leverage this opportunity to drive equity?
AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS’ Annual
Convention has always been about giving the nonprofit arts field an opportunity to gather and explore what is most pressing in that moment. This moment and year is about a continued reckoning with the ramifications from the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and racism—but also one of hope for the future. Arts and culture workers are excited to get back to theaters, museums, music venues, and all the
Putting Creative Workers and Cultural Organizations to Work. Millions of
creative workers are ready and waiting to be put to work as part of the nation’s recovery. What methods and models are needed to get them working?
using its power, new institutions and spaces might be created to serve individuals and communities. Edgar Villanueva is a globally
recognized expert on social justice philanthropy. His book, Decolonizing Wealth, is described as a provocative analysis of the dysfunctional colonial dynamics at play in philanthropy and finance. Villanueva draws from the traditions from the Native
Improving Policies and Practices for
way to prescribe the medicine for restor-
the Creative Economy. How can we
ing balance and healing our divides.
address the ways that current policies and practices make it hard to thrive in the creative economy , particularly for intentionally marginalized groups?
This is a vital year for our members and the field to gather. To make the Annual Convention as affordable and accessible
ways we share art while managing the
Envisioning Tomorrow’s Creative Engines.
as possible, Americans for the Arts
challenges of rebuilding our industry.
How do we advance the amazing reimag-
members can take advantage of a special
Across the field, we are also focused
ining that has been happening and foster
$49 rate as well as extended scholarship
on continuing momentum in our drive
the next generation of skills, tools, and
opportunities. Visit our Convention
for racial equity.
artforms to drive a cultural renaissance?
webpage for more info and to register.
Photos: Larissa FastHorse courtesy John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Jer Thorp by Roman Makhmutov. Edgar Villanueva courtesy Edgar Villanueva.
10 | ARTS LINK | SPRING 2021
The Source for Arts Professionals In the Know
Member Spotlight: Billy Ocasio LOCATED IN CHICAGO’S Humboldt Park, the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
(NMPRAC) is the only museum in the country dedicated exclusively to Puerto Rican arts and culture. Under Billy Ocasio’s leadership as executive director, the Museum’s budget has tripled, staffing has grown, and visitor attendance has increased 67%. In 2012, NMPRAC was
Tell Us What You Think!
named the latest City of Chicago’s Museums in the Park, making history as the first new addition in over 20 years. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU and so
In our latest Member Spotlight, Ocasio discusses how the Museum responded
we’re launching a regular Readers
to COVID-19 through virtual programming, including a YouTube channel and partnership with Google Arts & Culture, and the need for equitable funding for
Survey! Take the survey today to share your
arts and culture organizations of color. Read the full Spotlight on ARTSblog.
thoughts about this issue of Arts Link. (Survey
‘‘
takes five minutes or less to complete.)
For the arts sector, I would like to see more support of BIPOC organizations to work towards leveling the playing field and
n
What story was your favorite?
n
What topics would you like to read more about?
allowing everyone a fair chance at success. I hope to see an increase in the development of public programming aimed at
’’
targeting issues of equity and diversity to empower people
n
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of color and make progress in closing the wealth gap.
Billy Ocasio photo courtesy NMPRAC. “Levacion” by Samuel Lind, photo courtesy NMPRAC.
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SPRING 2021 | ARTS LINK | 11
Noni Olabisi, “Mask”, Acrylic on canvas, 16” x 16”, 2020, courtesy City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. 12 | ARTS LINK | SPRING 2021
The Source for Arts Professionals In the Know
WE ARE THE ONES WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR by Clay Lord; edited by Cedeem Gumbs
‘‘
W
hen the pandemic hit, most
As Erik Takeshita, co-leader of the Get
communities, Artist Relief ultimately
of our artists lost everything,”
Creative Workers Working coalition, says,
distributed 78% of the grants to
says Marie Acosta, artistic
“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
BIPOC creatives; a quarter of grantees
and executive director of
identified as having a disability, nearly
the Latino Center of Art and Culture
40% identified as being LGBTQIA+.
in Sacramento, California. “There was
As soon as the crisis hit, the field activated
complete desperation.”
relief funds for culture makers in need.
In March of 2020, the pandemic
“We were posting links for 100 or
While it is hard to tally all the relief dollars, Swanson says he “wouldn’t be surprised” if, all told, it topped
hit hard. Nationally and locally, the
more funds from March through the
$100 million—a both huge and insuffi-
unique contours of the COVID-19 crisis
summer,” says Carl Atiya Swanson,
cient amount. As the country shifts from
were a perfect storm for the arts.
associate director of Springboard for
relief to recovery, there is concern that
Two-thirds of the 5.1 million creative
the Arts, “but often as soon as we found
creative workers—more than half now
workers in the United States became
something and got it up, the deadlines
without savings, 1-in-3 threatened with
fully unemployed—and that number has
would be closing, or the funds would
eviction, and over 50% victims of food
basically stayed there.
have run out.”
insecurity—won’t be able to take part.
“I lost three jobs on March 12 and
Foundations redirected dollars, ser-
For Acosta, ensuring local artists
have only worked one day since then,”
vice organizations redistributed donated
could take part meant launching the
says Carson Elrod, actor and co-founder
funds, individuals launched communal
Sacramento Artist Corps, one of the
of Be An #ArtsHero.
GoFundMe campaigns. A multi-funder
first of a now growing set of creative
coalition created the $20 million Artist
job corps.
Research shows that 95% of all arts organizations cancelled events; cre-
Relief fund, and used an algorithm
ative workers averaged just over $15,000
based on economic need and other
the curve because our mayor already
in income. According to Johns Hopkins
non-demographic social indicators to
understood the value of the arts,”
University, the nonprofit creative sector
identify 4,000 grantees from nearly
says Acosta, explaining how she was
was the hardest hit sector in the economy.
150,000 applications. In keeping with
able [within weeks of the CARES Act
other data showing that such economic
becoming law in late March 2020] to
the creative field stepped up: people
and social impacts disproportionately
secure over $330,000 in funding to pay
from the field, fighting for the field.
occurred in systemically marginalized
artists to help address the pandemic.
As the country reeled, leaders within
AmericansForTheArts.org
“Sacramento was way ahead of
SPRING 2021 | ARTS LINK | 13
WE ARE THE ONES WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR
“ Remedios” poster by Ramona Garcia, commissioned by the Latino Center of Art and Culture as part of their Sacramento Artist Corps program. “Compass Rose” storefront installation by Debra Scacco, part of Winterlit, from Art of Recovery, a program of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs, photo by Ariana Gomez. Artists at Work Filmmaker Joe Aidonidis, photo by Shaun Laframboise. Physical distancing marker at the Annenberg Community Beach House by UrbanRock Design (Jeanine Centuori and Russell Rock), commissioned as part of the Art of Recovery program from Santa Monica Cultural Affairs, photo courtesy Santa Monica Cultural Affairs.
“ The arts are one of our most vital sectors in civic life, and more investment is needed to respond to the immediate moment and sustain a resilient equitable sector.” Kristin Sakoda L.A. County Department of Arts and Culture
14 | ARTS LINK | SPRING 2021
The Source for Arts Professionals In the Know
director of the L.A. County Department
groups around immediate and long-term
artworks at the intersection of art and
Acosta commissioned over 100 new
of Arts and Culture, “and more
pressing needs, networking like projects
public health. Posters were placed
investment is needed to respond to
into communities of practice, and
around the community, a coloring book
the immediate moment and sustain
creating a supportive space during
was distributed through local food banks
a resilient equitable sector.”
monthly calls.
and social service agencies, and video
In New York City, on March 10, 2020,
and audio pieces were made available
a coalition of 34 senior arts leaders from
coalitions will last,” says Matthew-Lee
through the Latino Center’s website.
city cultural groups began meeting
Erlbach of Be An #ArtsHero. “I hope
each day at 3 p.m. This coalition,
what lasts is an empowered creative
efforts. In Santa Monica, California, the
now 600 strong and fittingly called
workforce, standing united to make
Office of Cultural Affairs developed Art
Culture@3, continue to meet regularly to
ourselves a legislative priority.”
of Recovery, an initiative to commission
work on common issues like reopening,
temporary public art projects ranging
staffing, and insurance, as well as city,
a different, more equitable relationship
from ground signage encouraging six-
state, and federal advocacy.
between the creative economy, creative
Also in spring 2020, four
workers, and the country post-recovery.
Acosta’s impulse echoed in other
foot distances to COVID-safe puppetry performances for community members.
“I hope and believe that all of our
All these efforts hold the promise of
unemployed artists formed Be An
These issues—unemployment, health
#ArtsHero, a national grassroots
insurance, job coding, disaster relief
ensure that we can retain our artistic
coalition that, through social media,
policy, access to capital—range from
community while using the unique
a growing artist network, and pure
local to national, broad to narrow,
strengths that artists and cultural
will, has met with dozens of
aspirational to deeply tactical. They
workers bring to bear on our recovery
Congressmembers, pushing for the
are foundational and pursuing them
efforts,” says Shannon Daut, Santa
inclusion of creative workers in relief
will extend years.
Monica’s manager of cultural affairs.
legislation, the support of small creative
“Our focus is on doing all we can to
In western Massachusetts, THE OFFICE performing arts + film built Artists at Work, a job corps model that
“I believe history has given us a
businesses, and shifts in how creative
moment to fundamentally reframe
workers are identified in legislation.
the who, what, and why of the arts in
They are also one of the 2,300
this country,” says theater director
engaged private philanthropy, artists, and
signatories on the Put Creative Workers
and GCWW coalition member Lear
community organizations in a triangle
to Work policy platform, a set of
deBessonet. “If we commit to the value
of support. Among the artists, musician
16 policy proposals designed to integrate
that every person deserves access to
Naia Kete collaborated with youth to
the creative economy into the national
the arts, and if we live that value in how
create songs that addressed trauma
recovery that was, itself, developed by
resources are distributed, we can pivot
and increased agency, textile artist
a coalition—in this case, 150+ organiza-
this country into a future that fulfills its
Brece Honeycutt co-created a beadwork
tions that now meet regularly to drive
yet-unfulfilled promise.”
installation with special needs adults,
collective action under the name Get
and filmmaker Joe Aidonidis collaborated
Creative Workers Working (GCWW).
with a social services organization to
The proposal, which would invest
create a documentary about western
around $15-20 billion into national
Massachusetts’ opioid epidemic.
and local creative economies and
Similar job corps programs and
would provide nearly 350,000 jobs if
recovery efforts are active or being
enacted, is ambitious—possibly the
contemplated in many places, including
most comprehensive creative economy
San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York
proposal since the New Deal—but
City, Seattle, Minneapolis, and the states
has precedent in the recently passed
of California, Illinois, Rhode Island,
$15 billion Save Our Stages (SOS)
Wisconsin, and New York. In Los Angeles,
provisions, which provided a crucial
a public-private partnership recently
lifeline for arts venues across the
created a new $38.5 million fund to
country. GCWW seeks to secure similar
provide unrestricted operating funding
support for individual creative workers
to small and midsize arts groups as
and creative businesses.
they move to restart. “The arts are one of our most vital sectors in civic life,” says Kristin Sakoda,
AmericansForTheArts.org
In addition to federal policy efforts, the GCWW coalition is documenting
To learn more about many of these creative workforce recovery efforts and read the Put Creative Workers to Work policy proposals, visit CreativeWorkers.net.
CLAY LORD, (he/him) is vice president of strategic impact at Americans for the Arts and co-lead of the Get Creative Workers Working coalition. Read more.
CEDEEM GUMBS, (he/him) is a senior at Baruch College and is interning with Americans for the Arts’ equity and local arts engagement team as their equity in arts leadership intern.
recovery projects, convening working
SPRING 2021 | ARTS LINK | 15
INSPIRING LEADERSHIP THROUGH EXAMPLE
LEADERSHIP IN PRACTICE
Vinnie Bagwell with “The First Lady of Jazz Ella Fitzgerald,” photo by Grace Roselli, The Pandora’s BoxX Project.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT “Saving All My Love For You!” by Vinnie Bagwell, artist and recipient of the 2020 Peréz Prize in Public Art & Civic Design
Yonkers Hawhorne-PEARLS students visit the artist study, photo by Leslie Jean-Bart.
means to be human. Thus, years later, in 2009, I created an initiative to celebrate the legacy of the first enslaved Africans to be manumitted in the United States, 64 years before the Emancipation Proclamation: “The Enslaved Africans’ Rain Garden” is an urban-heritage sculpture garden featuring five life-sized bronzes that explore the breadth of slavery. History is the memory of a people, and emotional content is a sculpture’s most important element. Thus, I commissioned spoken-word artist, Ty Gray-El, to create five stories to humanize my artworks and the memory of enslaved Africans. Gray-El is a repository of the oral tradition with the power
AFTER 28 YEARS OF MAKING PUBLIC ART, I value interacting
to reach out across the centuries to exalt stories of hope,
with the community in the process of creating art for
inspiration, and unwavering courage. Adult audiences were
public places because I deliberately choose projects that raise consciousness and help people to get outside of their own cultural constraints. My experience includes hosting community forums, historical symposiums, artist talks, and in-studio workshops. I curate exhibitions, create web sites, and manage social-media platforms to enable community participation and the exchange of ideas worldwide as well as to engage viewers who may not normally have the opportunity to see the daily creation of sculpture and public art.
riveted and fifth-graders were mesmerized. During the decade spent developing and creating artwork with the gravitas to convey the beauty and poetry of authentic African-American history for the Rain Garden, I fostered dialogue about racial democracy by actively moving all commissioned public artworks forward with civic-engagement activities. My in-studio “Previews” of public artwork before casting delighted most who attended because they said they had never seen a “statue” in progress before. Even in this era
I live in Yonkers, New York, which has a relatively high percentage
of pandemic, people stay on Zoom to the end to talk and ask
of low-to-moderate income families. I saw a need for cultural-en-
questions; and interest mounts as we await the Rain Garden’s
richment experiences because sculpting is not offered in the
dedication slated for Juneteenth 2021.
public-school curriculum. Thus, I began inviting high-school-aged artists to apprentice with me as I created my first public artwork, “The First Lady of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald,” which became the first public artwork of a contemporary African-American woman to be commissioned by a municipality in the United States.
Civic-engagement activities foster dialogue and cross-cultural exchange. They breed love and understanding. My subjects have souls which speak to the viewer, and they are meant to be engaged. Each character is designed to inform viewers that artistry is a powerful and useful tool of social transformation;
Public art about marginalized people may be used as a lens to
one capable of condensing our thoughts, distilling our minds,
better understand what it means to be an American. What it
and renewing our hopes and aspirations.
16 | ARTS LINK | SPRING 2021
The Source for Arts Professionals In the Know
Artists Transforming Communities Meet the 2021 Americans for the Arts Johnson Fellows
WHAT’S A QUESTION YOU’RE ASKING YOURSELF RIGHT NOW REGARDING YOUR CREATIVE WORK? What can art do to produce a common notion of truth in
THE JOHNSON FELLOWSHIP HONORS ARTISTS who contribute to solving problems;
bridging divides; and building leadership, capacity, and public will to participate in civic life. In this year, with the circumstances created by the pandemic and the challenges that artists face, we are spreading the award to benefit the three extraordinary artists who were the top finalists nominated for the 2018 (public art), 2019 (theater), and 2020 (music) Johnson Fellowship. Learn more about the 2021 Fellows.
America today?
“ Raising awareness” or even speaking truth to power seems insufficient now to the task at hand. What new forms and actions are needed to construct a shared notion of our historical and present condition in a “posttruth” America? —Rosten Woo
I believe theater will not only survive but transcend this moment of quarantine. Creative problem solving is a cornerstone of theater practices.
Rosten Woo
Eddy Kwon
Laurie Woolery
How can we do the best work
designer, writer, educator
interdisciplinary artist, educator, fundraiser
director, playwright, citizen artist
inviting space for communities
Rosten Woo transforms
During their tenure as
Laurie Woolery,
understanding of
artistic director of Price
director of Public
complex systems and
Hill Will, a community
Works at The Public
policies through creative
development corpo-
Theater, engages the
interventions. In 2020,
ration in Cincinnati’s
people of New York as
he collaborated with
most racially, ethni-
creators of ambitious
Anna Kobara and the
cally, and economically
works of participa-
Los Angeles Poverty
diverse neighborhood,
tory theater. In 2017,
Department on the
Eddy Kwon brought
Woolery directed a
exhibition How to House
a distinctive artis-
new musical adapta-
When do we feel free?
What internal and external conditions must be present for freedom to emerge and become us? There is so much to learn from our ancestors, elders, from each other, and from children about the practice and process of freedom. There is so much to unlearn. This practice and process requires community, just as it requires solitude. It also creates community, just as it creates a more vivid inner life.
7,000 People in Skid Row,
tic voice, innovative
tion of As You Like It
physically illustrating
creative youth devel-
with 200 New Yorkers
the $35 billion required
opment, and vision for
reflecting the city’s
for 7,000 housing units
neighborhood develop-
rich diversity—build-
for people houseless
ment through music,
ing community while
in Skid Row and the
including renovation
forging the future of
extant and needed
of a blighted Masonic
theater institutions.
public policies that
Lodge as an inclusive
could make it happen.
center for the arts, creative citizenship, and community action.
Photos (l to r): Rosten Woo by Los Angeles Poverty Dept. Eddy Kwon by Nick Swartsell. Laurie Woolery by Caroline Peters.
of our lives while making safe, hungry to gather?
During this pandemic, I’ve witnessed arts institutions eliminating community programming. For me, it’s about doubling down on our investment in community—meeting community needs, forging better partnerships in this moment. This is the future of our field. —Laurie Woolery
—Eddy Kwon
AmericansForTheArts.org
INFORMATION TO HELP YOU SUCCEED
THE TOOLBOX
COVID-19 RELIEF For the Arts Sector and Creative Workers DID YOU KNOW THAT, in every
state, the creative economy generates at least $1 billion per year—often much more? The arts are an economic powerhouse in every American community—but they’ve also been devastated by COVID-19. To tell the story of both the damage to and possibility within the nation’s creative engine, in February 2021, Americans for the Arts debuted a new microsite, COVID Relief for the Arts Sector and Creative Workers. The site launched with full-page
ads in Roll Call, Politico, and The Hill, and provides quick links to the ongoing nationwide research being done on the impact of COVID-19 on the creative economy and creative workers, free one-sheets outlining both the impact of, and damage to, each state’s creative economy, and the new and expanded Put Creative Workers to Work policy
platform and website, co-developed by 100 partners in the cultural sector. As we head into spring and summer 2021, pushing local, state, and federal decisionmakers to incorporate the creative economy in recovery plans is going to be crucial. We’re producing resources like this to make that effort as easy and impactful as possible. There can be no full American recovery without the creative economy—help make sure our policymakers don’t forget that!
18 | ARTS LINK | SPRING 2021
The Source for Arts Professionals In the Know
Arts, Health, and Well-Being Across the Military Continuum 2.0 THE SECOND WHITE PAPER of the
National Initiative for Arts & Health Across the Military is here—Arts, Health, and Well-Being Across the Military Continuum White Paper 2.0—2020 and Beyond! Released by Americans for the Arts, the new report chronicles the major achievements of the National
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
Initiative since its launch in 2012. It also proposes a menu of strategies and actions individuals and organizations—and their public and
New! Inclusive Creative Economy Initiative
private partners—can take to increase access to arts and creativity for the most vulnerable and underserved of the military-connected populations. Download White Paper 2.0 here, or email info-niahm@artsusa.org for more information.
AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS’ new Inclusive Creative Economy Initiative
seeks to “help communities further leverage the full scope of creative, cultural, and artistic-based economic activity to strengthen their communities. We strive to help communities build awareness of their cultural assets and how to equitably value, utilize, and resource them. The Initiative
Partnering Your Way to Success
aims to guide local communities and national entities to establish and strengthen partnerships between the for-profit, nonprofit, and government sectors to increase an equitable flow of resources for the creative economy. This work will support equitable policies that bolster the economic activity
LAST SUMMER, Americans for the
Arts launched Partnering Your Way
generated by creative goods and services that drive holistic economic returns
to Success: Arts as a Solution to Corporate
and prepare individuals, businesses, and governments for a more just future.”
Objectives, a digital program for business
To create a strong foundation of this long-term work, we invite you to explore
leaders, to model-share and discuss new
our new Inclusive Creative Economy language bank. We recognize the need
strategies for leveraging the arts to achieve
for clear, transparent definitions to create consistency, fluency, and inten-
internal and external goals. The series featured
tionality in how we talk about inclusive creative economies and associated
leaders from companies like Universal Orlando,
subjects. These definitions were created in partnership and vetted by a
Founders Brewing, and Con Edison, who shared
broad set of voices and perspectives, which you can review online. We seek
examples of programs and partnerships that
to help align the local arts agency field with the many groups working in this
have benefited their companies and commu-
space, and to uplift and support the concepts and definitions used by others
nities. Arts leaders will gain insight into how
working with frontline communities to create equitable, restorative, and
businesses think about arts partnerships and
regenerative creative economies.
how to approach them. Recordings of these sessions are now open to all arts leaders and can be found on ArtsU! RIght: Founders Brewing Co. employees take a group photo before Founders Fest, photo courtesy Founders Brewing Co.
AmericansForTheArts.org
1000 Vermont Avenue NW 6th Floor Washington, D.C. 20005 T 202.371.2830 F 202.371.0424 AmericansForTheArts.org
2021 ANNUAL
CONVENTION JUNE 8 –11
This year’s Annual Convention will focus on putting creative workers and cultural organizations to work as part of our collective recovery. Join arts leaders from across the country as we gather to reimagine the creative field.
Learn More at Convention.ArtsUSA.org.