Arts Link – Spring 2021

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

THE SOURCE FOR ARTS PROFESSIONALS IN THE KNOW

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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

Which sections are most relevant to your work?

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.