press room

For Immediate Release

10/01/2007

Contact:
Beth Olsen
Goodman Media for Americans for the Arts
212.576.2700 ext. 243 or bolsen@goodmanmedia.com


Celebrate and Participate in National Arts and Humanities Month—Activities for Everyone from Coast-to-Coast

Washington, DC—October 1, 2007—Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, invites all Americans to celebrate October as National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM). This coast-to-coast collective celebration of culture in America has become the largest annual fête of the arts and humanities in the nation.

Large cities and small towns across the country are hosting activities that honor the efforts of artists, historians, and cultural groups and invite all Americans to experience the arts in October and year-round. For ways to get involved, visit the NAHM website at www.AmericansForTheArts.org/NAHM.

“The arts and humanities play an important role in our lives and the welfare of our communities,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “The arts allow us to explore ideas, express emotions, and better appreciate cultures from around the world. NAHM is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the positive impact the arts bring to our schools and communities.”

Americans for the Arts and arts leaders and organizations nationwide are celebrating NAHM with a variety of special events and initiatives. See www.AmericansForTheArts.org/NAHM for a list of select events and visit the NAHM website for a complete list of events:

• California Arts Day—Friday, October 5
  California Arts Council celebrates the 7th Annual California Arts Day by encouraging Californians to explore what's offered by local arts organizations and to demonstrate the role and value of arts and culture in the state. Exciting concerts, free museum exhibitions, and weekend arts festivals are being held from Sacramento to San Diego. For more information, visit www.cac.ca.gov/358/.
• RADical Days—Pittsburgh, PA
  Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) presents the 6th annual RADical Days, a nearly two-week event featuring free admissions, musical and dance performances, and family activities offered by dozens of arts and culture organizations in the county. In addition, throughout the event, many Allegheny County public libraries will host local storytellers and puppeteers. Festivities will take place September 25–October 7, 2007, with an additional location on October 19. For more information, visit the website.
• Start the Art Week—October 8–12
  The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) will once again celebrate “Start the Art Week” in October during which parents and teachers will be encouraged to celebrate, advocate and embrace the arts. For Start the Art Week, PTA provides teachers and parents with the tools necessary to plan a week of unique events and activities to advocate the importance of arts in education.
• National Arts Awards—presented by Americans for the Arts October 15 in New York City
  The National Arts Awards recognize artists and arts supporters who exhibit exemplary national leadership and whose work demonstrates extraordinary artistic achievement. This year’s National Arts Awards winners are: Wallis Annenberg, Ellsworth Kelly, John Legend, Anna Deavere Smith, the Music Industry and NAMM, and The United States Conference of Mayors.
• Chicago Artists Month
  Chicago Artists Month, now in its 12th year, showcases the city's rich visual arts community. Visitors can meet painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, ceramic, glass and fiber artists during this month-long event. There will be exhibitions by both emerging and established artists, as well as neighborhood art walks, open studio tours, workshops and presentations at over 200 galleries, museums, cultural centers and arts buildings throughout the city. For more information, visit www.chicagoartistsmonth.org.
• RiverArtsFest, October 26–28
  RiverArtsFest is a fine arts festival presented by Experience Art in Memphis and the South Main Association to promote visual and performing arts in the Historic Arts District of Memphis. This festival, which is open to the public, features a juried exhibition in fine art, invitational showing, youth art show, artists market, live entertainment, and culinary delights.  For more information, visit www.southmainmemphis.org.
• Creative Conversations for Emerging Leaders
  Throughout NAHM, the Americans for the Arts Emerging Leader Council will partner with emerging arts leaders from across the country to host Emerging Arts Leaders creative conversations, events planned to address current issues affecting the arts. Americans for the Arts then uses the feedback and ideas from these creative conversations to assist in programmatic planning for the future. More than 20 Creative Conversations are set for 2007 around the country. For more information, visit the Creative Conversation website.
• Ohio Arts Council, Greater Columbus Arts Council, and Enjoy the Arts Cincinnati
  Visit www.artsinohio.com for a calendar of more than 500 NAHM events happening throughout Ohio in October. Search by region, category, or date.
• Free Fall Baltimore
  Free Fall Baltimore in Maryland features more than 85 arts organizations presenting over 200 free events including performances, lectures, workshops and hands-on creative experiences, throughout October. For more information, visit www.freefallbaltimore.com.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of more than 45 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.