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A note from our CEO
Two hundred and fifty years ago, the Declaration our founders signed was an act of imagination as much as it was an act of governance. Ever since, artists, writers, musicians, poets, and culture bearers have done the hard work of testing that promise: telling our stories, challenging our assumptions, and expanding what America means.
America250 is a moment for celebration and reflection, but a healthy democracy depends on that work every day. At Americans for the Arts, we believe arts and humanities are core to who we are as people and as a nation. Every community, every story, every voice should be heard. A single narrative is not enough.
That belief led us, through deep conversations with AFTA’s staff and board, to a renewed Vision Statement. Now is the right time to share it:
We envision a nation where freedom of creative expression is upheld as a fundamental human right, where arts and culture are woven into the fabric of civic life, resourced in every community, and accessible to everyone.
This is our north star, and it demands sustained investment in artists, organizations, and the federal agencies that make it possible. Congress is in session until August recess, with funding for the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and arts education all on the table. The decisions made now will shape this country for years.
The stakes are high, but so is the opportunity. A new national survey that we commissioned found that 77% of Americans want America250 to bridge divides and build belonging. Across political lines, people are choosing unity. The arts are how we get there.
— Erin Harkey, CEO
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