October is National Arts and Humanities Month

Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts, invites all Americans to celebrate October as National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM). National Arts and Humanities Month presents the opportunity for everyone to experience the arts this October, whether it's attending the theater or other cultural event, taking a ceramics or dance class, or singing songs with your kids. Large cities to small towns across the country are hosting activities in honor of artists, historians, and cultural groups and invite everyone in the community to participate and experience the arts.

For a complete list of events visit: http://maps.artsusa.org/NAHM.

"Now is the time to recognize the tremendous role the arts and humanities play in our homes, schools, and communities. National Arts and Humanities Month offers us a chance to celebrate the economic, educational, and civic engagement values that the arts impart in our daily lives," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.

Americans for the Arts, arts leaders and organizations nationwide are celebrating NAHM. The following are NAHM highlights from around the country:

Americans for the Arts Creative Conversations
Attend a Creative Conversation in your city this October and connect with others who want to make a difference for the arts in your community. More than 20 Creative Conversations are set for 2009, including:

Newport News, VA, 10/9/09: Art and the Profession of Arms: Sons & Daughters in the Military - A kick-off event for the Peninsula Fine Arts Center's Military Appreciation Weekend.

Austin, TX, 10/19/09: Create Texas and Advocacy - Attendees will learn more about the recently released economic study by the Texas Cultural Trust, and how they can advocate to make a difference for the arts and creative industries.

West Palm Beach, FL, 10/27/09: Dot Org Speed Dating - A Creative Conversation of five topics covered by five speakers in a speed dating fashion. Each participant will have 15 to 20 minutes at a table with each expert.

For more information visit http://www.americansforthearts.org/go/creativeconversations.

Art Detroit Now
Detroit, MI, October 2-3
More than 50 organizations, in and around metro Detroit, are working together to celebrate great contemporary art and artists in the community. Celebrate NAHM with events, receptions, and gallery openings on October 2 and 3. For more information visit http://www.artdetroitnow.com.

Harlem Arts Advocacy Week
New York, NY, October 5-8
The Harlem Arts Alliance presents a week of free events in various locations around Harlem, including the Riverside Theatre, Dwyer Cultural Center, Maysles Institute, Reality House/Columbia University, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. In October 2008, New York City Councilmember Inez E. Dickens introduced a resolution officially declaring the first week in October as Harlem Arts Advocacy Week. For more information visit http://www.harlemaa.org.

AHA! 2nd FREE Thursday Arts and Culture Night
New Bedford, MA, October 8
AHA! (Art, History, & Architecture) is a cooperative venture dedicated to invigorating the downtown New Bedford cultural scene. For more information visit http://www.ahanewbedford.org.

2nd Annual Fine Arts Festival
Sullivan, MO, October 10
The 2nd Annual Sullivan Fine Arts Festival will be held downtown and artists from Sullivan and the surrounding will be participating. For more information visit http://www.sullivanmo.com.

Live Theatre Week
Seattle, WA, October 12-18
More than 50 theaters across Puget Sound are presenting dozens and dozens of free live theater events. For more information visit http://www.seattleperforms.com/ltw.

ARTsMART in the Mall
Redding, CA, October 17
The Shasta County Arts Council is presenting music, entertainment and demonstrations by more than 30 regional artists and performers and free art classes at the Mt. Shasta Mall.

Mayor's Cultural Town Meeting: Life Long Learning in the Arts
Baltimore, MD, October 21
Presented by Mayor Sheila Dixon and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, this event is free and open to the public. For more information visit http://www.promotionandarts.com.

Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities
Anchorage, AK, October 22
Annual awards sponsored by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Humanities Forum, and the Office of the Governor. For more information visit www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca.

River Cities Symphony Orchestra Fall Concert
Parkersburg, WV, October 30
Featuring Mozart Bassoon Concerto, Julia Hepler, soloist; Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 (The Italian Symphony); and Gounod's Funeral March for a Marionette. For more information visit http://www.rcso.us.

Art21 as the official partner of National Arts and Humanities Month
Art21's mission is to increase knowledge of contemporary art, ignite discussion, and inspire creative thinking by documenting artists at work and in their own words. During National Arts and Humanities Month, Art21 is sponsoring more than 400 public screenings and events nationwide in advance of the premiere of the fifth season of the Peabody Award-winning television series, Art:21-Art in the Twenty-First Century as part of Art21 Access ‘09. Season Five debuts on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 10:00 pm (ET) on PBS (check local listings). For more information visit http://access.art21.org.

Americans for the Arts encourages arts supporters to become fans of NAHM on Facebook, where one can view videos and photos from NAHM events around the country or post their own. Supporters can also follow on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/NAHM to receive the latest news. Visit http://www.AmericansForTheArts.org/NAHM to become a fan and to access a map and other support materials to help communities develop their own activities in support of NAHM.

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 49 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.

 

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