National Arts and Humanities Month (original) (raw)
Celebrate the arts within you!
October is National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM)—a collective recognition of the importance of culture in America. This month-long celebration’s objectives are to:
- Focus on equitable access to the arts at local, state, and national levels;
- Increase and support individual, organizational, and diverse community participation in the arts;
- Raise awareness about the positive impact of the arts and humanities in our communities and lives.
Join us
Become an advocate
Sign up for the Arts Action Fund and join our mission to mobilize one million citizen activists to advance the arts and arts education at local, state, and federal levels.
Celebrate and share
Download assets to promote NAHM 2024 and 10 reasons to support the arts below!
Get involved
Follow up on the U.S. Department of Education letter of guidance
Watch a recording of the Guidance on Arts Education Funding webinar with Americans for the Arts and U.S. Department of Education that took place to share important updates on arts education funding guidance!
Learn from staff from the U.S. Department of Education and hear from local practitioners about how this guidance can be used to advance arts education in school districts across the country.
Americans for the Arts and their national partners shared best practices for advocacy and next steps at the federal, state, and local levels.
Simon Earle
Director, Well-Rounded Education Programs Office, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education
Amanda Karhuse
Assistant Executive Director, Advocacy & Public Policy, National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
Christopher Mosley
Education Specialist for Performing Arts, Henrico County Public Schools in Henrico County, VA
Heather Noonan
Vice President for Advocacy, League of American Orchestras
Patrick Rooney
Director of Formula Grants Office, U.S. Department of Education
Mario Rossero
Executive Director, National Art Education Association
Jennifer Todd
Director, Well-Rounded Education Programs Office, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education
Lynn Tuttle
Executive Director and CEO, American String Teachers Association
Nina Unitas
Senior Program Officer for Arts Education, Pittsburgh Public Schools
New Federal Guidance: A Victory for Arts Education!
As we begin National Arts and Humanities Month, we are happy to announce that the U.S. Department of Education has issued a letter of guidance to Chief State School Officers regarding the use of federal education dollars to support a well-rounded education—including the arts—through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The letter states:
“Arts education—including dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts—is key to equitable access to a well-rounded education and central to our shared commitment to ensure that every student receives high-quality instruction that prepares them to be active, engaged, and lifelong learners.”
The new guidance aims to bring educators, administrators, and advocates together to better understand what funding sources are available for enhancing arts education programs in their communities.
Get involved
National Arts and Humanities Month is an excellent opportunity to be more inclusive across your community and engage organizations and populations you may not interact with on a regular basis.
Guide to equitable engagement
Download our guide to equitable engagement for tips on how to thoughtfully and intentionally engage across cultures, download and use this guide to equitable engagement
Ask for a local government proclamation
Your mayor, city council, or governor can officially declare National Arts and Humanities Month. Read our one-page How-to Guide for help making the ask to your local government.
Get the word out to the media
Read our tips on working with the media to garner attention for virtual events in your community - from sample press releases, contacting local media outlets, and media interview skills.
Placing an op-ed
Get advice on how to write an op-ed or letter to the editor for your local paper. Check out our PDF covering tips for authors, advice for being declined, and contact the Editorial Board.
The Arts Within You
This year’s theme, "The Arts Within You,” aims to inspire active participation in fostering positive change and promote a vibrant, inclusive society through the arts.
The arts can help you cope with our ever-changing world in several ways:
- Creativity and Expression: Artistic activities such as painting, writing, or music offer a way to express emotions and thoughts, allowing you to process and make sense of the changes around you.
- Therapeutic Benefits: Art can reduce stress and anxiety levels and promote mental well-being during challenging times.
- Connection and Reflection: The arts can evoke emotions and foster connections with others. Engaging with the arts provides comfort, inspiration, and a sense of belonging in a constantly evolving world.
- Perspective and Empathy: Diverse art forms broaden perspectives and cultivate empathy by helping you understand different viewpoints and experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of our changing world.
- Resilience: Engaging with art builds resilience by fostering adaptability, creativity, and a sense of hope. It enables you to navigate uncertainty and find strength in the face of challenges.
10 reasons to celebrate the arts within you
Building a Bigger We: Arts, Culture, and the Future of American Democracy
Americans for the Arts acknowledged the inaugural Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy with a powerful virtual conversation on October 1st, 2024.
This discussion, featuring renowned art leaders Angela Glover Blackwell (PolicyLink), Patricia Cruz (Harlem Stage), and Bryan Doerries (Theater of War Productions), was moderated by Dr. Genna Styles-Lyas (Americans for the Arts).
Together, they explored how the arts can shape the future of a multiracial democracy, foster meaningful conversations, and inspire collective action across the country.
Watch the video of the recording to learn how artists, arts organizations, and community groups are leveraging culture to create lasting change.
Still have questions? Get answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about National Arts and Humanities Month.