The future is here.
Take a look back at 2013 with me, and I am looking forward to years of work together.
For us to adapt and become stronger—to thrive—in the future, we must work together. When I look at everything we accomplished in 2013, I see not only Americans for the Arts, but our partners, our country, and our world. We are deepening our strategies and relationships across the board. I think the 2013 government shut-down was an eye-opener for many of us. It solidified what we already knew—nothing is guaranteed and our field simply must adapt to keep up with and anticipate shifting funding changes. Could there be a better time for all of us to propel the arts forward than this period of cultural, economic, political, technological shifts?
In 2013, we focused on leveraging our massive nationwide network to educate leaders, invigorate arts supporters, and reach new audiences. We used every communication vehicle to spread the word about the importance and impact of the arts, not only on our economy but on our humanity and the fabric of our nation. I am also so proud to announce that we overhauled our most comprehensive communication vehicle, www.AmericansForTheArts.org. Like so many of our other initiatives, our website is all about connections—connecting members to each other, connecting people to new resources, connecting the arts to people’s lives.
This idea of connection means something different than when the organization was founded more than 50 years ago. Our changing world seems to shrink at the same time that it grows. We face new challenges, but also discover new opportunities for connection at every turn. I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together in 2014!