2017 Annual Convention
June 16-18, 2017
San Francisco, CA
The 2017 Annual Convention brought together more than 1,100 attendees to celebrate vibrant communities, discuss pressing issues facing nonprofit arts, and brainstorm how to bring more art to more people. The convention connected a network of arts and community leaders around the country to offer inspiration, advice, and best practices—keeping the opportunity for learning and connection ongoing after the Convention.
One day prior to the Convention, Americans for the Arts hosted 2 separate Preconferences:
- Public Art Preconference: Expanding the Ecosystem
- Racial Equity Preconference: Pursuing Racial Equity Inside Your Organization
Convention Keynote presentations by:
- Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director, Equal Justice Initiative
- Debora Cullinan, Chief Executive Officer, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
- Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO, Americans for the Arts
- Jane Chu, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
- Edwin Lee, Mayor, City of Francisco
- Jeff Chang, Executive Director, Institute for Diversity in the Arts, Stanford University
- Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research and Policy, Americans for the Arts
- Margie Reese, Executive Director, Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture
- Vinitha Watson, Co-founder and Executive Director, ZooLabs
- San San Wong, Senior Program Officer, Arts & Creativity, Barr Foundation
- Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader, US House of Representatives
- Abel Lopez, Associate Producing Director, Gala Hispanic Theatre
- Rhodessa Jones, Co-artistic Director, Cultural Odyssey; Director, Medea Project
- Debra Garcia y Griego, Executive Director, Santa Fe Arts Commission
The convention featured poetry, dance, presentations, and concert performances by Kanyon Sayers-Roods, Meklit Hadero, Loco Bloco, Kevin Seaman, Honey Mahogany, DJ Emancipation, Daughters of a RIOT!, Fauxnique, Sexitude, Rock M. Sakura, Qween, Tamale Ringwald, Crème Fatale & Abominatrix, Breanna Sinclairé, Duniya Dance and Drum Company, and Rhodessa Jones.