Each year, Americans for the Arts makes its impacts through advocacy, professional development, visibility, and research.
In 2016, those key aspects of our work were as core to our success as ever. In such a heated election year, our advocacy efforts were nationwide. We continued to introduce new, essential field education. We garnered more than 25 million impressions through our visibility campaign. And our research continues to give our belief in the positive impact of the arts the quantitative proof decision-makers need.
In 2016, America faced some unique challenges and opportunities--a hard-fought election year, continuing tension and divisiveness, and continued hope of economic growth. We know that the arts--and this extraordinary community of arts supporters, professionals, and leaders--will continue to make lasting, positive impacts.
As I told our members on the dawn of 2017, we will continue to make the case for arts and culture as a cornerstone of healthy, vibrant, and equitable communities; a bulwark against racism; a champion of freedom of expression; a driver of economic prosperity; a bridge between populations; a creator of empathy; and a venue for critical dialogue, respectful criticism, healing and hope.
Thank you for working with us, thank you for championing the arts in your community, and thank you for believing in the transformative power of the arts.