policy and advocacy

Americans for the Arts Organizes Hearing on Arts Advocacy Day 2009

For the third year in a row, in conjunction with Arts Advocacy Day, Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA), chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, hosted a hearing on the importance of investing in the arts. Rep. Dicks once again invited Americans for the Arts to organize witnesses to give testimony before the subcommittee which determines the budget levels for the National Endowment for the Arts. The hearing focused on the message of Arts = Jobs, and was held on Tuesday, March 31, following the Congressional Arts Breakfast. Each witness not only provided personal stories about the impact the arts had on their lives and careers, but also the value of the arts community as a critical part of the country’s workforce.

Those testifying were:

Wynton Marsalis, world-renowned trumpeter and composer, is the artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and music director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Mr. Marsalis made his recording debut in 1982, and has since recorded more than 30 jazz and classical recordings, which have won him nine Grammy Awards. An internationally respected advocate and spokesman for arts education, Mr. Marsalis has received honorary doctorates from dozens of universities throughout the United States. Mr. Marsalis delivered the Americans for the Arts 22nd Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy this year. Read Mr. Marsalis’ testimony (pdf).

Linda Ronstadt is an acclaimed singer, producer, and actress. Her unique vocal blend of rock and country has won her numerous awards including 11 Grammy Awards, an Emmy award, and an ALMA award. One of the most commercially successful female singers of the last four decades, Ms. Ronstadt is the singer of such hits as “He’s No Good” and “When Will I Be Loved.” Ms. Ronstadt has since turned to traditional Mexican and Spanish material and is the artistic director of the annual mariachi festival hosted by the Mexican Heritage Corporation. Read Ms. Ronstadt’s testimony (pdf).

Josh Groban is a Grammy Award-nominated singer, songwriter, and pianist. Mr. Groban’s debut self-titled album went double-platinum, making him the best-selling new male artist of 2002. Classically trained and able to sing in four different languages, Mr. Groban has performed all over the world, most recently at the We Are One Concert celebrating the inauguration of President Barack Obama. In 2004, Mr. Groban established the Josh Groban Foundation, and with the help of his loyal fans, has contributed over $2 million to children around the world for the arts, education, and healthcare. Read Mr. Groban’s testimony (pdf).

Jeremy Nowak is the President of The Reinvestment Fund and a nationally recognized leader in urban development. In addition to his work at The Reinvestment Fund, Mr. Nowak is a board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. He is the author of numerous articles which have examined the role of art and culture in neighborhood regeneration. He is currently a fellow at the Aspen Institute, in a program for entrepreneurial leaders in education, and a member of a Harvard University (Kennedy School) Executive Session on transforming cities through civic entrepreneurship. Read Mr. Nowak’s testimony (pdf).

Robert L. Lynch is the president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, the national organization dedicated to advancing the arts and arts education in people’s lives, schools, and communities. With nearly 50 years of national leadership in the arts, Americans for the Arts is the national convener of Arts Advocacy Day, which is co-sponsored by more than 80 national arts service organizations, representing thousands of nonprofit arts groups and artists of every discipline across the country. Read Mr. Lynch’s testimony (pdf).