Today, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the White House announced a co-hosted, first-of-its kind summit that will recognize the profound impact that arts and culture play in shaping our lives, communities, and nation. "Healing, Bridging, Thriving: A Summit on Arts and Culture in our Communities," will take place on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. E.T. in Washington, D.C. and will be available to the public as a livestream at arts.gov.
This national convening brings together leaders from various sectors, including government officials; policymakers; artists; advocates; academics; and philanthropic, labor, and community leaders to explore ideas, policies, and actions that can elevate the arts and humanities across the nation. In particular, the summit will delve into how the arts contribute to health and well-being, invigorate physical spaces, fuel democracy, and foster equitable outcomes.
The summit will feature a host of prominent and inspirational leaders, changemakers, and artists across sectors who will contribute their insights, including Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff, who will share closing remarks. See the full list of speakers and panelists below.
“This historic convening will shine a light on the arts and humanities as critical to restoring the soul of our nation,” said Neera Tanden, domestic policy advisor to President Biden and director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. “At this moment marked by threats to our democracy, the arts and humanities are an asset to our country that allows us to understand each other better. At the summit, I am looking forward to hearing from voices from across the country about how the arts enable communities to thrive.”
“Art is not just a reflection of our society, it’s an integral part of our evolution as a nation and a source of resilience,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “This groundbreaking summit will underscore the transformative power of the arts in our communities and across areas of policy and practice, exploring how the arts can help support the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities, and our planet. I am excited to bring together leaders to chart a course for harnessing the creative innovation needed to build a stronger, more connected nation.”
This convening builds on momentum from a meeting hosted by the White House Domestic Policy Council and NEA on October 17, 2023, that discussed integrating arts and culture into programs, policies, and practices of federal agencies. It follows an Executive Order on Arts and Humanities signed by President Biden to spur investment and aligning of arts and culture across the federal government.
“Healing, Bridging, Thriving: A Summit on Arts and Culture in our Communities” has been made possible through a partnership with the Barr Foundation, as well as the generous support of Good Chaos, The Heinz Endowments, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and The Roundhouse Foundation.
For more information, including how to watch the live webcast, please visit www.arts.gov.
https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2024/healingbridgingthrivingannouncement