Americans for the Arts

Americans for the Arts is a national membership organization that promotes the arts by conducting research, providing educational and professional development tools, and convening its members to advance debates on timely issues. It educates Americans on the ways in which the arts can enrich communities while simultaneously supporting economic growth and spurring innovation. The organization convenes local, state, and national leaders in more than 100 locations nationwide; expands partnerships between the for-profit, nonprofit, and government sectors; advocates for and informs positive arts policies by producing evidence-based research and analysis; and supports the inclusion of artists and arts professionals in local, state, and federal policy discussions. This award recommends general operating support to Americans for the Arts.

Americans for the Arts is a national membership organization that promotes the arts through conducting research, providing educational and professional development tools, and convening its members virtually and in person. Once every five years, Americans for the Arts conducts an economic impact study of the arts at the national and local level. Arts and Economic Prosperity V: Chicago measures the effects of Chicago’s nonprofits arts industry on critical areas of the local economy. These effects include full-time jobs; personal income paid to Chicago residents; and revenue generated for the city and the state of Illinois. In cooperation with Arts Alliance Illinois, Americans for the Arts trains local arts professionals in interpreting the study data, which illustrate the positive economic contributions to the city and state, and bolster the case for public and private funding for the arts. Results also inform arts professionals by calculating the return on investment of arts programming, which assists in the planning and development of future work.

Americans for the Arts is a national membership organization that promotes the arts through conducting research, providing educational and professional development tools, and convening its members virtually and in person. This grant will provide one-time support to the Americans for the Arts for its 2015 Convention, which will be held in Chicago from June 12 - June 14, 2015. The Convention draws more than 1,000 arts administrators and professionals in related fields such as urban planning, community development, and creative businesses from around the country. The Convention brings together representatives from all artistic disciplines and provides them with opportunities for networking and professional education.

Support to include Chicago in an economic impact study of the nation's nonprofit arts industry.

To fund the public release of local data from an economic impact study of the nation's nonprofit arts industry.