Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, American Alliance of Museums, Americans for the Arts, Film Independent, Ford’s Theatre Society, and Others Join in Solidarity to Raise Awareness and Support to Save the National Endowment for the Arts
Los Angeles, CA – March 16, 2017 – In response to recent reports regarding the possible defunding of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Ovation has recruited the support of several high-profile, non-profit arts organizations and arts leaders for its 2017 STAND FOR THE ARTS campaign to raise awareness, protect access and encourage action on behalf of the arts and culture. The Coalition includes: Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, American Alliance of Museums, Americans for the Arts, Arts Action Fund, Arts for LA, Arts Orange County, California Arts Advocates, Californians for the Arts, Film Independent, Ford’s Theatre Society, The LAMP, National Dance Education Organization, National Guild for Community Arts Education, National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, San Diego Regional Arts & Culture Coalition, Society of Voice Arts and Sciences, and California State Senator Ben Allen.
“These organizations understand that there is power in unity and feel it is important to share stories about how the arts and creativity are absolutely indispensable,” commented Liz Janneman, Executive Vice President of Network Strategy, Ovation. “With the very real threat that NEA funding will be cut or possibly eliminated, these dedicated arts advocates can help fuel the groundswell in this country that protecting the arts is essential to our economic and cultural well-being.”
“Americans for the Arts stands with Ovation and the rest of the coalition members in its support for continued funding of the NEA,” said Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO, Americans for the Arts. “With our 30th annual Arts Advocacy Day taking place next week, STAND FOR THE ARTS provides a great complement to our efforts in Washington DC by encouraging the public to take action on behalf of the arts.”
The STAND FOR THE ARTS website includes a searchable database with information on how you can get in contact with your congressional representatives and make your voice heard. In addition, links to each coalition member organization will be available as well as videos highlighting artists’ stories. To complement the STAND FOR THE ARTS website, Ovation TV is airing a series of PSAs that highlight organizations and individuals who would be most impacted by the elimination of the NEA.
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About the STAND FOR THE ARTS Coalition:
Stand For The Arts is Ovation’s national initiative aimed at raising awareness, protecting access, and encouraging action on behalf of the arts. The SFTA coalition is composed of:
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World,” has performed for over 25 million people in 48 states and in 71 countries on 6 continents, plus millions more through television broadcasts, film screenings, and online platforms. Each year, Ailey also provides world-class dance training as well as extensive arts in education and community programs that reach 100,000 people of all ages, cultural and economic backgrounds across America.
American Ballet Theatre: Recognized as a living national treasure since its founding in 1940, ABT is the only major cultural institution that annually tours the United States, performing for more than 450,000 people.
American Alliance of Museums: The American Alliance of Museums represents more than 35,000 individual museum professionals and volunteers, institutions, and corporate partners serving the museum field. The Alliance champions the work of museums and promotes the broad scope of the museum community.
Americans for the Arts: Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City, it has a record of more than 55 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.
Arts Action Fund: The Arts Action Fund is at the forefront of advancing the arts in America with the mission to mobilize one million citizens in support of the arts and arts education around the country.
Arts for LA: Arts for LA activates artists and organizations, and leads communities to advocate for an equitable, healthy, and creative Los Angeles region.
Arts Orange County: Arts Orange County is an independent nonprofit organization, the officially-designated local arts agency of the County of Orange, and its official state-local arts agency partner.
California Arts Advocates: California Arts Advocates is an organization that advocates for a stronger California through arts and culture.
Californians for the Arts: Californians for the Arts is an organization that works to ensure a stronger California by increasing public awareness of the importance of arts and culture.
Film Independent: Film Independent is a nonprofit arts organization that champions creative independence in visual storytelling and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision.
Ford’s Theatre Society: A non-profit theatre that celebrates the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln and explores the American experience through theatre and education. www.fords.org.
The LAMP: The LAMP (Learning About Multimedia Project) teaches youth, parents and educators to comprehend, create and critique media and technology.
National Dance Education Organization: The National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to advancing dance education centered in the arts.
National Guild for Community Arts Education: The National Guild for Community Arts Education supports and advances lifelong learning opportunities in the arts.
National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts: The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts is dedicated to increasing access for Hispanic artists and professionals while fostering the emergence of new Hispanic talent.
San Diego Regional Arts & Culture Coalition: The San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition (SDRACC) is the voice of arts and culture supporters in San Diego working to increase public support for the arts.
Society of Voice Arts and Sciences: The mission of Society Of Voice Arts And Sciences (SOVAS™) is to elevate the art and business of voice acting by connecting aspiring talent with best-in-class training, employment opportunities, networking, career guidance and awards acknowledgment.
For more information, go to www.standforthearts.com
About Ovation TV
Ovation is an independent television and digital media company dedicated to celebrating and supporting all forms of arts and culture. Ovation TV selectively curates and airs arts-related series, specials, documentaries and films. The network also offers viewers an exciting line up of original productions, including Versailles, Rachel Hunter’s Tour of Beauty, and The Art Of. Ovation TV is available to nearly 50M subscribers via cable, satellite and telco systems including Comcast Cable/Xfinity, DIRECTV/AT&T U-verse, SPECTRUM, Verizon FiOS, Bright House Networks, and many other smaller providers, as well as on VOD. Through The Ovation Foundation, the company is committed to advocating for the arts, nationally and locally, and has provided more than $15M in contributions and in kind support to arts institutions and arts education. You can follow Ovation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and OvationTV.com.