Recently, Maryo Gard Ewell was visiting our Washington, DC offices speaking with the Americans for the Arts staff about the early history of the community arts movement in this country. Maryo shared a quote that I really connected to as I’ve been thinking about the upcoming 50th anniversary of the arts infrastructure in America and Americans for the Arts 50th Anniversary, both being celebrated in 2010. The quote is from singer/songwriter Harry Chapin, who was the keynote speaker at the first National Assembly of Community Arts Agencies (a previous iteration of Americans for the Arts) convention in 1979, and it went something like this,

“You (arts people) can't be the dance band on the Titanic…you must climb to the crow's nest and gaze out into the waters ahead. As the eyes and ears of America, we artists and arts activists and arts organizers must help steer the ship of America through the icebergs… so that all of us journey safely to the future."

The Americans for the Arts Half-Century Summit, our 50th Anniversary Convention, will take place from June 25-27, 2010 in Baltimore, MD. Registration has just opened for this unique convening that will both celebrate past success and envision the future of the arts, while also delivering the training, tools, and professional development that you need and expect from our Annual Convention. Eclectic, fun, and funky, Baltimore is the perfect setting for this distinctive convening that will celebrate the past, engage in the present and strategize for the future.

This will be my 9th Americans for the Arts convention (wow how time flies), and even as a staff person usually working behind the scenes, my favorite part of these convenings is the opportunity to meet and network with colleagues, learn something new, and be wowed by how passionately this field approaches their work in making significant differences in communities across the country. I always walk away inspired and refreshed and I know that the 2010 Summit will take these reaffirmations to the next level as we also celebrate a half century of successes and plan for an exciting and dynamic future together.

So join us up in the crow’s nest by registering now for the Americans for the Half-Century Summit taking place in June 2010 to build a vibrant future for the arts in America, aka, better equip us all to help America get through the icebergs ahead.

Key deadlines to keep in mind:

• Americans for the arts Scholarship applications are due January 22, 2010. Professional Members can apply here.
• Early Bird Registration Rates and discounted tickets to a special Evening with John Waters are only available until March 1, 2010. Register now and save!