In 1996, a merger took place between the National Assembly of Local Arts Agencies and the American Council for the Arts. This resulted in the establishment of the nonprofit Americans for the Arts with a focus on representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.
The organization had been without a permanent leader for some time until earlier this month, when it was announced that veteran arts leader Erin Harkey, who has over twenty years of experience helping individuals and communities succeed through the arts, had been named CEO.
From the Americans for the Arts Press Release: “I am honored to lead this historic institution at such a pivotal moment for arts and culture in America,” AFTA CEO Erin Harkey said. “Throughout my career working with local arts agencies and cultural organizations, AFTA has been an invaluable resource, providing the research, tools, and advocacy support essential to our field. Now, by uniting our national network of local arts agencies and leveraging these trusted resources, I’m excited to drive transformation, strengthen collaboration, and champion innovation as we build stronger, more vibrant communities through the arts."
Harkey previously served eight years in the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) while also serving as DCASE Commissioner and Senior Policy Advisor for Arts and Culture in the Mayor's Office. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of the Bronzeville Center for the Arts (BCA) in Milwaukee. She is a national leader in arts policy advocacy and comes to this role at Americans for the Arts at a time when seemingly all efforts to accomplish equitable representation in the arts across all communities are under blatant attack.
Erin will take the wheel as CEO at the end of March, and we are sending all the good juju her way in support of her capable leadership.
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