CELEBRATE NATIONAL ARTS
AND HUMANITIES MONTH
OCTOBER 2002

What is National Arts and Humanities Month?

Since 1993, National Arts and Humanities Month has helped give millions of Americans the opportunity to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives and has encouraged them to begin a lifelong habit of active participation.

This annual celebration is sponsored by the National Cultural Alliance, a coalition of national organizations that includes the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, the American Association of Museums, Americans for the Arts, the American Council of Learned Societies, the Federation of State Humanities Councils, the National Humanities Alliance and the Association of American Cultures.

National Arts and Humanities Month's four primary goals are to:

• create a national, state and local focus on the arts and humanities through the media;
• encourage the active participation of individuals, as well as arts, humanities and other interested organizations nationwide;
• provide an opportunity for federal, state and local business, government and civic leaders to declare their support for the arts and humanities; and
• establish a highly visible vehicle for raising public awareness about the arts and humanities.

What Can You Do?

In towns and communities across America, arts organizations are planning and developing events, celebrations and innovative programming to highlight National Arts and Humanities Month. Throughout the month of October 2002, special events will capture the spirit that the arts and humanities bring to everyday life. In particular, cultural organizations are being asked to do the following:

Participate in the month-long celebration with an already-scheduled activity or a new event, large or small, that will be free and open to the public. Events could include a free performance, lecture or reading; a behind-the-scenes tour, a workshop, a concert or a festival. An open house is a great way to invite the community to join with your organization in celebrating the month. For more ideas, see 101 Things You Can Do to Celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month. (This document and the others below are in PDF format. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here for a free copy.)

Obtain a proclamation from your elected officials. Use the Atlanta Arts Accords as a template for getting your elected leaders to declare their support and appreciation for the arts and humanities. The Atlanta Arts Accords were signed by representatives of the National Governors' Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Congressional Arts Caucus. Invite representatives from each of these groups and other civic leaders to sign a similar set of accords or issue a proclamation. Click here for a Sample Proclamation.

The Pittsburgh Arts Accords, a similar document signed by business and foundation executives, can be used to encourage the support of your state's private sector representatives.

Submit articles and opinion editorials to newspapers and magazines about the value of the arts and humanities. Click here for a Sample News Release that you can adapt, and here for Tips on Writing an Op-Ed.

Five More Ways to Participate in National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM)

1. Launch a mentor program. Identify businesses to sponsor arts and cultural organizations for membership in local convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs).
2. Create NAHM giveaways and information. Produce materials (cultural calendars, brochures, buttons, etc.) in partnership with businesses and place them in visitor centers, CVBs, hotels, airports, restaurants and convention centers during the month. Click here to download a .tif file to use in your printed publications. (Note: this is a large file, and may take several minutes to download.)
3. Dedicate cultural events for NAHM. Identify or include already-scheduled events for October as part of your celebration of the month.
4. Create an arts and humanities month banner for your Web site and ask others to include it on their sites. The National Arts and Humanities Month logo at the top of the page can be downloaded for use on your site.
5. Reach out to the media. Conduct editorial board meetings, write op-eds, and involve media representatives in symposia or events during the month.

For your convenience, we've included the campaign kit and other materials you can adapt for use during National Arts and Humanities Month. (If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here for a free copy.)

• White House Letter
• Sample News Release
• Atlanta Arts Accords
• Pittsburgh Arts Accords
• Sample Proclamation
• 101 Things You Can Do to Celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month
• Tips on Writing an Op-Ed