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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
This past August, I, along with Americans for the Arts Board Chair Julie Muraco, shared a letter updating you about the work of our
Task
Force for Racial and Cultural Equity. In that message, we introduced the undertaking of a Strategic Realignment Process. In association with the Task Force’s work, the Strategic Realignment
Process will explore the critical role and structure of Americans for the Arts as a national service organization for the arts and culture field.
Earlier this year, our board mandated actionable change to fully and authentically embrace the societal movement of racial and cultural equity; to embrace diversity, equity,
and inclusion as a value statement; and to make adjustments for a post-COVID-19 world. These changes will be designed to realign the organization to the challenging environment our members, partners, and constituents profoundly face every day.
The mandated changes further place the utmost importance on new thought leadership and technologies in creating and consuming arts; and recognizes the need to fully support artists
and the creative sector as a vocation.
Over the last year, the board and staff have been actively listening to the field and hearing constructive feedback from which Americans for the Arts can strengthen as a service
organization. The last six months continued this active listening and set the stage to further shape our goals for this work.
We are now ready to begin the next phase of our Strategic Realignment Process with two initial goals—expected to last through summer 2022.
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Our plan is to
create a five-year framework in response to the evolving environment and aligned with our newly adopted set of values, vision, mission, and goals. This framework will guide organizational decision-making
and new approaches to services, programs, and administration, while enabling greater adaptability to shifting trends, policies, and industry needs.
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An equally important part of our process is healing, for our country and our sector, which is so desperately needed right now. The healing process will yield a
blueprint to address resiliency and build trust with our members, staff, board, and stakeholders. I believe this is an ongoing journey of work that extends beyond the Strategic Realignment Process and continues into our future—a journey we
are centering at the heart of our work moving forward.
I am both excited and humbled by this transformational aim, but I know we won’t get there with a business-as-usual approach. This work requires shared leadership, varied expertise
and perspectives, and input from communities that have historically been absent from our strategic planning. The goals we have set require a breadth and depth of understanding that is both complex and nuanced. Americans for the Arts is experiencing a significant
inflection point in its 60-year history, and we need help to fully address the issues we face and to map a path forward. Therefore, we have taken a unique approach and have partnered with a diverse team of consultants to create the strategic framework and
achieve these goals.
We have prioritized our resources to engage three consulting organizations to support us in this process. Together, they will guide us through building the framework and establishing
a blueprint for healing and trust—a process that enables us to be vulnerable; open to change; and let go of historic practices, behaviors, and services. We will move to a future where the mission of Americans for the Arts is central to the advancement of arts
and culture.
The following consultant teams have been engaged to guide the Strategic Realignment Process:
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Arts
Consulting Group, a robust, diverse team led by
Mario Garcia Durham,
Calida N. Jones, and
Douglas R. Clayton, provide expertise in strategic realignment; environmental analysis; network mapping; and vision, mission, and goal alignment. Their experience with and dedication to the
nonprofit landscape—arts and culture organizations and services in particular—with an integrated focus on inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and success (IDEAS), will be vital to the development of the Strategic Realignment Process framework.
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The
Hewlin Group, including
Jay Hewlin and
Katerina Yiannibas, have supported Americans for the Arts since 2020, guiding our deep internal organizational reflection and working with the Task Force for Racial and Cultural Equity. They
have established Americans for the Arts’ internal “Workplace Culture Rebuild” initiative, which aims to improve organizational processes, policies, and procedures to promote a people-first culture. Their continued involvement in workplace development and focus
on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging will provide essential continuity to the Strategic Realignment Process framework and the blueprint for healing.
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Hope
Nation, led by
Stephanie Gutierrez (Oglala Lakota) and
Cecily Engelhart (Ihanktonwan & Oglala Lakota), will ensure the Strategic Realignment Process centers the necessary healing and rebuilding of trust with our constituents and within the staff
and board. They will focus on mechanisms of justice, equity, and safety that are developed mindfully and collectively, and establish a future-forward blueprint to support Americans for the Arts in developing authentic and reciprocal relationships beyond the
nine-month scope of this process. Their exemplary and thoughtful work with Indigenous and BIPOC communities will be invaluable to the Strategic Realignment Process.
Starting in the new year, we will share information on how to participate in virtual town halls, focus groups, and other convenings.
We also plan to post documents such as environmental scans, vision, and mission statements, and offer extended comment periods to further allow our members, key constituents, and the public-at-large time to offer opinions and constructive criticisms. We know
the Strategic Realignment Process must be inclusive, transparent, and in consultation with stakeholders, staff, and board to be successful. Your participation is sincerely sought because your input is vitally needed.
The board and staff of Americans for the Arts have agreed on a set of values to guide the Strategic Realignment Process, including equity, transparency, inclusivity, accountability,
respect, engagement, trust, creativity, humility, partnership, accessibility, and vulnerability. Additionally, we are committed to centering these values in the future.
I look forward to joining you all on this journey as we create a more equitable way of working together and redefine the role that Americans for the Arts serves within the broader
arts ecosystem. Please send any questions or comments about the Strategic Realignment Process to Americans for the Arts Vice President of Research Randy Cohen at
rcohen@artsusa.org
or myself at nbivens@artsusa.org.
Nolen V. Bivens
President & CEO
Americans for the Arts
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Washington, DC Office
1000 Vermont Avenue NW, 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
T 202.371.2830
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New York City Office
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New York, NY 10022
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