Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the arts in the U.S., hosted their annual National Arts Awards event in New York City on October 17th, 2022. Formed in 1960, Americans for the Arts works with national organizations and local community groups to promote arts, arts education and advocate for the expansion of the arts in the public and private sector. The group’s annual National Arts Awards celebration honors those who have made substantial contributions to art in the U.S. Awards given include the Arts Education Award, the Ted Arison Young Artist Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.
For more than 50 years, Americans for the Arts has aimed to “build recognition and support for the extraordinary and dynamic value of the arts and to lead, serve, and advance the diverse networks of organizations and individuals who cultivate the arts in America.” The organization’s work are centered around four pillars of advocacy, research, connection and leadership:
- Advocacy: Americans for the Arts lobbies local, state and federal governments to expand access to arts and arts education.
- Research: The organization produces data and statistics that showcases the positive socioeconomic impact the arts have on people and communities.
- Connection: By maintaining a professional network of artists across the country, the organization provides its members with professional development and educational opportunities to advance their careers.
- Leadership: Americans for the Arts organizes speakers’ series and other educational events to shine a light on sectors of the arts, like their recent webinar titled, “Animating Democracy: Reflecting Forward.”
Each year, Americans for the Arts recognizes people who have made significant contributions towards expanding the arts in the U.S. 2022 honorees included:
- The Gordon Parks Foundation, Arts Education Award
- Joy Harjo, Lifetime Achievement Award
- For Freedoms and Marina Kellen French, Outstanding Contributions to the Arts Award
- Darren Criss, Ted Arison Young Artist Award
- José Parlá, Featured Artist
Also awarded with the Philanthropy in the Arts honor was Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. “Robert Frederick Smith is a visionary and someone who is setting an example for our greater society, where every young person has a similar opportunity without regard to their zip code, skin tone or heritage,” the organization said of Smith in a video highlighting his work.
Smith’s Advocacy for Arts and Arts Education
Smith supports his passion for expanding arts education through multiple ventures, including the Sphinx Organization. Founded in 1997, Sphinx is a nonprofit organization that seeks to diversify classical music by creating support systems and pathways to success for students of color pursuing classical music. Focused specifically on increasing Black and Latino representation in classical music, the organization provides professional development through conferences and mentorship programs.
Sphinx offers financial assistance through scholarships and a variety of musical performance opportunities, like their orchestra, chamber ensembles and the Sphinx Competition, an annual competition held in Detroit where the nation’s top string musicians showcase their skills. In addition, Smith supports Sphinx through the Fund II Foundation, of which he is founding director and President. The contributions from Fund II Foundation have enabled Sphinx to establish programs like the Robert Frederick Smith Prize, which is awarded to winners in the senior division of the Sphinx Competition.
Smith also celebrates the importance of the arts as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Carnegie Hall. Learn more about Smith’s work at Carnegie Hall.
