News & Issues
POSTED: August 29, 2008
“Orphan Works” Proposed Law Could Hurt Artists
If you are one of the two million working artists in the United States, then you need to know about the pending legislation that could permanently affect your livelihood.
The bipartisan Orphan Works Act of 2008 was introduced to the House of Representatives by Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) and Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) on April 24. The Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act of 2008 was simultaneously introduced to the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). The parallel initiatives will have major implications if passed. Currently all U.S. citizens have automatic protection of their original artwork without even registering it. Under the Copyright Act of 1976, “copyright…subsists from its creation”. However, the Orphan Works Act wants to change that. The proposed bill would make any unregistered artwork public domain: in other words, it would be unprotected. It could be copied or used for profit by anyone without compensating the artist. This broad legislation applies to any illustration, design, photograph, musical composition or piece of writing, both current and past, whether created domestically or abroad. To learn more, click here.
POSTED: July 31, 2008
ARTISTS in the WORKFORCE: two million strong!
A valuable new report from the National Endowment for the Arts provides the first comprehensive documentation of American workers in the arts, 1990-2005. Representing 1.4 percent of the U.S. labor force, artists are one of the largest classes of workers in the nation. According to the report, artists represent a larger group than the legal profession, medical doctors or agricultural workers. Also: The number of artists is now growing at approximately the same rate as the total labor force, the survey shows. In his preface to the report, Dana Gioia, chairman of the N.E.A., notes that “There is no way to understand the new American economy without recognizing the role of its two million creative workers.” Research Report #48 is available online at www.nea.gov/research/ResearchReports_chrono.html.
POSTED: June 5, 2008
Arts Advocates to Gather in Philadelphia, June 20-22
The 2008 Americans for the Arts Convention will be held in Philadelphia from June 20-22. At this convention, arts professionals from across America will come together to share strategies for leading creative communities. Because this is an election year, there will be special programs on ArtsVote 2008, including discussions about the presidential candidates and the arts. The registration deadline is June 6. See www.americansforthearts.org/convention.
POSTED: June 5, 2008
Annapolis and Havre de Grace Recognized as Maryland Art Districts
To further stimulate local business activity, Governor Martin O’Malley announced that the cities of Annapolis and Havre de Grace have been selected to join the State’s vibrant Arts and Entertainment District program. He also announced that Hagerstown has been approved for expansion and recertification. Administered by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development through the Maryland State Arts Council, the program provides local and county governments with myriad tax benefits designed to stimulate economic development and enhance and increase the number of artists and cultural enterprises clustered in designated areas. Maryland was one of the first states in the country to develop an Arts and Entertainment District program on a statewide basis.
POSTED: June 5, 2008
Bank of America Expands Museum Promotion: Free Admission for Cardholders
According to a recent article in the Baltimore Business Journal, Bank of America has expanded its “Museums on Us” promotion, giving holders of certain bank cards free admission to 70 museums around the country.
POSTED: May 19, 2008
Mark your calendar: The American Craft Council’s “Summer in the City” salon series will feature a lively discussion on September 18: The Politics of Craft, with Rob Walker, Sabrina Gschwandtner & Liz Collins. With one of the most important elections of our era approaching, join us in investigating craft’s relationship to politics and its role in addressing issues in our world today. Rob Walker, columnist for the New York Times , interviews makers Sabrina Gschwandtner, founder of KnitKnit, and Liz Collins, founder of Knitting Nation. Speakers from 6-7 p.m., wine and cheese reception to follow. Reservations are required. Contact Monica Hampton, or 212.274.0630, ext. 272. The series is made possible by the support of Leatrice S. Eagle, with additional support from Etsy.
POSTED: May 2, 2008
The first of the so-called economic stimulus checks will be released beginning today, according to the Internal Revenue Service. Here are two reminders to invest some or all of that windfall in the arts, courtesy of the blogs at ArtsUSA.org (Americans for the Arts) and IndieFixx.com.
POSTED: May 2, 2008
The Detroit Free Press recently compared statements made by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain on the topic of trade. On Sunday, April 27, the newspaper printed brief quotes by these three contenders for their parties’ presidential nominations. See the quotes here.
POSTED: April 18, 2008
Congressional Hearing: “Role of the Arts in Creativity and Innovation”
More than 500 arts advocates from across the nation visited their representatives in Washington on April 1, which was the national Arts Advocacy Day 2008. Sponsored jointly by Americans for the Arts and the Congressional Arts Caucus, the day’s activities included a hearing on public policies and public funding for the arts, hosted by Representative Norm Dicks (D-WA), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior. Visit the website of the Americans for the Arts to read online the testimony by Robert Redford, John Legend, Kerry Washington, The Conference Board CEO Jonathan Spector, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch.
POSTED: April 18, 2008
See you in Philadelphia: “American Evolution: Arts in the New Civic Life”
Arts advocates from across the nation will gather in Philadelphia for the annual convention of the Americans for the Arts, scheduled June 20-22, 2008. For more information, visit:
www.americansforthearts.org
POSTED: March 29, 2008
An article in the Los Angeles Times on March 4 discussed the high profile of arts organizations in this presidential primary season. “The push for an arts agenda has established a foothold in the campaign landscape,” Allan M. Jalon wrote.
POSTED: March 21, 2008
Where do the presidential candidates stand on issues related to intellectual property ? You can find the answers at Intellectual Property Watch, a non-profit and grant-funded independent news service that monitors and reports what is happening with the design and implementation of international intellectual property policies.
POSTED: February 22, 2008
At the Buyers Market of American Craft, Feb. 15-18, many exhibitors and buyers wore their vote on their sleeve - or their purse strap, lapel or hatband.
American Made Alliance gave away red, white and blue campaign buttons, and Buyers Market participants snapped them up.
There were buttons supporting two Democratic candidates and two Republican candidates.
By the end of the show, it was clear that Democratic candidate Barack Obama was in the lead.
Here's the tally of buttons taken from the American Made Alliance table at the Buyers Market of American Craft:
Artists for Ron Paul 336 buttons
Artists for McCain 407 buttons
Artists for Hillary 1,258 buttons
Artists for Obama 2,282 buttons
POSTED: February 11, 2008
FYI: From CNNMoney.com, on Feb. 4: “Rebates: Congress giveth, China taketh away?” Many Americans believe any rebates from tax stimulus will benefit Beijing more than Baltimore and Bakersfield. Here's what some experts say.
POSTED: February 11, 2008
FYI: “Buy American* If You Can” This article from the Nov. 15 edition of Marketing News, a publication of the American Marketing Association, explores the challenges presented by imports and the response of marketers who are poised to renew the call to “Buy American.”
POSTED: February 11, 2008
Public Citizen is taking action to stop Wal-Mart from stomping on free speech. See how you can help.
POSTED: February 11, 2008
Each year, Americans for the Arts honors the achievements of leaders committed to enriching their communities through the arts each year. Professional members of Americans for the Arts may nominate colleagues from all career paths within the arts for the Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award, Arts Education Award, Emerging Leader Award, Michael Newton Award for United Arts Funds Leadership, Public Art Network Award and the Selina Roberts Ottum Award for Arts Leadership. Friday, February 15, is the deadline for nominations. For more information, click here.