For Immediate Release
July 16, 2024
Contact Information

Race Forward: Cheryl Cato Blakemore, cblakemore@raceforward.org
Americans for the Arts: Mariaesmeralda Paguaga, mpaguaga@artsusa.org

(BPRW) RACE FORWARD AND AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS UNVEIL THE ANCHOR PROJECTS FOR THE INAUGURAL CULTURAL WEEK OF ACTION

Fourteen local organizations, from Alaska to Alabama, are set to lead thought-provoking programs that advance a multiracial democracy throughout the week of September 27 to October 5, 2024.

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON — Race Forward and Americans for the Arts (AFTA) announced today the 14 projects that received funding to anchor the inaugural Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy, a new initiative that leverages arts, culture, and creativity to elevate dialogues and spark action to advance a multiracial democracy. Other local projects, while not eligible for funding, are still encouraged to participate and add information about their activity to our Cultural Week of Action interactive map.

“The selected projects represent the diversity, innovation, and uniqueness inherent in the fabric of our country,” said Glenn Harris, President of Race Forward. “That’s what a multiracial democracy is all about. It’s local communities organizing together to build a future that centers equity, justice, and belonging.”

The 14 selected anchor projects are:

Details about the projects can be found HERE.

More than 375 projects were submitted for consideration. The selected projects exemplify strong partnerships with artists, community organizations, local arts agencies, and various units of local and Tribal government and explore our American history, how it shapes our present, and how people are organizing to build an equitable and racially just future.

Twelve organizations have partnered with Race Forward and Americans for the Arts to help amplify and elevate the Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy: Djimon Hounsou FoundationEquitable CitiesFor FreedomsThe German Marshall Fund of the United StatesNarrative ArtsNarrative InitiativeNational Civic LeagueNational League of CitiesOthering & Belonging InstitutePeople’s Action InstitutePolicyLink and World Cities Culture Forum.

“It is only possible to create a shared, national identity for our country by celebrating the stories, symbols, sounds, and sensations that represent our cultural heritage,” said Suzy Delvalle and Jamie Bennett, interim co-CEOs of Americans for the Arts. “Together, these projects create a beautiful quilt of American stories.  The artists at the center of them are carrying the histories we have lived and rehearsing the futures we have not yet experienced.”

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Source: Race Forward