National Arts and Humanities Month

October is National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM)—our opportunity to recognize and celebrate the positive impact the arts bring to our schools and communities. We hope you’ll join us along with other arts leaders and supporters across the county in recognizing the importance of arts and culture in our daily lives.

This year’s highlights are listed below, but be sure to visit the NAHM website at www.AmericansForTheArts.org/NAHM for additional information.


Participate Locally (Des Moines Symphony is listed)
National Arts and Humanities Month Events Map—Learn more about the NAHM events happening nationwide this October. Use this Google Map to create, track, and share information about your NAHM events and programs with others. To have your event included, e-mail nahm@artsusa.org.

Creative Conversations—Are you an Emerging Arts Leader? Attend or host a Creative Conversation in your city this October and connect with others who want to make a difference for the arts in your community.

Get Involved
Become a fan of NAHM on Facebook—Americans for the Arts is encouraging all arts lovers to join Facebook to show support and promote the arts and humanities during NAHM. On the page, you can view videos and photos from NAHM events around the country or post your own. Be sure to leave a message on the Wall and read NAHM’s twitter feed for the latest news.

Advocate for the Arts—Anyone can be an advocate: parents, teachers, children, artists, arts organizations, and patrons. Defend, support, or promote your cause by writing your local newspaper, contacting local political leaders, organizing community meetings, circulating a petition, or finding other ways to make your voice and message heard.

Official Proclamations—Encourage local public officials to support the arts by signing a NAHM proclamation. Samples are available from the online tool kit. And send your signed proclamation to nahm@artsusa.org to have it posted on the website.

Promote NAHM—Include the NAHM logo in your publications, or place a Web sticker on your website or blog. These graphic resources are available as part of the online tool kit.

Be Inspired
National Arts and Humanities Month presents the opportunity for every American to experience the arts this October, whether it’s attending the theater or other cultural event, taking a ceramics or dance class, or singing songs with your kids. Please join Americans for the Arts in recognizing this special month.