Animating Democracy
Animating Democracy, a program of Americans for the Arts, fosters arts and cultural activity that encourages and enhances civic engagement and dialogue. It is based on the premise that democracy is animated when an informed public is engaged in the issues affecting people’s daily lives. The arts and humanities can contribute unique programs, settings, and creative approaches that reach new and diverse participants, stimulate public dialogue about civic issues, and inspire action to make change.
Animating Democracy helps to build capacity of artists and cultural organizations involved in a wide sphere of civic engagement work, including arts-based civic dialogue, through an integrated set of programs and services including:
- News and Events on current arts- and humanities-based civic engagement activities
- Project Profiles and Case Studies describing recent arts-based civic engagement projects nationally
- Publications featuring books, essays and reports exploring arts- and humanities-based civic engagement
- Professional Development Programs and learning exchanges that offer opportunities to learn and share pioneering practices and innovative methods in arts- and humanities-based civic engagement work.
- Resources and Technical Assistance Services for cultural and community organizations, museums and historic sites, seeking to develop arts- and humanities-based civic engagement activities.
To find out more about Animating Democracy's goals and activities, check out the Animating Democracy website.
