National Arts and Humanities Month Is October 2010

(Washington, DC) DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities joins thousands of arts organizations and communities across the nation in celebrating National Arts and Humanities Month throughout October. DCCAH will carry this message to the people of DC through activities that honor the efforts of artists, historians, teachers and cultural groups working to make the arts and humanities a part of everyone’s life.

Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts and national coordinator of Arts and Humanities month, says, “Everyone recognizes the creative and cultural value of the arts and humanities. National Arts and Humanities Month offers us a chance to celebrate the often overlooked economic, educational, and civic engagement values that the arts impart in our daily lives.”

Everyone in the community is encouraged to participate in what has become this country’s largest annual collective celebration of the arts and humanities. Attached is a list of some of special events planned for National Arts and Humanities Month in DC. Join us at the Corcoran Gallery of Art for the October Art Salon as DCCAH celebrates its 2011 grantees with a reception and art exhibit of Artist Fellowship grantee works in Gallery 31.  To get a sneak peak of the 2011 AFP grantees click here.  

Other DCCAH sponsored NAHM events are as follows:

In 2009, the Washington National Opera partnered with the Ward 7 Arts Collaborative through the support of the Humanities Council of Washington, DC to create a series of artistic works based on collected oral histories of DC residents East of the River.The works, ranging from dance, to rap, to visual art, to an operatic scene reflecting the concerns, passions, and hopes of Ward 7 residents, were powerful and empowering. Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive, and suggested that a more in-depth celebration of residential history be done.

To that purpose, the Washington National Opera company, in collaboration with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, is inaugurating an event of "Black Women In Opera, Celebrate Black Women In Our Community"

Weaving writings of Frederick Douglas through a narrative highlighting the achievements of black women east of the river, WNO & DCCAH will to celebrate the empowering stories that have gone into the tapestry of culture and community. With this inaugural program, we will celebrate the achievements of Ms. Mary Brown of Life Pieces to Masterpieces, Inc. and Doris A.M. Thomas; by presenting their stories of endeavor and success, as a model of inspiration.

Ms. Yvette Alexander, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Ms. Maureen Bunyan will present the concert ceremony, which will feature musical selections sung by WNO’s stars of the future, Ms. Alia Waheed and Ms. Joyce Lundy. 

Saturday, October 23rd 4:00-6:00

Frederick Douglas House, 1411 W Street SE

National Arts and Humanities Month is coordinated by Americans for the Arts, the national organization working to empower communities with the resources and support necessary to provide access to all of the arts for all of the people. This month-long celebration grew out of National Arts Week, which was begun in 1985 by the National Endowment for the Arts and Americans for the Arts. With 49 years of service, Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.

More information about National Arts and Humanities Month is available online.
View events across the nation and add yours to the celebration on Americans for the Arts.