Reflecting on Arts Advocacy Day

It has been a few days since we all have arrived back from D.C. and I can honestly say I had the best time and wish it was a longer trip! I made some great new friends and built on older friendships. My favorite part of the trip was the Nancy Hanks lecture. I thought Alec Baldwin did a phenomenal job on talking about his experiences growing up and how they shaped him. He really got me pumped up about funding for arts in education. He came from a family that didn't spend too much time thinking about the arts or exposing themselves to it but, later on in his life he could see how the arts were infused in his life he just didn't realize it at the time. Art is around us everywhere and to disregard it is a shame when it has so many beneficial aspects. The talking points during the Monday lectures about arts and health care were motivating. Half of the nation's healthcare institutions provide their own art programming for patients, families and staff. The reason for this is because studies have shown that having art will decrease the length of hospital stays, create a healing environment and reduce depression with a creative outlet. It is was interesting to hear so many different viewpoints and facts about how the arts help in so many different aspects such as health, education, the economy and a sense of pride. Rocco Landesman spoke of the grant from the NEA "Our Town". This grant helps with civic development and projects that involve partnerships to come together to place art at the center of the community. I also loved walking around town with new and old friends learning the city and getting lost on trains. The monuments were breath taking and inspiring. I can say that this trip was by far more than what I expected. Being surrounded by hundreds of people that are passionate about the arts is magical. I am happy I went on this journey with some great classmates and had the opportunity to make lifelong memories.