NAMM BRINGS ARTISTS, POLICYMAKERS, AND NATIONAL LEADERS TOGETHER TO FOCUS ON ARTS AT THE 2012 NATIONAL POLITICAL CONVENTIONS

National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) will co-host arts events at the 2012 national political conventions in partnership with Americans for the Arts, The Recording Academy, The United States Conference of Mayors and the local arts councils. The events, including a policy conversation and a concert, are designed to highlight the important role of arts and arts education in public policy as the major political parties lay out their visions for the future. 

An afternoon session called ARTSSpeak brings artists and elected officials together for a conversation on the role of arts and music education in the U.S. Attendees are invited to celebrate the arts with ARTSJam, an intimate concert featuring performances by major recording artists.

The Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida will feature the ARTSSpeak panel on August 28th from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the Tampa Theatre. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will highlight the event as lead moderator. Speakers include Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn; Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch; Mesa, Ariz. Mayor Scott Smith, vice president of The United States Conference of Mayors; and former New York Yankee and Latin Grammy Award-nominated artist Bernie Williams. Williams is a passionate advocate for music education in schools, crediting his performing arts education as a major influence to later success in life. ARTSJam will immediately follow ARTSSpeak. Amaury Gutiérrez, 2011 Latin Grammy Award-winner for Best Singer-Songwriter Album along with Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Dan Warner will be among the event’s featured artists.

At the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina on September 4th, ARTSSpeak will take place from 3-4:15 p.m. at the Mint Museum. ARTSSpeak is moderated by NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond. Panelists and featured speakers include former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright; Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois; Mayor Mitch Landrieu, New Orleans, LA; N.C. Secretary of Cultural Resources Linda Carlisle; Mayor Michael Nutter, Philadelphia PA and President of the US Conference of Mayors: Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, former U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley; Lynch and Williams. The ARTSJam will take place later that evening, from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the McGlohen Theatre, with Bernie Williams and his All-Star Band as the headlining act.

NAMM members are invited to attend these events. Members interested in attending may contact Victoria Murray Baatin at vmurraybaatin@artsusa.org. For more information about the individual events, visit www.ArtsActionFund.org/ArtsSpeakRNC, www.ArtsActionFund.org/ArtsSpeakDNC and www.ArtsActionFund.org/ArtsJamDNC.

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About Americans for the Arts Action Fund
Americans for the Arts Action Fund is the nation’s only grassroots advocacy organization committed to ensure that candidates for public office adopt thoughtful arts policies. Launched in 2004, it seeks to enlist and mobilize citizen activists who will help ensure that arts-friendly public policies are adopted at the Federal, state, and local levels, and public and private resources are maximized. Additional information is available at www.ArtsActionFund.org.