Each October, we’re thrilled to join the entire nation in celebrating National Arts & Humanities Month and National Book Month.
On September 30, President Biden issued a proclamation designating October 2022 as National Arts and Humanities Month in celebration of the significance of the arts, humanities, and museum and library services to our nation.
The Proclamation includes the announcement of a new Executive Order which seeks to integrate the arts, humanities, and museum and library services into policies, programs, and partnerships throughout the Federal government to tackle the greatest challenges of our time. It also includes a directive to reestablish the President’s Committee for the Arts and the Humanities, which is planned for the coming months. Read more at this link.
NATIONAL ARTS & HUMANITIES MONTH
National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM) is a collective recognition of the importance of culture in America. NAHM was launched by Americans for the Arts (AFTA) more than 30 years ago as National Arts Week in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities. In 1993, it was reestablished by AFTA and national arts partners as a month-long celebration, with goals of:
- Focusing on equitable access to the arts at local, state, and national levels
- Encouraging individuals, organizations, and diverse communities to participate in the arts
- Allowing governments and businesses to show their support of the arts
- Raising public awareness about the positive impact of the arts and humanities in our communities and lives
Join AFTA’s 31-day Instagram challenge! Find daily themes and post all month long using #ShowYourArt2022.
NATIONAL BOOK MONTH
This month-long celebration focuses on the importance of reading, writing, and literature. National Book Month is also a time to honor the country’s best books and authors. In mid-October, the National Book Awards generally announces the year’s 15 finalists. The National Book Foundation created the first National Book Month in 2003.