October is National Arts and Humanities Month - an annual coast-to-coast collective recognition of the importance of culture in America. It is designed to encourage all Americans to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives, and to begin a lifelong habit of active participation in the arts.

Want to join in the celebration?  Here are five ideas to celebrate the arts and humanities in Delaware:

1. Attend an art or cultural event in your community. (Visit DelawareScene.com)
2. Write a letter to your elected officials about the importance of the arts. (Find your officials)
3. Become a member of or volunteer for your favorite arts organization.
4. Join the Delaware Arts Alliance and become an advocate for the arts - it's FREE!
5. Check out the Delaware Humanities Forum.

Chris Grundner, president and CEO of the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, spoke at a local TEDx event, sharing a personal story that led to his passion for and expertise in nonprofit board governance. 

Trustees of Color will be hosting a Board Diversity EXPO on Monday, October 13, 5-7 p.m., at the Food Bank of Delaware in Milford.  Who should attend?

• Persons of color who want to give back to the community by serving on a nonprofit board. (Free admission)
• Nonprofit organizations that are looking to diversify their board of directors. ($125 for a table)

Italy's Art Recovery Team (A.R.T.) is a special unit of the Guardia di Finanza, the Italian military corps dedicated to fighting financial crime.  Mosaics, statues, jewelry, a fresco, and ceramics are among the 120 Etrusco-Greco-Roman art masterpieces recovered by A.R.T. from unscrupulous art traffickers.  Many of these works will be on display in Delaware from October through December, thanks to the International Council of Delaware.

• The Grand Opera House, Wilmington, Oct. 3 - Dec. 21
• Old College Gallery, University of Delaware, Newark, Oct. 2 - Dec. 21

The Delaware Division of the Arts Mezzanine Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of work by 2014 Individual Artist Fellow Gabriel Jules (Seaford) from Nov. 7-26, with an opening reception on Nov.7, 5-8 p.m.

"My principal mediums are etching and monotypes though I have painted in the past and create an occasional sculpture. The natural universe," Jules says, "is a high-card draw among my chosen subjects."

 A schedule for all 2014/2015 Mezzanine Exhibits can be found here. 

Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.