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DANVILLE, VA, partners with CHATHAM, VA and Pittsylvania County— to present its first Smithsonian Exhibition: Crossroads: Change in Rural America, and we invite all to come to Chatham, Virginia to see this informative, interactive exhibition that embraces the challenges we face in the Dan River Region.
In celebration of the vital roles that arts and humanities play in American society, the nation’s cultural agencies—the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)—have joined together to celebrate the 35th anniversary of National Arts and Humanities Month in October. Crossroads: Change in Rural America opens to the public on October 16, and the Opening reception is from 2-4pm.
During the month, the DMFAH, along with its state partners IMLS, NEA, and NEH will engage communities across the Dan River Region to highlight how the arts and humanities help rebuild the economy, promote the health and well-being of individuals and communities, and unite our nation.
IMLS, NEA, and NEH released a joint statement in honor of the occasion:
“Three and a half decades after its first official recognition, National Arts and Humanities Month takes on new relevance to American life today. Music inspires and uplifts us, poems and stories spark our imagination, and museums teach us about the world—and ourselves. The arts and humanities have the power to unite us, to heal us, to sustain us, to help us better understand each other, and to guide us through challenging times.
“Like in many communities across the nation, the pandemic deeply affected those who work in the arts. Prior to COVID-19, the cultural sector employed 5.2 million Americans annually, generated nearly $1 trillion. Revitalizing our workforce is vital to the economic success of our nation. We must also work together to ensure that the systemic barriers to full participation in the arts and humanities are torn down, so that all Americans—regardless of race, geography, ability, and socioeconomic status—have unrestricted and equal access. This October, we hope that organizations, communities, and people across the nation will join us in marking the myriad of ways that arts and humanities matter each and every day.”
Through social media, engagement with stakeholders and partners, and events, the three agencies will show the depth and diversity of our nation’s cultural landscape. Cultural organizations, government agencies, museums, libraries, and the American public are encouraged to join in celebrating National Arts and Humanities Month using #NAHM21and #NAHM.
For more information, please visit the IMLS, NEA, and NEH websites. And please see our DMFAH online landing page for Crossroads: Change in Rural America, where we will be posting programming for the exhibition. https://www.danvillemuseum.org/Feature/all
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