Artists for Understanding is an initiative that celebrates the power of the arts and humanities to unite communities, counter all forms of hate, and foster understanding. A4U programming brings together leaders from across the country who are committed to using art in the form of film, photography, literature, storytelling, food and more to promote dialogue, connection, and create more resilient communities. 

Building upon the work of United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture, the initiative is a collaboration among the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH),.  

Between December 2023 and April 2024, Artists for Understanding hosted a series of virtual listening sessions for artists and cultural leaders to discuss their efforts to promote understanding.  These listening sessions were integral to identifying key priorities for the initiative. Action areas include highlighting local storytelling, facilitating collaboration across cultural divides, providing direct feedback to federal cultural agencies, and creating educational opportunities through arts and humanities.  Throughout 2024, the initiative partnered with artists, museums, libraries, and cultural institutions, to host convenings addressing these action areas and spotlighting local art.

Convenings have taken place in the following locations:

• New York City — July 10th, 2024, at the New York Public Library
• Dearborn, MI — September 12th, 2024, at the Arab American National Museum 
• Minneapolis, MN — October 16th, 2024 at the Minneapolis American Indian Center
• San Jose, CA — December 5th, 2024, at the San Jose Museum of Art
• Houston, TX — January 16th, 2025, at the Houston Arts Alliance

In 2025, A4U will launch and Artists Envoy program in the aforementioned cities.