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Priority Areas
  • Strengthening Communities
As part of its mandate, the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) engages the nation's artists, humanities scholars, and cultural heritage practitioners to promote excellence in the arts, humanities, and museum and library services to advance the country's health, economy, equity, and civic life.
  • ART & COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE

    In collaboration with the NEA, the National Gallery of Art, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, PCAH has developed a cross-agency working group exploring how the arts contribute to the strength and vitality of American communities. This work highlights the social and economic benefits of integrating art into our everyday lives by demonstrating the ways it fosters economic growth, enhances public health, and cultivates civic pride. Forthcoming research and convenings will spotlight the role of the arts in workforce development, infrastructure innovation, and artists as essential contributors to our nation's prosperity and economy.

  • Artists for Understanding

    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. A…

  • CONVENING ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

    As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, PCAH is committed to ensuring the perspectives and rights of arts workers and humanities professionals are considered in continued AI innovation and development. In collaboration with the NEA, NEH, the National Gallery of Art, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, PCAH has supported convenings that bring together leaders from technology, entertainment, and cultural sectors. These dynamic forums aim to inspire innovation, facilitate increased public-private partnerships, and develop shared best practices that align cutting-edge AI developments with creative integrity across industries. In 2024, PCAH supported the Creativity + Tech Summit at the Kennedy Center and the Performing Arts Futures AI conversation series with the Doris Duke and Hewlett Foundations. In 2025, PCAH will host a West Coast convening on the entertainment industry and artificial intelligence as well.

  • CONVENING ON THEATER SECTOR

    PCAH, together with the NEA and IMLS, is dedicated to ensuring the vitality and longevity of the performing arts as a cornerstone of American culture. Through a series of convenings, PCAH has brought together leaders from the theater sector, arts and humanities, and major funders. These gatherings highlight sustainable approaches to support theater professionals, promote economic resilience, and inspire creative excellence. The inaugural convening took place at the end of October 2024, with additional sessions planned for 2025. 

  • LIBRARIES & PLACEMAKING

    Libraries are essential pillars of American society that play a critical role in advancing learning and community opportunity. Libraries support local economies, bridge digital divides, and offer programs that empower individuals across all stages of life. Recognizing the transformative impact of libraries, PCAH, in partnership with IMLS and the Library of Congress, is committed to uplifting this work through forthcoming pilot projects that strengthen libraries as community anchors that drive creative workforce development, train and inspire the next generation of learners and leaders, and preserve cultural heritage.

  • RAPID RESPONSE & RECOVERY FOR ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

    Natural disasters pose significant challenges to the protection of our nation’s cultural heritage, making effective preparedness and recovery efforts essential. PCAH has facilitated a landmark collaboration with the DOI, FEMA, IMLS, NEA, NEH, and the Smithsonian Institution, to strengthen community resilience and safeguard treasured sites before disaster strikes. Working alongside non-profit partners to create a pilot to increase preparedness in at-risk sites across the country, this collaboration will fortify the conservation of our nation’s cultural heritage and elevate the role of the arts and humanities in the process of recovery for communities impacted by disaster events.

  • REPATRIATION & ETHICAL RETURNS

    PCAH is committed to fostering ongoing government collaboration with Native American Tribes, Native American serving museums, and professional organizations. In partnership with IMLS, DOI, and the Smithsonian Institution, PCAH will host convenings of government agencies to encourage stronger collaboration on federal policies related to repatriation. This included the first ever cross agency meeting on NAGPRA and/or STOP Act policy and coordination. In doing so, we seek to empower American museums to adopt the highest standards and practices for NAGPRA compliance, ethical returns, and shared stewardship.