Release Date: Oct 10, 2007
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Summary:
National Arts and Humanities Month, October 2007
Montgomery County Celebrates the Arts and Humanities

Montgomery County joins hundreds of arts organizations and communities across the nation in celebrating National Arts and Humanities Month throughout October. Montgomery County recognizes the important role that arts and cultural amenities play by funding arts and cultural organizations through the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District (MCACD). MCACD awards grants not only to the major institutions but community-based and emerging organizations as well as individual artists who make up the thread of our creative class.
At its October 9, 2007 meeting, the County Commissioners heard presentations by the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District and by Culture Works, Dayton's United Arts Fund and Arts Council, regarding the state of the arts in Montgomery County.
On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, Deborah A. Lieberman, its president, issued a proclamation that "October 2007 be known as National Arts and Humanities Month," and "calling upon our citizens to celebrate and promote the arts and culture in our nation and specifically in our community."
Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts and national coordinator of Arts and Humanities month, says, "Everyone recognizes the creative and cultural value of the arts and humanities. National Arts and Humanities Month offers us a chance to celebrate the often overlooked economic, educational, and civic engagement values that the arts impart in our daily lives."

Everyone in the community is encouraged to participate in what has become this country's largest annual collective celebration of the arts and humanities. With Dayton's arts community in full swing and with a variety of offerings from museums to theater, opera to dance, children's programs to public television and radio, there is something in Dayton for everyone.
National Arts and Humanities Month is coordinated by Americans for the Arts, the national organization working to empower communities with the resources and support necessary to provide access to all of the arts for all of the people. This month-long celebration grew out of National Arts Week, which was begun in 1985 by the National Endowment for the Arts and Americans for the Arts. With more than 45 years of service, Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.
Montgomery County has had a long history of supporting Dayton's arts and cultural heritage.  For more information visit the Arts and Cultural District at www.mcohio.org.