In February, the White House Domestic Policy Council and National Endowment of the Arts hosted a first-of-its-kind national convening to explore ideas, policies, and actions to elevate the arts and humanities across the nation. “Healing, Bridging, Thriving: A Summit on Arts and Culture in our Communities” brought together leaders from various sectors, including government officials; policymakers; artists; advocates; academics; and philanthropic, labor, and community leaders. This convening built on President Biden’s 2022 Executive Order to Promote the Arts, Humanities, and Museum Library Services which outlined how the arts are essential to the well-being, health, vitality, and Democracy of our nation.

The day-long summit featured remarks and panel discussions on how the arts fuel democracy, build inclusion, support civic culture and helps healing. 

Participating White House and government officials included:

• Douglas Emhoff, Second Gentleman of the United States
• Neera Tanden, Domestic Policy Advisor to President Biden and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council
• Stephen Benjamin, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement, White House
• Maria Rosario Jackson, Chair, National Endowment for the Arts
• Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo), Chair, National Endowment for the Humanities
• Crosby Kemper, Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services
• Admiral Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General
• Radhika Fox, Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Katy Kale, Deputy Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration
• Alaysia Black Hackett, Chief Diversity and Equity Officer, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor
• Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, STEAM Caucus Co-Chair
• Rep. Chellie Pingree, Congressional Arts Caucus Co-Chair
• Mayor Michelle Wu, City of Boston
• Mayor Lisa Hicks-Gilbert, City of Elaine, Arkansas, and Artists at Work
• Mike Alexander, Chief Operating Officer, Atlanta Regional Commission

Participating arts, culture and philanthropic leaders included:

• Bruce Cohen, Producer, Oscar Winner, and Co-Chair of President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
• Jim Canales, President & Trustee, Barr Foundation
• Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, President, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
• Christopher Bailey, Arts and Health Lead, World Health Organization
• Troy Kotsur, Actor, Oscar Winner, and member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
• Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, multidisciplinary artist, educator, and member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
• Anna Deavere Smith, actress, playwright, and member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
• Christopher Kaui Morgan, Christopher K. Morgan & Artists, Malashock Dance, and member of the National Council on the Arts
• Renée Fleming, Kennedy Center Artistic Advisor and World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Arts and Health
• Marc Bamuthi Joseph, spoken word artist, writer and librettist, and Vice President of Social Impact at the Kennedy Center
• Jennifer Dorning, President, Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO
• Pam Breaux, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
• Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes, Chief Executive & Equity Officer, Ashé Cultural Arts Center
• Julie Garreau, Chief Executive Officer, Cheyenne River Youth Project
• Clyde Valentin, Co-Artistic Director, One Nation/One Project
• Alex Gibson, Executive Director, Appalshop
• Sanjit Sethi, President, Minneapolis College of Art and Design