ACSO joins thousands of arts organizations and communities across the nation to recognize October as National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM). NAHM 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. It is a coast-to-coast collective recognition of the importance of art and culture in America during the month of October, and was launched more than 30 years ago as National Arts Week in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1993, it was reestablished by Americans for the Arts and national arts partners as a month-long celebration with goals of:

• FOCUSING on equitable access to the arts at local, state, and national levels;
• ENCOURAGING individuals, organizations, and diverse communities to participate in the arts;
• ALLOWING governments and businesses to show their support of the arts; and
• RAISING public awareness about the role the arts and humanities play in our communities and lives.

To participate, ACSO is highlighting the many incredible and creative virtual events that our members have developed for their audiences and community during the month of October...and anytime throughout the year. We invite our members to post their virtual events in our California Concert Calendar, a round up of our member's classical music performances and events.

Calendar submissions can include any virtual programming that will take place on an upcoming date and has a clear beginning and end time. Examples include conductor talks, musician interviews, podcasts, virtual fundraising events that include live performances, radio or television broadcasts, streaming performances, at-home chamber concerts or recitals, or anything else that you are doing. Click here to learn more and to submit your virtual events.

“We encourage all of our members to participate and designate their October virtual programs in the name of Arts and Humanities Month,” said Sarah Weber, ACSO executive director. “Arts and Humanities Month has become the country’s largest annual collective celebration of the arts and humanities and we are excited to showcase California's classical music community, especially this year when challenging circumstances have resulted in incredible innovation and community engagement.”

In this turbulent year, the arts and humanities have played a critically important role in getting us through the COVID-19 pandemic and in amplifying the need for racial equity across the country. National Arts & Humanities Month is the time for communities to come together in unified celebration of the power of the arts to make a difference and change our lives for the better. Click here to to learn about other ways you can participate in NAHM.