Embracing Arlington Arts reports 2021 successes

After a year focused on recovery from the 2020 shutdown, the arts-advocacy organization looks to a future Performing Arts Center in Arlington.

The nonprofit arts-advocacy organization Embracing Arlington Arts (EAA) is widely known in the theater community for its weekly “Embracing Arlington Arts Talks” podcasts featuring artists, actors, theater leaders, arts dignitaries, gallery directors, dancers, musicians, and more. Now the organization has released its 2021 Annual Report of Successes.

“Last year continued to be very challenging for our arts organizations due to the COVID pandemic,” said Janet Kopenhaver, EAA president. “Our work was totally focused on assisting these organizations, arts professionals, and artists reopen and recover from the devastation brought by the 2020 shutdown.”

Michael J. Bobbitt, executive director of Mass Cultural Council, former artistic director of Adventure Theatre-MTC.

Among some of the highlights of the organization’s work was the launch of its third educational podcast series focusing on the health benefits of the arts, the release of a “Health Benefits of the Arts” database library of 100 accredited studies on these benefits on different population sectors, continued airing of weekly podcasts featuring artists and arts professionals talking about their openings or other events, and hosting “A Diversity Chat with Michael Bobbitt.” The organization also reached 10,000 downloads of podcast episodes, doubled the number of visitors to its website, increased its email listserv by a third, and topped over 1,000 followers on Facebook.

Janet Kopenhaver, founder and chair of Embracing Arlington Arts.

“While 2021 was focused on the present-day detrimental ramifications of the pandemic, we are looking forward in 2022 and focusing our efforts on a future Performing Arts Center in Arlington,” Kopenhaver added. The organization is currently drafting a business plan and engaged in talks with developers, investors, Arlington County leaders, potential art organization partners, and the community at large about the project. More information can be found here.

Embracing Arlington Arts is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the vibrancy and health of arts and culture in Arlington through advocacy and awareness programs, outreach initiatives, and projects that enhance equitable access to the arts and cultural environment. Interested supporters are encouraged to “follow” and “like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. For more information, contact Janet Kopenhaver at janetk@embracing-arlington-arts.org.

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