Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy
Adopted at the 92nd Annual Meeting in 2024
WHEREAS, the collaborators seek to utilize the power of culture to expand understanding about and participation in just, multiracial democratic practices; and
WHEREAS, we seek to promote a robust national narrative and dialogue between the arts, culture, race and democracy; and
WHEREAS, to engage the public sector nationally and locally to invest in and sustain the power of culture and to demonstrate and sustain democratic practices; and
WHEREAS, a three-year program has been initiated to encourage organizations in communities across the nation to collaborate with the Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy; and
WHEREAS, a request for proposals was initiated for the inaugural year and 375 organizations submitted applications for participation representing organizations from 36 states, the District of Columbia and Guam, with 118 distinct cities from urban, suburban and rural areas; and
WHEREAS, the applicants are in partnership and/or have affiliations with local arts agencies, Government Alliance for Race and Equity, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6, an economic and social impact study of the nation's nonprofit arts and culture industry; and
WHEREAS, 12 organizations will receive a $40,000 grant to implement local programs or multiple activities to coincide with the Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy during the week of September 27, 2024 to October 5, 2024, with the first inaugural kick-off held in St. Louis, MO on September 27, 2024; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors encourages the nation's mayors to promote the annual Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy events in their communities, hosted in partnership with local organizations to bring people of all identities and backgrounds together to spark action towards creating a just and multiracial democracy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors calls upon Mayors in the soon-to-be-announced cities receiving grants to participate and support these programs in ways to promote the ideals of advancing equity and anti-racism through arts, culture and democracy.