Americans for the Arts: Arts + Community Cohesion Webinar featuring Make Music Day!

How do the arts bring people together, foster understanding, and create more vibrant, equitable communities? According to the 2023 Americans Speak Out About the Arts report, 72% of Americans agree that arts and culture events provide safe spaces for sharing diverse ideas, and 39% report changing their opinions based on an arts experience.

A catalyzing webinar in the video above explores how Make Music Day builds social cohesion and inspires change. It dives into key findings from this national study—conducted by Ipsos for Americans for the Arts—and discusses how you can use this data to strengthen your local advocacy efforts.

Through real-world examples, local arts agencies and state arts partners share how programs like Make Music Day help shape inclusive, connected communities. This session will leave attendees with actionable programming, advocacy tools and partnerships to continue to drive impactful work in 2025.

James Lockridge, Executive Director of Big Heavy World, shares input as a panelist in this recording, with deepest thanks to Mital Lyons-Warren of Americans for the Arts! James has directed this independent music office for 28 years, channeling local and national support to the inclusive preservation and promotion of Vermont-made music. James co-founded the community radio station 105.9 The Radiator; co-Captained Vermont’s Code for America Brigade of civic technologists; and participated on boards that coordinate programming among the cultural heritage tourism partners of a regional National Heritage Area and developed community among the state’s creative industries. He is a longtime advocate for equity and transparency in government, especially in relation to the arts. He served on Vermont’s 250th Commission and was recognized by the Vermont Arts Council with the 2019 Margaret (Peggy) L. Kannenstine Award for Arts Advocacy. James graduated with a BA from the University of Vermont in 1991. He enjoys motorcycle riding and lives in Tucson with his wife, daughter and a house full of cats and dogs. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesedgarlockridge/