"This field is formidable. I’ve seen it this month — in Albuquerque, in Long Beach, and in the news out of San Diego. And we could feel that energy throughout AFTACON 2026. Whether you were with us in person or joined us from home, THANK YOU. Watch our recap video to see what you may have missed! You can also tune into the mainstage conversations — available for free online."
AFTACON 2026 Convenes 1,000 Arts Leaders in New Mexico
Voices Included Molly Ringwald, Julián Castro
Latest News
June 10, 2026
Press Releases
Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) announced this weekend that Snoop Dogg, Ed Ruscha, Danny Trejo, and Chuck D each received the 2026 Citizen Artist Award during the 94th Annual USCM Meeting in Long Beach, California.
June 5, 2026
Press Releases
More than 1,000 artists, advocates, funders, policymakers, educators, and cultural leaders from across the country gathered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for AFTACON 2026, the annual convention of Americans for the Arts (AFTA), the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education.
May 13, 2026
Press Releases
Americans for the Arts (AFTA), the nation’s leading arts advocacy organization, announced today that iconic actor Molly Ringwald and Chief Executive Officer of the Latino Community Foundation and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro will join AFTACON 2026, the largest convening of more than 1,000 artists, advocates, funders, and cultural leaders.
