Ayanna N. Hudson Signs Up With Americans for the Arts As Principal Programs Officer
Hudson steps into her new duty at the country’s premier arts advocacy company following a 13 -year period at the National Endowment for the Arts and previous management roles at Local Arts Agencies across the nation.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 2, 2025 – Americans for the Arts (AFTA) today announced that Ayanna N. Hudson will certainly work as its Chief Programs Policeman. Hudson will certainly play an essential function in leading and progressing programmatic initiatives to successfully serve AFTA’s subscription and the more comprehensive arts community, as well as champion the arts and their vital role in society.
With three years of management, tactical instructions, and connection building, Ayanna has dedicated her occupation to expanding accessibility to the arts for Americans. She has actually promoted comprehensive involvement in neighborhood areas throughout the country, specifically those with restricted possibilities to experience cultural activities, and enhancing the arts community. Throughout her 13 -year period at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Ayanna held several senior duties, consisting of Principal Strategy, Programs, and Interaction Policeman. She managed 3 national grantmaking programs for charitable organizations and Neighborhood Arts Agencies, ensuring placement with the agency’s concerns and delivering measurable outcomes. Under her province, the budget for the Difficulty America funding chance boosted by 20 %, extending the reach of the arts into rural and other underserved areas.
Ayanna is an enthusiastic supporter for the arts and a trusted leader in our imaginative community,” claimed Erin Harkey, Chief Executive Officer of Americans for the Arts. “She has actually long been a specialized advocate of the area, bringing understanding, power, and a deep dedication to the broader objective of advancing the arts. With her tried and tested management and forward-thinking method, we’re delighted to see what she will bring to Americans for the Arts at this defining moment for the arts across the country.”
Hudson said of her appointment: “Americans for the Arts has long been an important protector of the nationwide arts environment, and I’m recognized to sign up with the organization at such a vital time for our industry. I’ve devoted my occupation to increasing gain access to, growing involvement, and making sure equity in the arts, and I expect driving this objective together with the amazing team under the intense management of Erin Harkey. Together, we will continue to uplift the voices of artists and social companies throughout the country and champion the essential role the arts play in civic life.”
Ayanna additionally served as Performing Deputy Chair for Programs and Collaborations, leading the execution of the NEA’s $ 135 million American Rescue Plan funding initiative. The effort distributed $ 20, 200, 000 to 66 neighborhood arts companies for subgranting to assist the arts and social sector recoup from the COVID- 19 pandemic. Hudson additionally co-led the advancement of the NEA’s inaugural Equity Action Strategy and led the design of ArtsHERE, a transformative $ 10 million campaign in partnership with Regional Arts Organizations. This program intended to strengthen arts involvement in underserved neighborhoods through capacity-building support, peer discovering networks, technical support, and evaluation frameworks.
As NEA Arts Education Director, Ayanna set an ambitious vision to ensure every pupil has access to an excellent arts education, introducing the company’s initial cumulative influence, systemic adjustment funding opportunity to deal with spaces and foster sustainable impact.
Before joining the NEA, Ayanna acted as the inaugural Supervisor of Arts Education at the Los Angeles Area Arts Compensation, where she established and executed, in collaboration with a 100 + cross-sector neighborhood union, a groundbreaking method to supply arts education and learning for all trainees throughout the nation’s biggest instructional system. Her initiatives gained widespread recognition for their innovation, scale, and sustaining impact. Earlier in her profession, Ayanna held management placements at the Fulton County Arts Council, pioneering the County’s involvement in the revolutionary Youth Arts Growth National Demo Task which gauged the impact of arts programs on at-promise young people, and promoting arts interaction at the local degree.
Ayanna signs up with AFTA as the organization celebrates its Americans for the Arts Yearly Convention (AFTACON), from June 11 – 14 in Cincinnati. The event brings together numerous cultural leaders, supporters, and companies at a crucial moment when the arts encounter unmatched challenges. The seminar features a Pay-What-You-Can enrollment model to guarantee ease of access for all arts leaders. For additional information about AFTACON 2025, see AFTACON.org
About Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts (AFTA) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit advancing arts and culture by empowering neighborhood arts agencies to make arts and society necessary to neighborhood vitality. Building on its 65 -year tradition, AFTA unifies the arts and culture community, positioning neighborhood arts companies as catalysts for economic growth and community link across the country. Its nationwide network transforms separated initiatives into collective influence, broadening access to arts and culture across America. Its associate, the Arts Activity Fund, takes care of straight lobbying for government arts financial investment and plan. With trusted research study, specialist development, and link chances, AFTA aids produce growing neighborhoods via the arts. Find out more at www.AmericansForTheArts.org