Kevin Spacey to Deliver the 24th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy During Arts Advocacy Day Events in Washington, D.C.

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey will deliver the 24th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy during this year's Arts Advocacy Day events in Washington, D.C.  Arts Advocacy Day is presented by Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts, in partnership with Ovation, the only television network devoted to arts culture.

Arts Advocacy Day brings together a broad cross-section of America's cultural and civic organizations, along with hundreds of grassroots advocates from across the country, to advance the importance of developing and sustaining strong public arts policies and to advocate for increased public funding for the arts and arts education. Charles Segars, Ovation CEO and producer, has been named an Honorary Co-Chair of the 24th Annual Arts Advocacy Day.

"Now that the House of Representatives has proposed slashing National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding by $43 million, Arts Advocacy Day is taking on an even more important role this year," said Charles Segars. "We are encouraged that influential individuals in the arts, like Kevin Spacey, will be in Washington to help us underscore the importance of the arts to this country and the economy."

"America's arts sector is an indispensable driver of our country's economy," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.  "However, the drastic reduction in funding to the NEA does not take into account the substantial return on investment those funds generate in tax revenue to local, state and federal treasuries. It is imperative that our government leaders not only understand the vital contribution the arts make, but also take immediate action to ensure this crucial sector of our economy thrives. I want to thank Ovation for its partnership in this year's national Arts Advocacy Day and Kevin Spacey for his participation in the Nancy Hanks Lecture, which will help heighten the visibility and impact of the arts in America."

Academy Award®-winning actor and Artistic Director of the Old Vic Theatre Kevin Spacey will deliver the 24th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy on Monday, April 4. This annual lecture is named for Nancy Hanks, former president of Americans for the Arts and chairman of the NEA, who devoted 15 years of her professional life to bringing arts to prominent national consciousness. The Nancy Hanks Lecture is being presented by Americans for the Arts in partnership with Ovation at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Americans for the Arts extends special thanks to Ovation for its partnership in presenting the 24th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy.  The organization wants to express additional gratitude to The Rosenthal Family Foundation, Bank of America, The Betty R. and Ralph Sheffer Foundation, and General Dynamics for their generous support.

About Americans for the Arts

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org

About Ovation:  

Ovation is the only multi-platform network devoted to arts culture. Ovation gives its viewers access to the artists who define our cultural landscape through its one-of-a-kind mix of hand-picked documentaries, series, movies, and specials.

The channel reaches a national audience of 43 million households through carriage on cable systems, DirecTV (channel 274), Dish Network (channel 157) and Telco systems nationally.  Ovation is also available in HD and VOD (both in standard and high definition).  Ovation extends its linear channel experience for viewers online via its popular website, www.ovationtv.com.  In addition to offering contests, trivia, facts and supplemental video online, the network has created an award-winning online community (www.ovationtv.com/community) for everyone from passionate artists to curious creative's who want to share their work and their thoughts.  To date, over 150,000 pieces of original art have been uploaded to the site by members.

SOURCE Ovation