Bipartisan event highlights the importance of arts education while showcasing musical talents of Congress members
The Kennedy Center, Roll Call, the Library of Congress, the Recording Academy, and Americans for the Arts, in collaboration with the Congressional Musicians Caucus and Congressional Arts Caucus, have announced Congressional Record 2024, a special bipartisan event highlighting the unifying power of the arts and the positive impact that access to arts education has on communities across the nation while showcasing the musical talents of Members of Congress.
The first annual Congressional Record will take place on September 17th on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The event promises to be a memorable, bipartisan evening with speakers and musical performers highlighting the importance of the arts and arts education.
“Working on this event is an immense privilege,” states organizers Kevin Canafax and Geoff Browning. “Music is a perfect platform to support creativity not only in Congress but across the nation.”
Bipartisan Members of Congress, including leaders from the Congressional Musicians Caucus and the Congressional Arts Caucus, have voiced their enthusiasm for the event, noting the importance of arts education in bridging divides and fostering collaboration:
“Music is a universal language that unites, comforts, and inspires us,” shares Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Co-Chair of the Congressional Musicians’ Caucus and representative for the Live Music Capital of the World in Austin, Texas. “I’m pleased to work alongside passionate advocates to ensure communities nationwide can access robust arts education programs that foster creativity and inclusion.”
“As the representative of Music City USA and co-chair of the Musicians’ Caucus, I am proud to co-host Congressional Record with Rep. Lloyd Doggett,” shares Representative Mark Green (R-TN), Co-Chair of the Congressional Musicians’ Caucus. “This is a night for lawmakers and the music industry to come together to celebrate the incredible impact of the arts and art education. At a time when tensions are running high throughout the country, I am grateful that we have something to bring us together—music.”
“The arts are incredibly important to our communities—driving economic development, creating quality jobs, and fostering creative expression,” comment Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Mike Turner (R-OH), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Arts Caucus. “As Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Arts Caucus, we look forward to celebrating the power of the arts to bring us together.”
“Art brings Americans together across partisan, racial, ethnic, and religious identities, and it forms a key part of our American story and culture,” adds Senator Mark Warner (D-VA). “It’s great to spend an evening in celebration of that unifying power and the tremendous importance of arts education. I’m glad to be a part of the Congressional Record Celebration, and I only wish I had Sen. Kaine’s harmonica talents so I could contribute in a more melodic way!”
Due to limited space, the event is by invitation only.
Additional details, including a list of performing Members of Congress, will be made available closer to the date of the event.
The Congressional Musicians Caucus supports music in the lives of its members and serves as a forum for Members of Congress to focus on the positive impact of music on the daily lives of Americans and on music’s place in social policy. The caucus is led by Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Representative Mark Green (R-TN).
The Congressional Arts Caucus is a bipartisan organization for Members of Congress who support the arts through federal initiatives. For more than 30 years, the Congressional Arts Caucus has organized Members of the House of Representatives in support of federal arts initiatives. The caucus has more than 110 bipartisan members and is led by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Representative Mike Turner (R-OH).
