The 2008 National Arts Action Summit in Washington, D.C.(March 31st - April 1st) was a huge success as hundreds of arts leaders, advocates, faculty and students arrived from all across the United States to attend workshops, arts briefings and seminars on the importance of arts awareness in preparation for lobbying with Congress on Capital Hill. Special guest speakers: author Daniel Pink, actress Kerry Washington, five-time Grammy Award winner John Legend and members of Congress enlightened audiences with words of vision and hope for the Arts. Performances were given by Peter Yarrow, John Legend and VSA arts vocalist Marleena Coulston. MPA Arts Management student, Crystal Ford, Arts Management undergraduates, Lindsay Wells and Frances Kablick, joined together in these advocacy efforts in lobbying for the Arts with Arts Management Program Director Scott Shanklin-Peterson, Assistant Dean of the School of the Arts, Michael Haga, and the South Carolina Arts Council. For more information about the 2008 National Arts Advocacy Day, please visit http://www.artsusa.org/events/2008/aad/default.asp.

(left to right: Frances Kablick, Lindsay Wells, Congressman Brown, Dr. Peterson, Crystal Ford)

(Congressman Brown signing Arts Caucus)

(Congressional Breakfast at Capitol Hill)

(Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary with Congressman Brown)

(Peter Yarrow with MPA student, Crystal Ford)

(Actress Kerry Washington with Michael Haga, Assistant Dean of the School of the Arts)

(left to right: Kerry Washington, Congressman Brown, Crystal Ford)