Photo and video credit: Brendan Kownacki
“The right to bear arts” — the longtime rally cry of The Creative Coalition, and once again this year, the arts were on parade during the annual spring delegation visit of the coalition during this year’s White House Correspondents Dinner.
For years, the group has been the steadfast champion of artistic expression and securing funding for the National endowment for the arts. Actors and actresses from film and television have banded together to show their support for arts programming around the country and share with lawmakers the long-term benefits of the arts on both participants and the audiences who watch them.
The divisive DC atmosphere that has gridlocked Congress through much of 2024 did not dissuade this current group of delegates from standing up for what they believe in and continuing a charge to secure funding for arts programs.
Dulé Hill
On the red carpet as guests arrived at the gala, actor Dulé Hill said “I would say theater is my therapy” reflecting on one of the big impacts that artistic programs have had on his life. “I’m a tap dancer and it’s been an avenue for me to deal with my emotions…allow me to find ways to express myself when I don’t have the words to put to it. I’ve seen art be a roadmap to healing for people.” Hill’s new PBS docuseries “The Expressway with Dulé Hill” actually tours the country and the actor met people who share stories about the transformative power of art.
Lauren Ash
Actress Lauren Ash added “arts programs are what helped me come out of my shell. I was a very shy child with an undiagnosed learning disability and you know, had there not been arts programs at my school, I don’t know where I would be.” The actress did break away from that shell, starring in NBC’s “Superstore” and ABC’s “Not Dead Yet.”
Lisa Joyner and Jon Cryer
Actor Jon Cryer echoed a similar story. Many people might remember Cryer as the fashionable Duckie in “Pretty in Pink” or the lovable mooch Alan in “Two and a Half Men” but the actor shared he started in the business doing a commercial at four years old. “I always knew that I wanted to perform. I was way too shy until I went to junior high school and I had a wonderful chorus teacher who drafted me into the chorus…I was not even a great singer by the way… But just the act of gaining confidence and singing in front of people changed my life.”
Tim Daly
Take a look at this year’s coalition membership speaking during their time in DC
