Resolutions for a Creative 2021

For many of us, the best part of 2020 is that it’s almost over. *Cue streamers, party hats, and a very large fireworks display.* As we ease our way out of a year that was unlike any other, we started dreaming of better, brighter days ahead, and all the wonderful creative things that 2021 might have in store. In the spirit of the New Year, we asked NEA staff to tell us about their arts and culture-related resolutions. What’s yours?

As soon as feasible, I plan to visit as many arts organizations and festivals as possible. I can’t wait.  –Mary Anne Carter, Chairman

Although I'm a lifelong fan of the performing arts, I don't actually know much about dance other than the names of the companies whose work I should know. (Which is particularly mortifying to admit given how many dance artists I've actually interviewed for work!) In 2021 I'd like to spend time looking at the new and archival work many companies have released digitally because of the pandemic, with an ultimate goal of seeing some live dance once companies are able to reopen to the public IRL. –Paulette Beete, Public Affairs

I would like to purchase a piece of artwork to help our art community and I would like to complete at least one painting of my own.  –Joshua Mauthe, Office of the Senior Deputy Chairman

My 2021 arts resolution is to learn calligraphy! I have an intro kit and it’s just been sitting there, staring at me for years! I want to do it!  –Guiomar Ochoa, Partnership Division

My arts and culture-related New Year's resolution is to learn to play the tuba. I don't actually own a tuba at the moment, nor have I played a horn instrument since I was 13. But there is something comforting about holding 35 lbs of brass and blurting out bass notes to one's heart's content. It would have to be pitched to B flat, the flattest of all the keys. I have always wanted to be known as a tubist. Fact: tuba means trumpet in Latin. Those Latin people were very confused about their brass instruments. –Don Ball, Public Affairs

My resolution is to consume more arts in whatever form they are available in until we can get back to status quo. Thus far I have watched some pretty awesome presentation and look forward to being in the audience live again. –Giraud Muntz, Performing Arts Division

I have planned to ensure I give this Honey Blonde companion (my guitar, above) of mine some much-needed attention. Also finishing a minimum of 12 books for 2021. –Truman Burroughs, Human Resources

Now that I'll have a pause in reading grant applications, I plan to make my way through a stack of books I've bought from local stores during the pandemic that I haven't gotten to yet. I'm finishing up Just Us by Claudia Rankine and planning to start Megan Rapinoe's biography One Life. I also want to read more poetry, including Poet Laureate Joy Harjo's newest, An American Sunrise. Since I know I'll continue spending pretty much every waking moment inside my apartment, I hope to keep covering my walls with artwork by independent artists I follow on social media. And who knows–maybe 2021 will finally be the year I learn to play the banjo, which I love. I'm not sure my neighbors would enjoy that though. –Sara Nash, Performing Arts Division

I resolve to tackle woodworking. It’s intimidated me up until now, but I’m ready for a new challenge. Up first: a homemade stove cover. –Katie Weisner, Office of the Inspector General

I hope to pivot away from Bachelor Nation and move toward Sedaris Land. That is, less watching more reading. –Wendy Clark, Visual Arts Division

My New Year’s resolution is to attend live dance/musical theater performances! Until that happens, I plan to continue watching new movies and TV shows from home. –Beth Johnson, Budget

I’d like to read 50 books next year, which is up from the 40 I set as my goal this year (and met—hooray)! –Carolyn Coons, Public Affairs

My three-year-old has been doing quite a bit of crafting, painting, and collaging over these many months at home. We’ve taken to mailing her creations to friends and family as a way to stay in better touch (and also as a way to un-clutter her art display on our fridge). In 2021, I hope to paint some greeting cards of my own, leaning on snail mail to send personal messages to friends near and far, and exercise my own creativity. –Jen Hughes, Visual Arts Division

As I embark on 2021, I will take more time for my newest beginner-level passion, painting. It all started with the “drive-by signs” due to COVID-19. From there, there was a rush of feeling to reach back into my youth and embark on painting to destress. The subject of my work is any picture/object on the internet. Then I have my own personal “Sip and Paint,” but I don’t really sip. And sometimes a seven-year-old paints her work of art and then wants to infringe upon my art…“shared art!” –Tamika Shingler, Visual Arts Division

One of the most meaningful parts of my 2020 was the opportunity to take part in Nicole Brewer’s Conscientious Theater Training training, which was an intensive couple of Saturday sessions devoted to work on anti-racism practice in the American theater. My resolution for 2021 is to continue this work in all areas of my life, personally and professionally, as we work toward a more equitable and inclusive theater field and nation. –Greg Reiner, Performing Arts Division

Although dance is my first love as art forms go, I’ve always liked to sing. I’ve actually sung on stage when I did community theater about 15 years ago. But I can’t read music, so that put a damper on my theatrical aspirations. However, working on the Songwriting Challenge has truly inspired me to “Sing it out Victoria,” (h/t Gypsy). So, for 2021, I want to learn to read music. I’ve checked out some websites and am confident I can get started on my own. I have a feeling that learning this language will open up a whole new world for me, or at least be good for my aging brain. –Victoria Hutter, Public Affairs

My New Year’s resolution is to experiment with an art form, art technique, or combination of art forms that is new to me once a month. This might be combining photography and embroidery, trying a new collage technique, or making a wallpaper pattern. –Carolyn Bartley, Office of the Senior Deputy Chairman

While many of my colleagues have pursued creative activities during the pandemic, I’ve mostly perfected the art of doomscrolling (and have kind of mastered it, NBD). For 2021, I’m hoping to get my groove back, un-mush my brain, and start doing all the things I loved to do pre-March, like reading (I miss you, books!), embarking on various craft projects, and maybe even decorating some of our many bare walls with terrible but lovingly made artwork. I also CANNOT wait to start taking my kiddo to all our former favorite field trip spots again, whenever that may happen. Imagination Stage! Visionary Arts Museum! Smithsonian American Art Museum! This is the stuff that dreams are made of. –Rebecca Sutton, Public Affairs