Arts Resolutions for a Creative 2022 

Whether you believe in resolutions, less/more lists, or setting intentions, January is a great time to take stock of what is important to you. Unsurprisingly, the NEA staff place a lot of value in arts and culture – independent of our jobs. Participating in, creating, and consuming art is essential to who we all are, and in the new year many of us have made resolutions reaffirming our personal commitment to engaging with the arts. We asked our colleagues to share theirs below. Check them out, and let us know yours on Twitter @NEAarts!

As we enter into 2022, and almost two years into the pandemic, I would like to find time to read more books, listen to more podcasts (still going through your list, Julie Shapiro), and upgrade my iPhone (or maybe even buy a real camera) to capture all the natural beauty we are surrounded by. And, of course, get out and take in more live music, theater, dance, etc. – Mike Orlove, Director of State, Regional & Local Partnerships

I want to force myself to stop streaming chamber music concerts and when the time is right, attend an actual live concert. – Sonia Chala Tower, Director of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs

My personal goal is to have my TV Script picked up when I pitch it in a couple of months in Los Angeles. – Darrell Bogan, Director of Civil Rights

Throughout my life I never valued the works of art I designed and created with my own hands. In fact, most of my family and friends do not even know of my artistic talents. Growing up with a single Mom trying hard to make ends meet, I learned early on to fix, recycle, or repurpose things. As an 8 year old, I made colorful collages using images of tulips and other flowers from seed catalogues. Decades later, I created a quilt with fabric swatches obtained from a design center showroom and, at some point, I had the idea to spruce up an ugly wood table top by covering it with stamps from all over the world. My resolution for 2022 is to change my attitude and value my own artistic expressions and output as much as I value the talents of other individuals. I already went to work on that by creating, for the first time ever, a small portfolio with descriptions and images of 21 of my own works, including handsewn evening wraps, neck art pieces made from vintage buttons, a mobile created of vintage wire curlers, and a serving tray covered with shreds from fabric facial masks. The latter is the first piece I named, it’s called “pandemic waves,” and it turned out really well, if I may say so. – Katja von Schuttenbach, Jazz Specialist

I want to become a better guitarist, and I want to play more live music. – Cliff Murphy, Folk & Traditional Arts Director

My arts resolution is to put down my phone and create more! – Kelli Rogowski, Visual Information Specialist

For 2022 I've resolved to actively engage in listening to and playing more live music. While COVID has gotten this off to a slow start, I'll be helping to arrange an evening of live music on the first Friday of every month at my favorite local music venue when safety protocols will permit. – Bill O'Brien, Senior Advisor for Innovation and Director of Creative Forces

In 2021, I changed course after more than 25 years of being a poet and started to make work as a visual artist. In 2022, I'm excited to take classes and do other things to broaden my visual arts skills and become more comfortable thinking of myself as a visual artist. – Paulette Beete, Social Media Manager

My resolution is always to read more, and so far I'm off to a good start (six books down)! While it might cut into my reading time, I'd like to try to do more creative writing in 2022. I'm hoping to sign up for an online class, maybe writing short fiction or a novel. – Carolyn Coons, Public Affairs Staff Assistant

And finally, human resources specialist Truman Burroughs shared a poem about the new year:

A NEW YEAR!

By Truman R. Burroughs

2021 was a Blur,

I felt like a bear stuck in a winter’s den Fur!

The Pandemic was real, and taking a Toll,

Pressing my spirit and bruising my Soul!

Daily I smile at a screen, that doesn’t smile Back,

Causing me to long all the more for human Contact!

2022 will be better is our Hope,

But Omicron is rising making it difficult to Cope!

So give me health and freedom Too,

All I desire is to do what we humans used to Do!