Jay Dick is the Senior Director of State and Local Government Affairs at Americans for the Arts where he works with state and local arts advocates to assist them in creating and promoting policies that promote equitable state and local funding along with the overall expansion of the arts and culture into society. Further, he works with a variety of associations representing elected officials to not only educate them on a national level about the arts and culture but connecting them back to their local arts constituents to establish strongly connections.  

Social Media: @JayAFTA

At Americans for the Arts, Lauren works with the Federal Affairs team in federal lobbying and government affairs activities, including composing position statements, monitoring federal legislation, drafting legislative proposals, coalition building with the Congressional Arts Caucus and other Congressional staff.  She enjoys teaching others how to become compelling arts advocates and how to pursue strong arts policy.  Prior to joining Americans for the Arts, Lauren worked for a member of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives for over two years where she managed the arts, humanities, and museums portfolio.  Before coming to Washington, DC, Lauren worked for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Williamsburg, Virginia.  There, she held positions in the Education Outreach, Historical Interpretations, and Curatorial departments.  Lauren earned her Master of Arts degree in Public History from James Madison University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Tennessee.  Lauren's passion for the arts began at age three when she first started ballet lessons and continues to this day as she enjoys dance and theater performances, museums, and art shows.

Ann Marie Watson joined Americans for the Arts in June 2016. As Senior Manager, Digital Communications Strategy, she serves as the managing editor of ARTSblog and directs social media strategy and content for @americans4arts accounts, including organic daily posting and paid advertising for events and programming. Previously in her nonprofit arts and culture career, she was Marketing Communications Manager at the Newseum, a museum dedicated to the First Amendment, and worked at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in a range of roles from public relations intern to Creative Director for External Affairs. Ann Marie is a graduate of the University of Virginia, an enthusiastic blood donor, and a volunteer in local community theater.