Americans for the Arts, the largest gathering in the country for arts leaders and their partners in creative business, education and government, has chosen San Diego as the host city for its annual convention, taking place June 16-18. More than 1,200 arts and community leaders from multiple disciplines will convene at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel to offer professional development in the areas of local arts development, advancement and policy, and provide a platform to connect peers on local and national levels. “Attendees will see how arts have advanced the city of San Diego, whether it’s the waterfront, Balboa Park or the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego,” said Robert Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. With over 300 art-focused conventions in the nation, many specific to a particular genre, Americans for the Arts serves all the arts for all artists, with the purpose of supporting and using the arts as a catalyst to advance communities. “People will get to experience the arts in San Diego,” said Lynch. “And San Diego will have a nationwide audience appreciating their art.” Keynote speakers Ben Cameron of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Erika Doss from the University of Notre Dame and Bobby Shriver, City of Santa Monica council member will address the crowd, in addition to more than 80 speakers who will lead smaller groups during breakout sessions. A public art pre-conference in partnership with University of California, San Diego and Americans for the Arts Public Arts Network will be held June 15-16, featuring sessions to discuss current public art innovations as well as resources and information on the state of the field. Several local artists and art groups will make an appearance at the convention, including Rae Armantrout, Art of Élan, PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company, San Diego Master Chorale, San Diego Dance Theater, Eveoke Dance Theatre, The Tree Ring, Los Alacranes, Mariachi Garibaldi, Agitprop and Sheryl Oring. Conference attendees are also given the opportunity to experience the arts of San Diego’s cultural neighborhoods and districts through ArtVentures, organized educational offsite tours. Destinations include Balboa Park, Barrio Logan, the Gaslamp Quarter, North Park, Naval Training Center Promenade, The Village at Market Creek and the waterfront area. Personally, Lynch is looking forward to his visit to San Diego after several years. His partner, Diana, who grew up dancing in the San Diego Ballet, anticipates a homecoming with several fellow dancers who have since traveled to dance with international dance companies. Proof, Lynch said, that quality art has a great impact on residents. For more information or to register, visit www.convention.artsusa.org.