Cultural Diplomacy

The U.S. Department of State encourages cross-cultural understanding and collaboration by sharing the rich artistic traditions of the United States with the world. Our arts programs include:

Photo of a student displaying her exibition at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art.

Museums & Community Collaborations Abroad

Designed to strengthen connections between people in the United States and abroad through museum-based exchanges.

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smARTpowerSM

Engages a diverse range of American visual artists to work with communities around the world to create community-based projects.

Photo of dancers on stage.

Cultural Diplomacy

ECA supports a variety of cultural exchange programs that encourage performing arts to reach out to diverse communities abroad.

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Center StageSM

International performing artists in dance, music and theater will tour throughout the United States.

Photo of Dancemotion USA artists Urban Bush Women sharing their skills with the African Drum Women of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

DanceMotion USASM

Four contemporary American dance companies will travel to 14 countries and territories in 2012.

Photo of Nasar Abadey and SUPERNOVA.

American Music Abroad

American music ambassadors tour the world, interacting with other musicians and the general public.

Photo of film expert M.K. Asante Jr. teaches children about documentary filmmaking.

American Documentary Showcase

This program brings award-winning contemporary American documentaries to audiences around the world.

Ozomatli band members help children play along with the band at a children's hospital, in Warsaw, Poland.

Arts Envoy

This program shares the best of the U.S. arts community with the world to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

Image of students smiling and raising their hands.

Carnegie Hall Musical Exchange

Program connects musicians and young artists from the United States, India, Indonesia and Mexico.

Photo of girl in front of U.S. Capitol.

What is ECA?

Get to know the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.