Cultural diplomacy, an essential facet of America's foreign policy, enhances cross-cultural understanding and opens new avenues of dialogue and collaboration between individuals and nations.

In support of U. S. Department of State foreign policy objectives, Creative Arts Exchange initiatives

credit: British Council

How's Your Community Doing?
Check Out it's
Community Vital Signs

are arts-based, international people-to-people exchange programs.

They create partnerships through artistic collaboration and professional development that enrich both the international participants and the Americans with whom they meet.

Programs are implemented in close coordination with U. S. embassies and consulates abroad.

Eligible themes and/or artistic genres for CAE initiatives are determined based on ECA strategic priorities.

The goals of the Creative Arts Exchange are to:- Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries; - Support U. S. foreign policy objectives;- Provide unique opportunities for artistic collaboration, engagement and/or performance between American artists and international participants; - Convey the diversity and high artistic merit of the arts in America, as well as increase awareness and understanding of American art, culture, values and society for international participants and audiences; - Foster opportunities for educational outreach and community engagement with diverse and underserved communities, especially youth (ages 12-25), women, and persons with disabilities; - Engage participants in instructive and informative experiences in a particular art form; and- Create opportunities for sustaining relationships and collaboration between U. S. and international artists and institutions that endure beyond program duration.

In FY 2017, CAE will focus on the following themes:
Dance (DanceMotion, USA), Film (American Film Showcase), Music (American Music Abroad), and Music (OneBeat).