A national overview of the economic, cultural, educational and social forces that are reshaping America's cultural landscape. In addition to highlighting key trends, this presentation will challenge you to consider provocative questions about arts participation, arts institutions and the role of the arts in contemporary American life. Speaker: Jonathan Katz

This presentation offers a concise summary of the economic benefits of the arts and also confronts the pitfalls of regarding the arts in purely economic terms. It includes practical advice for local communities launching their own creative economy efforts. Speaker: Kelly Barsdate

Drawing on examples from America and abroad, this keynote explores the power of the arts to unify and transform local economies and community life. Speaker: Jonathan Katz

When lawmakers, as well as private contributors, are beset by funding shortages, arts advocates need to make a convincing case for the arts as a recovery asset. This presentation will review what arguments are most persuasive and will help you position the arts as an essential part of community life in hard times. This session is also offered as a workshop. Presenter: Thomas Birch

This presentation will motivate your advocates and prepare them to make an inspired, informed and effective case for arts support in your state. Putting the arts at the center of the public policy agenda can empower advocates to engage politicians and recruit powerful allies to our cause. Presenter: Thomas Birch

Arts advocates need access to powerful politicians, policy officials and opinion leaders to move forward on an arts agenda. This presentation will offer an abundance of useful strategies for developing powerful allies in government and in the legislature. Presenter: Thomas Birch

This address conveys the essential value of arts education and demonstrates why every educator, parent, state legislator, mayor and business leader should be an arts education advocate. Speaker: Jonathan Katz

In today's turbulent environment, near-term demands of operations and fundraising necessarily dominate our thoughts. But what about the long term? What forces are shaping American arts audiences and consumers? How are those trends affecting the work of arts organizations and artists? Drawing on an eclectic assortment of demographic, economic, scientific and cultural perspectives, this lively session will help you reflect on opportunities and uncertainties about arts participation in the years ahead. Presenter: Kelly Barsdate

This session will provide practical advice for arts advocates and will debunk common myths and misconceptions about advocacy. Join this session to strengthen your relationships with elected officials and learn how to make a winning case for arts funding. Presenter: Thomas Birch

This workshop will help you make the case for the arts in an environment where local and state officials, as well as private contributors, are beset by funding shortages. Attend this session to discuss how you can position the arts as an economic recovery asset and an essential part of community life in hard times. This session is also offered as a keynote presentation. Presenter: Thomas Birch

Turn your audience members and patrons into arts advocates! Join in this session to learn effective and engaging techniques that arts organizations can use to boost arts advocacy and cultivate more champions for the arts in your community. Presenter: Thomas Birch

Evaluation is part of "the new normal" for nonprofits. Funders, government agencies and boards all seem to be requiring more documentation. How can arts programs respond to this trend? What are some ways to measure what matters in the arts? Join this workshop to debunk some common evaluation myths and gain some practical - and even fun - tips for collecting and using data to improve your programs and promote the impact of your work. Presenter: Kelly Barsdate

This session offers an overview of public funding for the arts, including local, state and federal dollars. Attend this session to find out how public funding is faring in the current economy, how past recessions have affected the arts, and how public dollars are part of the larger arts funding ecosystem in America. Presenter: Angela Han

Numerous studies about arts education have been released recently. Which ones are most important? What do they mean? How can you use that research in your own work? Attend this session to get up to speed on the latest research about arts learning and to use that information in your own community. Presenter: Angela Han

What makes a successful leader? What are the hallmarks of strategic decision making? How can you inspire others to follow you? This session - designed for both emerging and veteran arts leaders - will help you capitalize on your own strengths and help you mine both leadership theory and practical experience to become a stronger arts leader. Presenter: Jonathan Katz

This workshop offers a problem-solving paradigm helpful for tackling thorny challenges. Participants will learn how to diagnose problems, assess solutions and lead colleagues and constituents through a successful change process. Presenter: Jonathan Katz

Convincing elected officials, foundations, corporations and donors to invest in the arts is more difficult than ever, given today's economic climate. This session will help you build a repertoire of fact-based arguments to use to advocate for the arts in your community. However, this workshop will also address the limitations of numbers and explore what else - beyond data - is needed to build a truly compelling case for your work. Don't miss this session if your responsibilities include fundraising, advocacy, governance or communications. Presenter: Kelly Barsdate

Communities large and small across the country have used cultural districts - special areas designated for arts development - to catalyze economic activity and civic vitality. Drawing on examples and research from around the nation, this session will explore the potential benefits and common pitfalls of cultural district development. Presenter: Jesse Rye

This presentation provides an overview of state arts agency funding as well as key program and policy trends across the nation and information on how state arts agencies are adapting to budget reductions. It is followed by a facilitated discussion of current issues and trends in your own state. Presenters: Kelly Barsdate, Angela Han or Jonathan Katz

Building on a "State of the State Arts Agencies" overview, this presentation incorporates customized benchmarking of budget and grant-making data, allowing your staff and council to see how your agency compares to others. Presenter: Kelly Barsdate or Angela Han

This session explores the opportunities available to state arts agencies to improve the environment for advocacy, engage politically active community leaders and enhance the skills of the arts community as advocates. Presenter: Thomas Birch

This session profiles effective statewide advocacy practices and explores the essential roles of council members as arts advocacy leaders. Presenters: Thomas Birch or Jonathan Katz

Many people can eloquently describe the benefits of the arts to society. But, as one legislator bluntly observed, "Everything that's good doesn't necessarily deserve government support." This highly interactive session will help you articulate a clear case for your agency in today's competitive environment by examining the unique and essential roles played by government dollars and state arts agencies. Presenter: Kelly Barsdate

This session explores public value fundamentals and how they apply to the state arts agency field. Learn how tools such as "the strategic triangle" and a "value chain" can empower your work with constituents and elected officials. Presenters: Jonathan Katz or Kelly Barsdate

What are some common denominators seen among states that establish solid political support, increase their funding and get recognized for excellence? This overview of success factors will help you reflect on your own agency's strengths and areas for improvement. Presenters: Jonathan Katz or Kelly Barsdate

NASAA's customized strategic planning services include facilitated sessions and presentations designed to empower your planning.