NASAA News and Current Information

Feb. 9 Webinar: Federal Resources for Creative Community Development

Calling all placemakers! NASAA’s Federal Resources for Creative Community Development web seminar reviews federal grant programs relevant to your work.

The one-hour session, February 9 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern, shows you how to navigate our new Creative Placemaking Public Resources Guide and offers useful application tips and exemplary initiatives that empower community development through the arts. Register today!

Getting Things Done—Thanks to You!

We’re only a month into 2021 and NASAA is busy. We released a brand-new resource, Arts and Creativity Strengthen Our Nation, which uses evidence based messages to show you how to make the case for public arts support as a core necessity. We spearheaded a new research effort, Arts and Economic Recovery Research, which offers hard data on how the arts and creative industries reignite economic growth. And we’ve been working with the new administration’s transition team to show the benefits of investing public dollars in the arts. Your gift makes this work—and so much more—possible. Help us continue to advocate and produce the tools you need most by giving to NASAA today. Thank you!

Videos Show the Power of Creative Aging Programs

Aroha Philanthropies—NASAA’s partner in the Leveraging State Investments in in Creative Aging initiative—recently released a suite of short videos designed to raise awareness of creative aging among arts organizations, government agencies and the general public. These five new videos feature the voices and experiences of older adults, artists and cultural organizations from across the country. Each film tackles an important topic, such as “In Person to On Line,” “Why Teaching Artists?” or “From Isolation to Connection.” All are available via the Aroha Philanthropies Vimeo channel. For more information on how state arts agencies can serve older adults, visit NASAA’s Creative Aging resource page.

Arts and Entertainment in the Pandemic Era: Video Available

In January, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted Starring Role: Arts & Entertainment in the Pandemic Era to illustrate how the arts and entertainment industries have kept us connected, informed and entertained during a period of social isolation. Speakers including NASAA President and CEO Pam Breaux, National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter, actress Annette Bening and others discussed how a culture of creativity, innovation and ingenuity is helping us through these unprecedented times.

Carter Steps Down as Arts Endowment Chairman

Courtesy of National Endowment for the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter stepped down from her position on January 20. Carter’s achievements during her tenure included protecting and strengthening the agency, strategic messaging adjustments, outreach to underserved communities and expanding the agency’s relationships with other federal government agencies. Specific accomplishments during Carter’s chairmanship include budget increases for the agency over the past four years; creation of state fact sheets emphasizing the benefits of the arts; launch of the Sound Health Network, which promotes awareness about the influence of music on wellness; outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities; convening Native Americans to discuss issues affecting Native arts and culture; launch of the National Folklife Network; and working with the U.S. departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, State and Education as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency on initiatives supporting arts, culture and well-being. Carter and her team also ensured Coronavirus (CARES) Act funds were distributed promptly to arts organizations across the nation. Arts Endowment Deputy Chairman for Management and Budget Anne Eilers will serve as interim chairman.