NASAA News and Current Information

Launch of NASAA 2021 Learning Series Is March 11

Join your colleagues from state and jurisdictional arts agencies across the nation for the NASAA 2021 Learning Series! This virtual series takes place from March through October and delves into issues most important to you, from economic recovery and resilience to equity, advocacy and more. The first session, Arts and Economic Recovery, taking place March 11 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern, covers new research revealing how the arts provide economic resilience and improve the health of the economy. In this session, we look at key findings from new research studies by Prof. Doug Noonan at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Western States Arts Federation. We’ll also hear from two state arts agencies—Vermont and Wisconsin—about strategies they are using to make the arts part of economic development plans. Registration is now open! We encourage all state arts agency and regional arts organization staff and council/board members to participate in the NASAA 2021 Learning Series. To make this program accessible to all NASAA members, NASAA has waived all registration fees.

View Video: Federal Resources for Creative Community Development

Our web seminar last month was attended by more than 1,100 participants! View the video of this important session, which helped in navigating NASAA’s new Creative Placemaking Public Resources Guide. The guide offers a curated selection of federal funding sources for advancing equitable community development, examples of initiatives that have transformed local community development efforts through creative partnerships, and practical tips on accessing federal grant programs. The National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations partnered with NASAA on the seminar.

Strengthen the Arts, Strengthen the Nation—Join Us!

Effective advocacy depends on continuous education and communication. That’s why NASAA never stops advocating for state arts agencies in Congress and giving you the tools and resources you need to grow support for the arts in your state. Your support is crucial for us to do this work. NASAA doesn’t use membership dues or federal funding for our advocacy—we rely solely on personal contributions from people like you. Please support NASAA today or become a NASAA Champion and donate monthly to help us keep fighting for you and all state arts agencies.

David Greenham Is Interim ED in Maine

David Greenham has been appointed interim executive director of the Maine Arts Commission. Greenham, who had previously served two years as chair of the Commission, begins his new role on March 8. He was most recently associate director of the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine (HHRC), where over the past decade he led the center’s award-winning educational programs and created numerous exhibits and events. Since 2009, Greenham has been a lecturer in drama at the University of Maine at Augusta. Prior to his work for the HHRC, he led The Theater At Monmouth for 14 years, and has been active in the arts community of Maine since coming to the state in 1985. Greenham succeeds Julie Richard, who served as executive director for eight years before accepting a position in Arizona in December.