Photo Album Slideshow

NASAA President and Montana Arts Council Executive Director Arni Fishbaugh welcomed members and guests to Assembly 2012 in Washington, D.C. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Assembly 2012 hosts Judith Terra, chair of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and Commission Executive Director Lionell Thomas - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray addressed participants at the Opening Session. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Mississippi Arts Commission Executive Director Malcolm White at the Opening Session and Roll Call - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

NASAA board Treasurer Bobby Kadis, chair of the North Carolina Arts Council, and NASAA board 1st Vice President Pam Breaux, Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Dept. of Culture, Recreation & Tourism - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

KanKouran West African Dance Company performed for a spellbound audience. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Dakshina / Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company connects traditions with trend-setting work. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Deputy Director Lisa Richards Toney (left) with NASAA Chief Advancement Officer Laura S. Smith - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Spilling Ink Project weaves stories from Indian folklore with traditional South Indian dance. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Christylez Bacon is a GRAMMY nominated progressive hip-hop artist from Washington, D.C. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Members enjoyed networking time and fabulous performers at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

NASAA board members John Bracey, executive director of the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, and Malissa Feruzzi Shriver, chair of the California Arts Council - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

A panel of state arts agency executive directors, flanked by NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman (far left) and NASAA CEO Jonathan Katz, discussed creative place making initiatives. Featured from second from left are Massachusetts Cultural Council Executive Director Anita Walker, Oregon Arts Commission Executive Director Chris D'Arcy, Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Dept. of Culture, Recreation & Tourism Pam Breaux, and Nebraska Arts Council Executive Director Suzanne Wise. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

NASAA members attended briefings and topical sessions that addressed emerging trends, new research and best practices. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

NASAA Chief Program and Planning Officer Kelly Barsdate (left) with Maryland State Arts Council Chair Barbara Bershon - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts received the 2012 National Accessibility Leadership Award. Left to right are NASAA CEO Jonathan Katz, National Endowment for the Arts Accessibility Director Beth Bienvenu, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Deputy Director for Administration Amy Gabriele, Pennsylvania Council Executive Director Philip Horn, Amaryllis Theatre Co/VSA arts of Pennsylvania Producing Artistic Director Mimi Kenny Smith and NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Dorothy Pierce McSweeny, former NASAA board member and chair emeritus of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, received NASAA's 2012 Distinguished Public Service Award. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Christine D'Arcy (center), executive director of the Oregon Arts Commission, received NASAA's 2012 Gary Young Award. She is shown with Commission Chair Jean Boyer Cowling and Jonathan Katz. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Thomas L. Birch (left), who served as NASAA's legislative counsel for more than 30 years, received the NASAA President's Award for Outstanding Advocacy. At right is new NASAA Legislative Counsel Isaac Brown. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Left to right: NASAA board member and Texas Commission on the Arts Executive Director Gary Gibbs, NEA State & Regional Specialist Andi Mathis, NASAA board member and Oregon Arts Commission Executive Director Christine D'Arcy, NEA State & Regional Director Laura Scanlan, and NASAA board member and Alaska State Council on the Arts Chair Benjamin Brown - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Contemporary folk duo The Sweater Set combined intricate vocal harmonies with multi-instrumental arrangements. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Urban jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet shared his unique style that blends R&B, blues, rock and funk. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

NASAA President Arni Fishbaugh (left) with NASAA Director of Meetings and Events Sharon Gee - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

The Artist Showcase included solo performances by members of the Washington Ballet. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

The Washington Ballet performed ensemble works. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

NASAA CEO Jonathan Katz delivered his annual report to members. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Left to right: Maine Arts Commission Chair Charles Stanhope, harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet, Carla Sims and Kentucky Arts Council Executive Director Lori Meadows - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

2012 U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey gave a closing keynote address, "Why I Write." - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

2012 Poetry Out Loud National Champion Kristen Dupard performed "Scratch and Dent Dreams." - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Executive Director Lionell Thomas and Chair Judith Terra - Photo by Eddie Arrossi

Wyoming Arts Council Chair Karen Stewart (left) and Executive Director Rita Basom will welcome participants to NASAA's 2013 Leadership Institute in Jackson. - Photo by Eddie Arrossi