NASAA’s planning is evergreen—it is continually renewed and never stands still. To stay future-focused and responsive to the evolving needs of state arts agencies, we follow a three-pronged approach to strategic planning:

1. Strategic Plan: Our strategic plan charts NASAA’s long-term course, asserting the value of state arts agencies as well as the goals and principles that guide our work. The latest version was ratified by the membership in September 2022.
2. Action Plan: Biennial action plans complement the strategic plan, itemizing near-term steps needed to achieve our long-term goals. This ensures that NASAA’s day-to-day work aligns with our strategic vision and provides the agility to adjust to emerging needs and opportunities.
3. Performance Measurement: We’re a data-driven team! Our performance metrics dashboard keeps us operationally sharp. Biannual Action Plan Highlights reports keep members and the public apprised of our programmatic accomplishments. We also do detailed reporting on our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion activities. Please see NASAA’s Performance Measurement and Evaluation Framework for more information.

All three strands of NASAA planning are informed and inspired by ongoing input from state arts agencies, collaborations with policy partners and rigorous data review. Our planning methods, designed to engage a diversity of perspectives, include:

• in-depth interviews with leaders from every state and jurisdiction
• analysis of information requests, performance measurement data and indicators of state arts agency strength
• interviews with arts leaders
• focus groups with people from allied sectors (such as economic development, rural development, education, health, natural resources, and others)
• benchmarking NASAA against other professional associations serving state government

NASAA’s latest strategic plan was approved to take effect in 2023. But our action plans and performance measurement are continually renewed and never stand still. We consult annually with every sate and jurisdictional arts agency to ensure that NASAA services remain responsive to members’ needs. Input from members and allies is always welcome. To share your thoughts, contact NASAA Chief Program and Planning Officer Kelly Barsdate.