June 2, 2010

NASAA's New Web Resources

As a national source of information on public arts funding, NASAA provides a knowledge network and fact base to help state arts agencies make informed policy decisions and put their own state’s needs and experiences in context. Providing customized responses to member questions is a hallmark of NASAA. This column offers specific examples of the NASAA research services available and shows how they can be customized to meet your needs.

In May NASAA launched a new website, which includes a significantly expanded and updated Research section. Explore the resources available on-line and ask NASAA for further research help.

Members and website visitors can learn more about key topics affecting public arts policy. NASAA serves as a clearinghouse for information on various issues:

Taiko Drummers at the Arizona Arts Congress. Photo Courtesy of the Arizona Commission on the Arts

Public arts participation, including NASAA resources from web seminars and assembly sessions

Nonprofit finance and the financial information state arts agencies require of applicants

Creative economic development, including a library of statewide economic impact studies

Arts education, on which NASAA and state arts agencies collaborate with many national partners, including the Arts Education Partnership and its State Policy Database

NASAA monitors state arts agency (SAA) trends and documents the scope and impact of state arts agency activities. Major topics that are of interest to members include:

Appropriations and other sources of state arts agency funding; members can access detailed information regarding funding, including supplemental funding strategies

Best practices among SAAs, especially on current issues such as technology strategies

Grant-making statistics of state arts agencies and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), including the relationship between NEA and SAA grantees

State arts agency placement within state government and other issues related to structure

Planning and accountability resources for state arts agencies and grantees, particularly strategic planning

For additional information, state arts agency members are encouraged to contact the NASAA research staff for questions or customized information assistance at any time.