September 7, 2017
NASAA News and Current Information
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NASAA 2017 Leadership Institute Filling Up
Don’t miss out on the NASAA 1017 Leadership Institute, coming up October 11-13 in Portland, Oregon. It’s your once-a-year chance to network with other state arts agency executive directors, deputies and council members to hone your skills and magnify your knowledge of the field. This year’s agenda offers learning on building public will for the arts, communications clinics on top-of-mind issues, and immersions into unique arts topics at off-site cultural venues. National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu shares current national arts news, and Portland artists inspire us throughout. Register today for a team discount, and reserve your lodging by September 18 for the best room rate at the conference hotel.
Council Members: This One’s for You
NASAA Report to Councils offers state arts agency council members a periodic two-page summary of arts legislation, NASAA resources and opportunities to connect. The September edition brings news about NASAA’s work with state economic advisors and the National Governors Association, a roundup of 2017 state arts bills, and, most importantly, enticing reasons to join other volunteer arts leaders at NASAA’s 2017 Leadership Institute! Contact NASAA Communications Manager Sue Struve to be sure you’re on the e-mail list, and check out recent editions on the For Council Members page.
Legislative Policy-making and Political Polarization
In a new report, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) assesses the factors that lead to political polarization and the strategies states have used to mitigate the effects of increased partisanship. State Legislative Policymaking in an Age of Political Polarization presents case studies of 10 state legislatures based on interviews with current and former legislators, legislative staff, lobbyists and academics. The report—which points to evidence of increased polarization in most of the case studies—suggests that using nonpartisan staff and adhering to rules and norms are among the ways to build trust and deemphasize partisanship among lawmakers. NCSL plans to continue its research on this issue by conducting a national survey about state legislators’ attitudes about partisanship and the policy-making process.
Quantifying Inequity in Cultural Philanthropy
New research from the Helicon Collaborative reveals that funding for cultural institutions is becoming less equitable, with just 2% of cultural institutions receiving 60% of all contributed revenue. Citing data from the National Center for Charitable Statistics and The Foundation Center, Not Just Money: Equity Issues in Cultural Philanthropy shows that these inequities are systemic across all levels of cultural philanthropy and mirror the absence of diversity within foundations’ staff. The report also presents best practices to mitigate inequality and includes profiles of funding patterns in 10 major cities.
Scotland’s Survey of Diversity in the Arts
Last year, Creative Scotland, Scotland’s national arts agency, conducted a survey about diversity in the arts to better understand the challenges artists may face in developing their careers. More than 1,500 survey respondents answered questions about gender, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, education, employment status, income and career progression. The survey findings, published this month, may be useful to state arts agencies interested in how other countries approach fostering equitable access to and opportunity in the arts. They are illustrated in a survey findings report and put into broader context in the companion summary report.
Orchestras’ Education and Community Initiatives
The League of American Orchestras has published Of and For the Community: The Education and Community Engagement Work of Orchestras. The report is based on a survey of 98 orchestras and addresses the degree, type, budget, work load and beneficiaries of orchestras’ education and community engagement work. It finds that orchestras increased their community engagement activities between 2009 and 2014. In addition, most orchestras report their participant base becoming more diverse over the same time frame.
Joyce Bamba Directs Guam Arts Agency
In July, Joyce Bamba was appointed deputy director of the Guam Council on the Arts & Humanities Agency, a division of the Department of Chamorro Affairs. In this capacity, she oversees the Arts & Humanities Agency. She served as a board member for the agency from 1979 to 1982. During her previous tenure, Bamba established the Art Bank Program, which assists Guam’s local artists through the purchase and exhibition of their works. She served as a board member for the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) for eight years. While there, Bamba was instrumental in the creation of GVB’s Cultural Heritage Committee/Program, which manages the marketing and promotion of the Chamorro culture locally and overseas. She has served as national director of Miss Universe Guam and Miss International Guam since 1986, and is responsible for sending a Miss Guam every year to compete in these international beauty pageants. Through Bamba’s work with the Guam Beauty Organization, Miss Guam and runners-up have served as cultural ambassadors for the island, spreading the Hafa Adai spirit at events locally and abroad.
Tony Manfredi Takes the Helm in Nevada
Tony Manfredi, a Nevada native and veteran executive in public broadcasting, has been named executive director of the Nevada Arts Council, effective September 11. Manfredi spent 11 years with KNPB Channel 5, Northern Nevada’s PBS member station, most recently serving as senior vice president of content and marketing. He directed the station’s national, regional and local programming and production strategy, content for its website, and its marketing and communications activities, while managing a team of 12. Manfredi graduated from the University of San Diego in 1993 with dual degrees in communication studies and art. An artist himself, he enjoys painting in oils with a focus on plein air and studio landscapes. Manfredi previously worked in branding and marketing for Skagen Designs, as creative director for iGo and as art director for MountainGate Data Systems in Reno. He is on the boards of the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada Foundation and Entrepreneurship Nevada. Manfredi is a member of the Reno Arts Consortium and serves on the advisory committee for the Washoe County School District Council for Career & Technical Education.
Karen Mittelman to Be Vermont Executive Director
Karen S. Mittelman, Ph.D., begins her role as executive director of the Vermont Arts Council on October 16. She is currently director of the Division of Public Programs at the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. Mittelman brings to the Arts Council more than 30 years of experience in the public sector and the federal cultural arena. She held a senior position at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia and served as curator at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. Mittelman received a bachelor’s degree in American civilization and a doctorate in U.S. history from the University of Pennsylvania. She taught at the University of Pennsylvania and American University, and is a published author.
NASAA Bids Farewell to Jessica Galvano
After nine years of service with NASAA, Executive Associate Jessica Galvano departed at the end of August. Jessica’s was the first voice many members heard when they contacted NASAA, responding to member needs and facilitating requests for assistance. She supported NASAA’s member outreach and member engagement work, including newcomer orientation activities, and managed registrations for NASAA events. Jessica also supported a three- to four-member executive team, as well as NASAA’s board of directors and committees. Prior to her service at NASAA, she was executive administrative assistant at the South Carolina Arts Commission. Jessica’s dedication to service was unmatched, and her generous work ethic and incisive sense of humor will be missed.