NASAA Continues Responding to Member Challenges

Last month our country lost a hero. Civil rights movement leader and lifelong fighter for equality and justice for all Congressman John Lewis succumbed to pancreatic cancer on July 17, 2020. As we mourn his loss and reflect on a life lived with such steadfast purpose, many of us are giving voice to his memorable calls to action. When I think about NASAA’s diversity, equity and inclusion call to action in light of the congressman’s words, this declaration comes to mind:

When you see something that is not right, that is not fair, that is not just, say something, do something, get in trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble.

As NASAA continues to stand firm in our commitment to advance diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and at state arts agencies (SAAs), we do so inspired by Congressman Lewis and by your ongoing efforts to achieve diversity, equity and inclusion across your SAA’s programs and services. In response to the challenges we all face today, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial justice movement, we at NASAA continue to pivot programs and services to help you respond within your states.

To this end, I’m pleased to call your attention to our upcoming learning series. Seven sessions (August 27-October 22, 2020) have been planned to help you respond to today’s evolving environment. The sessions cover equity in grant making, community cohesion, empowering older populations, shifting advocacy messaging and adapting programs for relevance. Our final session will bring the NASAA family together to award outstanding leadership in the field and much more. This year’s awards program will include our traditional honors as well as new awards for an SAA and an individual working diligently to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. I hope you’re already thinking about nominations for these awards!

Here’s the learning series session line-up. I encourage you to join us for some or all of them. We’re pleased to make the series free and open to all staff and council members of SAAs and regional arts organizations.

2020 NASAA Learning Series, Shifting Policy and Practice: Insights and Actions for States

August 27: Pivot – Part 1: Perspectives on challenges that are reshaping the arts landscape and how grant makers can make a difference

August 28: Pivot – Part 2: State arts agency responses to the pandemic and to grantees’ financial distress

September 2: Building Bridges in a Time of Crisis: How state arts agencies can help communities build solidarity and heal current—and historic—injuries

September 17: Equity Choice Points: Practical tactics for reducing funding barriers due to bias

September 30: New Opportunities for Creative Aging: How your agency can empower a population deeply affected by COVID-19

October 14: Shifting the Narratives: Successful Messaging for Public Funding for the Arts: Our fresh research findings on the difference values-driven messaging can make across the political spectrum

October 22: Business Bash: My message to you, and presentation of the 2020 NASAA Leadership Awards—including NASAA’s new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion awards!