NASAA News and Current Information

NASAA Web Seminar: The Creative Workforce of the Future

State arts agencies play a central role in supporting our nation’s arts infrastructure. Part of that responsibility is engaging the next generation of the creative sector and helping them develop the skills and knowledge they need. Join NASAA and your colleagues on Wednesday, February 19, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern to learn about how the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts are developing the creative workforce in their states. Registration is free for all state arts agency staff and council members.

NASAA Is Your Voice on Capitol Hill

We need all three levels of government—federal, state and local—to sustain the arts and ensure that all communities benefit from the arts. That’s why NASAA’s advocacy in Congress is crucial to you and your state arts agency! We work year-round to advance your priorities with federal lawmakers and to protect the partnership between the states and the National Endowment for the Arts. In fact, we’re the only organization in the country that advocates for the 40% of the Endowment’s grant funds that goes to states—and just testified in Congress to make sure your voice is heard. We depend on your support to do this work because we don’t use membership dues or federal funding for advocacy. Support NASAA now or become a NASAA Champion and donate monthly to help keep public support for the arts strong. Thank you!

Michelle Laflamme-Childs Appointed ED in New Mexico

Michelle Laflamme-Childs has been appointed executive director of New Mexico Arts. She most recently served as program director for the agency’s 1% for Art in Public Places Program. Prior to this, she spent seven years at the internationally recognized Santa Fe Art Institute, where she held the positions of deputy director, residency and marketing/public relations director, and administrative director. Laflamme-Childs has more than 25 years of experience in senior management leadership, supervision and staff development, and extensive involvement in arts program development and administration. She is an elected member of the Americans for the Arts Public Art Network National Advisory Council; former vice chair of the Santa Fe County Arts, Culture and Cultural Tourism Committee; and a member of the Santa Fe Community College Art on Campus Committee. A native New Englander, Laflamme-Childs holds a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and an M.A. from St. John’s College in Santa Fe.

NASAA’s Patricia Mullaney-Loss Is Research Manager

Beginning this month, Patricia Mullaney-Loss will serve as NASAA’s research manager. This new role will expand on current work with state arts agency survey data and visualizations with additional project management and member service responsibilities. Patricia joined NASAA in 2016. She collects information on state arts agency funding levels and sources through the State Arts Agency Revenues survey and manages NASAA’s historical funding database. Patricia also designs and conducts many of NASAA’s online surveys, including the Staffing and Compensation Survey and Membership Opinion Poll. She leads the Research Department’s engaging and informative data visualization work and coordinates member requests. Patricia previously worked at International Arts & Artists conducting research and creating new programming. She graduated with a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Maryland, after completing bachelor’s degrees in government and dance at the same institution. Patricia is a dancer, dance teacher and choreographer in the D.C. and New York areas.