NASAA News and Current Information

New Equity Choice Points Tool

One hallmark of state arts agencies is their dedication to ensuring that everyone has access to the benefits of the arts and culture. It can be challenging to achieve true funding equity for people and places with historically limited resources—especially people of color, rural communities, older adults, LGBTQA+ populations and individuals with disabilities. NASAA’s new resource, Equity Choice Points: A Grant-making Reflection Tool for State Arts Agencies, helps you examine grant-making practices and policies that may hold unintended bias. Equity Choice Points offers examples from 13 states along with resources from private funders and foundations.

Final Learning Series Sessions: Messaging Strategies, Business Bash

Don’t miss the last two sessions in NASAA’s 2020 Learning Series, Shifting Policy and Practice, Insights and Actions for States:

Shifting the Narratives: Successful Messaging for Public Funding for the Arts
October 14. 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Eastern
Fresh research findings on the difference values-driven messaging can make across the political spectrum

Business Bash
October 22, 4:00 – 5:15 p.m. Eastern
A message from NASAA CEO Pam Breaux and presentation of the 2020 NASAA Leadership Awards—including NASAA’s new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion awards!

These sessions are free to all state arts agency and regional arts organization council members and staff. Register today!

Find Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultants across the Nation

As part of our continued effort to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) alongside state arts agencies, NASAA is pleased to share a new list of DEI consultants, facilitators and trainers: the National DEI Consultant Sourcebook. NASAA offers this informal list as a community referral resource for state arts agencies that are planning DEI training, seeking facilitators for DEI work or formulating new DEI initiatives. Consultants included in the sourcebook have come to NASAA’s attention through our state arts agency network and colleague arts organizations. All hold expertise in addressing diversity, equity and inclusion, and most have experience in working with arts organizations and/or government agencies. Explore the roster—along with many other DEI tools—on NASAA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion resource page.

Upcoming NASAA Events Calendar

With the change in format to virtual meetings, we have made it easier for you to find that next NASAA conference gathering or peer group conversation. Check out our Upcoming NASAA Events Calendar for the latest!

Share the Love

Thank you! Your participation, engagement and dedication as a member of NASAA means so much to us. Your support moves our work forward, it leverages other funding, and it shows you value state arts agencies and the vital role they play in keeping the arts alive in our communities. We’re so grateful to be supported by such a caring professional community, and hope you feel the same way, too. If you do, please take a moment and show your support for our field by making a gift to NASAA now. Thank you!

Sara Story to Lead Mississippi Arts Commission

Sarah Story has been named executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, effective November 1. An accomplished arts administrator, Story has spent much of her career working for museums in the South, creating innovative programming and fostering strong public-private partnerships. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, she currently serves as executive director of the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum in Austin, Texas. Her accomplishments there include increasing membership by 91%, launching UMLAUF Live to address Austin’s venue crisis, introducing new fundraising events to grow revenue, and increasing the visibility of the institution through new programs, dynamic exhibitions, social media and rebranding efforts. Prior to this role, she served as deputy director of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans. Story serves on many community boards and committees, including The Trail Foundation and the Visit Austin Foundation. She received a bachelor of fine arts degree in painting from the University of Mississippi, where she began her career in arts administration as a student at the University Museum, and earned her master’s degree in arts administration from the University of New Orleans. Story will succeed Malcolm White, who retired from the agency at the end of September.

NASAA Mourns Cheryl Castille

Louisiana Division of the Arts Executive Director Cheryl Castille died unexpectedly on September 20. She joined the agency in 2016, bringing extensive experience creating and implementing music, visual art, culinary arts, dance, creative writing and theatre programs. A Wisconsin native, Castille was an ardent champion of the arts and culture of her adopted state. Her enthusiasm and loving spirit made a significant impact in the four years she served as executive director. Castille joined the Division of the Arts after having served as assistant to St. Landry Parish President W. K. Bill Fontenot Jr. Previously, she was director/operations manager of Cité des Arts in Lafayette, assistant director of Louisiana Folk Roots in Lafayette, and owner/manager of What Bayou Trading Company. NASAA will miss Cheryl’s creative and exuberant presence in our community.