NASAA News and Current Information

April 21: Will Audiences Come Back?

The long-term effects of the pandemic on live events and in-person arts participation have yet to emerge. Although more and more people are getting vaccinated, the coronavirus is far from under control—and audiences and patrons may be skeptical about returning to arts venues. What can arts and cultural organizations do to help participants feel welcome, safe and confident? And how can state arts agencies support these efforts? Attend Will Audiences Come Back? on April 21 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Eastern to hear an overview of current conditions faced by performance based and exhibit based organizations, along with the latest facts and figures on audience/visitor sentiment. Register for Will Audiences Come Back? today! This session, the third in the NASAA 2021 Learning Series, is free and open to the staff and council/board members of state arts agencies and regional arts organizations.

One Simple Thing—Support NASAA

With so many of us still working from home, we’re all juggling more than we ever thought possible and doing the best we can to make it through the day. NASAA is here for you! We make your life easier by giving you the trustworthy, accurate, and easy-to-access research and resources you need to do your job. Do yourself a favor by giving to NASAA today, or become a NASAA Champion and donate monthly. Your support ensures NASAA is always there to lighten the load for you, and for all state arts agencies. Thank you!

Tina Lilly Promoted to Executive Director in Georgia

In March, Tina Lilly became the new executive director of Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA). A lifelong arts advocate, Lilly has served Council for the past 14 years, most recently as director of the organization’s $2 million grant program. Since the start of the pandemic, Lilly has overseen the administration of more than 225 state and federally funded grants and 63 Resiliency Grants, a one-time grant funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. She worked with the staff, GCA’s leadership council and partners across the state to provide counsel and resources, and to adjust GCA operations and procedures to be more effective in responding to ever-changing needs. Lilly also has managed the creation of both the Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities Grant programs since her arrival at GCA in 2007. As a member of the Tourism Resource Team with Georgia Department of Economic Development’s tourism division, Explore Georgia, she has advised communities across the state on utilizing the arts for community and economic development. Prior to joining Georgia Council for the Arts, Lilly served as executive director of the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center in Madison, Georgia, as administrative director at 7 Stages Theatre in Atlanta and as managing director at Live Bait Theatre in Chicago. She also worked as an adjunct professor at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago and as freelance director at various theatres in Chicago, Atlanta and New York. Lilly earned her master’s degree in fine arts from DePaul University and her undergraduate degree from Birmingham-Southern College.

Jillette Leon-Guererro Steps Down in Guam

Jillette Leon-Guerrero stepped down from her position as director of the Guam Council of the Arts & Humanities Agency (CAHA) at the end of March. She joined the agency at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020, and focused on foundational issues regarding the reestablishment of CAHA as a separate line agency in the government of Guam. During her brief tenure, every position on the board of directors was filled for the first time, and the board completed ethics training provided by the University of Guam. Also during her tenure, a review of the Council’s technological abilities resulted in the introduction of grant management software, which was used for the first time for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act emergency grant program. In addition to this, an upgraded and interactive website will be launched shortly and a crowdfunding platform for artists is planned to debut in October. Two new programs were introduced during Leon-Guerrero’s time at the Council: Poetry Out Loud and a creative aging initiative. She was instrumental in staving off an effort to waive the Arts in Public Building and Facilities Law, to the benefit of the arts community. As a result of these efforts, CAHA is currently working with the University of Guam to select artists to create artwork for the Guam Cultural Repository. Leon-Guerrero is departing to care for her 91-year-old father.