Member News and NASAA Resources

Todd Trebour Advances to Executive Director in Rhode Island

Todd Trebour (he/him/his) has been named the executive director for the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA). Trebour started his service with RISCA in 2018, previously serving as deputy director and Organizations Program director. His prior arts management positions include working as the program coordinator for the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Arts Extension Service, a national arts service organization and the arts management program at the University; managing director at Chester Theatre Company in Chester, Massachusetts; and collective member of the artist-run nonprofit C3 Northampton. Before transitioning into arts management, Trebour worked as a freelance operatic performer in Texas, Massachusetts, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and many points in between. After working for three years as company member at Double Edge Theatre, Trebour started Alchemical Opera Project, an experimental opera theatre company, with Canadian cellist Rachel Capon. Over the course of two years, they toured their production Come and Sleep within Canada and the northern part of the United States. Trebour received his bachelor’s degree in music performance from Whitman College, his master’s degree in music in voice from Rice University, and his core certificate in arts management from the UMass Amherst Arts Extension Service. He was an adjunct faculty member with Goucher University’s Master’s in Arts Administration program. Most recently, Trebour was a 2023 PLACES Fellow, a prestigious year-long leadership development program from The Funders Network for grant makers interested in further incorporating equity and justice into their grant making and community engagement practices.

Christina You-sun Park Is New Executive Director in Arizona

The Arizona Commission on the Arts has hired Christina You-sun Park as its new executive director. Park is a seasoned leader with a diverse background in arts administration, equitable creative placemaking, grant making and cultural research. Prior to this position, she served as the associate director at the Studio for Creativity, Place and Equitable Communities at Arizona State University. There, she led a team that pioneered programs and research highlighting the pivotal role of arts and culture in community well-being and development. Throughout her career, Park has fostered interdisciplinary collaborations, serving as a liaison with local community partners, national organizations and government agencies. In her previous role as the art collections manager for the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, she collaborated with other departments to advance the equitable distribution of public funds in infrastructure maintenance and community services. Park has taught at Arizona State University and Phoenix College and has spearheaded several leadership, workforce and artist professional development initiatives. She is a practicing artist, having contributed to groups such as the Eyelounge Artists Collective, Salem Art Works and Franconia Sculpture Park. Park holds a master of fine arts degree from Arizona State University and a bachelor of fine arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She succeeds Jackie Alling, who has served as interim executive director since January 2023.

Amy Hausmann to Join Maine Arts Commission as Executive Director

The Maine Arts Commission has appointed Amy Hausmann as its new executive director. She will join the commission in August. Hausmann currently is director of Olana State Historic Site in Hudson, New York, a National Historic Landmark and public park designed by artist Frederic Church. A 25-year public servant with a demonstrated commitment to artists and making art and culture accessible to all, Hausmann’s prior experience includes her work as senior curator and deputy director of collections and exhibitions for the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn, and as deputy director for Metropolitan Transportation Authority Arts & Design, a multiagency department responsible for award-winning visual and performing art programs for New York City’s subway and rail stations. At Olana, Hausmann ensures that exhibitions, programs and projects achieve standards and goals set by New York State Parks related to accessibility, innovation and cultural stewardship. Before beginning her tenure with the Maine Arts Commission, Hausmann will oversee the final stages of an ambitious $25-million public-private investment in capital projects led by New York State Parks to support Olana’s Strategic Landscape Design Plan. Hausmann holds a B.A. in studio art and art history from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, and was an artist resident and staff member at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont. She is the recipient of the Susan L. Kupferman Award for Excellence in Public Service in 2014, gold and silver medals for art direction from the Society of Illustrators, and Outstanding Achievement in Support of New York City Culture and Outstanding New York City Museum Exhibition for Poetry in Motion, both in 2019 from the Guides Association of New York City, among others. Hausmann will replace David Greenham, who left the commission last fall. Julie Horn, the commission’s assistant director, has served as interim executive director and will return to her previous position when Hausmann begins her duties.

NASAA Assembly 2024: Benefits of Attending + New Sessions
All state arts agency staff and council members, as well as regional arts organizations, federal agency representatives and citizen advocates, are encouraged to attend NASAA Assembly 2024, October 23 – 26 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. To help in your planning, see NASAA’s helpful travel justification points, listing benefits to your state of attending the Assembly along with practical take-aways.

We’re developing new strategy sessions on state creative economies, rural development, accessibility, state level advocacy, emergency preparedness and much more. Register and reserve your lodging today. NASAA and our conference host, the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, hope to see you in San Juan!

Who’s Who in Government Arts Funding?

The updated version of America Supports the Arts: Who’s Who in Government Arts Funding is now available. This resource details the $1.5 billion public-sector investment in the arts, highlighting contributions from federal, state and local governments and the positive impacts on health, education and economic growth. Explore the latest insights and data today!

56 Years, 56 Strong: Thriving Together

State arts agencies contribute to a thriving nation. Last year state arts agencies funded almost 23,000 grants to arts organizations, civic groups and schools in over 4,800 communities across the nation. The impact of state arts agencies reaches far and wide, ensuring that all communities, regardless of wealth or geography, reap the benefits of the arts. The world is better off thanks to what you do, and NASAA is so proud to be at your side. Join us in lifting up and sharing the impact of your agency and every state and jurisdiction during our 56 Years, 56 Strong celebration. Thank you!

Mental Health and the Workplace

A couple of interesting studies have come out recently about American workplaces and mental health. In Mental Health, HR and the Workplace, the Society for Human Resource Management reports that a large portion of U.S. workers suffer from mental health issues, with nearly 45% of employees continuing to struggle with burnout—yet most of them don’t know about benefits that employers provide to help them with their issues. Talking about mental health and keeping people informed of services and options can go a long way toward breaking down barriers. That point is reinforced in this Harvard Business Review article, More People Use Mental Health Benefits When They Hear That Colleagues Use Them Too, which emphasizes the value of normalizing conversations and practices around mental health and well-being in the workplace.

Mindfulness offers one way to support our well-being, by teaching us to become more aware of how we relate to stressful thoughts, feelings and behaviors. To support state arts agencies, NASAA offers short meditations three times a week. Chief Advancement Officer Laura Smith, a certified meditation teacher, leads these 15-minute Zoom sessions (camera-free), and all are welcome to attend. Reach out to Laura via email for more info or to be added to the email list.

Strengthen the Arts, Strengthen Communities

As we plunge into summer, we’re so grateful to everyone who has supported NASAA so far this year! Your support helps NASAA strengthen state arts agencies with the advocacy, data and research they need. When state arts agencies are strong, the whole arts sector thrives. If you haven’t given yet, now’s the time! You can give online today or become a NASAA Champion and give monthly, providing us with ongoing support we can count on year-round. Through your generosity, we can do more together—because we are all part of the ecosystem that strengthens the arts and enlivens communities in your state, and every state. Thank you!