May 1, 2024
From the Research Team
Updated Best-Practice Resources
Declan Wicks
NASAA strives to provide timely resources that cover the spectrum of opportunities and challenges that state arts agencies (SAAs) face. As part of this work, we make periodic updates to our strategy samplers and policy briefs to account for novel research and new state arts agency programming. Our most recent tranche of updates focuses on the federal-state partnership, public art, cultural districts and artist fellowship grants.
The Federal-State Partnership in the Arts Policy Brief
The federal-state partnership in the arts guarantees that 40% of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) program budget is designated for use by state and jurisdictional arts agencies and regional arts organizations. This partnership encourages responsive allocation of the federal funds by states and regions, which can reach more communities and serve the unique needs of each state. The refreshed Federal-State Partnership in the Arts Policy Brief includes fiscal year 2020 data on NEA and SAA direct grants as well as new maps featuring grant types and grant distribution across rural locations.
The Percent for Art Policy Brief features the funding mechanisms and policy components of successful statewide percent for art programs. Through dedicated allocations of state construction costs (usually 1%), state governments can commission, purchase and maintain public art that benefits all constituents. Although no new percent for art programs have been created on the state level since our last update, this brief includes updated links to legislation and program guidelines across the existing 26 programs, as well as new resources to consider.
State Cultural Districts Policy Brief
The State Cultural Districts Policy Brief provides an overview of the strategic considerations behind cultural district planning, creation and administration. The brief features research on the impact of cultural districts, the role of state leadership in local districts, factors of success, common challenges, and evaluation methods. Our newest update includes program information and links to relevant legislation for the 19 states with statewide certified creative district programs, including the newest program in Nebraska.
Artist Fellowships Strategy Sampler
The 2024 update of the State Arts Agency Artist Fellowships Strategy Sampler includes data on 43 fellowship grant programs across 32 state arts agencies. In fiscal year 2020, fellowship grants accounted for nearly $5 million in awards; the sampler offers a breakdown of grant funding for each state. Additional data is provided on artist eligibility, award frequency, discipline type, application evaluation criteria, grant panel processes and supplemental services for artists. A new chart in the appendix summarizes basic details for fellowship grants across all state arts agencies.
For more information on these topics or any aspect of state arts agencies, contact NASAA Senior Director of Research Ryan Stubbs. You can also reach out to individual members of the NASAA research team via our Ask NASAA webpage.