2026 Initiatives to Empower State Arts Agencies

Happy new year! As we step together into 2026, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the resilience and vision of our state and jurisdictional arts agency (SAA) community. This year marks more than just a turn of the calendar; it represents a pivotal moment for our field to demonstrate how the arts are essential to the health, unity and future of our nation.

At NASAA, we are entering 2026 with a confident, aspirational spirit. We’re honored to continue providing the research, advocacy, peer-to-peer connections and learning that empower you to lead with confidence. As we look ahead, I am looking forward to major milestones that will help to define our year: a deep dive into the intersection of the arts and health this winter, a new round of creative aging awards to state arts agencies, and a historic gathering in our nation’s capital this autumn.

First, the Hearts of Practice convening will take place next month. This specialized event is designed to promote statewide strategies at the vital intersection of the arts and health. We know that the arts are a powerful tool for healing—improving clinical outcomes, supporting mental health and fostering social connection in our communities. Hearts of Practice will bring together leaders to explore how state arts agencies can build sustainable partnerships across the health care sector, share evidence based models and champion the arts as a fundamental component of public well-being. Our Arts and Health Professional Learning Community, already active, will dive deeply into opportunities for systemic and statewide strategies that serve the whole person. This work is led by NASAA Chief Program and Strategy Officer Ryan Stubbs, and we’re grateful to the National Endowment for the Arts for its support of this important effort.

I’m also looking forward to upcoming announcements about new creative aging grants for state arts agencies. In collaboration with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, NASAA is making over $2 million in grants available to SAAs to strengthen meaningful arts learning experiences for older adults in the United States. Through these Creative Aging, Creative Futures grants, SAAs will help older adults advance their wellness, combat isolation and flourish through arts learning. My thanks to NASAA team members Susan Oetgen and Meghan McFerrin for their work on this program.

Looking further into the year, I am thrilled to officially announce that NASAA Assembly 2026 will take place in Washington, D.C., October 8 – 10! There is no better place for us to gather than in our nation’s capital as we celebrate a national milestone: America 250.

As the United States commemorates its semiquincentennial, the Assembly will serve as a premier platform to celebrate the profound impact of state arts agencies on the American story. For decades, SAAs have ensured that the arts reach every corner of this country, from rural townships to urban centers, preserving our diverse heritage while fueling our creative economy. In D.C. this fall, we will gather to connect, learn and amplify our collective voice, serving as a reminder that the arts are the heartbeat of our democracy.

Please stay tuned to NASAA’s website and your inbox for details on Assembly 2026. My thanks go to NASAA Community Learning Director Eric Giles, who’s helming preparations for our gathering. I’m also thankful to our colleagues at the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, especially Executive Director Aaron Myers and Deputy Director David Markey, who are already proving to be dedicated and passionate hosts for the Assembly.

Thanks to each of you for your tireless dedication to your state or jurisdiction. I look forward to working alongside you in the months ahead as we demonstrate that the arts are not just a luxury, but a necessity for a thriving America.