Member News and NASAA Resources

New Mission and Name: Pennsylvania Creative Industries

The governing body for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts recently adopted a new strategic framework and mission: Empowering, connecting and amplifying creatives and creative industries and their contributions to Pennsylvania’s communities, economy and workforce. The agency is now operating under the name Pennsylvania Creative Industries. With a focus on five key areas of investment—asset development, workforce development, community development, visibility and policy—the agency’s guiding vision is for Pennsylvania to become the national leader among states for creative communities, talent and industries.

Doug Shipman Takes the Helm of South Arts

Doug Shipman has been appointed president and CEO of South Arts. He takes the reins of the regional arts organization on January 20. Shipman brings a career as a strategy and operations consultant with leadership experience across the private, nonprofit and public sectors. He has guided both startups and established institutions through pivotal transitions, served clients in the U.S. and abroad, and remained actively engaged on nonprofit boards and as an advisor to emerging ventures. In 2021, Shipman was elected Atlanta’s City Council president, where his collaborative leadership advanced priorities in transportation, economic development, ethics and budgeting. Prior to that, he spent three years as CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center, the nation’s third-largest arts center, leading a workforce of more than 1,000 employees and securing approximately $10 million in annual capital and fundraising support. Shipman succeeds Susie Surkamer, who retired in June 2025. Gretchen McLennon has been serving as interim president and CEO.

We Did It—Together!

With the help of so many generous supporters, we met and went beyond our $25,000 match—raising more than $50,000. A great big thank-you to everyone who stepped up and gave to NASAA’s Moving Forward Together matching gift campaign. Year after year, you show up for this work, and we’re honored—and full of gratitude—to have your support again and again.

Thank you as well to everyone who donated to NASAA over the past year. Your generosity shows what’s possible when our community comes together. With you by our side, we feel empowered, invigorated and ready to take on what’s next—and we wouldn’t want to do this work any other way. Thank you for helping carry the arts forward. Onward!