Member News and NASAA Resources

Jennie Knoebel Advances to Director in Iowa

Jennie Knoebel has accepted the position of director of the Iowa Arts Council for the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Serving as interim director since the departure of David Schmitz last year, Knoebel brings to the position more than two decades of leadership experience in arts administration, nonprofit management and arts education. Since she joined the Iowa Arts Council in 2016, Knoebel has led state and federally funded grant programs supporting arts and cultural nonprofits, arts learning, and capital infrastructure statewide, while building cross-sector partnerships to expand access to arts learning in schools and communities across Iowa. Prior to joining the Arts Council, Knoebel served as executive director of Austin Area Arts in Minnesota. She holds a master’s degree in arts administration from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, and has dedicated her career to arts leadership and supporting creative communities.

Washington’s Karen Hanan Retiring in June

Karen Hanan, executive director of the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), will retire from state service on June 30. Under her stewardship, ArtsWA experienced an era of growth and modernization. Since beginning her tenure in 2014, she successfully advocated for increased state investment in the arts, resulting in an expansion of the agency’s programming, services and staff. Under Hanan’s leadership, the agency moved toward more equitable funding models in Grants to Organizations and fortified its Arts in Education programs, expanded its stewardship of the State Art Collection and launched the Wellness, Arts and the Military program to support the wellness and reintegration of military-connected populations. In partnership with Humanities Washington, the agency expanded the state poet laureate program. In addition, the agency built the Tribal Cultural Affairs program—the first of its kind in the nation—and revitalized WACultures, the state’s folk and traditional arts program, as well as establishing creative districts as economic drivers in the state. The search for a new executive director will be led by the ArtsWA board of commissioners in collaboration with key staff and stakeholders.

David Platts of South Carolina to Retire in August

After 33 years serving as a teacher, school administrator and arts administrator, South Carolina Arts Commission Executive Director David Platts will retire from public service effective August 2026. Since joining the Arts Commission in 2019, Platts expanded its annual budget from $7 million to $17 million, significantly increasing its capacity to serve the state’s creative sector. During this period, the agency launched new initiatives including Creative Careers Studio, Creative Conversations and South Carolina Arts Hubs. In addition, several new grant programs were established, including Emerging Artists, School Arts Support, Summer Arts Education Projects, Art of Community: Rural SC and Barrier-Free Arts SC. After the COVID-19 pandemic struck the nation eight months after Platts assumed leadership of the Arts Commission, the agency swiftly established emergency grant programs to support artists and arts organizations and served as a conduit between the arts community and additional emergency relief resources. Platts has served on NASAA’s board and was elected chair in 2025. South Carolina Arts Commission Senior Deputy Director Ashley Brown will serve as interim executive director until a successor is chosen.

Creative Aging, Creative Futures Grants Awarded to 28 State Arts Agencies

Photo courtesy of E.A. Michelson Philanthropy

In collaboration with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, NASAA is proud to announce the award of $2,230,000 in creative aging grant funding to 28 state arts agencies. Part of NASAA’s new Creative Aging, Creative Futures initiative, these grants will help state and jurisdictional arts agencies promote creativity, learning, well-being and social engagement for older adults. This phase of NASAA’s ongoing partnership with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy builds upon the remarkable success of previous initiatives: Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging and States Leading Creative Aging. These vital investments have strengthened creative aging issue leadership for state arts agencies, significantly expanded arts opportunities for older adults, further integrated the arts into state aging services and enhanced expertise in creative aging program delivery.

For information about the states receiving awards and activities taking place in each state, see NASAA’s summary of Creative Aging, Creative Futures grant awards. For more information about NASAA’s Creative Aging, Creative Futures initiative, contact NASAA Arts Learning Projects Director Meghan McFerrin at meghanm@nasaa-arts.org.

Request for Proposals: Creative Aging Grant and Professional Learning Outcomes Assessment

NASAA is seeking a consultant to assess, synthesize and report the learning outcomes of Creative Aging, Creative Futures, an initiative in collaboration with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy. Details about the initiative, consultant responsibilities and proposal requirements can be found here:

RFP: Creative Aging Grant and Professional Learning Outcomes Assessment

The deadline for proposals is March 16, 2026. Please direct any questions to Meghan McFerrin at meghanm@nasaa-arts.org.

Join NASAA’s Creative Aging Professional Learning Community for SAA and RAO Staff

In collaboration with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, NASAA is launching the Creative Aging Professional Learning Community for state and jurisdictional arts agency (SAA) and regional arts organization (RAO) staff. This initiative welcomes participation from states and regions on a voluntary basis. Whether you are interested in exploring creative aging approaches, have well-established programs or are still determining how this work fits within your agency, this learning community offers opportunities to learn, share and connect.

If you would like to participate in the Creative Aging Professional Learning Community, receive emails and attend online sessions, please complete this brief sign-up form.

Advocacy in Action

NASAA’s advocacy work is always in motion: building relationships, tracking policy, preparing data, answering urgent questions and giving state arts agencies the timely guidance they need before legislative hearings.

Some of this work is visible. Much of it happens quietly, behind the scenes. All of it is funded entirely by individual contributions.

Because NASAA doesn’t use government dollars or member dues for advocacy, your support is essential to sustaining this work. Please give today to help NASAA champion state arts agencies and strengthen public investment in the arts across the country. Thank you!