As an advisor and communications partner, NASAA is supporting a multiphase research project to further understand arts service organizations (ASOs) nationwide. This ambitious project, led by ADC Consulting, has already produced useful tools, data and findings. The Phase I Report provides needed clarity regarding ASO definitions, typologies and purposes.

Now, the next phase of this research is intended to expand the field’s understanding of ASO finances, services, opportunities and challenges. The resulting data could help inform future state arts agency business processes and strategies.

NASAA encourages state and jurisdictional arts agencies to share this survey with your constituent lists so the data we all receive in return will serve our collective interests to the greatest extent possible.

With a strong statewide survey response, a state arts agency could:

• discern service areas and geographic reach of arts service organizations with greater precision;

• map the capacity of arts advocacy networks and strategize how to support these networks;

• design programs to support the professional development of arts leaders with their greatest needs in mind.

You can share the survey to your constituents via your existing communications. This survey is intended for nongovernmental ASOs; state and jurisdictional arts agencies do not need to complete it. ADC Consulting is offering support for organizations taking the survey, including survey-taking parties with live, online technical assistance. NASAA is cohosting one of these survey-taking parties on Wednesday, September 16, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern.

We appreciate your consideration of this request and believe this effort can help strengthen state arts agencies.