Washing hands. Social distancing. Wearing masks. Self-care. Loving and thanking community. Getting vaccinated. These are all parts of public health messaging that evolved over the past 12 months. The Art of Community: Rural SC, a creative community development initiative of the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC), prioritized its efforts in creativity + public health as…
Through the course of 2020, state arts agencies (SAAs) across the nation distributed relief funds and retooled their ongoing grant programs to support cultural organizations and artists during COVID-19. The National Endowment for the Arts Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocation made relief funding possible for all states and jurisdictions, and SAAs…
The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (NHSCA) is committed to uplifting maker spaces as both communal creative spaces and assets for the creative economy. As part of the New Hampshire Makerspace Network, NHSCA facilitates monthly meetings with 14 maker spaces across the state to encourage resource sharing, cooperative marketing, and new partnerships that…
The Guam Council on the Arts & Humanities Agency (CAHA), the state arts agency of the territory of Guam, works to preserve the cultural traditions of Guam and enhance the quality of life for Guam residents through programs and initiatives that celebrate local culture. A good example of this is CAHA’s partnership with the Gef…
Nebraska has a long history of circulating posters encouraging social action. During times of crisis, conflict and change, posters have been an inexpensive and accessible medium for public messaging around topics like rationing, volunteerism and solidarity. Recognizing that 2020 has been a year of challenge and change, the Nebraska Arts Council, in collaboration with History…
At the beginning of this year, Mass Cultural Council began a unique joint venture with Massachusetts Health Connector—the Massachusetts state health insurance marketplace—to promote healthier living through cultural engagement. Aimed at the hundreds of thousands of residents who are enrolled through Massachusetts Health Connector, this program provides free or reduced-price admission to more than 100…
In an exciting new opportunity for small creative businesses across Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) has organized the Creative Business Loan Fund. This Creative Business Loan is the direct result of a unique public-private partnership between the state, Bridgeway Capital and Community First Fund. It makes $2.2 million available to support the…
The Kentucky Arts Council, the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission and the Kentucky Heritage Council worked together to produce Native Reflections, a traveling exhibit of artworks by Native American artists living in Kentucky. This juried show honors and celebrates indigenous cultures and confronts the common misconception that Native American culture is reflective only of past…
South Arts has launched the Emerging Leaders of Color program. Designed to nurture the next generation of diverse cultural leaders in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, this professional development initiative will help promising arts professionals to establish networks, build their skills, support their careers and advocate for the cultural…
The Wyoming Arts Council, the Wyoming State Library and Lifetime Arts have entered into a unique collaboration to advance creative aging. The new initiative will support the design and delivery of programs specifically designed to meet the needs of older adults. In-depth training programs, slated to commence in 2021, will be offered to teaching artists…
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