The Tennessee Arts Commission has launched a new agency brand reflecting what it learned from constituents through its most recent strategic planning process. While developing its 2015 – 2019 plan, Cultivating the Arts in Tennessee, the Commission heard from artists, arts organizations and other stakeholders that it is paramount both to demonstrate the public value…
Through a new series of Arts and Inclusion (A&I) Conversations, the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) is working with another state agency, the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, to increase participation and inclusion in the arts for all Tennesseans. The conversations, coordinated and facilitated by the Council on Developmental Disabilities, bring together representatives of local disability…
Demonstrating their strong conviction that one of their primary responsibilities is to advocate for the Montana Arts Council (MAC), MAC’s 15 council members have developed a marketing plan to formalize their contribution to spreading the word about the public value of the agency and the arts. The plan, which complements MAC’s 2014–2018 Operating Framework, enumerates…
Creative Economy 2014 State Legislation Roundup State policymakers are increasingly eager to harness the power of the creative economy for the benefit of their citizens. Cultural districts, in particular, are a popular policy measure with state lawmakers as they foster both commerce and quality of life in home districts. In addition, cultural districts are primed…
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) has a new dedicated revenue stream, thanks to the legislative work of D.C.’s city council and mayor. A law enacted in August (see Subtitle X on page 102) directs a portion of the city’s annual sales-tax revenue to DCCAH. In addition to the commission’s base budget…
Education policy is a complex tapestry in America, consisting of a dynamic mixture of federal, state and local resources and regulations. Within this multilayered system, many important decisions affecting the quality and availability of arts education are made at the state level. This year, a number of state legislatures introduced bills affecting arts education. Some…
The Nebraska Department of Education is developing a new set of standards for arts education in Nebraska schools, thanks to a special grant from the Nebraska Arts Council. The $46,100 award will support discipline-specific writing teams to develop formal student learning standards for dance, media arts, music, theater and visual arts. State chapters of the professional arts…
The Pennsylvania legislature is in the process of forming a bipartisan, bicameral arts and culture caucus in the state’s general assembly. Initiated by leaders from both the Democratic and Republican parties, the caucus plans to play a variety of roles: Support the drafting and passage of legislation advancing the arts and culture. Provide research and…
The North Carolina Arts Council (NCA) is promoting multiple resources relating to its SmART Initiative, an arts-driven economic development plan for North Carolina cities and towns. New offerings include: Funding through a new pilot grant program designed to support the development of local cultural and economic development plans on a substantial scale. Grant amounts will…
The North Carolina Arts Council (NCAC) is spearheading a collaborative initiative for arts-driven economic development: SmART Cities/SmART Towns. SmART Cities/SmART Towns is about using the arts, design and culture to strengthen the economies of North Carolina’s communities. A task force comprised of business, civic, government and arts leaders recently released a draft framework for the…