A growing body of research demonstrates that the benefits of arts participation as we age are substantial. Research shows, for example, that older adults who engage in the arts experience improved health outcomes, strengthened social bonds and enhanced emotional well-being. State arts agencies contribute to these benefits through facilitating creative aging programming, which supports a…
In 2024, the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) launched a new pilot program, Arts, Health and Well-Being in Alaska. Recognizing the beneficial relationship between the arts and improving community health outcomes, the program will award as many grants as possible to back community based creative projects that integrate the arts to enhance health…
In 2023, the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) began to reevaluate its grant-making program, policies and procedures. As part of this process, IAC partnered with NASAA to conduct a qualitative and quantitative assessment of IAC’s grant making to identify funding gaps and recommend strategies that IAC can pursue to reduce barriers to arts support. These findings,…
The state of Oklahoma is positioning itself to address significant demographic shifts. The number of Oklahomans aged 65 and older grew by more than 43% between 2000 and 2020, necessitating new strategies for coordinating support systems and facilitating healthy aging for older adults. To help the state respond to these emerging needs, the Oklahoma Arts…
The Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) and the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) have entered into a partnership to help the state honor the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The VA250 Commission was established by the Virginia General Assembly to commemorate Virginia’s role in the story of American independence and to lead…
State arts agencies are increasingly cultivating partnerships with their state departments of natural resources. These cross-sector collaborations can promote public access to the arts and employment opportunities for artists while also boosting public enjoyment of park lands. Arts in the parks programs strengthen the connections between natural and cultural resources, encouraging both healthier living and…
State arts agencies (SAAs) nationwide recognize the importance of fair and transparent allocation of funds to support diverse communities and cultural organizations. In a noteworthy development, the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) recently introduced several new grant making policy changes aimed at streamlining and transforming its funding process to make funds more accessible. With…
In 2023, the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) initiated an assessment of its grant making strategies. As a first step, the agency sought community input through an extensive statewide listening tour. IAC staff and council members conducted 34 town hall meetings in over 20 counties. The meetings were attended by more than 200 cultural organizations as…
Recognizing the importance of creative expression by artists of all abilities as essential to community life, the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) offers the Artists with Disabilities Access Grant Program (ADAP). The program is designed to remove obstacles that may hinder artists with disabilities from fully participating in and contributing to Ohio’s diverse arts scene. The…
As stewards of public funding, state arts agencies continually seek ways to measure and evaluate their grant making. This data-driven self-reflection is essential for better management of funds and improved outcomes, and fills gaps in current programming. As part of its long-term strategy to make its impact more equitable, the California Arts Council (CAC) has…
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