State arts agencies have a long-standing practice of publishing information about their grants to show how taxpayers’ dollars are spent. Apart from demonstrating transparency and accountability, such reports offer a useful communications opportunity. State arts agencies can package and present their data in creative ways to help policymakers and the public learn about the scope…
The 250th anniversary of American independence occurs in 2026, offering a unique opportunity to reflect on our nation’s past and chart a course toward the future. State arts agencies across the nation are marking the occasion with America 250 initiatives that celebrate democracy through the arts and culture. This month we share projects from Utah…
At a glance, the goal of public art seems simple: to beautify public spaces. Yet the benefits of public art extend well beyond beautification, including facilitating community cohesion and placemaking, strengthening local economies, and creating opportunities for cross-sector collaborations. State arts agencies play an integral role in the promotion of public art through special initiatives,…
Like the rest of the United States, the population of older adults in Indiana is increasing significantly. In the next 10 years, one in five Indiana residents will be age 65 or older, and the fastest growing segment of the population is those age 85 or older. To address the needs of these shifting demographics,…
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…
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