South Arts: Launchpad
South Arts has kicked off a pilot program to help expand opportunities for performing arts presenters and grow the performing arts field in its nine member states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Through its Launchpad initiative, the regional arts organization is providing mentorships and other professional development services to […]
Indiana and Delaware: Art in State Parks
There are fertile connections between culture and nature, which interagency partnerships in two states are cultivating to inspire both artists and visitors to state parks. Endorsed by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission, Arts in the Parks is a joint effort of the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to celebrate shared […]
Alaska: Professional Development for Alaska Native Artists
Alaska, unique in many ways, not only has the largest proportion of Native Americans in the country—with 14.8% of residents identifying as Alaska Native—but also is the largest state by land area and one of the least populated. In an effort to help Alaska Native artists thrive in the face of geographical and other challenges, […]
Montana: New GOS Guidelines Encourage Accessibility and Outreach to Legislators
By revising the guidelines of its general operating support program, the Montana Arts Council (MAC) is leveraging the value of its grant making to foster legislative support for the arts in Montana and to maximize the accessibility of creative activities and experiences for all Montanans. For the FY2016-2019 cycle of its Public Value Partnerships (PVP) […]
Connecticut: Good to Great Program
Thanks to state legislation enacted in May 2014 authorizing a $10 million bond issue, the Connecticut Office of Arts and Historic Preservation has launched a new pilot grant program offering project support and capital investments to organizations with limited history of state funding. The overarching goal of the Good to Great program is to link […]
Missouri: Ghost Light Project
In honor of its 50th anniversary, the Missouri Arts Council (MAC) this summer launched a new effort to fund and facilitate accessible and affordable arts performances in communities in need of cultural support. The Ghost Light Project aims to bring the arts to the 20 (out of 163) state legislative districts that currently do not […]
Florida: Awards Program
The Florida Division of Cultural Affairs (DCA) has launched a new program to encourage the state’s arts and cultural programming to be as inclusive and diverse as possible. Through its Diversity & Inclusion Awards Program, DCA will honor the individuals, nonprofit organizations and public agencies making great strides to this end by awarding them a […]
Arizona: Creative Aging Initiative
According to the U.S. Census, the number of older adults is rapidly growing in the United States. In Arizona, the estimate is that by 2020 more than 25% of the populace will be over age 60. In response to this forecast—and to the demonstrated benefits of arts and cultural activities among older populations—the Arizona Commission […]
Rhode Island: Assets for Artists Workshops for Rural Artists
With financial support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the New England Foundation for the Arts, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) was able to enroll all 10 core participants of its 2015-16 Assets for Artists program from rural communities in Rhode Island. Halfway through the two-year program, the core artists […]
New Mexico: Colleges, Universities and Government Entities Grants
New Mexico is one of the geographically largest states in the country, and one-third of its population lives in a rural area. To meet the needs of the many people who live far from the state’s cities and cultural centers, New Mexico Arts (NMA) offers funding to colleges and universities, local and county government agencies, […]