New Hampshire: Arts in Health
The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (NHSCA) strives to support individuals and families whose lives are impacted by chronic disease, disability, behavioral health challenges, substance misuse, aging, dementia and incarceration. The Arts in Health Program by NHSCA creates opportunities for the arts to facilitate healing, promote awareness of public health and build healthy […]
Wisconsin: Arts Challenge Initiative
The Wisconsin Arts Board (WAB) is dedicated to supporting to the multitude of diverse communities that make up its constituency. To fulfill WAB’s legislative directive to ensure that at least 5% of annual funding is awarded to minority group members and arts groups, WAB offers the Arts Challenge Initiative Capacity Building Program (ACI). The ACI […]
Massachusetts: New Plan
Mass Cultural Council has just published its first-ever Racial Equity Plan, which outlines the goals and actions needed to create a more racially equitable cultural sector in Massachusetts. The plan builds on Mass Cultural Council’s previous 2017 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan and aligns with the governor’s Executive Order 592, which commits state agencies to […]
California and Colorado: Artist Workforce Initiatives
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant income losses for independent artists and creative workers, especially those reliant on gigs and contractual jobs. This trend is concerning not only because of the hardship it caused for these workers and their families, but also because the creative economy relies on the robust production and engagement of artists across […]
Florida: African American Cultural and Historical Grant
In partnership with the Division of Historical Resources, the Florida Division of Arts and Culture has launched the African-American Cultural and Historical Grants program. Legislatively created by Senate Bill 2500, the program has up to $30 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds available for capital project grants. The grants will support projects that construct […]
Michigan and Ohio: Reconnecting Arts and Communities
The isolating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have underscored the importance of the arts as a vehicle for restoring human connections, building social capital and helping communities heal after difficult experiences. State arts agencies are encouraging this kind of public engagement by supporting projects that embed the arts in civic practice to contribute to the […]
Maryland: New Funding Model for General Operating Support
The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) has adopted a new funding model for its Grants for Organizations program that will prioritize funding for smaller arts and culture organizations. The new model was developed after MSAC held public listening sessions, gathered input through a public editor process and researched best practices currently employed by other agencies. […]
Massachusetts: Recovery Recommendations
In January 2021, the state of Massachusetts enacted legislation establishing the Massachusetts COVID-19 Cultural Impact Commission—a special legislative commission charged with developing strategies for the recovery, growth and vitality of the creative sector in the commonwealth. Cochaired by state Sen. Ed Kennedy and state Rep. Carole Fiola, the commission included representation from the Mass Cultural […]
Kansas: Organizational Mentorship for the Arts
State and federal arts funding often is restricted to organizations holding 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service. Many arts groups worthy of public support, however, exist outside of the formal 501(c)(3) business model. The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (KCAIC) has developed an innovative way to assist such organizations by creating purposeful partnerships between […]
Florida: Grant-making Task Force
Many state arts agencies across the nation are assessing their grant programs and practices to identify ways to improve access to arts resources. The work undertaken by the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs (DCA) in this area is a recent example. In January 2020, DCA appointed a Grant-making Task Force to help review and improve […]