Utah’s Victoria Bourns to Retire in July Utah Division of Arts & Museums Director Victoria Panella Bourns will retire on July 16. Since she became the director of the agency in 2017, Bourns led the division as it navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing timely distribution of American Rescue Plan Act and Coronavirus Aid, Relief and…
Showing up for State Arts Agencies In a complex and evolving policy environment, state arts agencies are navigating new questions, pressures and opportunities. NASAA is there every step of the way. We are representing state arts agencies on Capitol Hill—including recent testimony highlighting their impact—and providing timely guidance, research and messaging to support your work…
Jennie Knoebel Advances to Director in Iowa Jennie Knoebel has accepted the position of director of the Iowa Arts Council for the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Serving as interim director since the departure of David Schmitz last year, Knoebel brings to the position more than two decades of leadership experience in arts administration, nonprofit management…
Sue Struve to Retire from NASAA After more than 17 years with NASAA, Senior Communications Manager Sue Struve will retire this spring. Sue has overseen NASAA communications to members and the field, including email communications and NASAA’s websites. Since her arrival in 2008, she has served as editor of the NASAA Notes newsletter, developed NASAA’s…
New Mission and Name: Pennsylvania Creative Industries The governing body for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts recently adopted a new strategic framework and mission: Empowering, connecting and amplifying creatives and creative industries and their contributions to Pennsylvania’s communities, economy and workforce. The agency is now operating under the name Pennsylvania Creative Industries. With a…
NASAA Welcomes 2026 Board Members NASAA is pleased to announce the election of a new chair and nine members to its board of directors. As part of a rigorous national nomination process, state arts agencies elected these exemplary leaders at NASAA’s 2025 business meeting. South Carolina Arts Commission Executive Director David T. Platts was elected…
Creative Aging, Creative Futures Grants for State Arts Agencies The Creative Aging, Creative Futures grant application period is now open. This grant opportunity—a collaboration with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy—provides up to $2,290,000 in direct funding for state arts agencies to expand the availability of creative aging programs for older adults in their states. All state and jurisdictional…
Leadership Change in Arkansas Arkansas Arts Council Director Patrick Ralston retired in July. Ralston helped the Arkansas Arts Council (AAC) significantly increase its outreach, engagement, performance and services to make more arts are available to more Arkansans statewide. During his tenure, from 2017 to 2025, AAC bolstered support to individual artists and built collaborations between…
Curious about State Arts Agencies? If you are new to the state arts agency field, NASAA is happy to fill you in. Check out About State Arts Agencies to learn about the many services state and jurisdictional arts agencies (SAAs) provide to their communities. By supporting artists and arts organizations, SAA grants and programs catalyze…
Melissa Santana Appointed ED in Puerto Rico Melissa Santana Frasqueri was appointed executive director of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture in March. Santana was most recently executive director of the Musical Arts Corporation and its subsidiaries, where she led institutional restructuring, secured more than $1.9 million in revenue, increased audience engagement by more than…
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