Every summer, NASAA’s planning and nominating committees ask members what NASAA services they value the most. One of the most common responses is, “NASAA convenings.” I agree! Sure, technology helps us stay in touch with each other and NASAA. But just as there’s no substitute for a real-time arts experience, there’s no substitute for participating…
Awareness is growing that participation in the arts enhances the quality of life and the economy in rural American communities. The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices published the issue brief Strengthening Rural Economies through the Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and research assistance from NASAA. This publication…
As election politics intensify and voting time draws near, it is important that those who value broad and deep participation in the arts engage actively in the process of airing issues and selecting public officials. The same rights and restrictions that apply to advocacy by government employees, appointed volunteers and those affiliated with not-for-profit arts…
On May 15, the final round of Poetry Out Loud recitations took place at Sidney Harman Hall in Washington, D.C. From a field of 53 state champions, 9 finalists and 3 top champions delivered riveting recitations that demonstrated the power of both poetry and partnership. Poetry Out Loud has become a model of what can…
In this issue of NASAA Notes, we celebrate the publication of the special report, New Engines of Growth: Five Roles for Arts, Culture and Design. It explores how this creative sector of industries, organizations, workers and skills can boost state economies because they provide a fast-growth, dynamic industry cluster; help mature industries become more competitive;…
In the course of a year, I represent the NASAA membership in many different gatherings, some to shape policy; some to gain knowledge; some to share ideas, provide information and build networks; and some to celebrate. I always have two purposes: to remind various audiences that state arts agencies are an essential infrastructure in the…
As readers of Notes may know, NASAA manages a cooperative agreement funded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to provide state arts agency arts education managers with professional development activities. This tremendously productive and long-term partnership has contributed greatly to the knowledge, skills and effectiveness of what has become a mutually supportive network…
NASAA’s new president recognizes the challenges that state arts agency leaders continue to face; reminds us of the plentiful support, resources and community offered by NASAA; and shares tips for building relationships with state legislators to generate meaningful dialogue about the public value of the arts. . . . Guest Author: NASAA President and Montana…
At this time of reflection, I thought it might be useful to revisit a column I wrote about three years ago, as the latest economic downturn was gaining momentum and it was becoming clear that recessionary sales and production, the mortgage crisis and depressed property values, and high unemployment would be multiyear problems with major…
Tom Birch has announced plans to end his long and successful tenure as legislative counsel to NASAA. It’s a good time to celebrate Tom’s leadership and his contribution to public support for the arts, reflect on what NASAA has accomplished in conveying the value of state arts agency (SAA) work to decision makers, and consider…
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