As our country continues to adapt to new and evolving realities in response to COVID-19, state arts agencies are demonstrating ingenuity and tenacity as they move along a continuum of responses to benefit the arts field. Initially, state arts agencies (SAAs) reacted to COVID-19 by employing a variety of relief efforts designed to help stabilize…
Our nation continues to reel from deepening outrage over the murders of numerous unarmed black men (and women), most recently George Floyd. Peaceful demonstrations and violent riots bear witness to the devastating impact of long-standing structural and systemic racism, a painful part of the birthright we share as Americans. We all deserve a country that…
For 25 years, the Arts Education Partnership (AEP) has been the national hub for advancing arts education across the country. Established through a unique and abiding partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Education, AEP is hosted by our colleagues at Education Commission of the States. Throughout AEP’s 25-year…
Dear friends, I hope that today finds you and your families healthy and well. As America responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, state arts agencies (SAAs) are responding to its impact across the arts community. With creativity and grit, SAAs are retrofitting grant making and providing special services that are critical to arts stakeholders navigating the…
I was honored to be interviewed for the inaugural issue of American Artscape, the new magazine from the National Endowment for the Arts. The focus of the issue is how state arts agencies, regional arts organizations, NASAA and the Arts Endowment mutually support the nation’s arts and culture ecosystem. I hope you enjoy my article,…
Today, I testified for NASAA to the U.S. House of Representatives Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the budget for the National Endowment for the Arts. I requested fiscal year 2021 funding for the agency of $170 million, and focused on the value of the federal-state partnership to communities across the country. Read NASAA’s…
Happy new year, everyone! As we roll forward into 2020, I’m grounded by my to-do list and the considerable traffic in my e-mail inbox, yet uplifted by so much that lies ahead. I’m confident we’ll advance NASAA’s core mission of strengthening state arts agencies, and we’ll do so in some new and interesting ways. For…
As NASAA continues to prioritize advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) internally and at state arts agencies, I’m pleased to call to your attention our updated list of operational and programmatic DEI activities. As a field, state arts agencies are advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, yet there is still much work to be done. It’s…
My annual message to NASAA members counters a tired old narrative by extolling state arts agencies’ important and vital work in your communities. You are glowing examples of public service at its finest, of relevance to your citizens and of the power of resilience. I am proud to know you!
I announced to members and colleagues last month that NASAA is partnering with ArtPlace America on a new initiative, Strengthening the State Arts Agency Support System for Creative Placemaking. This initiative is designed to empower state arts agency community development staff in their varied roles as facilitators and bridge builders. My column this month offers…
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