Incorporating the arts into patient treatments can improve clinical health outcomes. A growing body of evidence shows that the arts provide direct health benefits across a range of health concerns, improving patient outcomes for many medical conditions, ameliorating loneliness and isolation, and strengthening mental health. These benefits can occur throughout all stages of life, from…
Research and development (R&D) labs are common in the fields of technology, medicine, engineering and manufacturing. They help entrepreneurs, scholars, industry experts and investors to explore new product ideas and find ways to bring them to market. What would happen if those same R&D assets were brought to bear on creative innovation and the arts…
State arts agencies have a long-standing practice of publishing information about their grants to show how taxpayers’ dollars are spent. Apart from demonstrating transparency and accountability, such reports offer a useful communications opportunity. State arts agencies can package and present their data in creative ways to help policymakers and the public learn about the scope…
The 250th anniversary of American independence occurs in 2026, offering a unique opportunity to reflect on our nation’s past and chart a course toward the future. State arts agencies across the nation are marking the occasion with America 250 initiatives that celebrate democracy through the arts and culture. This month we share projects from Utah…
At a glance, the goal of public art seems simple: to beautify public spaces. Yet the benefits of public art extend well beyond beautification, including facilitating community cohesion and placemaking, strengthening local economies, and creating opportunities for cross-sector collaborations. State arts agencies play an integral role in the promotion of public art through special initiatives,…
Communities across the nation are planning special America 250 events to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. As part of this national effort, state arts agencies are launching creative initiatives that celebrate American history and democracy through the arts. Here we feature programs from Florida and Ohio. Florida The Florida Department…
Like the rest of the United States, the population of older adults in Indiana is increasing significantly. In the next 10 years, one in five Indiana residents will be age 65 or older, and the fastest growing segment of the population is those age 85 or older. To address the needs of these shifting demographics,…
Widely used for historic preservation and film, state tax credits offer a unique policy mechanism for advancing the creative economy and incentivizing industry investments. Colorado offers a recent example for the arts sector. In June 2025, Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) announced $10 million in Community Revitalization Tax Credits for 10 projects across the state. Each…
The most recent data indicates that the economic value (in inflation-adjusted dollars) added by arts and culture industries has more than doubled over the past 25 years. Moreover, over the past five years, all states experienced increases in the value added from the creative economy. Supporting artists and creatives, who form the bedrock of a…
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Semiquincentennial activities across the country will commemorate that anniversary, celebrating our nation’s cultural heritage and using the arts to tell America’s stories. Governors and state legislatures have established America 250 commissions, and numerous state and jurisdictional arts agencies serve on those planning…
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