The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) surveys state arts agencies twice yearly for updated appropriations and budget information. This report includes 2012 appropriations, other state arts agency revenue sources, trends over time, and per capita funding information. Non-NASAA members may purchase the full report.
State Arts Agencies
Why Should Government Support the Arts?
Designed for public arts leaders and advocates, Why Should Government Support the Arts? provides answers to these questions and describes why the arts are an essential public investment. This document invites conversation and reflection about the value of the arts to American communities. It also provides resource material and research citations that any state can use to support its case for the arts.
Here are answers to some of the tough questions asked in hard economic times about government funding:
- Why should government support the arts?
- Are the arts a worthwhile investment during hard economic times?
- Why can’t the private sector pick up the costs?
- Why are state arts agencies important?
Engaging the Now: Arguments, Research, and New Environments for the Arts
Following the staggered release of symposium sessions throughout 2010, WESTAF is pleased to release the final, complete proceedings of its symposium titled Engaging the Now: Arguments, Research, and New Environments for the Arts. The symposium convened in Aspen, Colorado in October, 2009. The proceedings feature a keynote presentation by Doug McLennan of ArtsJournal.com, a discussion about the efficacy of state film incentives, a dialogue about the state of arts education research and advocacy, a consideration of new economic arguments for the arts, a review of trends in youth engagement in creativity and the arts, a forum on rethinking the structure and scope of state arts agencies, and a discussion about cultural policy trends in Europe. In addition to McLennan, a wide range of speakers participated in the symposium discussion — from economists and economic development professionals to cultural policy leaders and academics.
ON DEMAND WEBINAR: 2010 Post-Election Analysis on the Arts
2010 Post-Election Analysis on the Arts
Originally recorded on November 18, 2010 (60 minutes)
The Government Affairs staff of Americans for the Arts will provide a comprehensive analysis of federal, state and local election results and ballot initiatives, and what impact those results will have on the future of the arts and arts education.
Presenters: Bob Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts; Nina Ozlu Tunceli, Chief Counsel for Government and Public Affairs; Narric Rome, Director of Federal Affairs; Gladstone Payton, Associate Director of Federal Affairs; Jay Dick, Director of State and Local Government Affairs; and special guest speakers.
Available free to both Americans for the Arts members and non-members.
ON DEMAND WEBINAR: The Local Arts Movement: History and Current Profiles
The Local Arts Movement: History and Current Profiles
Originally recorded on May 20, 2009 (90 minutes)
New to the field of local arts agencies? This session will give you the background you’ll need to be able to understand your work and explain it to others. You’ll learn the history of the local arts agency movement and gain a thorough understanding of local arts agencies with current statistics from Americans for the Arts’ extensive research.
Available free to Americans for the Arts members only. Not available to non-members.
State Arts Agency Funding and Grantmaking 2010
Updated each year, this overview of state arts agency (SAA) funding and grant-making activities provides funding trends over time, summary grant statistics, and select state-by-state information. It is a succinct introduction to state arts agencies. The 2010 publication also contains details on arts funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
