On behalf of NASAA and your hosts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, thank you for your participation in Assembly 2010! Conference proceedings and other follow-up resources will be posted to our site shortly.

Peer Groups

• Peer Groups Meeting at Assembly 2010
• Meeting Times
• Agendas
• Travel Funds
• If You Belong to More Than One Peer Group
• For More Information

In addition to a wide array of topical sessions, Assembly 2010 will feature a full complement of peer group gatherings. These meetings give state arts agency staff and council members the chance to network and exchange ideas with people from around the nation who share similar responsibilities and interests. Bring a full team of staff and council members to take advantage of these sessions.

Peer Groups Meeting at Assembly 2010

Below is the list of groups that have notified NASAA that they plan to gather this fall. For information about each session—or to contribute your ideas to the agenda—contact the group coordinators.

Other peer groups are welcome to meet depending on the Assembly agenda, the presence of volunteer coordinators and space availability. If your group would like to gather but is not listed above, contact Kelly Barsdate for more information.

Meeting Times

During Assembly 2010, peer groups will gather on Thursday, October 14, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and again on Saturday, October 16, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. (breakfast included). Optional meeting times are also available on Saturday afternoon from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Four groups are also planning preconference sessions:

Accessibility: This group will meet on Wednesday, October 13, from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, October 14, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. These are the only times this group will assemble, to allow members to participate in additional peer group sessions during the main conference.

Arts Education: This group will begin with a new managers orientation starting on Tuesday morning, October 12. The full group will convene on Tuesday, October 12, at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 13, and the morning of Thursday, October 14, in addition to the Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning time slots noted above. For more information, contact Carmen Boston.

Folk / Traditional Arts: This group will convene on Tuesday afternoon, October 12, from 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, October 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The group also plans to meet during the Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning time slots noted above. For more information, contact Willie Smyth or Robert Baron.

Grants / Fiscal Officers: This group will meet for a National Standard Training Workshop on Thursday morning, October 14, from 9:00 a.m. until noon. This special session will discuss upcoming revisions to the National Standard. Grants and fiscal officers also plan to meet during the Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning time slots noted above. For additional information or to RSVP for the training, contact Kelly Barsdate.

View the Assembly 2010 agenda for more details on other sessions and activities.

Agendas

Peer groups are all volunteer. This means that they decide whether or not to gather, organize their own agendas and lead their own sessions.

Each group will develop its unique agenda over the summer. NASAA urges peer session organizers to consult with their colleagues around the country for input. If you have agenda questions or would like to lend a hand, please contact your group coordinator(s).

Travel Funds

While NASAA cannot provide travel funds for the conference, the National Endowment for the Arts does support travel and professional development programs for a variety of groups. Those funds vary from year to year. When funds are available, NASAA manages them through cooperative agreements with the NEA.

For Assembly 2010, the following groups will receive travel assistance: Arts Education, Folk / Traditional Arts and Grants / Fiscal Officers. For more information on eligibility and procedures for travel stipends, contact your peer group coordinator listed above or NASAA Chief Financial Officer Dennis Dewey.

If You Belong to More Than One Peer Group

As state arts agency roles diversify, many staffers are wearing multiple hats. Agencies should plan to bring as large a team as possible to cover the maximum number of sessions. You may also elect to split your time among different sessions.

Assembly sessions including peer group sessions are open to all conference participants as well as to occasional outside observers. Please help us to maintain this spirit of welcome inclusion.

For More Information

Visit NASAA's Peer Groups page to catch up on prior peer session discussions, download group rosters and read a helpful FAQ about peer groups. If you have additional questions, contact NASAA Learning Services Manager Eric Giles.

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