Announcements and Resources

News and Current Information

Robert C. Booker, ED of the AZ Commission on the Arts, Virginia Cardenas, chair of the AZ Commission on the Arts Board, and Governor Janet Napolitano.

Arizona Governor Receives National Arts Leadership Award

Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors presented Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano with the 2007 National Award for State Arts Leadership at the 75th Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors' on Sunday, June 24, in Los Angeles. The award honors an elected official who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts on the state level. Read more.

New Executive Director for NYSCA

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has tapped Heather Hitchens, executive director of Meet the Composer, to head the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), effective August 1, 2007. Read more.

Dana Gioia Delivers Commencement Address at Stanford

"The purpose of arts education is not to produce more artists, though that is a byproduct. The real purpose of arts education is to create complete human beings capable of leading successful and productive lives in a free society." Read the full text of Chairman Gioia's prepared remarks.

Fort Worden Cistern Renamed the Dan Harpole Cistern

On June 14, 2007, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission renamed the Fort Worden cistern the "Dan Harpole Cistern" in honor of Harpole's life and work in the arts. Read more.

Cultural Data Project Launches in Maryland

The initiative--started in Pennsylvania in 2004 as a statewide collaborative project of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, The Heinz Endowments, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Pittsburgh Foundation and William Penn Foundation--will streamline the grant application process while giving cultural organizations access to financial reporting tools. In addition, the project will provide policymakers and advocates with a source of consistent, reliable information on Maryland's cultural sector. Read more.

New Website Supports Musicians, Music Educators

The Herb Alpert Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of a new website to support musicians, music educators, and all others interested in building a career in the music business. Read more.