NASAA Postpones October 2009 Leadership Institute

The NASAA board of directors met last week for several days of in-depth discussion about the current economic crisis, its effects on state arts agencies and how NASAA can best assist states. On March 14, the board voted to postpone the 2009 NASAA Leadership Institute, previously scheduled for October 21-24 in Austin, Texas. The next NASAA conference will take place in fall 2010, which will occur within most states' 2011 fiscal year.

The NASAA board weighed an extensive array of factors leading up to this decision. State arts agency leaders highly value their professional community, and annual gatherings play a special role in our network. However, acute travel restrictions and budget constraints will prohibit many people from attending this year. The NASAA board identified additional benefits of postponement, including:

• Investing in services that can benefit the entire state arts agency field — not just those members able to travel to a conference this October. Using the time and resources ordinarily devoted to meeting preparation, NASAA will ramp up other forms of member assistance, including customized research, Web conferencing, advocacy tools and expanded communications with council members and staff peer groups.
• Maximizing the impact of NASAA conferences. A 2010 convening will have a greater impact if it occurs when more members can participate in the in-person exchange of ideas, information and experiences. This will increase the return on members' travel investments.
• Reducing stress on state arts agency budgets. Many states will appreciate the cost-saving effects of this decision, which will help them demonstrate their commitment to resource conservation.

As you can imagine, this was an extraordinarily difficult decision, but today's economic circumstances are unprecedented. By making this decision early in the year, the NASAA board is ensuring the maximum budget flexibility for the field. This proactive approach also will allow NASAA to keep developing creative ways to serve members and to strengthen the state arts agency community in the year ahead. As always, members' feedback and ideas are an essential part of our success, so we encourage you to call the NASAA office with your suggestions.

We know that many members were looking forward to meeting in Austin. Working in collaboration with the Texas Commission on the Arts, we hope to make that happen in 2010 or soon thereafter. The board will also explore the possibility of making the 2010 meeting a full Assembly (involving all staff and council members) to reduce the length of time between opportunities for everyone to gather. The NASAA board's Executive Committee will consider all of our convening options in the context of the continuing economic uncertainties and keep members apprised as plans develop.

While the board's recent action does not affect other convenings of the field in 2009, such as the June Executive Directors' retreat (in Montana) and the fall Professional Development Institute for Arts Education Managers (in North Dakota), it does affect plans for NASAA's next business and board meetings. Our by-laws require annual election of officers, approval of dues, and review of the plan and budget, so we will conduct a virtual convening in the fall during which the full membership will be able to participate via the web. NASAA's board of directors will also meet in Washington, D.C. this autumn to connect with the new leadership of the National Endowment for the Arts. Board meetings are always open to the full membership, so anyone interested in coming to D.C., for that event is welcome.

If you have any questions about NASAA convenings, please contact Kelly Barsdate at kelly@nasaa-arts.org or 202-347-6352 x107 or Laura Smith at laura@nasaa-arts.org, x120.

Sincerely,

NASAA Executive Committee

John Rohman Chair Maine Arts Commission NASAA President	Lucius Ellsworth Chair Virginia Commission for the Arts NASAA 1st Vice President
Suzette Surkamer Executive Director South Carolina Arts Comission NASAA 2nd Vice President	Arlynn Fishbaugh Executive Director Montana Arts Council NASAA Treasurer
Pamela Breaux Secretary Office of Cultural Development Louisiana Dept. of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism NASAA Secretary