South Carolina, Michigan: Capacity Building through Cohort Learning
One way state arts agencies can foster the capacity of arts leaders and arts organizations is by harnessing the power of cohort learning. This approach—based on the active and interactive dynamics of group learning—fosters community, creativity and leadership skills as a pedagogical strategy. In this way, cohort learning facilitates ongoing supportive relationships that both reinforce […]
Maine: Dynamic Apprenticeship Programs
Many state arts agencies support cultural traditions and the artists who propagate them through an apprenticeship program. Such programs, as the Maine Arts Commission (MAC) demonstrates, can be adapted effectively to better respond to a state’s changing demographics and growing creative economy. For example, the new Craft Apprenticeship Program, which MAC manages in partnership with […]
Alabama, Delaware, Montana, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island: Arts Shine at Governors’ Inaugurations
Governors’ inaugurations are not only celebrations of the democratic process and affirmations of policy visions, but also opportunities for states to showcase their greatest assets, such as prominent artists and cultural traditions. State arts agencies are poised to contribute to inauguration ceremonies and festivities in ways that harness the arts in honor of public service, […]
Rhode Island: GiveMe5
An interagency collaboration in the Ocean State supports a multifaceted approach to media arts education that foregrounds experiential learning, public presentation and dialogue with creative industry professionals. GiveMe5, sponsored by the Rhode Island Film and Television Office in conjunction with the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA), is open to students in grades […]
Ohio: ArtsNEXT
ArtsNEXT is a forward-thinking funding program of the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) designed to incentivize innovation and experimentation in Ohio’s arts ecosystem. With grants of $5,000-$20,000, the program funds projects that pilot new solutions to challenging problems, engage the public in new ways or otherwise push boundaries that make Ohio an exciting, cutting-edge place to […]
Mississippi: Dille Fund for Visual Art Acquisition
The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC), through its Dille Fund for Visual Art Acquisition, encourages the growth of publically accessible art collections to better enable Mississippians from across the state to engage with and enjoy the visual arts. Based on a 1993 bequest from a constituent honoring the memory of his parents, the Dille Fund underwrites […]
Washington: Center for Washington Cultural Traditions
The Center for Washington Cultural Traditions (CWCT) is a new collaborative effort of the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) and its state humanities council counterpart, Humanities Washington. Its mission is to study and support the state’s folk and traditional arts and culture. Housed within Humanities Washington and supported with state funding via ArtsWA, CWCT is […]
Missouri: Underserved Arts Grants
An effective way state arts agencies can help increase diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the arts is by funding arts and culture groups that are run by or that have a mission to serve underrepresented populations. The Missouri Arts Council (MAC), for example, designed its Minority Arts Grants program in effort to strengthen its […]
North Dakota: Governor’s Photo Contest
The North Dakota Governor’s Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism is an annual event that recognizes the creative talent of North Dakotans as well as the natural beauty, abundant wildlife, unique places and vibrant communities of the Peace Garden State. The contest, which is open only to photographers who live in North Dakota, is a […]
Indiana: On-Ramp
The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) recently announced the inaugural cohort of 36 artists for its creative-entrepreneurship accelerator program. On-Ramp is designed to help early career artists ramp up their entrepreneurial journey, move faster toward their business goals and navigate professional challenges on the way. Through a three-day intensive training course, participating artists learn business skills […]