Massachusetts: STARS Residencies
For many state arts agencies, underwriting artist residencies in K-12 schools has long been an effective way to support statewide arts education. The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) builds on that model through its STARS Residencies program (Students and Teachers Working with ARtists, Scientists, and Scholars). Awarding grants of $500 – $5,000, the program enables schools—public, […]
West Virginia: Full STEAM Ahead Grants
Innovative ideas may come easily to artists, educators and arts organizations, but funding opportunities to realize them can be more elusive. In West Virginia, this dilemma spawned a unique collaboration to create the Full STEAM Ahead grant program. Through it, the West Virginia Commission on the Arts (WVCA), the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and the […]
New York: Workforce Investment Grants
In October, the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) will announce the first group of grantees of a new program helping nonprofit arts organizations create new or expand existing staff positions. The Workforce Investment Program (see page 31) awards two-year grants totaling $12,500 – $49,500 ($6,250 – $24,750/year) to arts groups with annual […]
Minnesota: Partners in Arts Participation Grants
Partners in Arts Participation is a new pilot program of the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) that awards nonmatching grants of $5,000 – $25,000 to health and human-service organizations to integrate the arts into their services. Grantees—either nonprofit or tribal entities with programming related to physical or mental health, substance abuse, food security, job training, […]
Oklahoma: New Cultural Districts Program
Like many statewide cultural district programs, the Oklahoma Arts Council‘s (OAC) Cultural District Initiative aims to help communities identify and leverage their creative assets for economic growth and community vibrancy. Unlike most other statewide cultural district programs, however, there is no legislatively set policy behind OAC’s effort. Without a legislative mandate, OAC was able to design the program […]
Tennessee: Arts and Inclusion Conversations across Tennessee
Through a new series of Arts and Inclusion (A&I) Conversations, the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) is working with another state agency, the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, to increase participation and inclusion in the arts for all Tennesseans. The conversations, coordinated and facilitated by the Council on Developmental Disabilities, bring together representatives of local disability […]
Montana: Council Members Market Public Value of the Arts and Arts Council
Demonstrating their strong conviction that one of their primary responsibilities is to advocate for the Montana Arts Council (MAC), MAC’s 15 council members have developed a marketing plan to formalize their contribution to spreading the word about the public value of the agency and the arts. The plan, which complements MAC’s 2014–2018 Operating Framework, enumerates […]
Colorado, Maryland & South Carolina: Creative Economy 2014 State Legislation Roundup
Creative Economy 2014 State Legislation Roundup State policymakers are increasingly eager to harness the power of the creative economy for the benefit of their citizens. Cultural districts, in particular, are a popular policy measure with state lawmakers as they foster both commerce and quality of life in home districts. In addition, cultural districts are primed […]
Oregon: Visual Arts Ecology Project
Since 2010, the Oregon Arts Commission‘s (OAC) partnership with The Ford Family Foundation (TFFF) has yielded direct support of Oregon’s artists—through Opportunity Grants for midcareer artists and the Art Acquisition Fund—as well as indirect support via the Visual Arts Ecology Project. The goal of the Visual Arts Ecology Project is to document and recognize Oregon’s […]
Alaska: New Pathways | Alaska
Recognizing the growing challenges facing nonprofit arts groups, the Alaska State Council on the Arts(ASCA) is partnering with the Rasmuson Foundation and the Foraker Group (a private foundation and a statewide nonprofit association, respectively) to launch an EmcArts program to help arts organizations chart their course toward resiliency. New Pathways | Alaska will provide free […]