June 13, 2006
Americans have much at stake when it comes to the success of our democratic principles and processes. Our challenges are increasingly complex as we grapple with foreign and homegrown terrorism within our national boundaries; rapid demographic and economic changes wrought by global forces; superpowers in the wake of the Soviet demise; environmental issues, privacy concerns…
May 16, 2006
Most Americans Value Arts Participation A report from the Institute for Innovation and Social Policy, assessing the cultural attitudes and practices of Americans, found that the vast majority of children and adults participate in and value the arts. In the Institute’s national poll of more than 800 individuals, respondents indicated that participation in the arts…
May 16, 2006
Question: How much money do state arts agencies receive from the National Endowment for the Arts? Answer: Funds from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) provide more than $33 million to SAAs–approximately eight percent of all SAAs’ revenue. While NEA funding is important for every state arts agency, it is particularly important in the…
May 16, 2006
Congress Moves to Spending Bills as Budget Plan Stalls: Congress took a two week recess in April after failing to agree on a 2007 budget resolution. Fiscal policy may continue to exasperate legislators on Capitol Hill after they reconvene on April 25. The Senate adopted its initial budget in March, but disagreements among Republican factions…
May 16, 2006
I look forward to seeing many of you at the Leadership Institute in Anchorage. In addition to the learning and networking opportunities, we’ll be provided a wonderful cultural experience by our hosts, the Alaska State Council on the Arts. There has been strong member support for NASAA continuing to present these smaller Leadership Institutes. Past…
April 21, 2006
According to NASAA’s new database of grant programs, state arts agencies manage approximately 650 grant programs each year. State arts agency grants are one of the most important public investments SAAs make. These grant programs are designed to foster educational success, arts participation, accessibility, cultural infrastructures, innovation and artistic heritage. While similar programs–such as those…
April 21, 2006
Question: My agency receives an annual Partnership Agreement award from the National Endowment for the Arts. If we secure an extension on that grant, we get extra time to submit my Final Descriptive Report (FDR) information to the NEA and NASAA, right? Answer: Wrong! All state arts agencies must submit a statistical report on or…
April 21, 2006
Congress Demands Spending Room in Tight Budget Plan: Congressional response to the Presidentas FY 2007 budget proposing a funding freeze or cuts in most domestic discretionary spending is beginning to take shape. The Senate and House have begun work on the budget resolution which will serve as a blueprint for the appropriations bills setting the…