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States' agencies come to town to learn to improve arts funding
Wednesday, November 15, 2000 By Caroline Abels, Post-Gazette Cultural Arts Writer
More than 500 people from 50 states who work or volunteer for their state's arts agency will be in Pittsburgh today through Sunday to learn ways to improve state arts funding -- and maybe learn more about Pittsburgh.
They will be attending the annual meeting of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, a Washington, D.C.-based service organization that supports arts agencies funded and run by state governments.
Pennsylvania's arts agency, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, is hosting the conference. Sponsorship also has been provided by local foundations and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Carol Brown, the Trust's outgoing president, is a former chair and president of the NASAA board and will receive NASAA's Distinguished Public Service Award on Friday.
Conference participants will tackle such issues as how state arts agencies can help arts organizations attract more diverse audiences, how agencies can best use technology and how they can partner effectively with private businesses and foundations.
In addition, 12 national business and foundation organizations, including the Council on Foundations and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will endorse the "Pittsburgh Arts Accords," a proclamation affirming the importance of private arts funding. Philip Horn, executive director of the PCA, said Pittsburgh is a fitting city in which to endorse such a proclamation.
"Private support for the arts has made all the difference in Pittsburgh," Horn said. "The philanthropy there is incredible."
Conference participants also will be treated to lectures by Bill Ivey, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts; David McCullough, acclaimed historian and Pittsburgh native; and Anna Deavere Smith, a playwright and actress. They also will get a chance to tour the Downtown cultural district and Fallingwater, as well as take in performances by local arts groups.
"This is going to show off Pittsburgh's arts community like it's never been shown off before," Horn said. "And it will reinforce the fact that Pittsburgh is a great arts destination."
This is the first time the NASAA conference has been held in Pennsylvania. Its presence highlights the PCA's eagerness to draw more national arts conferences to the state.
Local PCA members who were on the host committee for the conference were State Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, Robert Frankel and Marcia Gumberg.
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