Local Arts Development

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What is a Local Arts Agency?

A local arts agency is a private community organization or local government agency that supports cultural organizations, provides services to artists or arts organizations, and/or presents arts programming to the public.  Local Arts Agencies endeavor to make the arts part of the daily fabric of community living.  Each Local Arts Agencies are unique to the community that it serves, and each changes as fast as its community changes.  However, all seek to serve the diverse art forms in their community and make them accessible to every community member.  All Local Arts Agencies are involved in one or more of the following:

Cultural programming: Eighty-eight percent present cultural programming in the form of music, dance, drama, visual arts, arts education, art In public places, festivals, literature readings and more.

Grantmaking: Sixty-one percent provide financial support to arts organizations and/or artists.

Facility management: Sixty-five percent manage one or more cultural facilities such as rehearsal and performance spaces, gallery space or museums.

Services to artist and arts organizations: Most Local Arts Agencies provide services to local artists and arts organizations- including seminars and workshops, technical assistance, fundraising, block booking, central accounting and marketing, group heath insurance, and advocacy.

Community cultural planning: Thirty-one percent lead the community-inclusive process of assessing the cultural needs of the community and mapping a plan of implementation.

NEW Want more information on Local Arts Agencies, or is your community wanting to create a local arts council?  Download the ACA Local Arts Agency Booklet. Find information on what types of programs Local Arts Agencies do, what are the difference between private and public local arts agencies and find resources to help start a local arts agency in your community.

For assistance, please contact Mitch Menchaca, Director of State and Local Partnerships at (602) 771-6529 or email mmenchaca@azarts.gov or contact Jaya Rao, Accessibility and State and Local Partnerships Coordinator at (602) 771-6532 or email jrao@azarts.gov.