National Arts Leader to Attend Creative Economy Unconference March 5
For Immediate Release February 26, 2003
DES MOINES, Iowa—The nation’s chief advocate for the arts is coming to Iowa. Jonathan Katz, executive director and CEO of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) since 1985, will be among the participants of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs’ Creative Economy Unconference March 5 at the State Historical Building in Des Moines, and Cultural Advocacy Day March 6.
Katz offers a bird’s eye view of funding for the arts across the country. Facing severe revenue shortfalls, states have slashed funding for the arts and other agencies. Katz calls this counterproductive to reviving crippled economies.
"Governors need to make the arts and cultural activities part of their overall economic development strategy for many reasons," Katz said. "From preparing a creative, competitive workforce to providing constructive alternatives to at-risk youth; from attracting tourists to promoting international trade agendas; and simply for making their state a more pleasant place to live and put down roots; arts and cultural activities offer a uniquely profitable return on investment."
Since Katz’s appointment at NASAA, state arts agency legislative appropriations have grown from $150 million to $450 million. He has authored and co-authored a number of NASAA publications on such topics as strategic planning, arts and education, and extending the arts to underserved regions.
"Iowa has fallen to 45th in state funding of the arts," said Anita Walker, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs. "We are eager to learn how we can become more competitive."
Before joining NASAA, Katz was Professor of Government and Public Affairs and the Director of the Arts Administration Masters Program at the University of Illinois in Springfield. He previously held the positions of Executive Director of the Children's Museum of Denver and Executive Director of the Kansas Arts Commission
NASAA is a national service organization that represents the government arts agencies of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the jurisdictions of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NASAA's mission is to advance and promote a meaningful role for the arts in the lives of individuals, families and communities throughout the United States.
Registration for the Creative Economy Unconference costs $115 and can be submitted online or by calling 515-281-7471. Visit www.culturalaffairs.org for complete information and registration. For more information on the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, visit www.nasaa-arts.org.
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