Delaware Division of the Arts

Department of State: Division of the Arts: Information

DESIGN DELAWARE

The Delaware Division of the Arts is pleased to present the following input from a months-long process of individual interviews, focus groups, county-wide meetings with arts organizations, and online surveys. The planning process and findings are summarized in a Power Point presentation that was used at public meetings in February 2010.

Combined with environmental scan data, the Division has developed a Strategic Plan Proposal, which is now available for public comment. We invite you to review the materials below, all of which has gone into the deliberation and creation of a new strategic plan for the arts, and contribute to the conversation.

Public Conversations on the Plan

The Delaware Division of the Arts invites public comment on its draft strategic plan, designed to ensure that the arts thrive in Delaware. The plan and supporting information can be accessed below. The online form for submitting your comments will be open through March 5, 2010.

We thank you for your time in contributing to the conversation and in your ongoing support of the Arts.

Strategic Plan Draft for Public Review

Strategic Plan Proposal

This plan is designed to reflect the input below, gathered from a variety of sources through a variety of mechanisms. Public input is extremely important in the final stages of review and revision. We invite you to read the draft, review the input gathered below, and plan to attend one of the public sessions to comment on the plan.

Background Planning Data

Strategic Planning Process	A Power Point presentation of the planning process, timeframe, logistics, and sources of input.
Mission Statement and Core Values	The Division of the Arts and State Arts Council, created by legislation in 1989, are dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans.
"Brown Bag" Meetings	Summary notes from three separate county-wide meetings in early 2009 which engaged the new Secretary of State and arts organization representatives in discussions about issues and challenges facing the arts sector.
Individual Interviews	Key themes from more than 50 individual interviews of key decision makers, Division staff, State Arts Council members, arts and community leaders, funders, and patrons of the arts, conducted in late 2008 through summer 2009. (Complete notes are available upon request)
Focus Groups & Online Surveys	A Powerpoint presentation made at the December 2009 State Arts Council meeting. Slides depict findings from six focus groups with statewide representation and five online surveys conducted in fall 2009.
	Focus Group Themes Arts Advocacy Arts Education Arts Marketing and Promotion Capacity-building Sustainability Individual Artists	Online Surveys Artists Arts Organizations Community Organizations Educators General Public
Demographic Trends	Major demographic trends facing Delaware. (taken from Delaware Facing Forward: A Look at Delaware’s Demographic Future)
Ensuring a Vibrant Cultural Legacy	Governor Jack A. Markell's position paper on the arts, published during his gubernatorial campaign in late 2008.
Division Grant Award History	A five-year history of state funding for the arts, through Division grants, is presented in this report.
DE Funding & Grantmaking	A comparative analysis, compiled by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, of Delaware funding vis-á-vis other states.
State of the Arts Study: 2008	This longitudinal study, completed in 2007 by the Nonprofit Finance Fund, analyzes 33 Delaware arts organizations, revealing ongoing hardships and a financially precarious position. One conclusion is that with little opportunity to set aside reserves for crucial needs (such as facility repairs, growth, or "rainy days"), organizations risk their very existence in the long-term.
AFDF Marketing Study Phase 1: Situation Assessment Phase 2: Audience Research Phase 3: Summary of Findings Phase 4: Focus Group Findings Recommendations	This study, conducted by Slover-Linett Strategies, was commissioned by Arts for Delaware's Future (AFDF) in 2008 and funded by the Longwood Foundation to: Learn how Wilmington arts organizations can best attract new patrons and increase engagement among current patrons Understand the needs, values, and opportunities among Delaware’s arts audiences: both those engaged and those with the potential to participate Uncover the current perceptions of the Wilmington arts “brand” and identify areas of opportunity for strengthening that brand Identify the geographic “catchment area” in which these arts organizations should focus
Strategic Plan for the Arts: FY2004–FY2009	The Delaware Division of the Arts' strategic plan in place since FY2004.

Last Updated: Wednesday, 24-Feb-2010 09:57:03 EST