STRATEGIC PLAN
Delaware Division of the Arts
Fiscal Years 2004 - 2008

Introduction Mission Guiding Principles Goals and Strategies Staff/Council

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Introduction

The Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) was created as a result of a change in legislation in 1989, having been established originally in 1969 as the Delaware State Arts Council. Throughout its history the Division has supported Delaware's cultural environment by providing grants and services to artists, arts organizations and others involved and interested in the arts. With a staff of 12 full- and part-time professionals, the Division, one of 7 within the Department of State, works out of the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington. The Governor appoints up to 15 members to the DDOA's advisory council, the Delaware State Arts Council (DSAC). In addition, a Chair for this council also serves at the pleasure of the Governor.

In writing this plan, DDOA staff enlisted the services of William Cleveland, Executive Director of Center for the Study of Art and Community, who led the process. The DDOA, under Cleveland's leadership, utilized open-space technology, a comprehensive process that included more than 500 clients and constituents in the planning; those who use, work with, work in or for, the arts. Public participants in focus groups and public meetings actually set the agendas for discussion centered on the focal question, "What Do the Arts Need to Thrive in Delaware?"

Following the public meetings in the summer and fall of 2002, a staff and council retreat was held to process what had been learned and to develop specific goals, strategies, and objectives. After several drafts, written and revised throughout the winter 2002-2003, a final draft of the plan, complete with a mission statement and guiding principles, was posted on the Division web site for public review. All participants in the public meetings and focus groups received a mailing in March 2003 inviting them to review and comment on the draft plan.

The Delaware State Arts Council (DSAC) approved the final plan at its April 16, 2003 meeting. The Division is committed to implementing action steps to meet these objectives over the three-year period corresponding with the State's fiscal years 2004-2006. 

At their September 2006 meeting, following the third annual review of accomplishments under the plan, the DSAC agreed to extend the plan to 2008. Council determined that the Division was making significant progress vis-á-vis the plan, but there are still important objectives for the Division to meet. Input from constituents has suggested that the goals and objectives of the plan are still relevant, and consequently, an additional two years to fulfill those objectives serves both the Division and our constituents well.

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MISSION

The Delaware Division of the Arts is a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

We believe in:

• Supporting excellence of artistic product, process, or service

• Fostering the freedom of creative expression

• Expanding the availability and accessibility of the arts

• Supporting learning in the arts for Delawareans of all ages

• Establishing mutually beneficial partnerships to advance the arts

• Increasing statewide awareness of the arts: events, resources, opportunities, and values

• Providing financial, technical, and professional assistance to arts programs, individuals, non-profit organizations, and other government entities

• Developing our strategies and programs with the guidance and assistance of the Delaware State Arts Council and with input from artists, citizens, and others who have an interest in the arts

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GOALS, STRATEGIES, AND OBJECTIVES

Goal I: Create a positive and supportive environment for the arts in Delaware

Strategy 1: Invest Division resources in support of artists and arts providers

1. Set priorities for funding and services based on mission, guiding principles, and goals

2. Investigate and adopt funding mechanisms to address Division priorities

3. Allocate staff time and responsibilities to address Division priorities

4. Identify and apply for public and private funding for Division's priorities

Strategy 2: Increase the availability of and access to financial and other resources for Delaware artists and art providers

1. Increase the awareness of regional and national funding and other resources available to artists and arts providers

2. Study and make recommendations about the feasibility of developing a new arts stabilization fund for organizations not served by the current program

Strategy 3: Strengthen the capacity of the artists and arts providers through investment in professional and organizational development

1. Assess current methods of delivering professional and organizational development for artists and art providers

2. Identify new or alternative methods of delivering professional and organizational development and adopt practices appropriate for Delaware

Strategy 4: Expand opportunities for artists

1. Collaborate with businesses to present and promote Delaware artists

2. Develop a statewide Delaware artist showcase event

3. Work to include Delaware artists in statewide cultural tourism activities

4. Increase the number of public arts commissions for Delaware artists

5. Develop and publish a roster of Delaware artists

Strategy 5: Stimulate public awareness of the value of the arts

1. Recognize the achievements of Delaware artists and arts providers and the positive impact they have had on people's lives

2. Develop and distribute information resources that document the impact of the arts on economic and community development

3. Increase opportunities for inclusion of arts in public discussion about economic development, cultural tourism, and quality of life

4. Position the arts as a component of the governor's "Livable Delaware" agenda

Goal II: Strengthen and Broaden Participation in the Arts in Delaware

Strategy 1: Increase public access to information about artists and arts offerings in Delaware

1. Utilize existing marketing channels and develop new vehicles to promote arts offerings and artists in Delaware

2. Collaborate with state and local agencies (Tourism, Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, Chambers of Commerce) to promote arts venues, arts programs and artists

Strategy 2: Assist artists and arts organizations with marketing and audience development capabilities

1. Provide technical assistance to artists and arts organizations to improve marketing and communication skills

2. Facilitate and provide resources/incentives for collaborative marketing initiatives among arts organizations and their cultural and business partners

3. Develop and distribute comprehensive and up-to-date contact databases comprising press lists, arts providers and artists

4. Discover and distribute research on state and local cultural participation trends

Strategy 3: Work to ensure that arts policy and decision-making reflects the diversity of the state

1. Increase the diversity of the Council to reflect demographics of the state

2. Increase the diversity of citizen panels to reflect demographics of the state

3. Solicit constituent input on policy formation and strategic initiatives

Goal III: Advance Learning in the Arts for Delawareans of All Ages

Strategy 1: Support the design and implementation of programs that foster learning in the arts

1. Assess and modify current policies and funding initiatives to better support arts and community-based organizations' arts learning programs

2. Investigate and develop ways for the Division to better support schools in their efforts to incorporate standards-based arts learning into their curriculum

Strategy 2: Strengthen individual artists' capacity to work as teaching artists in schools and other venues

1. Facilitate connections between teaching artists and potential school and community-based residency venues.

2. Sponsor professional development and networking opportunities for community-based artists, educators, and administrators involved in the delivery of arts learning programs

Strategy 3: Raise public awareness of arts learning activities and resources available in Delaware

1. Disseminate arts learning research and arts education resources to education policy makers, educators and the general public.

2. Support the activities of the Delaware Alliance for Arts Education, a network of Delaware arts educators, artists, and advocates

Goal IV: Integrate the Arts into All Aspects of Local Community Life

Strategy 1: Support initiatives that increase opportunities for participation in the arts in local communities

1. Provide grants to community-based venues such as libraries, festivals, parks, and community centers to incorporate arts events into their programs

2. Work with state, regional and national funders to bring new resources to local arts programs

3. Support the documentation, interpretation, and presentation of the folk arts traditions of Delaware's communities

4. Increase the participation of artists, organizations, and communities that represent the various cultural, ethnic, and racial demographics of Delaware

5. Educate arts providers on ways to serve people with disabilities and meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Strategy 2: Support the development of a strong infrastructure for the arts in local communities

1. Provide planning funds and technical assistance to communities considering building cultural facilities

2. Develop policies and programs to address emerging local arts programs

3. Provide local organizations with information and tools to enhance their capacity as performing arts presenters

4. Recommend ways in which the Division can support community efforts to develop local arts Councils or consortiums

5. Investigate and make recommendations on how the Division can support the development of local cultural leadership

Strategy 3: Support the use of arts as a community development resource in local communities

1. Provide incentives for local partnerships between arts, economic development, and tourism entities

2. Provide funding for local initiatives that use the arts to build community identity and cohesiveness and improve community health and wellness

3. Make available research and information to help local organizations demonstrate the connection between arts and a strong vibrant community.

Goal V. Develop the statewide relationships and infrastructure necessary for the arts to thrive in Delaware

Strategy 1: Cultivate a strong core of advocates for the arts among political, corporate and community leaders in the state

1. In conjunction with the Delaware State Arts Council, develop and implement a strategy to increase the capacity and effectiveness of the Council's advocacy efforts

2. Survey corporate and foundation leaders regarding their funding priorities for the arts

3. Develop and deliver a program that will expand the awareness of the impact of the arts among government, corporate and community leaders

4. Complete a study on the feasibility of developing a corporate mentoring program for arts organizations

Strategy 2: Cultivate stronger relationships with the media to effect greater coverage and support of the arts

1. Position the Division as an arts information resource for the media

2. Help arts providers develop their public relations, marketing and media relations skills through organizational development offerings and media roundtables

Strategy 3: Facilitate communication and programmatic exchanges within the state and region

1. Increase community participation at Council meetings

2. Convene roundtable discussions to connect constituents around the state

3. Increase the quality and capacity of the state's performing arts presenters through the continued development of a statewide presenters network

Strategy 4: Utilize technology to support statewide exchange of ideas and information

1. Develop a web-based bulletin board for artists and organizations to post resources needed and resources available for rent or trade

2. Help create a digital network to facilitate communication, organizational development and professional development for artists and organizations

Goal VI: Position the Delaware Division of Arts to be the most comprehensive, accurate, and essential resource for information on the arts in Delaware

Strategy 1: Establish systematic methods of collecting, assimilating, and maintaining arts data

1. Revise current practices for maintaining the Division's databases to establish conventions, minimize redundancy, and improve accuracy

2. Expand the Division's contact database and registries to include all known Delaware artists, arts providers, and public art installations

3. Archive the photo and print documentation of arts activities in Delaware to make them available for Division and constituent needs

Strategy 2: Create dynamic, compelling, and targeted communication vehicles to promote the Division's programs and market the arts

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of current communications vehicles and revise/restructure them accordingly

2. Establish the communications priorities in terms of content, timing, and vehicle, for each of the Division's constituent groups

3. Develop design standards for the Division's print and electronic publications

Strategy 3: Position staff and Council members to be knowledgeable resources for constituents

1. Establish and implement individualized professional development plans for each staff member

2. Develop a Council communication plan to keep Council members informed about the workings of the Division and current issues in the arts

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DELAWARE DIVISION OF THE ARTS STAFF (at the time of the plan's adoption)

Laura A. Scanlan, Director
Paul Weagraff, Deputy Director/Arts in Education
Rhonda Beaver, Receptionist
Joan Donoho, Fiscal Officer/Accountant
Gwen Henderson, Grants Manager
Dingguo Leung, Receptionist
Karen Lewis, Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
Isabelle Mead, Gallery Coordinator
Kristin Pleasanton, Art and Artist Services
Sheila Dean Ross, Technical Assistance/504 Coordinator
Susan Salkin, Community Arts Development
Jim Yurasek, Public Information Officer

DELAWARE STATE ARTS COUNCIL MEMBERS (at the time of the plan's adoption)

Annabelle Kressman, Chair, Wilmington
Theda Blackwelder, Millsboro
Kathleen M. Davis, Hockessin
Dawn M. Ellis, Newark
Dr. Norma Varisco DeGarcia, Lewes
Thomas A. Graves, Jr., Wilmington
Gary Grunder, Lewes
Fred Kaltreider, Dover
Julia M. McCabe, Wilmington
Brian Miller, Dover
C. Lawler Rogers, Sr. Newark
David Schelat, Wilmington
Ann Schenck, Wilmington
Michele Schiavoni, Wilmington
Susan Shipley, Newark
William Spiker, Wilmington

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