Arts & Culture Innovation Council

Jump to Section

Counties invest in the arts to strengthen local economies, create vibrant public spaces, preserve local heritage and help residents of all ages learn and connect. In 2017, $5 billion in public arts funding generated $27.5 billion in economic activity, demonstrating the sector’s broad impact.

NACo’s Arts & Culture Innovation Council shares ideas and examples of how counties use arts and culture to strengthen our communities. The Council spotlights national trends and county-led innovations, including how the arts can support local economic development and help counties respond to local needs.

The Council hosts learning sessions and discussions at NACo’s Annual and Legislative conferences, along with other virtual and in-person events with partners.

Get Involved

Council members receive invitations to select virtual and in-person events and other Council updates.

Explore ways to learn more and stay connected:
  • Learn more: Explore the Creative Counties Placemaking Initiative, including past webinars and the Arts Impact Explorer
  • Stay updated: Sign up for updates on new resources, events and opportunities related to arts and culture
  • Join a committee (NACo members): Members can sign up for one of 31 committees, caucuses, task forces and advisory boards – including options focused on arts and culture

Gallery of Prior Arts & Culture Innovation Council Presentations

This gallery features recordings and resources from prior Council meetings. Use it to explore practical approaches to leveraging arts and culture to strengthen community resilience, support economic diversification and advance overall well-being.

Arts and Economic Development

Measuring the Economic Impact of the Arts

Oct. 16, 2023

This session highlights data-driven approaches to understanding the arts as an economic sector. Learn about how:

  • Arts investment produces measurable local economic returns and supports small business activity
  • Community engagement is essential for successful arts-driven revitalization projects
  • Arts investments can support downtown redevelopment and economic growth strategies

Strengthening Creative Industries and Cultural Economies

Nov. 20, 2024

This session explores how counties support craft industries and creative workforce pipelines to strengthen local economies. Learn about how:

  • Local craft industries can serve as drivers of economic diversification and resilience
  • Talent pipeline development strengthens long-term cultural and economic sustainability
  • National initiatives are documenting and elevating the role of craft in American economic and cultural identity

Arts, Resilience and Emergency Preparedness

How Creative Infrastructure Supports Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

May 21, 2025

Learn about how:

  • Arts venues can function as "stress test" environments for large-scale emergency response planning
  • The nonprofit arts sector often lacks formal preparedness but plays a critical role in community recovery
  • Performing arts organizations benefit from disaster planning, succession planning and technical assistance networks

Arts, Health and Community Healing

Art as a Tool for Trauma Recovery and Veteran Support

Nov. 27, 2023

This session explores how arts programs support mental health, trauma recovery and veteran services. Learn about how:

  • Art therapy programs provide alternative pathways for trauma treatment and recovery
  • Counties play a key role in connecting veterans and families to creative healing programs
  • Community-based arts initiatives can expand access to mental health and wellness resources

Creating Intentional Space for Healing Through the Arts

Sept. 18, 2023

This session highlights how arts programming supports recovery after disasters and community trauma. Learn about how:

  • Arts-based programs can help survivors process trauma and rebuild community identity
  • Local artists and organizations are key partners in long-term recovery efforts
  • Funding and technical assistance strengthen disaster preparedness in the cultural sector

Arts in Public Infrastructure

Public Art and Transit-Oriented Development

Jan. 22, 2024

This session examines how public art is integrated into transportation infrastructure to improve public space and community identity. Learn about how:

  • Transit stations can function as cultural assets through integrated public art installations
  • Artist collaborations with transit agencies create place-based community storytelling
  • Public-private partnerships can transform underutilized infrastructure into community destinations

Arts-Based Civic Engagement and Voting Participation

Sept. 18, 2024

This session focuses on how arts programming can increase civic participation and voter engagement. Learn about how:

  • Creative contests and design projects can engage underrepresented voters
  • Arts institutions can serve as nontraditional civic engagement spaces
  • Federal and nonprofit initiatives are expanding the role of arts in civic infrastructure and democracy building

Thank you to our sponsor!

Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts

Related content

Explore more resources and stories from counties using the arts to drive growth and vitality: 

Explore all Arts and Culture Resources
 

Potter County guitarist Ronan Bray opened for the California Guitar Trio at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum.
County News

Arts spark county’s creative quest to keep, attract young population

Potter County, Pa. is investing in art and culture and attracting a new, younger crowd after seeing its median age rising to a decade older than the national average.