Developed in partnership with Americans for the Arts and with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Creative Counties Placemaking Initiative equips county leaders with tools and resources to identify and strengthen ways to integrate the arts into solutions to local challenges.

Related News

Maureen McGuigan, Lackawanna County’s deputy director of arts and culture, talks July 12 to members of the NACo Arts and Culture Innovation Council. Photo by Leon Lawrence III.
County News

The arts fuel economic growth in counties of all sizes

A county doesn’t have to be Los Angeles or New York to see the economic benefits from the arts.

Historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Doug Bradburn discuss leadership July 12 with NACo First Vice President J.D. Clark, the Wise County, Texas judge at the Opening General Session. Photo by Denny Henry
County News

Presidential historians’ message: ‘Lead with empathy, optimism, resiliency’

Doris Kearns Goodwin: In today’s divisive political landscape, empathy can feel hard to come by, which makes it that much more important to public service.

Competitors launch into the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, which has attracted crowds to Crawford County, Mich. since 1947. Photo by John Garrod
County News

Extreme sports attract crowds, help boost county tourism

Athletic events draw participants and spectators to counties featuring unique geographies that inspire feats of strength, endurance and creativity.

Capitol Building
Advocacy

U.S. House passes rescissions package

On June 12,  the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Rescissions Act of 2025 (H.R. 4) in a narrow 214-212 vote. The legislation would cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved federal funding, marking the Trump Administration’s first formal attempt to codify funding cuts proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 

Business along San Carlos Boulevard that were damaged during Hurricane Ian
Advocacy

New disaster recovery grants now open to support county economic development

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has launched the Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program, making $1.45 billion available to help communities recover from natural disasters and build long-term economic resilience. Counties affected by major disaster declarations in 2023 or 2024 are eligible to apply for funding to rebuild infrastructure, strengthen local economies and prepare for future disruptions. This program goes beyond immediate recovery, aiming to transform local economies and foster sustainable, long-term economic growth. 

Upcoming Events

meeting
Webinar

Robert's Rules 102: Advancing Your Meeting Mastery for Effective Governance

Learn to minimize disruptions, establish proper procedures and apply Robert's Rules to real-life parliamentary examples.

Stay Up-To-Date

Sponsors

Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts
Image of naco_star_logo_sq.jpg
National Association of Counties
Image of NEA-art-works-logo-square.jpg
National Endowment for the Arts

Program Contact

Headshot_Patrick Spence

Patrick Spence

Program Manager, Economic Mobility