CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIELD
Artists At Work has been a leading advocate for artists and their value, developing and dialoguing with a broad national network of partners and colleagues across sectors and within government and policy spheres. We are passionate about advocating for artists and their livelihoods while continuing to serve as a strong case study for the broad impact artists can make with financial and structural support. We are honored to have contributed to the following publications, working groups and conversations.
Snapshot of Portable Benefits for Artists and Creative Workers (2025)
Co-released with CRNY and Bramble & Bird, this Snapshot explores portable benefits to inspire state and local governments, philanthropy, researchers, and policymakers to investigate the possibilities for artists.
Read the full snapshot here.
Jumpstarting Artist Jobs (NEA + NASERC) (2025)
Featured case study highlighting AAW as a national model for sustaining creative workers through employment-based programs.
Read the full report here.
CRNY’s Artist Employment Program Toolkit (2025)
AAW Managing Director Nadine Goellner contributed to strategic recommendations for employing artists in salaried roles with organizations and government agencies in CRNY’s Artist Employment Program Toolkit.
Read the full toolkit here.
Boston Foundation’s The Future of Creative Workforce Development and Entrepreneurship (2025)
Managing Director Nadine Goellner participated in a panel that explored the challenges, opportunities, and tactics for driving a more collaborative and integrative creative economy and arts sector.
Watch here.
MASSCreative’s Creative Sector Summit (2025)
AAW Program Coordinator Gabriela Yadegari moderated a panel featuring AAW Alum Desiree Taylor, Danielle Comes from the partner organization Have Hope Peer Recovery, and Alex Kostopoulus, a community activist and participant in Desiree's writing workshop.
More info here.
Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY) Artist Employment Program Working Group (2024)
AAW Managing Director Nadine Goellner participated in a working group that considered how to amplify shared learnings to leverage new support systems for artists, resulting in a set of strategic recommendations, published by CRNY and available here.
Healing, Bridging, Thriving: A Summit on Arts and Culture in our Communities (NEA + White House Domestic Policy Council) (2024)
AAW Alum and Mayor of Elaine, Arkansas, Lisa Hicks-Gilbert, spoke on artists as workers and the role of arts in strengthening community fabric.
Watch the recap here.
SNF Nostos Conference on Mental Health (2023)
AAW Alum Naia Kete spoke on a panel about the arts’ role in addressing trauma and supporting mental health through creative expression.
Watch here.
Grantmakers in the Arts Conference (2022)
Presented with San Antonio Area Foundation, AAW shared case studies on supporting socially engaged artists and building systems for connection and growth.
Californians for the Arts: The Arts Work to Create Jobs Panel (2022)
Founding Director Rachel Chanoff and AAW Alum Naia Kete discussed reimagining policy and systems to strengthen the arts workforce.
Watch the conversation here.
WESTAF’s Creative Economies and Economic Recovery: Case Studies of Arts-Led Recovery and Resilience (2021)
AAW was featured in WESTAF’s Creative Economies and Economic Recovery: Case Studies of Arts-Led Recovery and Resilience, which highlighted stories of how communities are leveraging their creative assets to rebound economically from challenging times. The report highlights the role of the arts in a comprehensive development strategy and offers tools for cultural leaders seeking to participate in recovery initiatives and advocate for federal, state, and local investment in the arts.
Read here.