Unpacking arts service organization data, state by state.
Op-ed by: Ryan Stubbs, ASO Advisory Cohort Member
September 12, 2026
As an advisor and communications partner, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) is supporting a multiphase research project to further understand arts service organizations (ASOs) nationwide. This ambitious project, led by ADC Consulting has already produced useful tools, data, and findings. The Phase I Report provides needed clarity regarding ASO definitions, typologies, and purposes. Now, the next phase of this research is intended to expand the field’s understanding of ASO finances, services, opportunities, and challenges. The resulting data could help inform future state arts agency business processes and strategies.
NASAA encourages state and jurisdictional arts agencies to share this survey with their constituent lists, so that the data that we all receive in return will serve our collective interests to the greatest extent possible. With a strong statewide survey response, a state arts agency could:
Discern service areas and geographic reach of arts services organizations with greater precision;
Map the capacity of arts advocacy networks and strategize how to support these networks;
Design programs to support the professional development of arts leaders with their greatest needs in mind.
You can share the survey to your constituents via your existing communications. This survey is intended for non-governmental ASOs; state and jurisdictional arts agencies do not need to complete it. ADC Consulting is offering support for organizations taking the survey, including survey taking parties with live, online technical assistance. NASAA is co-hosting one of these survey taking parties on Wednesday, September 16 from 3:00 to 4:00pm eastern time. We appreciate your consideration of this request and believe this effort can help strengthen state arts agencies.
SURVEY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
This week we are spotlighting the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and Creative States Coalition. Our Survey Partners are helping make this research a reality and ensuring that the 2026 National ASO Survey captures a richer, more representative picture of the sector.
1. Full color, stacked version of the logo for the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies using the organization's full name below the NASAA acronym
2. Creative States Coalition logo features a bursting star in dark purple with the full name of the organization stacked directly below it.
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to strengthening the nation’s 56 state and jurisdictional arts agencies. NASAA takes pride in helping state arts agencies to flourish. They equip state arts agencies to meet the challenges of today and fortify them to thrive in the future.
Creative States Coalition serves as a coalition of state and local arts and culture advocacy leaders focused on strengthening and activating arts sector growth through collaboration, education, capacity building, and public policy development.
THE NEXT SURVEY TAKING PARTY: SEPTEMBER 16
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies will be co-hosting this week’s Survey Taking Party, and we’re inviting ASOs across the country to join us, take the survey, and get connected. It’s an opportunity not only to contribute to a national picture of the field, but to connect with other organizations working across your region. If you haven't made it to a party, we hope you’ll join us this week!
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 4:00 – 5:00pm EST
Registration: Free & required.
ENTER THE RAFFLE
Submit your survey and you'll be automatically entered in the ASO Survey Raffle for a chance to win free consulting services! Score a bonus entry when you join a Survey Taking Party. The earlier your organization submits your survey, the more chances you'll have to win.
At our next party we’ll be raffling off:
Strategic Coaching Session with Gonzalo Casals of Culture & Arts Policy Institute
A focused 60-minute session to work through one organizational, leadership, or policy challenge, resulting in clear feedback, practical options, and a prioritized action plan.
Liberation-Based Coaching Session with Tanisha Christie of Liberation-Based Therapy LCSW, PLLC
Liberation-Based Therapy is a psychotherapeutic group practice that supports mental health and wellness through the lens of liberation-based healing practices. Tanisha Christie, LCSW NY/NJ/CT is offering a 60-minute coaching session.
From left to right: 1. A bearded man in oversized black glasses laughs with his head tilted back against a vivid yellow background. He wears a yellow jacket over a patterned yellow hoodie, creating a bold monochromatic portrait. 2. Black woman, long dark brown locs, brown v -neck shirt and leather shirt. smiling with no teeth. outside on a city corner. Photo credit: Gonzalo Casals with Chat GPT 5.6 and Tanisha Christie.
SURVEY PROGRESS
Image Description: A map of the United States titled “Survey Respondents by State and Territory” with states shaded in light green to indicate survey completion progress.
We've received survey responses from 25+ states! Help us reach our goal and make sure your organization gets counted.
To check out more live data updates, including the geographic location, budget size, and artistic discipline of survey respondents to date, visit the 2026 National ASO Survey Response page.
NEED HELP TAKING THE SURVEY?
There are several ways you can get help:
Download a Google Doc version of the survey to prepare your answers and collaborate with your colleagues before submitting.
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions.
Email us your questions at research@consultingadc.com. A member of the ADC Consulting team will get back to you within approximately 2–3 business days.
You can also visit the ASO Research Page to learn more about the multi-phase research study this survey is a part of.
REMEMBER: The survey will collect responses through October 9, 2026 (one per organization).
