Arriving at One Goal is the
Starting Point to Another
The Idaho Commission on the Arts 2010-
2014 Long Range Plan is a successor to an
earlier five-year plan and a direct response to
constituents’ expressed needs. The previous
plan was comprehensive, having been
conceived and written with suggestions and
comments from arts supporters across Idaho.
From 2002 to 2008, it produced greater
service-reliability and rural-reach than any
before it, and led to the present, improved
plan. New steps are possible only because
they follow the pathway of service successes
that established trust among constituents and
legislators over the prior six years.
In 2007, the Commission sent a press release
to all media, urging public participation.
It solicited artists, arts administrators,
local and state officials, school teachers
and administrators, grant recipients, tribal
members, gallery owners, students and parents.
Through fall of that year, faculty from the
Public Policy Center at Boise State University
facilitated twelve town meetings throughout
Idaho, with assistance from Commission
staff, commissioners, and the local hosts.
Staff developed four focus questions for the
meetings, revolving around constituent values
and the public value brought to communities
by the arts. The focus questions were posted
on the agency Web site to reach those who
wanted to participate but could not attend.
Notes from the meetings, however, were sent to
all participants. Commission staff, BSU faculty,
and a planning consultant then reviewed and
analyzed the responses. Four key common
issues emerged, and Commissioners responded
to them in a facilitated public meeting,
providing staff with priorities and guidance.
Consequently, staff wrote goals, objectives, and
strategies directed at the identified issues and
led commissioners through a second facilitated
process, refining the draft. A series of regional
round-tables with commissioners resulted in
the final revisions adopted at the August 2008
Commission meeting in Boise.
Sounds Like a Plan
Succinctly, the new Long Range Plan increases the value of
the available grant-funds by reducing the effort required to
obtain them and increasing their reliability. We folded multiplegrants
funding into a single unrestricted grant to support the
public programs in the arts presented by professional arts
organizations in Idaho.
The plan shifts staff resources away from grant-making paperwork
toward services in the field. It makes delivery of practical business
services for artists and arts organizations a priority.
Almost All Things Considered
In drafting its FY 2010-2014 Long
Range Plan, the Commission
ensured that every goal
addresses the key issues,
that every objective
is achievable and
measurable and
attached to a
timeline. The
Commission
will perform
reviews at its
fall retreat,
reporting
annual
progress to the
Governor and
the Legislature.
Since evaluation
methodology is
only as useful as the
information gleaned,
however, the new goals
of the Plan are derived
directly from feedback
delivered to or collected by
our agency. The values and
priorities of the plan, therefore, are
obviously those of our constituents.
When we establish achievable objectives
and timed strategies to meet these goals,
we begin a process of meeting our constituents’
needs—with what we have, not with what we
wish we had.
A Goal without a Plan is Just a wish
GOAL ONE (Key Issue: Rethink Grant-Making Processes)
Simplify and improve the grant-making of the Commission to enhance
access to public programs in the arts.
Objective 1A
Within one year, adopt a set of policies simplifying the application
process by one-half for arts organizations providing ongoing public
programs.
Objective 1B
Within one year, establish a system that provides reliable
ongoing support for public programs delivered by Idaho arts
organizations.
Objective 1C
Within one year, focus QuickFund$ for Organizations to
support programs and projects of applicants ineligible for
General Operating Support (GOS).
Objective 1D
Continue to provide awards and career enhancement
opportunities for Idaho artists in recognition of artistic
excellence.
Objective 1E
Continue to support teaching and learning activities for K-12
students, uniting effective instructional practices in education, in
and through the arts, by encouraging the use of Idaho artists and arts
organizations.
GOAL TWO (Key Issue: Reduce Geographical Isolation)
Reach out to communities across the state to reduce their expressed
sense of geographical isolation.
Objective 2A
Within one year, schedule staff time for more in-person
communication with constituents, addressing the needs of Idahoans
where they live.
Objective 2B
Within one year, expand the role of citizens as advocates for the arts
in their communities.
Objective 2C
Within four years, bring artists, arts organizations, and others
together for multiple regional events.
Objective 2D
Continue to develop or expand arts events in communities across
the state.
Objective 2E
Within five years, expand by one-quarter the reach of Commission
arts education activities to teachers and educational administrators.
Objective 2F
Continue to link the Commission’s
efforts to larger public agendas.
Objective 2G
Continue to work with social
service organizations to provide
services to artists new to Idaho.
Objective 2H
Within three years, encourage regional and
national arts conferences to meet in Idaho.
GOAL THREE (Key Issue: Deliver Practical Information)
Provide practical arts business management and arts-learning
information to Idahoans.
Objective 3A
Within two years, further the development of artists in
Idaho through the communication of practical professional
information.
Objective 3B
Continue to contribute to policies that support the arts as core
subjects in K-12 education in Idaho.
Objective 3C
Within three years, collect, clarify, and disseminate information about the
impact arts programs have on teaching and learning.
Objective 3D
Within five years, require all GOS applicants to provide a cash-flow budget using
actual figures from the prior year.
GOAL FOUR (Key Issue: Provide Professional Services)
Provide professional services enhancing the growth and stability of Idaho arts.
Objective 4A
Within two years, schedule the Commission’s program directors to participate in
facilitation training.
Objective 4B
Within one year, provide expanded professional services to Idaho artists and arts
organizations.
Objective 4C
Continue supporting public art in Idaho communities.
Objective 4D
Continue Idaho teacher, administrator, and teaching-artist professional
development, supporting teaching and learning in the arts in K-12 classrooms.
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