Delaware Arts Alliance

Delaware Arts Alliance Delaware Arts Alliance is DE's statewide arts advocacy organization and serves as the unifying voice for the arts.

We inform, empower, and mobilize our members, arts advocates, and policymakers to advance DE's vibrant creative economy for our citizens.

06/05/2026

Delaware honors 40 students at 2nd annual Future in the Arts celebration

“Ask any employer: They don’t hire a test score,” Delaware Education Secretary Cindy Marten said. “They hire a person. They hire someone who can think, create, reason, and communicate their thoughts with conviction, someone who can collaborate and solve problems they’ve never seen before. That is exactly what you do every single day.”

More: https://news.delaware.gov/2026/06/02/delaware-honors-40-students-at-2nd-annual-future-in-the-arts-celebration/

Thank you, Sen. Dan Cruce for your leadership and support of the arts! We are grateful to have our talented, creative st...
06/05/2026

Thank you, Sen. Dan Cruce for your leadership and support of the arts! We are grateful to have our talented, creative students receive recognition for their work with SB260, Delaware's Certificate of Arts Excellence.

Thank you, Rep. Mara Gorman for your leadership on the bill as well as Sen. Elizabeth "Tizzy" Lockman and Sen. Dave Sokola for joining us at the bill signing. We also appreciate Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay, Lauren Conrad of the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), Jeff Leager of Delaware Music Educators Association, Kennedy Davis of Pieces of a Dream, Inc., and Dr. O from the Office of Governor Matt Meyer for joining the panel to help celebrate this success and for their ongoing support in shaping arts education in Delaware.

To learn more about SB260, please visit DAA's blog post at: https://www.delawareartsalliance.org/delawares-certificate-of-arts-excellence/

Sign up for updates from DAA at https://www.delawareartsalliance.org/contact/

DAA's Executive Director, Neil Kirschling, spent the week at Americans for the Arts annual conference in Albuquerque, “a...
06/05/2026

DAA's Executive Director, Neil Kirschling, spent the week at Americans for the Arts annual conference in Albuquerque, “a city at the crossroads of culture” where indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, and American influence is all felt.

Neil shared about his experience:

"It’s hard to put into words how omnipresent art and culture are to daily life here.

I’m returning with inspiration, reflections and appreciation for the work Delaware Arts Alliance is doing to the support artists and cultural organizations that make up Delaware’s creative economy. We have a lot to be proud of, and a great opportunity to keep building on our momentum!

Some things that are sitting with me that may resonate with others…
➡️💃🏻“The arts are not extra. They are every.”

➡️🎭The arts are essential civic infrastructure. “What if every state agency/city department employed a creative, like each has an IT or communications person?” Imagine how an artist’s perspective, labor, and unique approach to storytelling could help tackle broader issues from housing to education to economic justice to public health and community safety.

➡️ 🎤New Mexico is one of the only states in the country with an entire cabinet-level state agency. New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs Secretary Debra Garcia y Griego sets the tone from the top! And local arts agencies in cities and counties provide resources and services for artists. What would that look like in Delaware to have structured locally-provided support for artists in every one of our communities?

➡️ 🖼️Advocacy is not about one event. Or one bill. It is about showing up over and over again. Building trusted relationships takes sustained engagement. I’m feeling really proud of DAA advocates who continue to show up, speak up, and stay civically engaged!"

Thank you, Neil, for representing the DAA at this convening. We look forward to utilizing your learnings to continue to advance Delaware's creative economy and grow our cultural tourism sector!

Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay's Creative Economy Convening will take place June 11 from 12:00-1:00PM and will featu...
06/04/2026

Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay's Creative Economy Convening will take place June 11 from 12:00-1:00PM and will feature all of the Lt. Governor's Affinity Groups.

The topic of this meeting is a Legislative Briefing, including other updates, led by the Office of the Lt. Governor. These meetings are open to the public.

To Join the All Affinity Groups OLTGOV Legislative Briefing, visit: https://bit.ly/4uMTgHV

Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay's Community Affinity Groups include: Art and Creative Economy Leaders, Black Leaders, Faith Leaders, Latinx Leaders, LGBTQ+ Leaders, and Veterans Affairs.

The next Lt. Governor's Creative Economy Convening will take place in-person on October 8. Additional details to come!

We look forward to having you join us!

Thank you to Congresswoman Sarah McBride for inviting DAA’s Executive Director, Neil Kirschling, to share Delaware’s CRE...
06/01/2026

Thank you to Congresswoman Sarah McBride for inviting DAA’s Executive Director, Neil Kirschling, to share Delaware’s CREATE Plan during your staff retreat last week. We know we can count on you as a champion for the arts.

Thanks Molly Giordano, Executive Director of the Delaware Art Museum , for hosting and joining in sharing how the arts strengthen Delaware’s communities and economy. The museum’s Citizen Artist exhibition, now open, is featured in the Delaware Arts Alliance’s 2026 “State of CREATE” report for helping advance recommendations related to artist workers and economic development. Learn more here: https://www.delawareartsalliance.org/creativeeconomy/ -of-create

05/29/2026

There is something special about seeing Delaware’s artists take up space together.

Award Winners XXVI is now open at the Biggs Museum of American Art, bringing together the work of 27 Individual Artist Fellows from communities across the state. From visual art to writing, music, media, and folk arts, the exhibition offers a look at the range and depth of creative work happening right here in Delaware.

Visit the Biggs in Dover through August 16. Admission is free.
Delaware Arts Alliance
State of Delaware - Government
Matt Meyer
Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay
Delaware Department of State
National Endowment for the Arts
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies: NASAA
Mid Atlantic Arts

Last week, Governor Meyer signed SB260 into law, establishing Delaware's "Certificate of Arts Excellence." Next Thursday...
05/27/2026

Last week, Governor Meyer signed SB260 into law, establishing Delaware's "Certificate of Arts Excellence." Next Thursday, June 4 from 4:00-4:30PM at the Delaware Art Museum, you are invited to attend a Ceremonial Bill Signing with primary sponsor, Sen. Dan Cruce and co-prime sponsor, Rep. Mara Gorman to celebrate this success.

Afterwards, the DelArt Museum will be open, including the Citizen Artist exhibition and Sculpture Garden Happy Hour Teacher Appreciation Night, with educators also receiving a free drink and discounts on DelArt Memberships (must show teaching credentials or school ID).

The Certificate of Arts Excellence will honor high school students who have sustained achievements in the arts, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, thereby promoting arts education and supporting creative career pathways.

Thank you to the advocates and legislators who've helped make this possible!

Hear Governor Meyer's remarks on arts education during March for the Arts earlier this year in our recap video: https://youtu.be/54TTZLjKS8I?si=6IXZK0cFT3Qsek5N

Want to get involved? Sign up for our newsletter to learn about opportunities to weigh in and shape implementation of SB260! https://www.delawareartsalliance.org/contact/

On May 14, the final Arts & Culture Caucus, co-chaired by Sen. Lockman and Rep. Shupe, convened in Legislative Hall in D...
05/15/2026

On May 14, the final Arts & Culture Caucus, co-chaired by Sen. Lockman and Rep. Shupe, convened in Legislative Hall in Dover. 50+ advocates representing all three counties and 9 legislators joined together to discuss existing creative economy policy priorities. Thank you to everyone helping to advance the arts in Delaware!

We want to extend a special thank you to the legislators who joined us during this meeting. We appreciate you all for asking thoughtful questions and engaging with the arts in a meaningful way: Sen. Elizabeth "Tizzy" Lockman, State Representative Bryan Shupe, Rep. Alonna Berry, Senator Eric Buckson, Rep. Mara Gorman, Sen. Russell Huxtable, Sen. Ray Seigfried, Rep. Kam Smith, and Sen. Wilson

Later on in the day, SCR167, legislation introduced by Sen. Huxtable requesting a report with recommendations for an Arts, Cultural, or Creative District Program passed the Senate. Thank you Sen. Huxtable for sponsoring this bill and inviting DAA's Executive Director, Neil Kirschling, to speak on its behalf on the Senate floor. We'd also like to thank Senior Policy Analyst, Fiona Eramo, and Cultural Planning Group's Martin Cohen for leading a fruitful discussion on this topic during the Arts & Culture Caucus.

Thank you, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, for inviting Lisa Vaupel, Principal Second Violin Player, to kick-off the meeting with a performance, helping to remind us of the power the arts bring to the table!

Thank you Delaware Division of the Arts and Delaware Division of Small Business for joining us too!

We look forward to continuing to work together to support the arts in Delaware! Learn more about the Arts & Culture Caucus and yesterday's meeting at https://www.delawareartsalliance.org/accaucus/

📸 Unified Creative Exchange / Joy MissJon'e Harrison

Earlier this month, SB260 passed the legislature, establishing Delaware's "Certificate of Arts Excellence." This award w...
05/14/2026

Earlier this month, SB260 passed the legislature, establishing Delaware's "Certificate of Arts Excellence." This award will honor high school students who have sustained achievements in the arts, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, thereby promoting arts education and supporting creative career pathways.

Thank you to the advocates and legislators who've made this possible! We are grateful for prime sponsor, Sen. Dan Cruce, and co-prime sponsor, Rep. Mara Gorman, for their leadership in turning this bill into law and supporting Delaware's next generation of artists!

We look forward to continuing our work together to implement arts education policy recommendations from the CREATE Plan. For more information about the bill, read our post at https://www.delawareartsalliance.org/delawares-certificate-of-arts-excellence/

Quotes from the graphics:
"At it's core, this is about recognizing talent, aligning education with opportunity, and making sure Delaware students who excel in the arts are seen and supported in and out of the classroom" - Senator Dan Cruce

"While some Delaware schools offer strong arts programming, access to formal pathways is not consistent statewide. This certificate ensures that every student statewide can earn meaningful, statewide recognition for their work." - Representative Mara Gorman




DAA and arts organizations gave public comment yesterday in support of SS2 for SB181 to rein in deceptive ticket resale ...
05/13/2026

DAA and arts organizations gave public comment yesterday in support of SS2 for SB181 to rein in deceptive ticket resale and price gouging.

Arden Concert Gild, Milton Theatre, The Grand, Freeman Arts Pavilion and DAA shared about the challenges facing Delawareans from speculative resale, bots, deceptive secondary-market websites, and excessive resale pricing, including:
• "As a venue we deal with this issue every single day where patrons are being misled or price gouged."
• "Our free family event is being listed on resale sites for $432."
• "James Taylor lawn tickets are marked up on resale site at 1544% above original price."
• "These tickets are not commodities; they are entrance into our events at a price agreed upon by venue and artist meant to keep prices affordable for fans."

Your Representatives still need to hear from you! Take action now at https://bit.ly/SupportSB181

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