As part of ACA’s ongoing reflection on our history and evolution over the past decades, we remain guided and inspired by the leaders who have shaped this field. In this column, we speak with members and colleagues whose perspectives illuminate the past, present, and future of artist communities. For this issue, we talk with Alana Hernandez, Senior Curator at the ASU Art Museum, whose work is dedicated to expanding access, centering Latinx artists, and reimagining what institutional support can look like.

Alerts cover federal arts advocacy (NEA/NEH funding and national policy priorities), field resources (breaking news tracker, artist visa updates), a reflection on equitable Southern grantmaking, a new historic preservation mapping tool, and a free leadership webinar.

Three Rhode Island Artists Receive $30,000 MacColl Johnson Fellowships Finalists also awarded $3,000 stipends and national residency opportunities through Artist Communities Alliance

Artist Communities is no longer a stand-alone category in the NEA’s FY27 Grants for Arts Projects.

In honor of ACA’s 35th Anniversary, we are sharing 35 stories from field leaders. First up is Sanjit Sethi, who has served the ACA board since 2017 and has been co-chair since 2022. We invited Sanjit to share a short memory, artifact, or reflection that captures what ACA has meant to him—or how he imagines the future of artist support. Sanjit currently serves as Head of Campus at Green Schools Bali.

As part of ACA’s own reflection on our history and evolution over the past few decades, we remain inspired by our members. In this column, we will speak to members about their experiences with ACA and with the residency field. For this issue, we talk with Ruth Adams, Executive Director of Art Omi.