As part of ACA’s ongoing reflection on our history and evolution over the past few 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 Joel Garcia, artist, culture leader, educator, and ACA Board Member.

In honor of ACA’s 35th Anniversary, we are sharing 35 stories from field leaders. We asked Mario Durham, who served on the ACA board from 2012-2021, and as ACA Board Chair during that time, 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. In October 2011, Mario Garcia Durham became the fifth President and CEO of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) since its founding in 1957. After nine years of successful leadership, he completed a planned departure and leadership transition in June of 2020. He is currently an independent consultant.

In this column, we offer reflections from ACA staff members—what we are reading, what we are thinking about, how we address the balance between our work lives and our creative lives (and the points at which those intersect). We asked Ellena Basada, who manages ACA’s communications, to share what she was thinking about.

The new members of ACA's Board of Trustees were selected for their demonstrated dynamism and effectual, thoughtful leadership.

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