This is the 107th in a continuing series of updates about the work of WESTAF.
 
PAA Announces Collection-Specific Interactive Maps
The Public Art Archive™ (PAA) recently launched a new interactive mapping feature for public art collections. Collection Maps make engaging with public art easier than ever by giving visitors the ability to visualize public art collections on an interactive map, navigate to specific works of art, and discover artwork details. The feature replaces the need for development of costly websites and apps that drain time and resources on public art organizations. This latest addition to PAA’s suite of products and services for the public art field is available now at a low annual fee. Contact Lori.Goldstein@westaf.org for more information.
 
CVSuite Announces New Emsi Reports 
WESTAF’s Creative Vitality™ Suite will soon make available to its clients a new report offering. CVSuite partner and data provider Emsi developed a tool that pulls various reports that contain information on the labor market. CVSuite has identified 10 key reports that best serve our creative economy experts, which will be offered for a small fee beginning in February. For additional information on these reports, contact Business Coordinator Kelly Ernst at Kelly.Ernst@westaf.org.
 
TourWest 2020 Cycle Now Open
WESTAF recently launched the 2020 cycle of its annual TourWest grant program. A competitive grant program supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, TourWest provides subsidies to arts and community organizations within the 13-state WESTAF region for the presentation of out-of-state touring performers and literary artists. Grant awards are $2,500 or 50% of the artistic fees, whichever is less, and require a one-to-one cash match by the presenting organization. Projects must take place between September 1, 2020, and August 31, 2021 and include both a public performance and an educational outreach activity. Eligible organizations may apply for up to two standard performance grants, for two distinct projects. Applications are reviewed in May 2020 by a panel of industry leaders on artistic merit, presentation of programs to underserved and/or culturally diverse audiences, quality of the outreach activities, engagement and collaboration (including block booking), and thoroughness of the project’s planning. The TourWest 2020 application cycle is currently open at https://tourwest.gosmart.org. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2020. 
 
WESTAF Partners with South Arts on Inaugural Emerging Leaders of Color Program 
Sister regional arts organization South Arts is partnering with WESTAF to launch its own Emerging Leaders of Color program. This new initiative will provide a cohort of cultural leaders of color the opportunity to develop the skills and competencies necessary to prepare them for leadership positions in the field. The program also seeks to build a network of leaders in the South committed to the advancement of the arts throughout the region. Guidelines and application will launch in the spring.
 
WESTAF Executive Director Christian Gaines Nominated to Vice Chair of DisArt
Through his time at ArtPrize, Christian Gaines became involved with Grand Rapids-based nonprofit DisArt, an organization focused on transforming society from awareness to understanding to belonging through art events, consultation and communication, to create communities that enjoy the full and equitable participation of Disabled people.