The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) announced today that Council member Loren Spears has been appointed to the board of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA). the professional association of the nation’s 56 state and jurisdictional arts agencies. NASAA is a national, nonpartisan organization that champions public support for the arts in America.

As a board member of NASAA, Spears joins others from throughout the nation in advancing the work of state arts agencies that support arts and culture here in Rhode Island and throughout the United States.

Spears was appointed to the State Arts Council board in 2018 by Gov. Gina M. Raimondo. She is the executive director of the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter. Rhode Island’s only Indigenous Museum, the Tomaquag is dedicated to sharing Native culture, arts and history from a First Person perspective. The Tomaquag Museum features an extensive collection and archive that focuses on Tribal Communities of Southern New England.

RISCA Executive Director Randall Rosenbaum applauded the appointment of Spears to the NASAA board. “Loren is a cultural leader here in Rhode Island,” said Rosenbaum, “and she will represent our state and other states and territories on this national board. She will also speak for the important contribution of Native artists and communities throughout the country. We couldn’t be happier to have Loren serve in this capacity.”

Remarking on her appointment, Spears said, “I am thrilled to be serving on the NASAA board advancing the arts and culture across this country. As an Indigenous person, I am proud to represent Rhode Island and Native community locally and nationally. "

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies is the membership organization that serves the nation's state and jurisdictional arts agencies. NASAA helps state arts agencies fulfill their many citizen service roles by providing knowledge services, representation and leadership programs that strengthen the state arts agency community. NASAA also serves as a clearinghouse for data and research about government support for arts and culture in America, supplying statistical data, policy analysis and information on exemplary practices. For more information on the work of state arts agencies, call 202-347-6352 or visit nasaa-arts.org .

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is a state agency supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders. Visit arts.ri.gov for more information.