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Our work is important because the arts in Arkansas 
represents over 8% of its workforce 
and $3 Billion annually in GDP. 
It is vital to tourism, revitalizes communities, 
and is the primary pipeline for talent and our future workforce.

News + Notes

Arkansans for the Arts, Partners Reveal Arts & Culture Economic Impact

A careful analysis of data from Arkansas's arts and culture institutions showed a total of roughly $306 million in total industry expenditures. The report used data collected statewide over 2022 and revealed the creative economy is a significant contributor to the state's quality of life and overall economic vitality. Surveys also show Arkansans feel the arts contribute to their overall communities and inspire a sense of pride. Click the button below to read the summary report.

Arkansans for the Arts Hire New Executive Director

Hana Mariah Hatta, our newly hired executive director of Arkansans for the Arts, has comprehensive experience in relationship building, public affairs and communications.

She has worked with and for nonprofit organizations, in the government and on campaigns from school board to President of the United States.

Mariah is an outstanding addition as Arkansans for the Arts is the only statewide advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the arts and creative economy. The creative economy is vital to tourism, revitalizes communities and is the primary pipeline for talent and our future workforce.

Mariah’s freelance consultant services for over two decades have ranged from strategic communications, press relations, and general campaign management to fundraising and advocacy.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Mariah has lived on both coasts and in her father’s hometown of Tokyo, Japan. She moved to Little Rock twenty years ago. A volunteer with many local nonprofit organizations and events, Mariah passions are the arts and arts education. The arts and art education have always played a role in Mariah’s life. Her previously mentioned father is a retired public high school art teacher and an artist. She is proud of her service on the Arkansas Arts Council from 2014 – 2019 and her inclusion in the inaugural cohort Artspace Immersion.

Arkansans for the Arts was founded in 2014. Seed funding for the organization was provided by the Windgate Foundation and a grant from Governor Mike Beebe. Since inception, Arkansans for the Arts has raised awareness about the Creative Economy through data compilation, communication, and advocacy leadership training. Arkansans for the Arts serves eight Arkansas arts districts that coincide with the established districts of the Arkansas Arts Council and the Arkansas State Economic Development: Planning Districts. For more information on Arkansans for the Arts, please follow us on https://arkansansforthearts.org


Arkansans For The Arts is the only statewide advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the arts and creative economy.

The creative economy is vital to tourism, revitalizes communities, and is the primary pipeline for talent and our future workforce.

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