National Assembly of State Arts Agencies recognizes Delaware for expanding access to the arts in every community
STATEWIDE (November 2, 2026) — The Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) has received the 2026 Arts Access Agency Award from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), a national award recognizing a state arts agency that has shown exceptional and innovative work to expand access to the arts and broaden participation. Director Jessica Ball accepted the award on the Division’s behalf at NASAA’s 2026 National Conference, held in Washington, D.C., October 7 through 9.
The award recognizes agencies that reduce barriers and make sure public investment in the arts reaches people and communities across their state. For Delaware, that has meant art classes that are free for older adults in libraries and senior centers in all three counties, art classes that are free for veterans in all three counties, increased direct funding for individual artists, exhibitions and events that are free to the public, and a statewide events calendar that helps Delawareans find arts and culture in their own neighborhoods.
Accepting the award, Director Ball made clear the recognition belongs to the Division’s staff.
“I’m proud to accept this on behalf of the Delaware Division of the Arts, but I want to be clear about whose award this is: it belongs to our program officers and our staff,” said Jessica Ball, Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts. “They are the ones who show up, in person, in communities all over Delaware and build real relationships one conversation at a time, until people know this funding is meant for them. People take part when they trust you, and our team has earned that trust. They have also done the patient, deliberate work of building partnerships across state government, finding the shared purpose that lets two agencies do together what neither could do alone. That is how a state delivers the arts to every community, and the honor is theirs.”
Delaware Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez congratulated the Division on the national recognition.
“I could not be more proud to see the Delaware Division of the Arts honored on a national stage, surrounded by agencies many times its size,” said Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez. “Delaware is a small state, but this team thinks and delivers big. They bring the arts to Delawareans everywhere. DDOA is meeting people where they are. In our libraries, senior centers, veterans’ halls, and community events. When the arts come to your neighborhood, they become part of everyday life. Our team, led by Jessica Ball, is making this happen up and down the state. DDOA is made up of staff who care about people, are passionate about arts and can deliver every day.”
NASAA President and CEO Pam Breaux praised Delaware’s work in presenting the award.
“Delaware exemplifies what it means to put access at the center of public arts work and offers a model for every state and jurisdictional arts agency,” said Pam Breaux, President and CEO of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. “The Delaware Division of the Arts has demonstrated sustained creativity and a deep commitment to reaching new audiences in every part of the state with ongoing efforts that reduce barriers and ensure the arts are accessible to everyone. Recognizing Delaware’s leadership among its peers nationwide is an opportunity to celebrate its contributions and the example it sets for the field.”
Juan Souki, Executive Director of Mid Atlantic Arts, the regional arts organization that serves Delaware and its neighboring states, celebrated the Division’s recognition.
“Delaware has long been a leader in arts outreach, and this recognition is well earned,” said Juan Souki, Executive Director of Mid Atlantic Arts. “The Delaware Division of the Arts has shown what it looks like to make access more than a value statement: to reach older adults, veterans, artists, and whole communities and welcome them in. We are proud to have Delaware as part of our region, and prouder still to see the Division held up as a national example of the work we all aspire to.”
The Arts Access Agency Award is presented to a state arts agency or regional arts organization demonstrating an emerging or sustained commitment to expanding access, reducing barriers, and ensuring that public investment in the arts reaches people and communities throughout their state or region.
Photo courtesy of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.
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About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.
Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer for Marketing and Communications, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov, 302-577-8280
About the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to strengthening the nation’s 56 state and jurisdictional arts agencies. NASAA takes pride in helping state arts agencies to flourish. We equip state arts agencies to meet the challenges of today—and fortify them to thrive in the future.
Contact: Jhai James, Communications Director, Jhai.James@nasaa-arts.org, 202-347-6352 x131