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CAH names new communications director, discusses Art Rx pilot and FY27 budget mark
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Summary
Executive Director Aaron Myers announced India Wright will join as communications director on Dec. 1, previewed a national convening of state arts-agency leaders in 2026, and reported a FY27 budget ceiling of $44,352,000; Myers also discussed using settlement funds to support arts-as-health programs.
Executive Director Aaron Myers told the Commission on Nov. 17 that India Wright will join the agency as communications director on Dec. 1 and briefly introduced her to commissioners.
“We’re really excited to get started,” India Wright said when given the microphone.
Myers described policy and program ideas the agency is exploring, including an arts-as-prescription model known in some places as Art Rx. He said several states have used tobacco and opioid settlement money to support arts-and-health programs and that staff have asked the attorney general’s office and Council leadership about available settlement funds.
“We are going to be implementing a new grant system,” Myers added, saying the new grants management software should ease application and payment issues grantees have reported.
On fiscal planning, Myers reported the agency’s FY27 maximum allowable request ceiling is $44,352,000 (excluding fund balance) and said staff are analyzing how a projected cumulative decrease of roughly $402,000 will affect personnel and program budgets.
Why it matters: a new communications director and a revamped grants-management system could change how the agency engages grantees and the public; the FY27 budget mark frames what the agency can request during the city budget process and may constrain program decisions.
What comes next: staff will continue budget analysis, launch the new grant system and prepare for the 2026 convening of state arts-agency staff and boards.
