The Arizona Commission on the Arts is hosting a community conversation at the Verde Valley Archaeology Center located at 60 Finnie Flat Road in Camp Verde on Thursday, July 24 at 4 p.m.

This discussion is part of a statewide tour to assess the artistic needs of Camp Verde and gather input on what the arts mean to residents. It will help the commission understand the needs of artists, nonprofits, and community members, as well as what makes Camp Verde and the Verde Valley’s creative community unique.

The Arizona Commission on the Arts is a state agency that creates opportunities for Arizonans to experience and participate in the arts and supports arts and arts education programs through grants, services and leadership.

“The commission really promotes and makes art accessible to every resident here in Arizona, as well as visitors to the state,” VVAC Executive Director Monica Buckle said.

Buckle also serves on the commission and was appointed in 2023 by Gov. Katie Hobbs. “The reason they’re having these community conversations is to expand the arts commission’s visibility within the state.”

The commission is hosting facilitated across communities statewide as part of a year-long process to develop a strategic plan aimed at helping Arizona’s arts sector reach its full potential. This tour focuses on gathering input and increasing visibility in rural and smaller communities, because the commission’s efforts have historically been concentrated in Maricopa and Pima counties — around Phoenix and Tucson.

One of the primary duties of the commission is reviewing grants to fund different arts programming in Arizona throughout the year. The commission funds a plethora of arts programming, such as an artist-in-residence program at Arizona State Parks, the Arizona poet laureate as well as smaller festivals and events.

Another goal of the conversation is to let nonprofits, artists and community members know of grant opportunities they can apply for and that the commission is available to help them through that process.

Buckle said that grant writing is oftentimes an intimidating process, but the commission is seeking first-time applicants to apply. The commission is focusing on expanding their impact in rural regions and with tribal nations.

“In the last three years, the commission has made a huge effort to go to these rural areas to meet with creatives, nonprofits, city officials and representatives to show them that this is what we do and this is how we can help you,” Buckle said. “Not only do we want to help you, but we have to hear what your needs are as a community. For example, Kingman may have a totally different art scene compared to Scottsdale, and they may have a whole different demographic of what appeals to people in each.”

Buckle also stressed the importance of the economic impact that the arts have on the state. She gave an example of the commission funding a three-day festival in a smaller community, which brought additional visitors in and generated revenue for the town in retail shopping, restaurant visits and hotel stays.

“It’s really essential that the commission leaves this community conversation with a better understanding of the art scene here and what people do in Camp Verde,” Buckle said. “It’s such a vibrant region and that comes down to the residents who live here.”

The event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP. For more information, visit azarts.gov.