Delaware routinely recognizes high school students for academic achievement, athletic accomplishment, and foreign language proficiency. Until this year, artistic achievement was not on that list. Senate Bill 260 (SB260), the Certificate of Arts Excellence, changes that. Introduced by Senator Dan Cruce and Representative Mara Gorman, it directs the Delaware Department of Education to create a…
Delaware’s arts and culture scene is far larger than most people realize, including many Delawareans. Residents and visitors alike often look to Philadelphia or Baltimore for cultural experiences, rarely recognizing the depth of what already exists right here at home. Yet as the First State, Delaware has fostered creative work since before the nation was…
Across Delaware, arts and culture have taken root across downtown corridors and local neighborhood spaces. These vibrant areas exist because local creators built them from the ground up. What many lack is formal recognition and the policy framework required to sustain long-term growth. A state-level cultural district program could provide that structural backing. Nineteen states…
Across Delaware, artists lack both physical space to create and the business tools to build long-term careers. The CREATE Plan addresses this gap by calling for creative hubs in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. These hubs would combine shared workspaces and equipment with direct mentorship, funding connections, and professional training. The plan specifically highlights…
Hear more testimonies from: DDOA’s CreatiVeterans Program DDOA’s Creative Aging Program The Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) is showing what it looks like when the CREATE Plan’s vision comes to life. Strategic investment and cross-sector partnerships are extending the reach of the arts across Delaware, demonstrating how creativity improves well-being, strengthens communities, and builds…