Arts build communities: That is the simple principle that drives local arts agencies to fund programs that improve the economic, social and aesthetic quality of life in their towns and cities. And now, many organizations are discovering that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can help fund certain arts programs that meet their objectives to improve community livability. In fact, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Jane Alexander hopes to broaden the base of support for the arts through interagency collaborations. Linking the NEA's mission with the agendas of other federal agencies would expand arts support and generate new funding sources for the arts.

HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros has expressed a true openness and earnest belief that the arts are an essential component to revitalizing and empowering a community. Through the Secretary's Special Actions Office, HUD is working with the arts community to disseminate information about HUD's national initiatives and to encourage arts agencies to partner with their local housing authorities in order to avail themselves of these opportunities. It should be underlined, however, that while HUD may broaden funding criteria to include arts programming at the national level, funding can only be truly secured through active advocacy efforts by local arts agencies and other community-based organizations at the local level.

In this Monograph, eight communities across the country describe their partnerships with local housing and/or economic development authorities. HUD funding has supported projects ranging from building cultural facilities and improving the design and aesthetics of existing buildings to funding various arts discipline programs targeted for public housing youth, both on and off housing sites. Examples include collaborations with state and local arts agencies, as well as local universities, social service agencies and other community-based organizations. This diverse collection of collaborations just begins to demonstrate the breadth and flexibility of
HUD-funded programs involving the arts. (p. 1)

CONTENTS
U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development special actions office.
Tucson/Pima Arts Council, Tucson, Arizona.
Texas Commission on the Arts: Project B.R.I.D.G.E., Texas Statewide program.
Beaufort County Arts Council, Washington, North Carolina.
Indianapolis Art Center: ArtReach program, Indianapolis, Indiana.
HUD partners with public art in Broward County Florida, Broward Cultural Affairs Council.
Arts Alternatives, Sierra Arts Foundation, Reno, Nevada.
Indianapolis Arts Commission, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Sullivant Gardens HUD/CMHA drug abatement Program, Greater Columbus Arts Council.
Examples of Innovative accessibility uses of CDBG funds for cultural facilities.
Glossary of applicable HUD programs and initiatives. 
HUD listing of secretary's representatives.