1. Introduction -- Research approach -- Report overview -- 2. At arms-length -- SAAS governance structure and decisionmaking processes -- Advocacy -- Insulation or isolation? -- 3. Catalysts for change -- Budgetary trends -- Political developments -- 4. Making the case for the arts in Montana -- Brief history of the Montana Arts Council -- Montana's new strategy : marketing the arts and the agency -- 5. New priorities for public arts funding in Maine -- Brief history of the Maine Arts Commission -- Maine's strategy : strengthening communities, strengthening alliances -- 6. Strategic management of state arts agencies -- Public-value framework -- Lessons from Montana and Maine -- Relevance of lessons to other states -- Arm in arm with state government leaders? -- 7. At arms-length-- but dancing -- Risks of arm-in-arm approaches -- Rewards of arm-in-arm approaches -- Appendix A. Some facts about state arts agencies -- Appendix B. Montana Arts Council's listening tour.