CAC Update - March 20,
2006
Table of Contents:
1. On The Arts: Three Grammar Mistakes, Two Big Words,
and One Big Lesson
2. Opportunities
3. Artist Call
4. Arts IS Education in Alameda County
5. CAAE Seeks Arts Coaches
6. Meetings and Workshops Around the Golden
State
7. Information Center: Reports and Surveys
8. Bits and Pieces
9. Creativity Quotes
On The Arts: Three Grammar
Mistakes, Two Big Words, and One Big Lesson
William Safire is a man who loves precision. The New York
Times writer is best known for his "On Language" column
on the uses and misuses of words and phrases in today's world. So it's
no surprise that when asked to give a major speech on the arts in
Washington DC's Kennedy Center, Safire's focus would be less metaphor
and more science.
Brain science, to be exact.
"The Back of Your Head"--Brain Research and the
Arts
Safire was this year's choice for the Nancy Hanks lecture on Arts and
Public Policy, a leading national forum for arts policy intended to
stimulate dialogue on policy and social issues affecting the arts. In
addition to his writing, Safire serves as the chairman and chief
executive of the Dana Foundation, an organization that investigates
two major subjects: brain research and the arts. Safire explained that
the foundation is eighteen months into a three-year project that
investigates how each subject influences the other.
While Safire may be a new face among the arts and arts-education
advocates, his concepts were not. Safire's entitled his speech
"Never Let Them See The Back of Your Head" after dancer
Martha Graham's advice to not bow too deeply, which Safire interpreted
as advice to avoid expressing excess humility. But part of his lecture
could have been called The Arts Education Advocate's Creed, or
"Why Arts Education Is Good."
"Participating in the performing arts brings kids to school, even
on the rainiest of days," he said. "It raises the sense of
self-worth needed by pupils discouraged by struggles with academic
subjects (as does sports, he noted in an aside)."
"The incentive to practice instills a habit of discipline in
students that will be needed in the workplace, and thereby may help
American graduates compete in a global marketplace," he
continued. "And active understanding of what it means to perform
and appreciate art enriches life during school years and long after
graduation."
Safire went on to say that once the Dana Foundation's study concludes,
there may be a fifth part of the "Why Arts Is Good"
Creed--that science shows major benefits to brain function and
development in children.
"New measurement capabilities to explain how signals from
different parts of the brain combine to drive an entire pattern of
behavior. By providing images of the physical and functional
connections between brain regions, these scientists should find it
possible to obtain information about the neural networks underlying
individual arts and test whether and how arts-training alters the
brain."
Translation? Scientists are taking pictures of the brain that show how
the arts positively affect thinking and learning.
Just What the Rand Doctor Asked For
Safire's announcement about new scientific studies needs to be
realized in context. While there's an assumption that the arts are
good for child development among arts supporters, there haven't been a
plethora of studies. From a public-policy and academic standpoint, the
lack of studies make it difficult to overwhelming support arts
programs over other needs.
This dearth of evidence was brought to light recently in a 2004 Rand
Foundation study entitled Gifts of the Muse that studied
attitudes towards the arts. While the thrust of the report was that
people participate in the arts because of enjoyment, one of the
comments the researches had was that previous studies supporting the
arts and arts education were too assumptive and anecdotal. They
"lacked rigor" in academic and scientific terms. The Dana
Foundation's investigations, once released, could give public-policy
experts the "rigorous" evidence they seek.
Some of the hard-core science investigation has already been underway,
said Safire. Between lexicon jokes (he corrected himself twice,
confessing at one point that "there will be three grammar
mistakes in my speech"), Safire continued to delve into brain
science. He explained that previous research showed that as children
learn to read, certain fibers in the brain grow longer. Early
participation in the arts may show the same sort of brain chemistry,
and experts at leading universities across the nation are
participating in investigations of this and other effects of the arts
on the brain, he said.
One study from the University of Oregon by Dr. Helen Neville has
already shown that pre-school age children exposed to the arts did
better with language skills than those who were not exposed. Neville
and others are expanding the studies with more children (and therefore
stronger evidence), as well as other investigation about the arts and
cognitive learning. Studies like these, taken together, may provide
hard-core science supporting the concept that visual and performing
arts improve brain function in children and show that, indeed, the
arts are good for you.
Strange Bedfellows and Old Friends
To the uninformed, Safire may seem to be an interesting choice for a
national policy speech on the arts. An acknowledged conservative, he
metaphorically tipped his hat to liberal activists in the audience
like actor Alec Baldwin (representing the Hollywood-driven Creative
Coalition), joking that the arts creates an interesting middle ground.
Safire, thought of more as a bookworm than entertainer, is a
self-described "right-wing pundit" who the
Washington
Post noted would be considered an odd choice for the lecture on
the arts in a politically polarized world. (To see the
Post
article, go to
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/14/AR2006031401961.html .)
But from Safire's perspective, not only is the arts non-political, it
was only fitting that he ended up presenting a Hanks lecture. The
serendipity goes beyond Safire's affinity for the classical arts and
literature, but to a personal connection with the annual lecture's
namesake. Nancy Hanks was a friend.
Safire explained that while the National Endowment for the Arts got
its start during the Lyndon Johnson administration, the growth and
impact of the program happened after President Richard Nixon took
office. Hanks was appointed to the NEA by Nixon (to whom Safire served
as speechwriter) during the heated controversy over the Vietnam War, a
time when government leaders were searching for a subject where both
sides of the political aisle could find middle ground. The answer?
Arts.
"There was a 'policy window,'" explained Safire. The
administration's need to find a positive policy platform was utilized
by Nancy Hanks on behalf of the National Endowment of the Arts.
"The country's biggest problem led to support for the NEA,"
said Safire.
What Kind of People?
Safire challenged his audience to make the arts, especially the
classic masterpieces, accessible and interesting to everyone through
informational talks and discussions before and after major
performances and shows. Most people would welcome a few helpful hints
on what to look for when watching a performance or visiting a gallery
or museum, he said.
Safire cautioned that while the evidence should be coming showing
significant benefits, the arts at an early age isn't expected to be a
panacea. Safire believes that the Dana Foundation research will show
that one of the greatest benefits of participating in the arts is that
it helps train the brain to focus, "which is beneficial in every
field." The Dana Foundation report is expected to be released in
mid-2007, and while the U.S. Department of Education "hasn't
expressed an interest ... yet," Dana Gioia from the NEA will keep
arts advocates and others informed, he said.
As he neared the end of his speech, Safire had this thought about
children and the arts:
"Does this preliminary finding mean that if your kid spends ten
hours a week practicing the piano, they'll be better at math? Could
be. However, let's be realistic. If they spend the same ten hours
studying
more math, it's likely they'll be even better at
math.
"But while kind of people will they grow up to be?"
-----------------------------------------
This summation of William Safireâ*™s 2006 Nancy Hanks Lecture
on the Arts and Public Policy was written by Mary Beth Barber of the
California Arts Council. To hear a podcast of the entire speech from
March 13, 2006 (and read about past speeches) go to http://www.artsusa.org/events/nancyhanks.asp .
Opportunities
Irvine Foundation's The Dance: Creation to Performance Grants
for 2006 Cycle
Irvine's The Dance: Creation to Performance (DCP) program provides
grant funds to individual dancemakers on a competitive basis to foster
artistic excellence among a diverse group of artists in California and
to support innovative ways for them to share new dance works with
communities throughout the state. Applicants must be able to
demonstrate experience in concert choreography, dance/theater, or
traditional dance through video samples, and have presented at least
one new or traditional work to the public in each of the last three
years. For further information, please call Program Director Julie
Carson at
310/641.8090 or send e-mail to
jca...@danceusa.org. Cycle
2006 program guidelines are available on the Dance/USA website at
http://www.danceusa.org/programs_publications/regrant.htm .
Deadline:
April 4, 2006.
"Culture for Kids" Grant Program to Cover Field-Trip
Travel Costs
The Patron Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that children have
greater access to cultural and educational opportunities. During 2006,
the organization says it will be making its "Culture for Kids"
grant program available in communities nationwide.
To receive information about how "Culture for Kids" can
subsidize field trips in your community, please register to receive
program updates at the website at
http://www.patronfoundation.org/participate/ .
HP Wireless Technology Packages Granted to 100 Nonprofits
from the CAM eNewsletter
The HP Technology for Community Grant Initiative is designed to
provide technology tools to nonprofit organizations to enhance their
effectiveness and to support the innovative use of mobile technology.
HP has partnered with TechSoup Stock to provide product grant awards
to selected nonprofits. In 2006, HP will award up to 100 organizations
(with budgets less than $10 million) in select communities an HP
wireless technology package valued at approximately $17,000.
Eligible California communities include: Roseville, Sacramento, San
Diego, and a nine county Bay Area region. The deadline to apply is
March 22, 2006. See
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/us/programs/tech_community/ .
Ideas that Matter--Funding for Graphic Designers and
Nonprofits
Sappi, a supplier of coated fine paper used for brochures and other
publications, established a granting program called "Ideas that
Matter" that finances graphic-arts projects for quality
nonprofits.
Awards range from $5,000 to $50,000 for each project selected to cover
implementation costs of selected print programs and out-of-pocket
expenses. (Since the program is designed specifically to recognize
designers' pro bono work, awards will not cover designers' time.)
Deadline:
May 31, 2006 for idea submission. Go to
http://www.sappi.com/IdeasthatMatter for information and to
request an application form be sent to you.
Barnes & Noble Corporate Contributions
The Barnes & Noble Corporate Contributions Program is committed to
literary-based sponsorships and partners with organizations that focus
their core businesses on higher learning, literacy and the arts.
Maximum Award: varies. Eligibility: non-profit organizations that
focus on literacy, the arts or education (K - 12). Deadline: N/A.
Visit the Contributions website for more information at
http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our_company/sponsorship/sponsorships_national/donations_national.html or email
mkea...@bn.com .
Grammy Camp for Teens
The GRAMMY Foundation invites youth ages 15-19 to apply for a spot at
the 2006 GRAMMY Camp from July 15-31. Sponsored in part by Shure
Incorporated and the Epiphone Company, this 19-day interactive
experience will take place at the Citrus College Entertainment
Technology Complex in Glendora and other venues throughout Los
Angeles. There will be 14 Career Tracks: Audio Engineering, Film/TV
Scoring, Arranging and Conducting, Music Production, Video Game Music,
Video Game Sound Design, DJ/Remixing, Keyboard, Guitar, Bass,
Drums/Percussion, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and
Singer/Songwriting. Participants receive fully immersive instruction
grounded in both academic and practical applications provided by the
Citrus College faculty, GRAMMY Award-winning and -nominated
professionals and Recording Academy industry specialists. Financial
assistance is available and consideration will be given both for
needs-based assistance, talent-based submissions and/or a combination
of both. The Application Packet are currently available online at
http://www.grammyintheschools.com . Deadline to apply:
April
14, 2006 or until all Career Tracks are filled.
For more information contact: Patrick Bolek, Director-GRAMMY Camp, The
GRAMMY Foundation,
1-800-423-2017 X 8667;
patr...@grammy.com .
Getty Foundation Offers Museum Conservation Survey and Treatment
Grants
from the CAM eNewsletter
The Getty Foundation offers Museum Conservation Grants to assist
institutions in caring for their permanent collections. Survey Grants
assist museums in identifying the conservation requirements of art
collections. Treatment Grants support the conservation treatment of
works of art of outstanding artistic significance. There are no
specific closing dates; grants range from $25,000 to $250,000. For
additional information, visit
http://www.getty.edu/grants/conservation/ .
Americans for the Arts Award Nominations Open
Americans for the Arts (AFTA) has a series of awards they grant each
year, and their nominations process is open. Three of the awards are
noted below.
Emerging Leader Award from AFTA--Nominations Needed
The Americans for the Arts Emerging Leader Award is given to an
individual (administrator, consultant, artist, etc.) or staff member
who is a new and/or young leader, in recognition of his or her
extraordinary work in the arts administration field. The recipient
will have demonstrated innovative thinking, a commitment to the
advancement of the arts, and exemplary leadership qualities, and will
have made a significant impact on his or her local, state, or national
community through professional work. The nominee should be an emerging
leader who is 35 years or younger or has been in the field for five
years or less.
Nomination Deadline:
April 7, 2006. Nomination forms can be
found at
http://www.artsusa.org/services/annual_awards/emerging_leader_nominate.asp .
Public Art Network Award from AFTA
The Public Art Network Award is given annually in recognition and
honor of innovative and creative contributions and/or exemplary
commitment and leadership in the field of public art. It can be given
to either an individual, including an artist, administrator,
volunteer, designer, or government official, or an organization,
including an arts council, public arts program, or private or public
entity.
Deadline for nominations:
April 7, 2006. Submit a nomination at
http://ww3.artsusa.org/services/annual_awards/pan_nominate.asp
.
AFTA Award for Local Arts Leaders--Nominations Needed for the
Selina Roberts Ottum Award
Americans for the Arts writes:
"The Selina Roberts Ottum Award celebrates and commemorates the
life of someone very dear to the arts community in the United States.
Selina's leadership skills were accompanied by her
straight-forwardness, humor, honesty, caring, and ability to bring
people together. Her work was always important to her, but making the
community a better place to live was most essential. To encourage
these qualities in those working in the arts, an endowment fund was
established to create an annual award in her honor. The Selina Roberts
Ottum Award--given annually at the Americans for the Arts
convention--honors individuals working in the arts and in arts
management who have made a meaningful contribution to their local
communities, and who exemplify those leadership qualities that made
Selina so special."
Deadline for nominations:
April 7, 2006. To submit, go to
http://ww3.artsusa.org/services/annual_awards/selina_roberts_ottum_nominate.asp .
All three awards will be presented at the Americans for the Arts
annual convention in Milwaukee, WI in June. For information on the
convention, go to
http://www.americansforthearts.org/events/2006/convention/default.asp .
Nominations Requested to Honor Artists in American Indian
Communities
from the CAM eNewsletter
First Peoples Fund, a national nonprofit organization invites you to
nominate an artist from your American Indian community for their
eighth annual Community Spirit Award, recognizing individuals who have
made substantial contributions to their communities. The deadline to
nominate an individual is
April 15, 2006. Following a rigorous
selection process, four individuals will be honored with a $5,000
fellowship and will be recognized at a ceremony in Rapid City, S.D. in
December 2006. For additional information, visit
http://www.firstpeoplesfund.org/Grant%20Programs/CommSpirit/CSAnominations.htm .
French-American Fund for Contemporary Art Project Grants
from the CAM eNewsletter
The French-American Fund for Contemporary Art offers financial support
in the form of grants to American nonprofit institutions organizing
exhibitions, installations, artist residencies, publications, or other
projects by living French artists or to French nonprofit institutions
presenting the same types of projects involving American artists.
Qualifying exhibitions may be in the fields of painting, drawing,
sculpture, architecture and design, as well as video art or any form
of artistic endeavor applying new technologies. The closing date is
March 31, 2006. For additional information, see
http://www.facecouncil.org/etantdonnes/edcaguidelines.html . The
deadline for Curatorial Research Grants is September 30, 2006.
Artist Call
VISUAL ARTISTS
Culver City Seeks Visual Artists for Public Art Project
The Public Art & Historic Preservation Coordinator for the City of
Culver City has put out a call for Los Angeles area artists for a
long-term temporary project utilizing light poles along Washington
Blvd. For more information, contact B. Christine Byers at (310)
253-5776 or
christi...@culvercity.org for a PDF application.
State Fair Fine Art Information Available Online
The California State Fair and Exposition recently made their paper
applications available online in PDF form for their annual Fine Art
juried art show. This is the same statewide contest where notable
artists such as Wayne Thiebaud first received recognition. Go to
http://www.bigfun.org/2005/Competitions/competition_information.asp for a full listing of all State Fair competitions and scroll down to
"Fine Arts." Also available are the Creative Arts and Craft
contest listings. Most submission periods have not opened yet, but
artists and crafters can start to prepare using these guidelines.
NOTE FOR TEACHERS AND KIDS -- Youth Juried Art
Show: Young artists are also part of the annual show at the State
Fair. Applications and guidelines are available at the website noted
above, in many categories including fine arts, crafts, and others.
Scroll down through the list to the "Youth" categories.
Sacramento County Fair Art Exhibit and Sale
The Sacramento County Fair Art Exhibit and Sale is open to all artists
residing in the following counties: Sacramento, Amador, Contra Costa,
El Dorado, Placer, San Joaquin, Solano, Sutter, and Yolo. Entry
Deadline: Friday,
April 21, 2006. All Media. All entries
displayed and judged for cash awards. 20 percent commission collected
on sales. Entry Fee: $5.00 per artwork, maximum 10. Entry forms and
information are available only online at
http://www.sacfair.com . If more
information is needed, email
in...@sacfair.com or call (916)
263-2975.
FILMMAKERS
Capital Film Arts Alliance "Creative Interpretations"
Contest
The Capital Film Arts Alliance (CFAA) is calling all Sacramento-area
filmmakers to participate in their "Creative Interpretations"
contest. The CFAA invites filmmakers to send a brief synopsis (1-2
paragraphs) of the story YOU would tell on using the winning one-page
script -- located on their website at
http://www.capitalfilmarts.com . The top ten film teams will each receive $100 'seed' money to
kick-start their film project, plus the chance to win the grand prize
of $1000.
Participants must use the dialogue provided in the winning script, in
the order it appears, to create a short film. Film length can be
anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 minutes! Completed films will be
screened and cash awards will be presented later this summer at a gala
event at The Crest Theater, Sacramento's renovated historic film venue
in downtown. For info, email:
in...@capitalfilmarts.com . Deadline for
synopsis entries is
March 31, 2006. Chosen films must be
completed by July 15, 2006. To submit your synopsis, email
submi...@capitalfilmarts.com .
Sacramento French Film Festival Accepting Short Films
"It's that time again: the Sacramento French Film Festival is
soliciting your short films for our 2006 programme," writes the
festival's producers. "Here are the specs, "short" and
sweet: 1. no longer than 5 minutes running time; 2. the theme must be
some aspect of French language or culture; 3. films must be submitted
no later than
June 1, 2006.
Festival organizers ask that films must be submitted on NTSC mini DV,
DVCam, or BetaSP, regardless of originating format. SUBMIT FILMS TO:
faubourg films, POB 19816, Sacramento, CA 95819-0816 (short films 2006
will be programmed at the festival's discretion)
Questions, comments, concerns? Call Mark Herzig:
916.524.0419 or email
markh...@surewest.net . For more info on the 2006 festival, visit
the Alliance Francaise de Sacramento website:
http://www.afdesacramento.org/
Seventh Annual Sacramento Film and Music Festival
The Sacramento Film & Music Festival, scheduled for the first week
in August 2006, is currently seeking:
* Music submissions from local artists for "Sac Music Seen",
the festival's creative and interactive music video program;
* Filmmakers to participate in the Sac Music Seen program and produce
music videos from talented musicians;
* Sacramento-area filmmakers to participate in the 10x10 ("Ten by
Ten") Film Challenge will once again be offered to the truly
brave filmmakers who can make a 10 minute film in 10 days (theme
announced 10 days before films are due);
* and of course... film submissions are now being accepted for this
year's Sac Film & Music Festival.
The festival will take place August 2-6, 2006 at the beautiful Crest
Theater, with a pre-opening gala - in conjunction with the Sacramento
Professional Film Mixer on August 1st. Go to
http://www.sacfilm.com to submit or
find out more information.
International Documentary Film Challenge
The first Annual International Documentary Challenge (IDC) will take
place March 22-27, 2006. The IDC is a new timed filmmaking competition
where filmmakers from around the globe have just 5 days to make a
short non-fiction film. Winning films will screen at a theatrical
event presented in association with SILVERDOCS (hosted by AFI Silver
Theatre), will be released on a DVD, and receive possible television
exposure. Regular Deadline:
March 22, 2006 Complete details and
entry forms can be found at:
http://www.documentarychallenge.org . Fees may apply.
Arts IS Education in Alameda
County
The Contra Costa Times reports that "Students in all
six of Piedmont's schools are putting the final touches on their
artistic creations that will be on exhibit as part of Art IS Education
month, which began March 1.
"Piedmont's schools invite parents and community members to a
series of events during the month, including visual arts exhibits,
live performances of theater, music and dance, classroom
demonstrations and walking tours.
"The seventh annual Art IS Education month mobilizes individuals,
schools and communities to celebrate and showcase the important role
of arts in education. The essential skills acquired when the arts are
used as a pathway for learning are given special emphasis in the
classrooms this month. The skills of critical thinking,
problem-solving, investigation, curiosity and expression can be used
in English, math, science and social studies to enhance
learning."
For a list of events, go to Go to
http://www.acgov.org/arts .
CAAE Seeks Arts Coaches
from the CAAE newsletter
California Alliance for Arts Education, in conjunction with "Arts
for All: Los Angeles County Regional Blueprint for Arts Education"
seeks applications from individuals and organizations who would like
to be considered for coaching positions.
Coaches will be engaged to guide districts toward the adoption and
implementation of a district arts education policy and long-range
budgeted plan for arts education. CAAE provides overall project
management for the technical assistance provided to Arts for All
districts. Five new school districts from across Los Angeles County
are invited each year to receive technical assistance based on
demonstrated district leadership and support, readiness to engage in
an arts education planning process, and well-developed community
support.
For an application, go to
http://www.artsed411.org/projects/caep.stm . Postmark
deadline:
April 15, 2006.
Meetings and Workshops Around the Golden
State
Space Art Track, 25th International Space Development
Conference - May 4-7, 2006
The Space Art Track of the 25th International Space Development
Conference (ISDC), Co-Sponsored by the National Space Society and the
Planetary Society, will take place in Los Angeles,
May 4-7,
2006. The track will showcase a series of inspirational Space Art
track presentations and panels complimented by a proposed Space Art
Exhibition, Space Art Screenings and proposed Zero Gravity Arts
Consortium (ZGAC) Parabolic Flight for Artists and live interactive
webcast direct from Zero Gravity Corporation's Boeing 727 jet.
Conference attendees include international artists, arts advocates,
historians, curators, space agency officials, space exploration
corporate administrators and many of the key players in the space
industry including: Buzz Aldrin, Apollo astronaut; Shana Dale, NASA
Deputy Administrator, Burt Rutan, Designer, X Prize winning
SpaceShipOne; Elon Musk, President, Space Exploration Technologies;
Peter Diamandis, Founder and Chairman, X PRIZE Foundation; Rusty
Schweickart, Apollo astronaut and Dennis Tito, The first space
tourist; and Charles Elachi, Director, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
ZGAC in collaboration with the STUDIO For Creative Inquiry at the
College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University will support the
creation of this unique Space Art Track with Lowry Burgess and San
Francisco interdisciplinary artist, Frank Pietronigro, serving as
Co-Chairs. History has shown that when artists and scientists
collaborate that rapid invention and innovations follow.
To register for the Space Art Track and learn about how to contribute
to space science and art collaborations please visit:
http://isdc.nss.org/2006/art.html and
http://www.zgac.org . For more
information, contact Frank Pietronigro at
fr...@pietronigro.com,
Co-Founder and Project Director, Zero Gravity Arts Consortium,
Interdisciplinary Artist, San Francisco or Lowry Burgess at
lb...@andrew.cmu.edu, Professor of Art, STUDIO For Creative Inquiry
College of Fine Arts, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Free VAPA Workshop for Arts Administrators/Artists in Santa
Monica
from the CAAE eNewsletter
Presented by RIMS California Arts Project a regional site of The
California Arts Project a California Subject Matter Projects providing
professional development in the visual and performing arts for K -
Post-Secondary educators.
Saturday April 1, Santa Monica, 9am-12pm. Santa Monica-Malibu
Unified School District., District Office Board Room, 1651 16th Street
(between Olympic and Colorado across from Memorial soccer fields),
Santa Monica, CA 90404.
Introduction to the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards
and Framework. Participants will gain an understanding of the
definitive characteristics of each of the arts disciplines (dance,
music, theatre, and visual arts) as well as the five component strand
of arts instruction included in the Framework. This workshop is free,
but participants must register by March 30, 2006. Contact Armalyn De
La O, Director, RIMS California Arts Project at
(909) 537-5938 or
ade...@csusb.edu .
Scholarships Available for May CAAE Conference on Arts
Education
The California Alliance for Arts Education (CAAE) writes that they're
pleased to provide scholarships for their annual Leadership
Conference. Scholarships are available to cover registration fees and
partial travel expenses. Email the Event Coordinator, Adeye Melchor,
at
ad...@artsed411.org . If you would like to request a scholarship to
attend the 2006 Arts Education Leadership Conference: Advocacy in
Action. Please Include your Name, Mailing Address, Telephone, Email,
Affiliation, and School District (if applicable). Indicate what you
hope to learn by attending the conference and why you are requesting a
scholarship. Application Deadline:
March 29. 2006.
California Consultancy for Arts Education Summer Art
Institute
from the CAAE eNewsletter
CCAE, Inc. will present its annual Summer Art Institute at the Crocker
Art Museum in Sacramento, Monday July 24 through Friday July 28, 2006.
This fun and intensive one-week Institute provides an outstanding
program grounded in the California Visual and Performing Arts
Standards and Language Arts Standards with authentic connections to
other content areas as appropriate. Participants put themselves in the
place of their students--learning-by-doing through standards-based,
arts-integrated units. Participants will receive a comprehensive
Resource Binder with step-by-step worksheets, along with arts prints
and transparencies based on the focus artworks.
For teachers interested in taking the next step in developing their
own arts-integrated curriculum units, CCAE, Inc. offers the annual
Curriculum Development Workshop at its offices on the Sacramento State
University campus from Tuesday August 1 through Thursday August 3.
For more information on both programs, view the CCAE website at
http://www.ccaeinc.org/about.html or contact Co-Director KD
Kurutz at
kdku...@saclink.csus.edu or
(916) 278-3946.
The CA Arts Project--Professional Development Institute
from the CAAE eNewsletter
TCAP institutes are designed to support arts educators in improving
their students' success through deepening educators' content knowledge
of the arts disciplines, developing additional instructional
strategies, networking with other arts focused educators and
reflecting upon their teaching practice.
- TCAP Invitational Leadership Institute (for all experienced arts
educators)
- Collaborative Design Institute (for all experienced arts
educators)
- Pathways to understanding the Arts Disciplines (for K-6 arts
educators)
To find a program near you, visit the TCAP website at
http://csmp.ucop.edu/tcap/ or
contact TCAP's statewide office at California State University, San
Bernardino at
909.537.7542.
Irvine Foundation Conference Call and Workshops for Prospective
Applicants
from the CAM eNewsletter
The Irvine Foundation, one of the largest grant-making foundations in
the state, is offering a conference call and workshops to make grant
applications more competitive. On March 21, 2006 10:00 a.m. to 11:30
a.m., the Irvine Foundation will host a 90-minute conference call for
their New Connections Fund to answer specific questions from
grantseekers. Whether you have a specific question to ask, or whether
you would like to hear others' questions, they recommend attending
this call to learn more about how to prepare a competitive
application. To register for the conference call, see
http://www.irvine.org/grants_program/howto/new_connections/calendar.shtml.
In addition, the Irvine Foundation is offering a proposal writing
workshop for Central Valley and Inland Empire applicants. This
three-hour workshop is designed to help grantseekers build,
strengthen, and polish the applicants' proposal writing skills,
specifically focusing on the New Connections Fund application.
Registration is limited. The workshop dates are: March 9th (Modesto);
March 16th (Fresno); March 27th (Riverside); and March 27th (San
Bernardino). For more information or to apply, go to
http://www.irvine.org/grants_program/howto/new_connections/calendar.shtml.
San Francisco Spectra Ball to Support SF ArtSFest
Tickets are now on sale for the 3rd Annual ArtSFest SPECTRA BALL '06
on Saturday, April 8 at the Regency Center in San Francisco to support
"ArtSFest 2006", the Bay Area's Third Annual Celebration of
the Arts on May 4-29, 2006.
With over 30 performance acts (theater, circus, dance, musical and
more) and over 50 visual art installations, ArtSFest SPECTRA BALL '06
will bring together a diverse community of people to celebrate the
spectrum of the arts in the Bay Area. For tickets for the SPECTRA BALL
or to find out more about AftSFest, go to
http://www.artsfestsf.org/ .
Arts Day LA on May 13
Information is now available for Arts Day LA, a free, festive, and
unique educational event that brings together a vibrant community of
artists, writers, designers, architects, and landscape architects.
Presented by the UCLA-extension arts department, the program features
dozens of mini-panels, demonstrations, and free gift bags for the
first 300 participants. For more information, go to
http://www.uclaextension.edu/artsdayla/index.htm .
May 13 Marks Sacramento's "Arts in River Park"
Festival
Plans are being finalized for Arts in River Park, a festival on the
grounds of the River Park Shopping Center, 5493 Carlson Drive on
Saturday, in Sacramento on May 13. The event will open with a drum
circle by We B' Drummin' at 9:45, followed by opening remarks by
Sacramento City Councilman Steve Cohn, Sacramento County Supervisor
Illa Collin, and Muriel Johnson, Director of the California Arts
Council. Others included in the festival are local musical artist
Cloudnyne, arts group Galena Street East, percussionist Michael Bayard
with DreamWalker Friends, musicians Spillit Quikkers, and the Highway
61 Blues Band from the Central Valley.
Questions? Contact Brenda Jew Waters, Event and Promotions
Coordinator,
(916) 457-3337 or
BJewW...@aol.com .
Great Valley Books Writers' Conference
Heyday Institute, the Merced County Arts Council, and the University
of California, Merced, are proud to present the first Great Valley
Books Writers Conference this spring at the Merced Multicultural Arts
Center. Organizers say the conference will be a stimulating,
interactive literary gathering that aims to cultivate audiences of
writers and readers in this rapidly changing, creatively dynamic part
of California. The conference will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2006
(April is National Poetry Month), at the Merced Multicultural Arts
Center located in downtown Merced at 645 Main Street, Merced,
California, 95340.
"The central valley of California has long been fertile literary
territory, hosting luminaries such as William Saroyan, Phillip Levine,
Sherley Anne Williams, Francisco X. Alarcon, William Everson, Wilma
Elizabeth McDaniel, and David Mas Masumoto," writes the
organizers. Most readings and some workshops are free; others are for
a fee. For more information, contact Patricia Wakida at
patr...@heydaybooks.com.
510-549-3564 x307, or contact the Merced
Multicultural Arts Center at
http://www.artsmerced.org , or by
phone at
209-388-1090.
Scholarships available for Artist Information Exchange in San
Diego
California Presenters is offering scholarships to its annual Artist
Information Exchange taking place May 31-June 2 at Humphrey's Half
Moon Inn and Suites in San Diego. Scholarships of up to $500 are
available to presenting organizations who have never been California
Presenter members, or have not been members in the past two years or
longer; and to a next generation staff member (age 35 or under and not
an executive director) of a presenting organization that is a current
California Presenter member. Deadline to request a scholarship is
April 5. Email
admincoo...@calpresenters.org for more
information.
Information Center: Reports and
Surveys
The Young and Restless in a Knowledge Economy
A recent release from "CEOs for Cities" examines the
importance of attracting college-educated workers between the ages of
25 and 35, noting that the young workforce today generally has the
unprecedented ability to relocate to cities which have the precise
assets, ethos and opportunities that they seek. "In understanding
these young, educated workers, cities have their best chance of
succeeding in the most competitive economic environment in history."
Download the full report at
http://www.ceosforcities.org/ResearchandResources.htm .
Cultural Heritage Organizations: Nonprofits That Support
Traditional, Ethnic, Folk, and Noncommercial Popular Culture
The Urban Institute report provides a current snapshot of the
structure, finances and programming of America's nonprofit cultural
heritage organizations. Download the report at
http://www.urban.org/publications/411286.html .
New Study Shows Nonprofit Leaders Plan to Leave Their Positions
Within Five Years
from the CAM eNewsltter
Daring to Lead 2006 is a newly released national study of
executive leadership at community-based nonprofits, conducted and
published by Compass Point Nonprofit Services. Based on nearly 2,000
surveys, it explores leading causes of executive burnout---in
particular, widespread frustration with boards of directors and
funders.
One of the key findings is that three quarters of survey respondents
plan to leave their jobs within the next five years; nine percent were
already in the process of leaving. Despite the large number of
executives contemplating transition, less than a third had discussed
succession planning with their boards. Small organizations with fewer
than 10 paid staff are more likely to experience transition in the
next five years than larger, more established nonprofits.
To download a pdf version of this report, see
http://www.compasspoint.org/daringtolead2006 .
Dancing with the School Board--Advice On Dealing with Local
Education Administrators
from the Music-For-All eNewsletter
National School Boards Association (NSBA) President Joan Schmidt has
penned a great article called "Music Advocacy: Dancing with the
School Board" that appeared recently in NSBA News. This well
written concise, six-step "dance" program shows how to work
effectively with your local school board, an important still that
dance, music, theater and arts education advocates should learn to
master.
The article can be found at
http://music-for-all.org/dancing.html or by visiting
http://www.supportmusic.com .
Also, an interview with Joan Schmidt by Music-for-All's Bob Morrison
is on this week's "From the Trenches" podcast at
http://music-for-all.org/FromtheTrenchesPodcast.html .
New Information from NASAA on State Art Agencies
The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies has a few new
informational websites available.
2006 State Arts Agency Funding and Grantmaking
A brief overview of state arts agency revenues and grant awards,
perfect for sharing with councils and outside audiences.
http://www.nasaa-arts.org/aboutnasaa/about_saas.shtml
Creative Economic Resource Center
An extensive array of resources on the arts and economic development
is available.
http://www.nasaa-arts.org/artworks/creative_economy.shtml
Strategic Planning Tools
Updated to include fresh examples of SAA plans and public value
resources. (members only)
http://members.nasaa-arts.org/research/resource_center.shtml
State Budget Center
Including 2006 Legislative Appropriation figures, trend analysis and
per capita rankings. (members only)
http://members.nasaa-arts.org/research/leg_approp_06.shtml
Also New From NASAA--National Governors' Association Policy Briefs
on the Arts
The National Governors Association's Center for Best Practices, with
research assistance from NASAA and support from the National Endowment
for the Arts, has produced a series of Issue Briefs that document the
value of the arts in public policy. The latest showcases many
strategies states use to engage communities in reading programs and
literary activities. For more information, go to
http://www.nasaa-arts.org/nasaanews/nga.shtml .
Bits and Pieces
Senator Kehoe Honored as Legislator of the Year by the
California Music Educators Association
Senator Christine Kehoe of San Diego was honored by the California
Music Educators Association (CMEA) as their Legislator of the Year.
Kehoe was recognized for her continuing commitment to the arts in
California during her time as a San Diego City Councilmember and
member of the legislature. She supported annual funding
recommendations of the Commission for the Arts and Culture for San
Diego arts organizations and dedicating 1 percent of the Transient
Occupancy Tax (TOT) to funding arts organizations when she was on the
S.D. City Council. As a member of the state Legislature, Kehoe has
been instrumental in seeing the expansion projects and capital
improvements to Balboa Park museums, buildings and infrastructure. For
more information, contact Lisa MacLarty at
(619) 645-3133 or
Lisa.M...@sen.ca.gov .
Call for "Professional Development of the Arts Teaching
Workforce Profile" Submissions
from the CAAE eNewsletter
The Arts Education Partnership (AEP) Higher Education Task Force seeks
your assistance in identifying successful partnerships with higher
education in the pre-service and in-service professional development
of the arts teaching workforce. The arts teaching workforce is defined
as classroom teachers, arts specialists, teaching artists, and members
of arts and cultural institutions who provide arts instruction.
In order to ensure that those who teach the arts have the highest
possible artistic skills and pedagogical abilities, the AEP is
attempting to inform the field by compiling a compendium of exemplary
partnership profiles to identify promising practices in professional
development for higher education partnerships. Visit the AEP website
at
http://www.aep-arts.org/ to
download profile writing guidelines and to read additional information
about AEP's Higher Education Initiative.
Call for Historical Records Advisory Board Nominations
from the CAM eNewsletter
The California Association of Museums (CAM) is charged with appointing
a representative to the California Historical Records Advisory Board
(CHRAB) and requests nominations or self-nominations for those who
could serve well in this capacity. CHRAB is authorized under federal
regulations governing the National Historical Publications and Records
Commission (NHPRC), which is the funding arm of the National Archives.
CHRAB is dedicated to promoting, coordinating, and supporting efforts
to identify, manage, preserve and make accessible the historical
records of California.
In carrying forward this mission, the board advocates professional
stewardship and cooperation in the record-keeping community in order
to ensure ready access to and use of the state's documentary heritage.
The purpose of CHRAB is to serve as the central advisory body for
historical records planning in California; review grant proposals
submitted to the NHPRC from organizations within California;
coordinate and facilitate cooperation among historical records
repositories; and promote the improvement of archives and records
management programs and practices in California. If you are interested
in serving on CHRAB or would like to nominate someone, please contact
Celeste DeWald, CAM Executive Director, at
831-471-9970 or
c...@calmuseums.org .
No Child Left Behind Commission Accepting Comments
The Commission on No Child Left Behind is a bipartisan, independent
commission that will examine the strengths and weaknesses of the No
Child Left Behind Act and make concrete and realistic recommendations
to Congress. Individuals may send thoughts and suggestions on what
needs to be improved in the law directly to the Commission on No Child
Left Behind through the Aspen Institute at
http://www.aspeninstitute.org
. Choose "Education" from the list of topics, then click
"No Child Left Behind Commission."
Materials Available from the Creative Coalition
The Creative Coalition, a nonprofit arts advocacy group of supporters
from the entertainment industry, recently joined with Americans for
the Arts for National Arts Advocacy day and made their materials
available online. Go to
http://www.thecreativecoalition.org/issues/artslinks.html for
more information.
Materials Available from CAAE
A Status Report on Arts Education in California public schools
entitled
Quality, Equity, and Access, a 27-page booklet, is
available from the California Alliance for Arts Education. CAAE
describes the booklet as "an instrumental piece to pass out at
your next conference meeting, or to give to your local officials or
school administrators. The QEA report offers solid research and a
thorough analysis on the status of the arts in California
schools."
For more infomation, email Rebecca House at
reb...@artsed411.org
.
April 29 is International Dance Day
On the 29th of April, as every year since 1982, World Dance Day will
be celebrated all over the world by the international community of
dancers and dance enthusiasts. For more information and suggestions on
how to celebrate, go to
http://www.cid-unesco.org .
LA County's Arts for All Receives Award for Innovation in
Government
From the CAAE Newsletter
Arts for All has received the American Society for Public
Administration's (ASPA) Winston Crouch Award for Innovation in
Government. This award is presented to an individual or organization
which has developed new and creative approaches to providing public
services. This award is sponsored by Los Angeles Metropolitan Chapter
of the American Society for Public Administration.
California Historical Society Announces New Executive
Director
from the CAM eNewsletter
An announcement was recently made that David Crosson, Executive
Director of History San Jose and President of the American Association
for State and Local History has been hired as the new Executive
Director of the California Historical Society (CHS). Stephen Becker,
the retiring Executive Director and President of CAM, will be
continuing with CHS in a consulting role.
Arts and Disability Network teams with de Young Museum to present
"Visions" and "Digital Exhibition 2006"
In celebration of the work of visual and performing artists with
disabilities, the state-wide Arts and Disability Network (ADN) and the
de Young Museum, one of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF)
present Visions and Digital Exhibition 2006. Digital Exhibition 2006
is an electronic slide show of visual art works by artists with
disabilities, while Visions showcases the work of performers with
disabilities live and on video. Both presentations are part of the de
Young's Access Advisors' Open House on Saturday, April 29, 2006, 10
AM-4 PM at the de Young Museum, 50 Tea Garden Drive in Golden Gate
Park. Admission to the Open House is free of charge. To request a
specific accommodation for the Open House, contact Tish Brown, ADA/504
Coordinator at the de Young Museum, at
(415) 750-7645;
tbr...@famsf.org by Friday, April 7.
Job Opportunity -- Executive Director Cal State Northridge
Performing Arts Center
California State University at Northridge (CSUN) seeks an energetic,
experienced individual to provide strong and innovative leadership for
its new Valley Performing Arts Center. The Executive Director will be
responsible for all aspects of operations and management of the
Center, including programming, staff recruitment, audience
development, leadership fundraising, financial planning and control,
integration of artistic programming with the academic mission of the
campus and with the San Fernando Valley community. For more
information, email
Davidgm...@aol.com .
Artist Fellowship Grants from Arts Council Silicon Valley
Arts Council Silicon Valley announced the recipients of seven Artist
Fellowship Grants for their contributions to the field of Visual Arts
(Ceramics & Glass) and Performing Arts (Choreography). Arts
Council Silicon Valley claims to be the only funding agency south of
San Francisco that awards artists unrestricted grants for career
accomplishments. A total of $24,000 was awarded to the artist Artist
Fellows:
Visual Artists (Ceramics & Glass): Susan Longini (Fremont), Una
Mjurka (San Jose), Stan Welsh (Santa Cruz)
Performing Artists (Choreography) Dennis Nahat (San Jose), Maria De La
Rosa (Santa Clara), Gary Masters (San Jose), and Bih Tau Sung
(Sunnyvale)
For more information, go to
http://www.artscouncil.org/
.
Creativity Quotes
"The arts should not be a field to produce artists. That's
just a byproduct. [The arts should] create complete human beings who
discover who they are and what they want to do with their
lives."
-- Dana Gioia, chair, National Endowment for the Arts
--