eNews - August 2009 Edition
From the Executive Director “While the recession is not impacting all communities in the state in the same way, for nonprofit arts organizations to cope with this situation and thrive in the future will require a deep understanding of both the current economic situation and the more profound trends in demographics, technology and consumer behavior that preceded and will extend beyond the recession.” Arts and Recession, WSAC, 2009.
Arts organizations across Washington state are recognizing that the current recession demands new thinking as well as leadership, planning, and adaptability. To better understand the impact of the recession, WSAC commissioned an analysis that included a survey and interviews, and that builds on findings of related assessments of cultural organizations in Washington state. Key findings of the report, Arts and Recession: The Economic Recession’s Impact on Cultural Organizations in Washington State, include:
Thanks to those who participated in this and other analyses. We, and other funders, will be using this information to best support arts participation across the state. Unfortunately, our resources were also significantly reduced this year, with a loss of 26% of our state funding. That has reduced the number of grants we can offer, and increased the competition for our funding.
On the bright side, we have just announced Art Jobs Support grants to 24 organizations who applied for this one-time funding opportunity supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. While these grants support only 22% of what was requested, we are thrilled to be offsetting some of the impact of the recession. Thanks for your good work. Keep in touch,
Aug. 26 A dragonfly lights on the tip
"Aug. 26" ©2008 by Poet Laureate Sam Green; from his book, The Grace of Necessity.
Art Jobs Support and Other Recent Grant Recipients The Washington State Arts Commission (WSAC) has invested state and federal dollars to the tune of $1.2 million in arts participation opportunities, arts education programs, and cultural employment throughout Washington.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, often referred to as the stimulus or "Recovery Act," recognized that the non-profit arts industry is an important sector of the economy and provided $50 million in funding to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to preserve arts-related jobs.
Working with the NEA, WSAC has provided $285,000 of the ARRA stimulus funding to 24 non-profit cultural organizations across the state. These funds will support jobs at the Seattle Shakespeare Company, Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, the Cutter Theatre in Metaline Falls, the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts in Tacoma, and other cultural organizations across the state.
“This funding will help arts organizations minimize layoffs during this economic downturn,” said Gov. Gregoire. “Jobs in the arts are important to the health of our communities and to the economic future of our state.”
Additionally, the NEA has provided $1.2 million dollars in direct stimulus funding directly to 23 Washington arts and cultural organizations; supporting positions at the Evergreen Longhouse in Olympia, the Confluence Project in Vancouver, and the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs in Seattle and 4Culture in King County received $250,000 each to re-grant to local arts organizations.
In addition to the job support funding, other recent WSAC cultural investments include $525,000 to support 29 arts education community consortia across the state. This funding supports broad-based community partnerships that develop and deliver sustainable arts education programs in K-12 public schools. By supporting high quality teaching and learning in the arts, this investment positively impacts over 70,000 Washington school children each year.
WSAC is also investing more than $350,000 in 115 arts organizations in all corners of the state. Through grants to organizations, WSAC funds arts participation projects like the Art of Jazz concert series in Bellingham, the Mid-Columbia Ballet’s performance of the Nutcracker in Richland, and the Walla Walla Quilt Festival. Organizational funding also provides operational support to the state’s major cultural institutions like the Seattle Symphony, the Spokane Symphony, and the Maryhill Museum of Art.
WSAC grants are supported by state and federal dollars. In early August the Commission approved funding to support arts jobs and participation opportunities throughout Washington state. Application review criteria vary by program, but often include artistic merit, participation, public value, and varied geographic representation.
New Artwork Installation Nestled under three large trees and overlooking the Columbia River, Half Sphere and Vessel Grouping, by Seattle artist John Hoge, is intended as a meeting place or a space for quiet study on the campus of Washington State University in Richland. The sculpture consists of fifteen red granite glacial boulders which have been carved and polished, composed into groupings of free-standing stones and benches.
Artwork acquired through Washington State’s Art in Public Places Program becomes part of the State Art Collection - a collection of over 4,600 works of art located at state agencies, public schools, colleges and universities throughout the state.
Arts in Crisis As part of a national tour for Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative, Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser will visit Washington state August 20-21 to conduct free arts leadership symposia in Seattle and Tacoma. The Seattle symposium will be Thursday, August 20, 10 am to noon. The Tacoma symposium will be Friday, August 21, 9 to 11 am. These symposia are aimed at engaging arts organization staff, trustees, volunteers and funders, as well as leaders in the arts education community in the discussion around sustainability. To sign up for a priority invitation to these free events visit ArtsEd Washington, a Kennedy Center affiliate through the Alliance for Arts Education Network.
Folk Arts in Parks The Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program invites the public to the Asian Concert Series at Peace Arch Park. All Sunday concerts are at 2 pm and free to the public. Peace Arch Park in Blaine is next to the Peace Arch Border Crossing, where Interstate 5 and British Columbia Highway 99 connect. Upcoming events include:
Articles and Information Rocco Landesman, nominated by President Barack Obama as the tenth chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Rep. Larry Haler, of Richland has been appointed to the Washington State Arts Commission.
Representative Haler is serving his third term from the 8th District, which covers most of Benton County. Visit www.arts.wa.gov/about/commissioners.shtml for a complete list, and brief biographies, of all WSAC Commissioners.
Economic stimulus grant saves Asian Concert Series in Blaine, Gabrielle Nomura, The Bellingham Herald. Republished by the Tacoma News Tribune. See above for details about the events.
Opportunities The Washington State Arts Commission invites you to nominate outstanding artists, arts organizations, arts educators, supporters, and cultural leaders in our state. Nominations are due September 30, 2009.To be eligible for either the Arts or Heritage Awards, individuals or organizations must be current Washington residents or have resided in the state during the time the contributions were made, and not be a previous Governor’s Arts Award or Heritage Award recipient.
The Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs is accepting applications for the 2010 CityArtists Projects program that supports Seattle-based individual artists working in visual, literary and film/media arts. Deadline: 08/11/09.
LINC (Leveraging Investments in Creativity) has announced the MetLife Foundation Innovative Space Award, a competitive national funding program that recognizes outstanding efforts in the design and development of affordable spaces for artists. Deadline: 08/24/09.
The Dozen Distinctive Destinations program is accepting nominations to recognize unique cities and towns across America that are working to preserve their historic character, promote heritage tourism, enhance their community and encourage others to enjoy all they have to offer. Each year since 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has selected 12 destinations that offer an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, diverse cultural activities, attractive architecture and a strong commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization. Deadline: 09/01/09.
The City of Park City, Utah is seeking artists (PDF) to create visual art that will be placed on banners at the Park City Ice Arena. Deadline: 09/03/09.
Artist Trust is accepting nominations for the Irving and Yvonne Twining Humber Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement until September 3, 2009. The annual award of $10,000 is given to a Washington State female visual artist, age 60 or over, who has dedicated 25 years of her life to creating art. The award recognizes creative excellence, professional accomplishment and dedication to the visual arts. Deadline: 09/03/09.
The City of Shelton has a call for artists (PDF) for the Shelton Civic Center rotating art gallery. Deadline: 09/04/09.
Artists who reside in Washington State are encouraged to apply to the 2009 EDGE Professional Development Program for Filmmakers. Artist Trust's EDGE Program offers a comprehensive survey of professional practices through a hands-on, interactive curriculum that includes instruction by professionals in the field, as well as specialized presentations, panel discussions and assignments. Deadline: 09/15/09.
Through American Masterpieces:Presenting, the National Endowment for the Arts will sponsor performances, exhibitions, tours, and educational programs across all art forms that will reach large and small communities in all 50 states. Projects may be initiated by networks of presenters; college or university presenters; local, regional, or national presenters; and national service organizations and their networks. Deadline: 09/24/09.
The City of Port Townsend is seeking an individual artist or team of artists to create an art project within its refurbished downtown waterfront area. This revitalized waterfront area, scheduled for completion in 2010, stretches from the new Northwest Maritime Center at Point Hudson to Quincy Street. The preliminary budget for artwork is $70,000 which has been allocated under the City's Percent for the Arts program. Deadline: 10/14/09.
Applications for the 2010 Denali National Park Artist-in-Residence Program are now being accepted.The Artist-in-Residence program at Denali National Park began in 2001, and offers artists the opportunity to pursue their work amidst the natural splendors of Denali Park. The park currently provides the use of the historic East Fork Cabin for ten-day periods from June through August. Deadline: 10/31/09.
TechSoup.org offers software donations to nonprofits from 35 major technology providers, including Microsoft, Cisco, Symantec, Intuit, and Adobe (for an administrative fee as little as 5% of retail cost). To qualify, organizations must be a 501(c)3 or a library.
Employment Humanities Washington is seeking a development and communications professional with superior writing skills and a passion for civic and cultural education. Candidates should possess strong leadership skills, solid written/verbal communication skills, keen attention to detail, and a proven track record for implementing strategic fundraising plans.
Northwest Folklife is looking for a Development Manager to oversee their development department. They are also looking for a Development Intern to support their development team while gaining hands-on experience.
Events Seattle - There is still time to catch The Ring at the Seattle Opera now through Aug. 30. Few opera companies dare to take on composer Richard Wagner's The Ring. This cycle of four epic operas tells the story of a magic ring that grants its holder the power to rule the world. Dramatic action and monumental music will lead you through the world of Wagner's gods and goddesses. And view Confessions of a First-time Opera-goer, which chronicles a first time opera-goer's attendance of The Ring through blog postings and videos.
Olympia - Here Today 2009 is a temporary public art project that celebrates a sense of place through local artists and the arts. For the month of August, eight public art projects will come and go in public, and sometimes private, spaces of downtown Olympia. Only in downtown Olympia, and only for one month, plan your August around Public ART!
Mukilteo - Enjoy the 3rd Annual Bluegrass and Folk Festival, August 22 from 11 am to 7 pm at Whidbey Coffee in Old Town Mukilteo. Admission is free to the public.
Seattle - This year’s Arts in Nature Festival, August 22 - 23 at Camp Long, 5200 35th Ave. SW in Seattle will see a return of the geodesic sound dome, the museum of sound, and will showcase an impressive number of locally renowned performing artists, sound artists and ensembles such as: Chris Ballew - lead singer of The Presidents of the United States of America performing as Caspar Babypants, Lelavision, Musicians’ Emeritus Symphony Orchestra, The Early Music Guild, The Beaver Deceivers, Nyamuziwa Marimba Ensemble, Heimish Klezmer, The Asterisk Project, The Cabiri, Dass Dance, and many others.
Yakima - Fit to Print: A Printmaking Invitational will be held August 13 through September 13. Allied Arts of Yakima invites you to experience the depth of the print through the work of nine Pacific Northwest artists at the Peggy Lewis Gallery, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave.
About eNews Having problems viewing this HTML formatted bulletin? Try online at www.arts.wa.gov then click on the eNews link. eNews is provided monthly to subscribers. To subscribe or unsubscribe to eNews, send your email address and request to info@arts.wa.gov. Email addresses are not provided or sold to anyone, except through a public disclosure request as required by law.
Opportunity and Events listings are not endorsed by WSAC, nor is the accuracy or validity of information provided by external organizations or individuals monitored by WSAC.
The Washington State Arts Commission (WSAC) is the state agency established in 1961 to support the arts as essential to the state's social, educational and economic growth, and to contribute to Washington's quality of life and the well being of its citizens. WSAC is governed by four legislators and 19 Governor-appointed citizens. |
||||||||||||||||
Hoge considers the artwork a metaphorical replacement for the university-owned trailer that once sat in that location. He hopes that the people interacting with the sculpture will contemplate previous inhabitants of the area who might have sat in the same spot, watching the river.