eNews - December 2008 Edition
Wallace Excellence Awards - updated 01/20/09
From the Executive Director
When Seattle Shakespeare Company visited schools in the Methow Valley last spring, the school principal was quick to call the Methow Arts Alliance (the organization that had coordinated the programming) to say thank you. “It was wonderful, and the kids were GLUED to their seats,” he raved. The school is located in a very remote and low income area of the state, and many of the kids are struggling with very complicated lives – with little if any experience with Shakespeare (or even theater). A few days later, Seattle Shakespeare did matinee performances at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) of Wenatchee for than 1000 high school students. “Your outreach to North Central Washington initiated some previously non-existent relationships between several local area schools and the Performing Arts Center,” reported Sarah Cornell of the PAC Wenatchee.
With WSAC funds, Methow Arts Alliance, Seattle Shakespeare Company and the Performing Arts Center of Wenatchee are strong, strategic organizations that provide valuable arts opportunities for people in communities large and small across the state. They are among the 158 arts organizations receiving WSAC grants so far this year to improve access to quality arts experiences.
We are now in the process of revising our grant guidelines for the coming year, and the changes are significant. The purpose is to better reach across the state, especially in rural areas and smaller cities. Larger organizations must document geographic representation and/or service to underserved areas. And all grantees will be expected to identify the specific arts services or programming to be supported by WSAC dollars, and the public benefit that will result.
I’m enthused about the public benefit provided by the grant dollars distributed by WSAC. Today, as budgets are tightening, it’s ever more important to be able to document the return on our investments. For example:
Dance Gallery Bellingham is a multigenerational modern dance collaborative with members of the community (teens through 60s) working with some of the region’s top choreographers, performers and teachers. “We commission works to challenge our dancers, improve their technical skills and expose our audiences to different styles….Our productions are made possible by the work and skills of all company members and help from the community.”
The Arts Council of Snohomish County (in Everett) presented Generations: The Art and Culture of the Tulalip Tribes, a 2008 education exhibit featuring traditional and contemporary works of native artists. During the six week exhibition, approximately 3,600 students and teachers toured the gallery, as well as hundreds of guests and regional collectors. Sponsorships made it possible to double the number of field trips offered to four weeks. “During that time, students learned that the Tulalips are made up of many tribes, as well as the shapes that distinguish the artwork of northern tribes from that of the Coast Salish.”
The Seattle Opera is the sixth largest opera company in the nation, and has the highest per capita attendance. The company contributes $24 million in direct economic benefit annually, and $3 million in secondary expenditures. And every four years (including 2009), SO presents Richard Wagner’s Ring and adds another $8 million in economic benefit.
The Cutter Theater, Metaline Falls, presents programming that will attract new audiences. “By cultivating audiences of tomorrow and providing opportunities for youth and their families to intersect with art, we work to increase the capacity of the Cutter Theatre as a regional arts center. .. When we coordinate an educational outreach by performers for students in the schools, they often come back that evening with family members to the public performance.”
Since 1991, Harlequin Productions, Olympia, has been creating new works, neglected works of merit, and unconventional treatments of classics for sixteen years. “Our audience is looking for enriching experiences in the theater and give us high scores for our choice of plays and the quality of our productions…“Our target audience is broad, diverse and multifaceted. We also continue to seek an ever growing circle of involvement through the availability of discounted tickets and information and training activities that encourage youth and low income segments.”
Located near Goldendale, Maryhill Museum of Art is the only art museum within an 80 mile radius, where people from a large geographic area can experience and learn about the arts – visual and performing – in a museum setting. Maryhill offers a strong mix of programs for all ages that provide additional learning opportunities. The museum offers opportunities for people to meet, gather and share what they’ve learned.
The arts provide meaning to people’s lives. We want to make sure people across the state have access to arts experiences, and that communities value the benefit of the arts. I look forward to hearing about the results you are achieving.
Thanks for your help - and keep in touch,
White Fir in Snow
For Donald Hall
Near the woodshed a white fir,
Year after year it happens,
"White Fir in Snow" ©2008 by Poet Laureate Sam Green; from his book, The Grace of Necessity, Carnegie Mellon University Press, 2008.
New Artwork Installation
Three Stories Building, by artist Frank Samuelson, was recently installed in Washington's Kingston High School. The artwork consists of nine canvases, each painted partly in trompe-l’oeil style to resemble windows. Fashioned in a grid pattern and centered on a high wall in the school’s entranceway, the overall effect is that of looking up at a building facade.
The view through the windows has been turned inside out; it is not into the interior of the building but outside to a surreal landscape with light representing a full day, from the pink glow of sunrise to a star-filled sky. In the center of this “view” is a pyramid made of organic material, purposefully ambiguous, which unifies the entire painting.
Within each canvas is one or several painted “enigmatic objects” - a pencil, the letter “S”, a steam ship, eyeglasses, a baseball, for example - everyday objects and symbols which relate to the school’s students and community. Several of the objects were suggested by students in a questionnaire that Samuelson created and circulated in the school.
An article, 'Three Story Building' an art portal in Kingston High School, by Rebecca Pirtle, appeared in the Nov. 4, 2008 edition of the Kingston Community News.
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.
Wallace Excellence Awards
The Wallace Foundation and the Washington State Arts Commission recently announced an innovative, four-year arts funding partnership designed to develop the skills and expertise of leaders of arts orgs to build arts participation.
Program News
Grants to Organizations
Input on grants guidelines changes was solicited from the strategic planning process, past and present grantees, as well as the general arts community. The changes respond to economic trends and demographic changes statewide. The availability of these WSAC grants will be dependent upon funding approved through the State’s legislative process in early 2009.
The revised grants program will focus on the following priority areas identified in our 2009-2013 Strategic Plan. Applicants will identify the areas they will address if they receive a contract from WSAC and then report on the results in their final reports.
New guidelines will be available in early February 2009 for all Grants to Organizations categories; deadlines will be in April and May 2009. For further information contact Grants to Organizations program Manager Mayumi Tsutakawa or call 360-586-0424.
Arts in Education
The survey was sent to K-12 principals through the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP). If you are a principal, please keep your eyes out for the survey coming to you from AWSP, and encourage your colleagues to participate. If you are a teacher, parent, teaching artist, arts education advocate: Please consider forwarding this message, with the link to the AERI survey, to the principal(s) you work with. We need a strong response rate to ensure an accurate picture of arts education across the state.
Results of the research will be published and shared with stakeholders and the public next year, and we are pleased that ArtsEd Washington will be a key partner in our dissemination and follow-up efforts. If you would like any additional information about the AERI project, please contact Arts in Education Program Manager Lisa Jaret.
Articles & Information
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recently announced their first round of 2009 grant awards, including Access to Artistic Excellence, Challenge America Reaching Every Community Fast Track, Creativity and Aging in America grants, and Creative Writing Fellowships for individuals. The NEA will distribute $23,215,500 in this first round of fiscal year 2009 funding to support 1,951 projects by nonprofit national, regional, state, and local organizations nationwide, as well as to 42 poets.
Washington recipients include Washington State Poet Laureate Samuel Green and Joseph Powell of Ellensburg both of whom will receive $25,000 creative writing fellowships. Arts Northwest, Velocity Dance Center, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Methow Music Festival Association, and Northwest Symphony Orchestra will also receive NEA grants.
Opportunities
Techsoup 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. (See the TechSoup Stock Catalog.) Their Refurbished Computer Initiative gives nonprofits a chance to get low-cost, high-quality computers with a new operating system and up-to-date software (covered by a 90-day warranty).
USArtists International is accepting applications for grants that are available to American dance, music, and theatre ensembles and solo artists that have been invited to participate in international festivals outside of the United States. Deadline: 01/09/09 for projects taking place between March 1, 2009 and February 28, 2010.
The Regional Arts & Cultural Council, Oregon, is inviting artists/teams residing in the United States to submit qualifications (PDF) for the York Recognition public art project for Lewis & Clark College. This project seeks to acknowledge the importance of York, an African American slave who played an important role in Lewis & Clark's Corps of Discovery. The total art budget is $125,000. All materials must be submitted online via CaFE . Deadline: 1/12/09.
Coming Up Taller Awards is accepting nominations (PDF) to recognize and reward excellence in after-school and out-of-school arts and humanities programs for underserved children and youth. Award recipients receive $10,000 each, an individualized plaque, and an invitation to attend the annual Coming Up Taller Leadership Enhancement Conference. The awards seek to promote a creative, engaged, skilled, and confident generation of young people. Deadline: 01/30/08. Tacoma Culture has several opportunities available including the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program (TAIP) grants and a call for public art for the Center for Urban Waters. Various January deadlines.
The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is accepting applications to perform at the 19th annual Shoreline Arts Festival to be held June 27 and 28, 2009. Storytelling, drama, poetry, dance, music and other disciplines are encouraged. Deadline: 01/15/09.
ARTOGRAPHY is a national, competitive grantmaking program of LINC (Leveraging Investments in Creativity) that will provide grants of $80,000 to $100,000 over two years for general operating expenses to 7-8 exemplary arts organizations. Grantees will also be eligible to receive up to $20,000 each year, in addition to the basic grant, for a range of purposes such as travel, research, professional development, site visits, board development, mentoring, leadership transition, special projects, or other opportunities of strategic value to the organization. Deadline: 01/30/09.
Chop Suey, a club/venue located in Seattle's Pike/Pine corridor of Capitol Hill, is seeking submissions for a film series focused on independents, shorts, music videos and oddities. You can submit web links to info@chopsuey.com or send DVD's to: Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, Attn: Film Series.
Elementary Schools In Washington State are encouraged to apply for a Washington State Imagination Award. In 2009 the award will be presented to an elementary school that encourages and incorporates imaginative thinking across the curriculum, from art to English to the natural sciences. Deadline: 02/09/09.
The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs is accepting applications for the 2009 CityArtist Projects program that supports Seattle-based individual artists working in dance, music and theater. Artists working in traditional/ethnic and multidisciplinary projects that incorporate one of these primary performing arts disciplines may also apply. Funding awards range up to $10,000. Deadline: 02/17/09. There are also several public art opportunities.
Artist Trust is accepting applications for their GAP (Grants for Artist Projects) program. Artist Trust’s GAP Program provides support for individual artist projects by awarding up to $1,500 for projects including (but not limited to) the development, completion or presentation of new work. Deadline:02/20/09.
The City of Kennewick Arts Commission (KAC) is seeking an artist or team of artists to create the first piece of public art initiated by the Commission. The work will be installed at the Tri-Cities Business and Visitor Center. Washington Artists residing within 150 miles radius of Kennewick are eligible to apply. Budget of $25,000. Contact Barb Carter at C2Recources@charter.net or 509-531-0944 for more information. Deadline 2/27/09.
Employment / Internship / Volunteer
On the Boards is seeking a Development Director responsible for the planning, research, management and implementation of a comprehensive fund development program in conjunction with the artistic and managing directors and the board of directors. Deadline: 01/11/09.
Edmonds Community College is recruiting instructors to propose and teach short classes for its continuing education programs. The college offers quality, innovative classes that emphasize hands-on learning in two non-credit programs. ArtsNow offers classes for artists from creation to commerce, including more than 40 creative workshops in the arts and business skills classes for artist-entrepreneurs. Classes include workshops in photography, ceramics, jewelry, two-dimensional art, performing and media art, and writing.
Events
Bellevue - NIGHT RIDER, a light installation by Seattle artist Joseph Gray, will transform a Bellevue building into one of the region’s largest sculptures. Inspired by an iconic 1980s television car, NIGHT RIDER’s undulating lights transform the architectural facade into an animated play of rhythm and color. Meet Joseph Gray on Dec. 11, from 6 to 9 pm, for a street tour and reception at Open Satellite. NIGHT RIDER will be on view from now through January 3, 2009 at 909 112th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA.
Seattle - Artist Trust is holding an Artist Networking event, “Finding Balance: Artists Raising Children” on December 9 from 6 to 9 pm in the Artists’ Assets Area, an artist’s resource room housed at Artist Trust’s office location at 1835 12th Avenue on Capitol Hill in Seattle. Artists/parents of Washington State are encouraged to participate in this Artists' Networking Event. Meet fellow artists who are practicing the art of raising a family while simultaneously practicing their art. A panel including Spike Mafford, Alex Martin and Michelle Templeton will be moderated by Miguel Guillen, Information Services Manager for Artist Trust and followed by a Q&A. All artists are invited.
Winthrop - The Methow Valley Community School is presenting a free performance of A Sleigh Ride through the Methow on December 17 at 5:30 pm at the Winthrop Barn. An original play recently created by Methow Valley Community School students. A wild snowstorm brings a magical snowflake alive that has the ability to cast magic dust on people of the past. What begins as a casual sleigh ride through the Methow turns into a magical sleigh ride into the past.
Seattle - VSA arts of Washington and Creative Activities are holding a Community Meeting on December 18 at 7 pm in the Seattle Center House Conference Room H - 3rd floor. Staff and Board members will introduce themselves, answer questions about the new partnership with Creative Activities and hold an open discussion about future programming, activities, fundraising efforts and volunteer opportunities. Please come and share your thoughts, ideas and energy as we plan for a bright future together! This space is fully accessible; if you need any accommodations and/or an ASL interpreter, please call us at 206.443.1843 by December 12th.
Olympia - Harlequin Productions in Olympia is presenting Stardust for Christmas by Harlowe Reed now through December 31.The Stardust series has been lighting up the holidays for audiences in Olympia for fourteen years!
Photo credits
Artwork Installation: Three Stories Building, Frank Samuelson, Acrylic on canvas (9 parts), 2008. Kingston High School, North Kitsap School District. Photos by the artist.
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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.
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