eNews - May 2011 Edition
From the Executive DirectorHow can an arts organization engage audiences before and after an experience? How can organizations interest and engage different demographic groups?
Audience engagement and changing demographics are two key themes of WSAC’s four-year Arts Participation Leadership Initiative, funded by the Wallace Foundation. Through a series of forums and workshops, we’re providing the settings for rich discussion about important trends and every day realities as arts organizations seek to better engage audiences from throughout the changing communities of Washington state.
In recent months, we’ve hosted Alan Brown’s forum on engaging audiences, and looked at “who’s new in town,” with Salvador Acevedo. (If you missed these talks, you can watch online videos and read related materials for each presentation.)
Research shows that audience members who prepare have a more meaningful experience, and that engaged audiences are more likely to return. Arts organizations can build audience engagement through an endless variety of efforts before, during, and after the arts experience – including posting behind the scenes information before the event, hosting discussion circles, using social media, and even involving audiences in selecting artists.
Next up: Engaging Your Young Adult Audiences, 21-35 - May 25 forum and workshops in Seattle, beginning at 10 am (It’s free!).
Keep in touch,
Artwork InstallationJulie Prather’s School of Fish was recently installed at Shorewood Elementary in Burien. View a detailed photo gallery of the School of Fish on Facebook.
Typical of Prather’s process, she collaborated with students, who were asked to draw the most creative sea creatures they could imagine. She then integrated the illustrations into the five stained glass panels to suggest nature, growth, the life-cycle, movement, community, and a sense of place.
To dedicate the artwork, the Shorewood PTA hosted an evening Artwalk and Auction, which featured remarks by the artist, a raffle, arts activities for kids and parents, shark cupcakes and artwork created by each class. Student illustrations used in the glass panels were incorporated into centerpieces for each table.
Artwork acquired through Washington State’s Art in Public Places program becomes part of the State Art Collection - a collection of over 4,500 works of art located at state agencies, public schools, colleges and universities throughout the state.
Arts Education MonthMay is Arts Education Month in Washington State! What better opportunity to shine a light on the successes in our community and bring attention to the issues facing our schools. Here are some things you can do to highlight the importance of arts education in your community:
Articles and InformationThe President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities has just released a must read (especially during Arts Education Month!) report Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America's Future Through Creative Schools (PDF).
Interesting results from the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project. Findings from a national survey (PDF) released last week show that, contrary to widespread belief, most arts graduates are employed and holding jobs consistent with their educational goals. For example, 92% of those who wish to work currently are, with most finding employment soon after graduating.
Grants / OpportunitiesJoin ArtCorps and strengthen sustainable development in Central America with your creative talents. Through theater, storytelling, music, digital media and other creative facilitation techniques, ArtCorps Artists educate and inspire people to participate actively in improving the environmental, health and social conditions in their communities. Each ArtCorps artist works directly with a local development organization that is an expert in its field, strengthening their work through the arts. Apply now for opportunities in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Belize! Early deadline: 05/15/11.
In celebration of an upcoming exhibition, Evergreen Muse: The Art of Elizabeth Colborne (1885-1948), the Whatcom Museum is accepting submissions for Fate of the Forest: An Open Hanging. The reception for both exhibitions will be held on June 17, 2011. Any artist who is a member of the Whatcom Museum can submit one exhibition-ready work in any media interpreting the Pacific Northwest forest. Deadline: 05/15/11.
The Washington State Archives is accepting applications for the Digitization Grant Program. The grant is available to libraries and heritage organizations that possess historically valuable records created by separate local government entities. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to digitize historical public records. Digital copies will be provided to the grant recipient and mounted on the Washington State Digital Archives, thereby improving preservation and increasing public access. Deadline: 05/16/11.
The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center is accepting applications to participate in their summer theme show — The Back Country (July 10-October 9). Art of all media will be considered. Deadline: 05/23/11.
The City of Auburn allocates funding support it receives from 4Culture to community arts organizations and special projects through its Arts Sustained Support Program (PDF). The primary purpose of this program is to provide support to arts-related projects and programs within the City of Auburn, to encourage the development and stability of local arts programs, as well as offer opportunities for local artists. Awards are typically $500 to $3,000. Deadline: 06/06/11.
Seattle-based arts and cultural organizations are invited to apply for the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs' Civic Partners funding program. The program provides two-year funding commitments with allocations made annually in 2012 and 2013. Funding is intended to promote a healthy and diverse arts and cultural community and support the organizations’ core program goals. Deadline: 06/08/11.
The Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Department of Finance and Administrative Services and Triad Development, Inc., seeks up to eight emerging artists to develop temporary, large-scale, colorful panels for the fence surrounding the Civic Square construction site in downtown Seattle. The call is open to emerging professional artists living within 100 miles of Seattle. Deadline: 06/13/11.
Mighty Tieton is seeking entries for 10 x 10 x 10 x Tieton juried exhibition (PDF). Professional artists, crafts people, print artists, and photographers, are invited to submit entries for this exhibition. No geographic limits. All entries must be of original design and personal execution. Deadline: 06/20/11.
The National Endowment for the Arts is accepting applications for their new Arts in Media category open to mobile technology, digital games, and other platforms. Grants are available to support the development, production, and national distribution of innovative media projects about the arts and media projects that can be considered works of art. Grants generally will range from $10,000 to $200,000, based on the platform and the complexity and scope of the project. Deadline: 09/01/11.
EmploymentThe Washington State Arts Alliance is seeking an Executive Director (PDF) to implement educational and networking goals alongside arts advocacy goals and strategies within the State of Washington.
Events / Workshops / ConferencesSeattle - The 2011 National Geographic Seattle Speakers series concludes with photographers Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher presenting images and material from their award-winning book, “Dinka: Legendary Cattle Keepers of Sudan,” the culmination of 30 years of study and documentation on the vanishing people of war-torn Sudan. African Ceremonies: Documenting a Vanishing World, their journey through film and narration, will be presented on May 16 and 17, at 7:30 pm in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium at Benaroya Hall.
Tacoma - Please join Congressman Norm Dicks and local arts leaders for a celebration of young artists participating in the 2011 Congressional Art Competition and a discussion of national issues facing the arts community at the Tacoma Art Museum on May 19 from 5:30 to 7 pm. Please RSVP to Joe Dacca.
Seattle - The Seattle International Film Festival will present more than 400 international feature, documentary, and short films from May 19 through June 12. Ewan McGregor (May 22nd) and Warren Miller (June 8th) are two tribute artists scheduled to attend and we'll also be hosting a number of special events, forums, and panel discussions.
Twisp - Methow Arts Presents the 24th Annual Methow Arts Festival: Art Grows Here, with Mud Bay Jugglers and the Tune Stranglers on July 4th from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm (immediately following the Twisp Parade) at the Twisp River Park. |
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