Iowa Arts Council - The Latest!

Roundup - Blog Posts from All Over!

2010-12-10T12:48:00.000-06:00

- Here's a great post by Margy Waller about changing the focus from publicity about the arts being elitist: Everyone Wants to Live in a Special Place. A quote: "We have to change the landscape so the arts are not so vulnerable in the public forum. Business leaders, indeed all leaders, need to see the arts as necessary — not just nice."

- And one by Wally Hurst on establishing personal relationships with businesses: The Survey, The Public, and The Arts.
A quote: "For our organization, businesses that continued funding at the same or higher levels have all come, without exception, from businesses with exceptionally strong personal ties to us."

-- Janet Brown on the recent flap about the National Portrait Gallery's removal of a controversial art work: Stand Up, Don't Back Down - Cultural Wars Revisited (Janet's Blog). A quote: "Backbone. I thought we had developed backbone over the past twenty years through those battles of the culture wars."

-- Down to earth, clear advice from Ciara Pressler: Fractured Atlas Blog : The #1 Marketing Mistake Artists Make. A quote: "When you’re marketing, it’s not about you. Like it or not, especially in the social media/reality TV age, it’s about ME. "

-- Post-election analysis and suggestions for the arts from Barry Hesenius on Barry's Blog. A quote: "If 40% of all the arts organization would join their local chambers, and work into postions of authority, we could virtually take over the whole structure by 2016. "

-- Iowa leadership development consultant Shirley Poertner on Leading in a VUCA World. A quote: "Leaders in this kind of environment have to be at their best on a personal level, self-aware, optimistic, focused amidst distractions, cool, calm and collected under pressure."

Economic sense?

2010-11-29T12:28:00.000-06:00

Now here's a provocative comment: "Investing in the arts and culture produces more significant economic returns than just about any investment President Obama is making in "shovel ready" projects. Or many other "bailouts" we might see around the country and across the globe."

This is from an article by Russell Bishop in today's Huffington Post. Please read it! And then think about it, and talk about it ---

There ARE economic arguments for supporting the arts. Should we be using them? Or are we, by using them, copping out? Those who want the economic arguments used say that we should use the arguments that can best be heard by the people (elected leaders, for instance) who can make change.

Others, though, say we need to stick with making the case that the arts are, plain and simply, crucial for all of us because they are the arts. Because they open us up to creation, and possibility, and imagination, and puzzlement, and beauty, and (even) ugliness.

Do you take a side here? Which one? Can we have both?

Creative Brain

2010-11-01T12:57:00.000-05:00

"Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work." Artist Chuck Close says this, and a whole lot more, in the Charlie Rose Brain Series, Episode Twelve: Creative Brain. Well worth the hour it takes to watch, this episode brings Close together with artist Richard Serra, neurologist Oliver Sacks, Ann Temkin, chief curator of painting and sculpture at The Museum of Modern Art and Eric Kandel of Columbia University.

A few questions and quotes to pique your interest....

How does the new occur?

Is there a difference between scientific creativity and artistic creativity?

How does Chuck Close's face-blindness (he cannot recognize faces) contribute to his work as an artist?

What does Richard Serra's understanding of and fascination with how his sculptural works impact the space around them say about his brain?

"You can't have anything new until a great deal of it has become automatic and second-nature." (Oliver Sacks)

"Systems and limitations free up intuition." (Chuck Close)

"It's always in the process of working itself that ideas lead to other ideas for me." (Richard Serra)

It's all about arts education

2010-10-05T11:10:00.000-05:00

Each month, the Iowa Arts Council sends a few arts-related story ideas to our statewide press list - just to jog the thinking of local editors and journalists about what they might find in their own backyard. This month, arts education topics are the prompts. Have your local media picked up on any of these?

1. Budget cuts have slashed art programs and art teachers in public schools across Iowa. What has been the impact in your community? Did anyone speak against cutting the budget for arts? Did anyone speak up in support of cuts? How did the arts fare against other programs? What have schools done to supplement the arts? Have they increased artist residencies? What is the impact on students?

2. Who are the Certified Arts Teachers in your community who teach art, music, drama or dance in schools? How many schools do they teach in? How much time is allowed for arts education in your schools each week? Do Certified Arts Teachers also teach other areas of curriculum? What are their views on the future of arts education in public schools? Do schools think it is important to employ Certified Arts Teachers? If your schools do not have Certified Arts Teachers, who is providing arts education experiences?

3 Do you want to recognize local administrators and school boards for their great arts leadership? The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Iowa Alliance for Arts Education offers the Arts Administrator of the Year recognition for principals and superintendents who work to ensure student have access to the arts. And, in cooperation with the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB), the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education is participating (for the 22nd year) in an awards program to recognize local school boards for outstanding support of the arts in education. Check out these awards programs.

ASCAP? BMI? Others?

2010-09-22T08:50:00.000-05:00

Is your performance venue licensed with a performing rights agency like ASCAP or BMI in order to secure permissions for rights to music? The IAC needs to hear from others of you who We got this question from Tom Lacina at the Grinnell Area Arts Council, who says,

The Promoter/Presenter fees at ASCAP & BMI (not to mention SESAC) are $219 and $211 per year, respectively. Then there is a quarterly report that can add 8% of gross of concerts needing the license to the extent they exceed the base fee. One option is to prohibit musicians from performing copyrighted material, which isn’t too hard for many of our groups who do old folk music or original compositions. Another option is possibly to fall under a governmental entity (like a city) license for all venues. This is a flat fee of $305 per year for each of ASCAP & BMI. Not certain how well targeted that is to protect an independent arts council using the facilities. And of course, it doesn’t cover events in private establishments (like a club) or a non-licensed government location (like a school).

Admittedly, we are on the small end and likely of little interest to ASCAP & BMI, who are largely focused on for-profits (restaurants, etc.) and internet. Still, we want to be compliant with law.

How are rights handled at your place?

Insurance made easy!

2010-09-02T15:17:00.000-05:00

Oh, man - Fractured Atlas has the corner on making complex info understandable! Check out their virtual pocket guides to insurance in the arts -- available in many flavors: Dance, Theatre, Music, Teaching Artists, and Film Makers. Coming soon: guides for Public Art, Independent Contractors, Visual Art, and Craft Artists.

No Cultural Cathedrals in Iowa!

2010-08-24T16:04:00.000-05:00

In No More 'Cathedrals of Culture' in the Wall Street Journal, Judith H. Dobrzynski looks at how art museums are evolving as open, community-minded centers for creativity. She says, for instance, "Many young directors see museums as modern-day "town squares," social places where members of the community may gather, drawn by art, perhaps, for conversation or music or whatever. They believe that future museum-goers won't be satisfied by simply looking at art, but rather prefer to participate in it or interact with it."

We sure see Iowa art museums being all about that! For instance...

The Waterloo Center for the Arts has its CultureFest, Vertigo/Incognito Performance Art Series, and summer Jazz on the Cedar series.

The Figge Art Museum in Davenport has an independent film series, and hosts a Teen Anime Day as well as a Free Family Fall Workshop.

The Sioux City Art Center sponsors a Community Art Project each year: this year it's City Art Quilts.

The Des Moines Art Center has smART Second Saturdays and smART Second Sundays for families, the Art Inside Out summer festival, films, and programming at the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

These aren't museums that are content to just ask you to look in awe at their collections (although they do have some pretty awesome collections) - they are working to get you engaged with art, get you to see and do new things, get you involved and intrigued.

Are you asking the questions?

2010-08-06T11:50:00.000-05:00

Does it matter to you how political candidates will respond when facing decisions about support for the arts? If so, check out the National Assembly for State Arts Agencies' latest Advocate issue: Elections 2010: Campaigning for Public Arts Support. It gives you some clear, basic questions you can ask candidates - and lets you know what kinds of advocacy activities nonprofit organizations can (and can't) engage in.

Let your elected officials know how you feel -- as a smart teacher said once, they can't smell what you're thinking!

Arts non-profits - how are your jobs faring?

2010-07-23T08:38:00.005-05:00

Are we losing cultural jobs in Iowa? It's a mixed picture.

Nationally, it's clear things are tough. Latest information is from Johns Hopkins University Center for Civil Society Studies, in its Listening Post project, Recession Pressures on Nonprofit Jobs, covering October 2009-March 2010 -- pretty up-to-date information. Their study included museums, theaters, and orchestras, among other nonprofits. Here's a startling find highlighted in the press release about the research:

"Arts and culture organizations have been particularly hard hit with 56 percent of the theaters and 53 percent of museums reporting inadequate staff to maintain their existing activities."

Still, according to the 2010 Americans for the Arts annual Creative Industries report, Iowa employs about 3% more people in arts-related businesses in 2010 than in 2009. Apples to oranges? Maybe.

What's your take?

Is a Liberal Arts Education Bad for Business?

2010-07-20T12:46:00.000-05:00

Is a Liberal Arts Education Bad for Business?

Here's some fascinating thinking for you, from Americans for the Arts' Artsblog.

Sharing the Ideas: Arts Education

2010-06-29T17:02:00.004-05:00

Arts education has really been struggling in some schools, in Iowa and beyond. Lots of smart people, here and elsewhere, are talking about ways to address the problem.

We can't all be where the great sessions and informative speakers are, but we sure can help pass on some of the good content. Here's a nugget posted by Michael Gagliardo on ARTSBlog,with thoughts from an arts ed session at the Americans for the Arts National Conference in Baltimore last week (follow the link to read the whole thing, as well as plenty of other good blog posts from the conference):

In the session “Beyond Liking It: Prioritizing Arts Education,” Laurie Lock and Lynn Tuttle talked about the things that can do as arts education advocates to ensure the future of arts programs in our school, whether we are addressing continuing funding in difficult times or trying to establish funding for new programs. Some thoughts from the session:

1) THERE IS FEDERAL MONEY OUT THERE FOR ARTS PROGRAMS IN THE SCHOOLS, AND IT IS MORE READILY AVAILABLE THAN YOU MIGHT THINK! The truth is that in the government education documents, the arts are defined as a part of the core curriculm. Title 9 defines us in this way. That means that arts programs are eligible for Title 1 funding, which many school systems receive. Keep in mind that Title 1 money is SUPPLEMENTAL – Title 1 funds cannot be used for the salaries of the teachers who should be in place already. However, Title 1 funds CAN be used for Arts Integration programs!

2) You must COMMUNICATE with your school system and all of those involved in your existing or proposed programs. If you an arts institution outside of the schools that provides services to school systems, make sure you communicate openly and often to determine the system’s goals and make sure that everyone is on the same page.

3) Be creative! Think of how to engage school and community leaders. Make sure you know their priorities, and then demonstrate how you can address these priorities. You may want to bring in a model of a successful program and show how it can work in your community.

4) Don’t make promises that you can’t keep! This is crucial – we must set realistic goals, and then execute them.

What do you think? Are kids in your community learning in and through the arts? Should they be? Are you and other advocates using these tips and others? Share your thoughts with us, and with other artists, parents, community members, educators, and the folks at the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education.

Social Media Musings

2010-06-22T14:18:00.005-05:00

Do you - personally or organizationally - make use of social media like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, blogs, etc., to get your message out and to interact with your clients/customers/audiences? What have been the pros & cons of using those forms of communication for you?

The IAC's Live the Arts in Iowa Facebook page has shot up to over 1,300 fans in just a few months, and we're seeing lots of great posts from people all over the state, describing with pride the arts activities going on in their communities, sharing what it's like to work as artists in Iowa, etc. We're thinking it will continue to be a good forum for networking and connecting. Lots of chances for people to contribute their own thoughts and ideas, and share their own information.

This blog, our e-newsletter Iowa Arts News, and the Iowa Arts Council Web site, on the other hand, offer chances for us to share news and information with you. They tend to be more one-way communication tools (you can leave comments on the blog, but it doesn't happen often) -- important in many ways, but not enough on their own.

Should we also have a Twitter account? How would we best use it? Is it the right and best use of state resources to assign a staff person's time to setting up and monitoring these sites? We're exploring it all. Maybe you are, too. Let us know what you do, and what you think.

The Six Most Important Conversations?

2010-06-14T12:33:00.003-05:00

There are big questions for the arts on the national horizon, and nobody articulates them more clearly than Barry Hessenius on Barry's Blog. His June 13 entry, "Re-examining our Models," lists "The Six Most Important Conversations for the Arts in the Next Five Years."

Maybe a bit alarmist, maybe a bit pessimistic, maybe not a true picture in Iowa (or maybe so....) - but it's important reading and thinking material. For instance:

"Maybe you and your organization can continue to skate for awhile. Maybe as the economy improves (assuming arguendo that it does improve), your circumstances will change for the better, and you may even recover somewhat. But ask yourself this: Will anything have really changed to move you forward towards real growth and sustainability? Will you be better prepared, using the same old models of doing things, for the next crisis and for all the change the next decade portends? Are you equipped to thrive, or merely survive?"

How do Iowa arts organizations answer these questions? Read the entry, talk to your friends and colleagues, and let us hear from you at the Iowa Arts Council.

Rating your community's arts ecology

2010-05-20T09:12:00.003-05:00

The report was published in 2007, and its focus is Philadelphia, but it's still worth a read: the Rand Corporation's Arts and Culture in the Metropolis: Strategies for Sustainability.

Here's its most intriguing take-away: the arts ecology of a community (or possibly region?) can be defined by looking at what exists in 5 areas:
1) Grant funding available for the arts
2) Technical assistance being provided to the arts field

3) Quantity: how much is presented/performed/exhibited

4) How much promotion for the arts exists in the community (region?)

and

5) How much the arts are included as part of how the community (region?) defines itself in terms of economic development

So: how does Iowa's northwest quadrant look in this regard, with its growing arts impact coming out of Spencer, Okoboji, Orange City, Sioux City, and more? How about the famed Cedar Rapids-Iowa City cultural corridor? Or our capital city? What's the arts ecology in these and other areas, and where do we want it to be?

Listen up - Great Arts Podcasts!

2010-05-10T11:05:00.002-05:00

Your mp3 player can be a terrific source of arts information. Here are a few sources of great downloads to listen in on at your desk, in your car, while you walk your dog. All are free!

1. Iowa Arts Council's Iowa Roots broadcasts: These are broadcast on Iowa Public Radio ever Saturday evening, but you can listen to them anytime. A couple of options: go to the IAC's Iowa Roots page for 5 seasons' worth of recorded programs, or download recent programs directly from Iowa Public Radio.

2. The National Endowment for the Arts has launched a new podcast channel. A free podcast will be released each Thursday featuring one-on-one interviews with everyone from NEA Jazz Masters to leading arts experts to National Medal of Arts winners and more. The latest listens include conversations with David Stull, Dean of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan, and NEA Jazz Master Hank Jones. Coming to iTunes later this year, as well!

3. Technology in the Arts podcasts from the Center for Arts Management and Technology, feature "entertaining dialogue between hosts Brad Stephenson and Jason Hansen and occasional guest contributor David Dombrosky as they interview artists and arts managers, dish out tech tips, review new products and answer listener arts/tech questions." The IAC's web designer recommends these podcasts for staying up to date with technology issues in the arts.

Nonprofit organizations - you too could benefit

2010-04-26T11:12:00.002-05:00

There's interesting news afoot in the world of nonprofit organizations, some of it specifically useful for nonprofit arts organizations, and some more general to nonprofits. Tax credits for healthcare insurance! New opportunities for developing arts spaces!

Here's information that's coming across IAC desks these days:

1.) ELIGIBLE NONPROFITS TO RECEIVE TWO NEW FEDERAL TAX CREDITS
(from Americans for the Arts' Monthly Wire)
Details on Job Creation and Healthcare Insurance Tax Credits for Nonprofits
The nonprofit community has two new federal tax credits to support it in healthcare coverage and hiring efforts. Last month, the health insurance reform bill was signed into law, and with it came a provision granting eligible nonprofit organizations a tax credit of up to 35 percent of health insurance premiums available to firms with 25 or fewer employees and with average wages below $50,000 that choose to offer coverage. Then, beginning in 2014, these small business tax credits will cover 50 percent of premiums. Another federal tax credit was approved through the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, which states that through December 31, 2010, employers, including nonprofit employers, who hire individuals who have been unemployed for at least 60 days will not have to pay the employer's 6.2 percent share of the Social Security payroll tax for the new hires. For further information on these provisions, please contact Director of Federal Affairs Narric Rome at nrome@artsusa.org.

2.) FORD FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES MAJOR ART SPACE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
(Also from Americans for the Arts' Monthly Wire)
In a strategic overhaul of the Ford Foundation’s operation, President Luis A. Ubiñas has bundled its hundreds of millions of dollars in grants—which have traditionally varied widely in their focus—into large programs oriented toward specific issues. One such program, Supporting Diverse Art Spaces Initiative, will dedicate $100 million to the development of arts spaces nationwide including construction, maintenance, and enhancement of arts facilities. This program is accepting applications through May 28, 2010.

3.) Kresge Foundation Changes Arts and Culture Grantmaking Strategy
(From Philanthropy News Digest)
The Kresge Foundation in Troy, MI, has announced a new national strategy for its arts and culture program to help foster the long-term financial stability of arts groups. The foundation's arts and culture grantmaking is focused on three areas: institutional capitalization, artists' support services, and arts and community building. Under the new strategy, institutional capitalization activities will include investments in cultural facilities and building reserves funds, with a focus on renovation and repair projects. The foundation will no longer consider traditional facilities-capital challenge grants. The foundation is accepting pre-application e-mails for facility investments and building reserves grants, with a call for applications scheduled for the fall.

Thanks, panelists

2010-04-21T13:30:00.003-05:00

As we close in on the completion of another 3-day Major Grant Review Retreat, I am humbled once again by the dedication and commitment displayed by those who respond to our request to serve as panel reviewers in this process. A dozen Iowans who count themselves as peers with those who have applied for our Major Grants came here to Des Moines on Monday to spend the afternoon learning about our process and then digging in to reading and scoring grant applications. They worked until 6:30 p.m. on Monday, and then for as many as 10 additional hours again on Tuesday, each reading at least 30 applications. Today -- Wednesday -- they are discussing each application individually in sub-panels.

Each reviewer was acutely aware that every file folder they picked up contained the hopes and dreams of passionate artists and arts professionals across Iowa, and that they paid attention accordingly. The process isn't done yet - they are completing their discussions as this is written, and then staff will crunch the numbers and Director Pederson will make her final granting decisions -- but it's an appropriate time to express gratitude to these reviewers on behalf of the IAC staff, the IAC board, and (if it's not too presumptuous) the citizens of Iowa.

How do you ticket?

2010-04-05T12:50:00.003-05:00

There's plenty of ticketing software on the market, and there are plenty of ways in which different organizations do it. Recently, the Center for Arts Management and Technology surveyed hundreds of small, mid-sized, large, and extra-large organizations to get an idea of what features and capabilities are (and are not) most important to them when making choices about ticketing software. It's some great information. The 2009 Ticketing Software Satisfaction Survey, published in March 2010, lays it all out. Read and learn.

This report is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Are you prepared?

2010-03-31T08:23:00.003-05:00

Passing along great information from the Craft Emergency Relief Fund's latest e-newsletter:

Celebrate MayDay 2010: Take One Emergency Preparedness Step CERF joins the Heritage Emergency National Task Force in observing May 1st as MayDay, a national disaster readiness initiative for the cultural community. CERF will use the Studio Protector to encourage artists to take one preparedness step toward covering their A’s (art, assets, archives) on May Day. “One of the reasons May 1st was chosen,” notes Craig Nutt CERF’s director of programs, “is because it precedes the beginning of hurricane season by a month. What better timing for taking action?” Artists are encouraged to visit: http://cts.vresp.com/c/?CraftEmergencyRelief/3a1caaf961/3dce953532/bb9b4f5dd4 for preparedness information. A contest to win free copies of the Studio Protector wall guide will begin on May 1.

The Informal Arts

2010-03-29T15:46:00.003-05:00

Finally - some research that acknowledges what most Americans already know: the arts happen not only in large concert halls, theaters, and museums, but also in homes, neighborhoods, churches, and community gatherings. The National Endowment for the Arts has just released
Come as You Are: Informal Arts Participation in Urban and Rural Communities, highlighting a big change in the information gathered by the NEA's annual Survey of Public Participation in the Arts.

Here's what it shows: urban areas have the edge when it comes to public participation in mainstream arts such as museums, live jazz or classical performances, dance, or theater. OK, that's not a surprise.

But here's what it also shows: when it comes to informal arts -- such as visiting an historical park, going to an art fair, singing in a choir, doing craft work or needle work, going to a performance at a place of worship -- the differences in participation melt away.

According to the report, "There are two notable exceptions: rural residents were more likely to sing in choirs and do sewing, weaving, crocheting, or quilting. Urban dwellers were more likely than rural dwellers to create photography, videos, or films for artistic purposes."

Fascinating food for thought. What are the implications here, when we broaden our definitions of what "arts participation" really is?

Arts Manager Training!

2010-03-23T15:25:00.002-05:00

Great training for arts managers who are already started on their careers can be hard to find. The Kennedy Center's Arts Manager Institute, specifically for mid-career arts managers, is a real opportunity for the right people. $20,000 fellowships are available for the nine-month program that begins in September 2010. Let's get some of the benefit of that expertise in Iowa!

Rising from the Flood Waters: They're Back!

2010-03-02T16:18:00.004-06:00

The devastation of the 2008 floods left so many Iowans in despair - not least much of the cultural community of Cedar Rapids, which experienced the ruination of so many of its wonderful cultural facilities. But it's amazing what can happen.

Huge congratulations to Theatre Cedar Rapids, which on February 26th became the first major Cedar Rapids arts facility to re-open its doors in a beautifully renovated space, giving such a lift to the entire community. This Opening Night Video presentation by Rob Merritt tells the story wonderfully! That big marquee lights up the downtown and says, "We're Back!"

Are you coming to town?

2010-02-16T09:02:00.002-06:00

Are you coming to see us, and talk to your elected officials about how the arts impact you and your community? We hope so -- Wednesday, February 17 is Cultural Advocacy Day, sponsored by the Iowa Cultural Coalition! It's a big, fun day, with big, fun, important events planned all day.

Check out the Cultural Advocacy Day info at the ICC's web site for the day's agenda. Everybody welcome! Even if you haven't pre-registered...show your face and share your voice!

Thank you, Mr. Kaiser

2010-02-03T09:01:00.002-06:00

Here's a boost for those who despair that all the arts attention in the country goes to the big cities, and that the arts are for the elite and wealthy in those cities. Michael Kaiser (President of the Kennedy Center in D.C.) writes in the Huffington Post that, "I have met with passionate advocates for arts and arts education in Tulsa, Des Moines, and Wichita. These arts leaders were no different in knowledge, sophistication or creativity than their counterparts in New York, Chicago or San Francisco."

He goes on, "The arts affect every region of this nation. I am learning this on my tour. We ignore the power and potency of the arts if we assume that the only important work is happening in the big Northeast or West Coast cities. Without the availability of art and arts education throughout the country during the past centuries, our cultural heritage, a glory of our nation, would have been vastly diminished. Why is today any different?"

Read the full article here. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-kaiser/where-are-the-arts-import_b_444135.html.

Thanks for telling our story, Michael Kaiser!

National Arts Index - an important new tool!

2010-01-22T08:50:00.002-06:00

I want to draw your attention to an important new report, the National Arts Index 2009, recently published by Americans for the Arts. The full, 146-page report is a fascinating overview of 76 national-level indicators that – together – give a clearer picture of the arts in America over an 11-year time span than we have ever had before. The Index looks at such varied indicators as:
Musical Instrument Sales
State Arts Appropriations
Movie Screens
Revenue of Arts and Culture Nonprofits
Visual and Performing Arts Degrees
Public Television Viewing
Attendance at Live Popular Music
…and much, much more.

It’s fascinating, even just to glance through – and could provide fodder for good conversation, perhaps, about how Iowa could capture some of this same information on a state-level basis.

Refresh Your Community With the Arts!

2010-01-19T10:51:00.001-06:00

Here's an opportunity: The Web site for the "Pepsi Refresh Project" – www.refresheverything.com – is now live. The project will pay at least $20 million for projects people create to "refresh" communities. People can list their projects on the site, which could range from helping to feed people to teaching children to read. People can vote starting Feb. 1 to determine which projects receive money. If you submit something, please email mary.sundetjones@iowa.gov so a call for votes can be included here and on the Live the Arts in Iowa Facebook page.

Iowa Arts in the News

2010-01-11T07:57:00.003-06:00

Check out The Iowan magazine's January/February 2010 issue! It's got article after article about the arts in Iowa, from public art to blues music and much more.

There's plenty going on, and it's great to see how much is captured here!

Mobile apps and the arts: where we are and where we

2010-01-07T11:17:00.003-06:00

Here's a great blog post from Technology in the Arts -- great for arts organizations thinking about adding mobile-phone apps and similar new technologies to their arsenal of tools for connecting with customers:
Mobile apps and the arts: where we are and where we’re going

Posted using ShareThis

Cover Your A's (Art, Assets, Archives)

2009-12-14T10:03:00.006-06:00

Too many Iowa artists had major losses due to the severe storms and floods of 2008. Do you know what you would do if your studio was suddenly damaged by water, fire, or another big event? There's an incredible tool available now, designed by artists and for artists, from Craft Emergency Relief Fund.

You can now order CERF’s new Studio Protector , which hangs on your wall and includes a HUGE amount of practical info about what you can do to prepare, and also what first steps to take if an emergency does happen.

Studio Protector was designed especially for visual/craft artists, but its information is invaluable for artists of all kinds.

Winter musing

2009-12-09T09:53:00.002-06:00

It's clearly winter in Iowa! This is the season for performing arts to be in full swing, all over the state. A great time to support your local arts groups by attending plays and concerts and exhibitions of all sorts. Enjoy the arts in Iowa, and remember them in your year-end giving as well -- our communities would be so much diminished without the life and vibrancy the arts bring.

The real fundraisers are the artists and marketers

2009-11-23T09:21:00.003-06:00

Michael Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, was in Des Moines on Friday, November 20, for a community conversation about the arts in difficult economic times. His comments sparked great discussion and furious note-taking. Here are a few gems:

“The real fundraisers in an organization are the artists and the marketers.”

Avoid planning just for the short-term, even when the economy is really bad. Plan programs at least 5 years in advance.

Don’t create programs to match the donor – have a menu in mind of 5 years worth of programs. Listen carefully to the donor to learn his/her/their interests, and then match the right program ideas to the right interests.

Institutional marketing is highly important, and often forgotten. Don’t just do marketing around ticket sales for upcoming programs – market the organization as a whole. This is crucial to successful fundraising – it helps the community know your organization and think of it as important.

Marketing is about repetition. People need to see and hear about your organization multiple times, in multiple places. To get the community excited about your organization, you need to be visible, be vital in the community.

Michael Kaiser’s Rules for Troubled (or All) Organizations:
There must be one leader of the organization, and only one.
The leader must have a plan.
You can’t save or cut your way to organizational financial health.
Focus on today and tomorrow, not on yesterday (don’t spend valuable time figuring out how things went wrong – start from now).
Extend your planning calendar out multiple years.
Marketing is more than just ads and brochures. (It’s about being seen and heard from in the community, in multiple ways.)
The organization should have just one spokesperson, and that person’s message should always be positive.
When in financial trouble, don’t focus valuable time on getting little gifts – but also don’t be unrealistic about trying for gifts that are too big and out of proportion to what your organization can really expect.
An organization’s board must be willing to restructure itself. (The same board that started the organization may not be the board it needs now, several years later.)
Have the discipline to follow the first 9 rules.

And Mr. Kaiser’s 11th rule: Spend more time thinking about joint ventures that your organization can engage in, whether with like organizations or with new and different partners.

On arts education: “I’m much more worried about the arts 20 years from now than I am about the arts today.”
- People between the ages of 15 and 45 have less discretionary time and money. They tend to leave the arts then, and come back later. “If we don’t have strong arts education in the early years, they won’t come back later.”

Endowments are excellent to have – but don’t do a big endowment campaign if you’re not really ready for it. Best time to do this is when the organization is “humming along.”

State, regional, and local arts agencies can play an important role in encouraging joint activities. They can also be leaders in bringing professional development to arts administrators, managers, and board members.

“I force myself to spend a lot of time on items that will make next year easier. It’s hard. Sometimes details fall through the cracks – but I’d rather make a few mistakes and keep moving forward.”

The Kennedy Center's Arts in Crisis initiative makes good advice from experienced arts managers available nationwide.

Another opportuntiy Nov 20!

2009-11-18T14:08:00.001-06:00

Passing on this info from the NEA -- a great opportunity to watch/listen in:

On Friday, November 20, 2009 the National Endowment for the Arts is hosting a forum about America’s artists and other cultural workers and the way that art works as part of this country’s real economy. Academics, foundation professionals, and service organization representatives will come together to discuss improving the collection and reporting of statistics about arts and cultural workers, and to develop future research agendas and approaches.

We thought this event would be of interest to you and we invite you to join us through a live webcast on www.arts.gov, where you will be able to view the complete event, from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. In addition, an archive of the event will be available on www.arts.gov the week following the forum.
For the full schedule and list of participants, please go to http://www.arts.gov/news/news09/cultural-workforce-forum.html.

Are the Arts in Crisis in Iowa?

2009-11-17T08:56:00.004-06:00

Michael Kaiser, president of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, is doing a nationwide tour of "community conversations," connected to the Kennedy Center's Arts in Crisis initiative. He'll be in Des Moines this Friday, November 20 from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Temple for the Performing Arts (1011 Locust St). Are you coming? You should.

It's a chance to hear what Mr. Kaiser has been learning in other states, and to share your own stories in Iowa. Is the economy creating a crisis for the arts - or for your work, specifically? Come to downtown Des Moines and share your story, and talk with others in the field. Let us know you're coming: rsvp@bravogreaterdesmoines.org. (It's free.)

If your organization does need some bolstering, register for this timely and highly-recommended webinar series available from the Foundation Center, called Turning Economic Crisis Into OpportunityHow Nonprofits Can Survive and Emerge Stronger. It's a 4-series webinar session, very affordable, dealing with both survival tactics and long-term sustainability. Add to your toolbox!

Live the Arts in Iowa!

2009-11-04T16:44:00.003-06:00

It's a new visibility campaign for the arts in Iowa, and its success depends on how many places we can get it out there! A simple concept, really: if you present or exhibit or produce the arts in Iowa -- IN ANY WAY -- download this Live the Arts in Iowa image and show it proudly at your venue.

When you attend arts events -- ask them if they're part of Live the Arts in Iowa, and encourage the presenters to show this image proudly.

Take a picture when you see Live the Arts in Iowa displayed somewhere, and share it on our Facebook page (see link on this page).

The more places we see this image in Iowa, the more we'll be sending a message that the arts can be found all over our state, in communities large and small, and impacting people of all ages. That's great!

From one Blog to Another

2009-10-19T07:44:00.003-05:00

I recently ran across a blog published by Springboard for the Arts, a Minnesota nonprofit organization that's all about helping artists and arts organizations with the business side of what they do. I was surprised & happy to see a post all about Iowa! Springboard's director, Laura Zabel, had been to Cedar Rapids in August to work with folks from the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance. She was full of great things to say about Cedar Rapids and the folks she worked with and saw there, including a great young blues pianist, Chase Garrett.

Check it out!

Budget Cuts

2009-10-13T12:45:00.003-05:00

As you likely have heard, Governor Culver has implemented a 10% across-the-board reduction in state agency funding. Agencies are working hard this week to develop plans for addressing this reduction. For the Iowa Arts Council, 10% is $113,746.

While there's little to report at this stage about how this cut will impact the IAC, you should know two things: 1) there will indeed be an impact, and 2) the IAC will not go away -- we will still be here working as creatively as we can to support all the arts in Iowa, through grants, communications, networking, and technical assistance.

In addition, we know that all of YOU will still be here. In good funding times and bad, the creative work of Iowa artists and arts organizations is plentiful and astounding. Keep doing it. Don't quit. We all need it.

From the mouth of our nation's First Lady

2009-09-29T14:51:00.003-05:00

First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a concert on September 28 at the Pittsburgh Creative & Performing Arts School for its students and the spouses of international leaders deliberating at the G-20 economic summit. Her address preceded performances by guests Sara Bareilles, Yo-Yo Ma and Trisha Yearwood. Here is just one quotable moment from her speech, from a transcript issued by the White House:
"Both individually and collectively, we all have a stake in the arts, every single one of us. And you don't need to be rich or powerful to lift your voice in song or get out of your seat and shake your groove thing. You don't need to be a Van Gogh to paint a picture, or a Maya Angelou to write a poem. You don't need a Grammy or an Oscar or an Emmy to make your work on the cultural life of your community or your country a valuable one.
"And ... people who might not speak a single word of the same language, who might not have a single shared experience, might still be drawn together when their hearts are lifted by the notes of a song, or their souls are stirred by a vision on a canvas.
"That is the power of the arts -- to remind us of what we each have to offer, and what we all have in common; to help us understand our history and imagine our future; to give us hope in the moments of struggle; and to bring us together when nothing else will."

Stabilizing our Cultural Organizations -- for the Long Haul!

2009-09-29T09:30:00.003-05:00

The Iowa Cultural Trust exists to affirm that if Iowa's cultural organizations are going to be real contributors to cultural vitality, they need to have their basics in line: they need to know how to manage their money, plan and spend with a long future in mind, and make use of the best resources available to help them do that.

With that in mind, the Cultural Trust has announced its first grant program: Cultural Trust Stability Grants. These small grants (up to $2,500) will help Iowa cultural organizations reach goals of fiscal stability and institute best practices in organizational strategic planning and management.

Stability Grants are intended to make measurable changes in the ability of cultural organizations to be financially stable and sustainable. Applicants may request up to $2,500, but no more than 50% of the total project cost. All requests must show a dollar-for-dollar cash match. Applications are due to the Cultural Trust by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009 for projects occurring between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2010. The web page has more details.

Here's some help: We're offering one-hour webinar training sessions for the new grant. These will be:
Thursday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. and
Friday, Oct. 9 at 9 a.m.
Register for the webinar by e-mailing staci.nevinski@iowa.gov. She'll send you instructions for connecting to a session. Make sure to specify which session you wish to attend. You must have both a phone and internet connection to participate.

Big Issues - Big Discussion - Your Voice

2009-09-08T12:40:00.003-05:00

This is exciting. Barry's Blog, a feature of the Western States Arts Federation, (WESTAF) is about to launch a nationwide online conversation about the role of the National Endowment for the Arts, and national arts and culture policy in general. All of us can follow it, and all of us can participate.

Here's the deal: Every Tuesday for six weeks, begining September 15, WESTAF leaders will frame a new set of questions for a new panel of arts leaders to consider. It will all occur online, within Barry's Blog. Each panel will represent a different group of stakeholders: artists, arts education, former NEA leaders, funders, etc. Panelists will chew on the questions by commenting online, and the rest of us can join in with our own thoughts -- or just follow along with the conversation online. In week 7, WESTAF will publish a synopsis of the themes and topics that came up over the course of the conversation.

Voices from the Midwest are important in this conversation, and Iowa has a lot to contribute. I encourage you - don't be left out!

Coming together

2009-08-28T10:08:00.003-05:00

There was a remarkable gathering in the Quad Cities earlier this week. The Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau, with support & collaboration from Quad City Arts, managed to pull together a first-ever gathering of about 100 representatives from 60-some arts & culture organizations (with a smattering of other CVBs, economic developers, funders, and other interested parties). They were all there to talk about how they can work better together than separately on things like marketing their region's fantastic cultural opportunities, collecting data on the impact of what they all do, and just breaking down the walls built by city or county boundaries, and that big river that flows through their region.

Healthy conversation occurred - the critical first step. What's the benefit of working together? How have other places done this? If we want a formalized connection, who should be in charge of making it happen, how much will it cost, and what exactly will happen? How important are measurable goals, as opposed to just starting with some networking? Who pays for what, and when?

Folks from the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance were there to lend neighborly support and examples -- and a vision of what (maybe) could be.

This is good work. Kudos to the good start that was made in the Quad Cities. For the good ideas and good discussions to move forward as real action, it's going to require somebody to put some skin in the game -- work time, work space, plain old initiative. We're rooting for you all, and really hopeful that this is the right time, and you've got the right people to make great things happen.

Teaching the Teaching Artists

2009-08-06T15:34:00.004-05:00

I can feel the energy emanating from the classrooms on this 3rd floor of the State Historical Building this week, as teaching artists from across Iowa delve deeply into understanding arts integration and -- in the process -- refining and re-examining the work that they do with teachers and students in classrooms across our state.

To be a Teaching Artist is much more these days than just to be a musician or dancer or painter or storyteller who does a 45-minute performance or a show-and-tell for school children about his or her life as an artist. A professional Teaching Artist can be an incredible partner with a classroom teacher, exploring together ways to teach weaving skills together with math, for instance - or helping students understand the actor's craft by portraying (and therefore also learning about and better understanding) a determined but desperate Dust Bowl farmer, or a bewigged and bejewelled Marie Antoinette. Students learn best when they use all their senses to learn, and the arts -- and well-qualified Teaching Artists -- can help them get there.

At the Healthcare Table

2009-07-24T14:08:00.004-05:00

We're learning more about it all the time - the arts can have a tremendous impact on physical health and well being. Recent well-publicized studies have shown statistically relevant correlations between, for instance, regular arts participation and declining numbers of falls and medical needs among seniors.

Well, Iowa has a LOT of seniors, and like any state, a lot of health care needs. What are those of you in the arts working on, to connect these?

Two items crossed my radar this week:
First, there are grants available. The Society for Arts and Healthcare, together with Johnson & Johnson, are offering support for "the use of the arts to enhance the healthcare experience for patients, their families, and caregivers." They want to direct their money to established programs. Go for it!

Second, good advocates are making sure this becomes part of the national healthcare conversation. That same Society for Arts and Healthcare, together with Americans for the Arts and 19 other national organizations, have crafted a legislative request to strengthen the role of the arts in healthcare. Take a look at the issue brief from Americans for the Arts about arts and healthcare. Also, look at the terrific resources collected by the National Endowment for the Arts on this topic.

Smorgasbord

2009-07-02T08:38:00.003-05:00

What are we to make of the news? Here's some of the good & bad news we've been hearing lately:
Good news: The U.S. House has approved a new budget that includes an increase for the National Endowment for the Arts, from $155 million to $170 million. That's still below the NEA's high in 1992 (17 years ago!) of $176 million, but it's nearly a 10% increase, which is nothing to sneeze at. The U.S. Senate needs to weigh in with its own number. Contact your elected officials to let them know what you think they should do.
Not so good news: The NEA just released a report on public participation in the arts, which says that arts audiences are getting older and their numbers are declining. What does this mean for our culture? What does this mean for Iowa?
Not so good news: Also just released, a study of 4,000 U.S. 8th graders indicates that middle schoolers haven't progressed much in the past 10 years in how much they know about music in art -- and there's been a 6% drop in the number of school visits to art museums or galleries. Even the students with the highest level of knowledge scored barely above the 50% line in this study. The study shows arts learning to be lowest in urban schools and highest in suburban schools, and also shows levels of achievement lagging behind significantly for low income students. What does this mean for Iowa?
Good news: The popular Campbell's Labels for Education program is changing its focus this August. According to news from the Business Committee for the Arts, "Labels for Education will put their focus on areas that schools are losing support in: arts, athletics, and academics." Supporters of arts in Iowa schools: are you participating in this program?
Good news (we think): The Ford Foundation, like most others, has lost a lot of income from its investments. Rather than cutting back on its funding programs, however, the Foundation is dramatically cutting back staff and expenses in order to maintain as much of its funding as possible. It's a tough commitment to keep, and obviously comes at a real cost.
Really good news: So many Iowa artists know what it's like to be devastated by the effects of a weather disaster --the 2008 floods brought that home in an all too tangible way. A terrific resource, the Studio Protector, is being developed by the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF). You have to check this out - it's compact, clear, well-designed, and incredibly useful. It will be available in October for $16. The IAC has already placed an order for some; contact us if you're an Iowa artist who could use one.

It's Tough Out There

2009-06-18T14:40:00.003-05:00

Don't we know it -- this month we're working through the review process for the applications to the Iowa Arts Jobs Preservation Grant program, and it's overwhelming. This is our one-time-only grant program, allotting funds from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (the federal stimulus funds) to retain jobs in the arts.

Iowa arts organizations and arts presenters requested more than $1.1 million to retain jobs for artists and arts workers. We have only $325,000 (that's the Iowa Arts Council's funds plus Iowa-designated funds from Arts Midwest), so we already know that it's not going to be easy. We're also well aware that there are Iowans whose lives will change depending on whether they get a "yes" or a "no" to this grant request.

Rhode Island's state arts agency went through this same process recently, and had a wonderful thing happen. The program officer from a local community foundation was so impressed with the process and the panel's recommendations, that he was able to arrange for his foundation to add up to $100,000 to the pool of funds, so more arts jobs could be retained. What a great way to bring private funds and public funds together to keep people working in the arts!

NO More Starving Artists!

2009-06-10T10:35:00.003-05:00

We hate that term -- artists shouldn't be starving, not for support, not for recognition, not for their rent payments. There are things artists can learn about that will help them -- ways to get their work out there, ways to connect with people who could be helpful, ways to think about pricing their work appropriately for the marketplace. And we definitely don't want artists to starve because they had huge losses after a weather disaster, a fire, etc.

So -- artists -- get yourselves registered NOW to gather in Des Moines on Saturday, June 20 at No More Starving Artists II, our bi-ennial 1-day conference for artists. It's at the Des Moines Social Club -- a great space for gathering -- and you'll meet & hear from some incredible national resource people. Some of them don't get to Iowa that often, so come on down!

It's just $30 for the day, which includes a good lunch. A small investment for the important work you do as an artist. Register at www.iowatix.com (look under "Iowa Arts Council").

Teaching Artists

2009-05-28T13:26:00.003-05:00

What's the difference between an artist and a teaching artist? When someone identifies him or herself as a professional artist, does that automatically make him/her a good resource for the 3rd grade classroom teacher in your school district?

The IAC maintains a Teaching Artists Roster -- a listing of artists who not only know their art form well, but have really good instructional abilities, too. Even those who are on that list, though, can enhance their "marketability" to schools by learning more. We've been partnering with Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls this past year on a project called Creative Classrooms, through the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Artists who were accepted into the program have gone through a year -- and are looking forward to a second year -- of workshops, practice, and evaluation as they strive to get better as teaching artists.

Here's some insight into things the rest of us may not think about, but which can really make a difference to a good artist experience -- and good arts learning -- in the classroom. These are some things our Creative Classroom artists said they learned during their most recent workshop:

I learned some effective means of achieving and maintaining student’s attention.
I need to tell teachers what I want them to do during my residency.
I learned the benefits of possibilities for special needs inclusion.
[I should] talk to teachers about what to look for in their kid’s participation.
I learned how useful a handout can be for reinforcing concepts one presents to students.
[I learned that] curriculum tie-ins increase teacher partnerships.

Attention Artists!

2009-05-21T13:56:00.003-05:00

They say artists have trouble learning how to manage, to market, to break into galleries or record companies or other places where their work can be seen and heard. True for some artists, less true for others. But pay attention --there are good workshops and learning sessions popping up all over, plus lots of information on the Web.

For instance...
Register for the Iowa Arts Council's No More Starving Artists 2. A full day of great workshops on marketing, pricing your work, using social media, and emergency preparedness. Speakers know what they're talking about -- they're from Springboard for the Arts, Lava Row, and Craft Emergency Relief Fund.
Saturday, June 2, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Des Moines Social Club, 1408 Locust St, Des Moines
$30 -- includes lunch -- register at www.iowatix.com

Attend Des Moines Music Coalition's Music University: Record Labels: A Perspective From Saddle Creek featuring Jason Kulbel, label manager and co-founder of Omaha's Saddle Creek Records, one of the most renowned indie labels in the U.S. The label has been around since 1993 and its roster has included Bright Eyes, Cursive, Rilo Kiley, Beep Beep, Neva Dinova, Tokyo Police Club. Kulbel will discuss label management, money flow, copyright, record contracts, getting signed, submitting demos, differences between majors and indies, core strategies labels provide for artists, and much more. Artists and industry professionals are encouraged to attend.
Wednesday, May 27, 7:00 PM
Des Moines Social Club,1408 Locust St., Des Moines
FREE

Not able to get to one of these? There's always great information on the many Business & Networking Links for Artists on the IAC's Web site.

The First Lady on the Arts

2009-05-19T09:24:00.002-05:00

The arts always benefit from good spokespersons -- smart people who can claim some time in the spotlight to speak about what it is that's so important about art and music, dance and theatre, and all their thousands of iterations.

In March, Wynton Marsalis gave us eloquence and passion in his Nancy Hanks Lecture on Art and Public Policy at the Kennedy Center during national Arts Advocacy Day.

This week, our new first lady Michelle Obama spoke at the ribbon-cutting for the newly renovated American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Lee Rosenbaum's CultureGrrl blog reprints the full text of her speech, which is worth reading. Here's a quote:

"The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time or if one can afford it. Rather, paintings and poetry, music and fashion, design and dialogue, they all define who we are as a people and provide an account of our history for the next generation."

New Name at the NEA

2009-05-14T12:03:00.004-05:00

Blogs and newspapers are buzzing with the news about President Obama's choice, just announced this week, for chairmanship of the National Endowment for the Arts. His selection is Rocco Landesman, a Broadway producer who is president of Jujamcyn Theatres, owner of five Broadway theaters. Landesman, among other accomplishments, produced "Angels in America" on Broadway, as well as "Jersey Boys," "Into the Woods," and other landmark productions. There are many articles out there describing this appointment; this one from the Washington Post provides good info.

What might Landesman's appointment mean for the NEA, and for the Iowa Arts Council? It's too soon to tell, certainly. But the talk is that he will be a passionate and vocal advocate for the arts, a confident decision-maker, and a knowledgeable administrator. We're eager to know more. Funds from the NEA provide at least 1/3 of the Iowa Arts Council's budget in any given year, so we're particularly interested!

NEA Grants - Where's Iowa?

2009-05-01T15:10:00.003-05:00

The National Endowment for the Arts just announced a boatload of new, wonderful grants in several categories (see below). But here's my question: where is Iowa?

The NEA doesn't release names of applicants that weren't funded, so perhaps there were Iowa organizations in that group -- but Iowa has so many incredible arts projects happening year-round, and it's so disappointing to not see those federal NEA funds supporting these.

Are you not applying to the NEA? Have you applied and been frustrated too often? What's up, and how can the Iowa Arts Council help change the picture?

Grants just announced from the NEA were made in these categories:

Access to Artistic Excellence ($14,664,500) – To support range of projects in dance, design, folk & traditional arts, literature, media arts, museums, music, musical theater, opera, presenting, theater, and visual arts

Learning in the Arts($7,795,000)—To support projects that provide in-depth knowledge, skills, and understanding of art to children and youth

Arts on Radio and Television ($3,700,000)—To support development, production, and national distribution of radio and TV programs on arts subjects

American Masterpieces ($4,075,000)—To support projects that acquaint Americans with best of nation’s arts/culture heritage in dance, presenting, chamber music, and visual arts.

Texting evaluation?

2009-04-30T09:05:00.003-05:00

We have lots of conversations about project evaluation, because it can be a hard thing for project planners to address well (especially in grant applications). The simple questions are these: what's your goal for your arts project? How are you going to know (and show) if you've met your goal?

Evaluation of performing arts activities has most often been done with some kind of questionaire, maybe inserted in the program during certain (or all) performances. Or sometimes it works well to have a focus group meet briefly following a performance to talk about whether it met its goals.

Now from L.A. comes this article about a play that is encouraging audience members to text-message one another during intermission. This particular use is a marketing gimmick, but what if they texted you their evaluation comments? What a crazy & fascinating thought! Let me know if you try this - we'd love to hear about it!

Marketers Give Broadway Audience A Reason To Be Texting "Desperate times call for desperate text messages. In a bid to attract a younger audience -- well, any audience maybe -- promoters of [Neil LaBute's Broadway play 'Reasons to be Pretty'] have introduced a texting game in which audience members are invited to rate their own attractiveness as well as the attractiveness of those seated next to them on a scale of Carrot Top to Angelina Jolie." Los Angeles Times 04/29/09

Environmental Scan

2009-04-22T10:07:00.003-05:00

Americans for the Arts just published some fascinating information for those of us in the arts. As part of their strategic planning process, AFTA did an Environmental Scan - looking for indicators of issues and changes that are facing our field.

I urge you to take a few minutes to read through the executive summary, and respond here with your comments about how the information resonates with you, and for Iowa in general.

The most compelling information, to me, is on pages 5-9 in the lists of themes and findings.

http://www.americansforthearts.org/pdf/about_us/EAexecutivesummary.pdf

Grant Reviews

2009-04-21T09:49:00.003-05:00

We've got 15 people here this week, spending 3 days at the Iowa Arts Council offices to review Major Grant applications. I am always incredibly impressed with people's willingness to give their time and expertise to this task, and their sincere good will in trying to be as thorough and as fair as possible. It's a hard job. They're divided into five sub-panels, and each sub-panel has 20-plus grant applications to read over about a day and a half, all submitted by Iowans who are passionate about the arts, and about bringing the arts to their communities and schools.

No matter how well these reviewers do their job, there will be people who feel that they were misunderstood or -- worse -- wronged. That's the thing about a process that involves human beings. It's human. Our task is to do the very best we can to walk the fine line between setting clear standards, criteria, and accountability, and over-bureaucratizing the process to a ridiculous degree. Thankfully, if and when this human process does go wrong, applicants have the recourse of our appeals process.

We spend about 3 hours orienting and training these reviewers, so that they understand the IAC's grant criteria and funding limitations, and get some insight into what they will be looking at -- including going through two practice review sessions before they start reading the real applications. No three-person sub-panel knows everything about all the art forms for which applicants submit project ideas. What they do have in each sub-panel is expertise as artists and project managers and educators that, along with our training, helps them review and score the applications.

During every grant review process, panelists exclaim about the incredibly exciting projects and ideas they are learning about. They express frustration at not being able to support everything. They are gleeful about well-planned, well-described projects and sorrowful about the great ideas that lack the focus and detail to stack up well against some of the others. And they are surprised and delighted -- without fail -- at the rich creativity of Iowans, in every corner of the state.

These people have told us the whole process is akin to getting a master's degree in grant writing. They leave drained and tired, but generally telling us it was highly worthwhile.

We always need more good names of people to add to our pool of potential reviewers. Interested? Let us know about you by completing our panelist profile form.

Marketing Tips

2009-04-15T15:19:00.002-05:00

At the IAC, we have lots of conversations about arts marketing. Sometimes it's because an artist or an arts organization has asked us for ideas about how to get their name out there, other times it's during grant reviews, when reviewers wish they were seeing stronger marketing plans for good arts projects. Most of us didn't get into the arts thinking we'd need to become experts at marketing ourselves or our work. There are lots of places to get great marketing advice, and it's a topic that comes up regularly on a number of blogs.

For instance, take a look at Americans for the Arts' ArtsBLOG, which has a couple of great April 10 entries with really sound, practical marketing advice. Or go to The National Arts Marketing Project's web site, ArtsMarketing.org, which shares tons of peer advice and case studies specific to the arts.

We don't all have to be experts - but it helps to at least know where to go for expert advice.

Out of State Marketing Grants

2009-04-14T16:04:00.003-05:00

Iowa arts organizations - are you members of your tourism region? If so, here's an opportunity as you consider your marketing options:

A total of $150,000 will be available for out-of-state marketing grants for fiscal year 2010. Advertising (print, broadcast or billboard) must be placed between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010. Applications are available in the member sections of the three region Web sites (www.visitwesterniowa.com, www.iowatourism.com or www.easterniowatourism.org). The applications must be received in the Iowa Tourism Office by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 30.

See Iowa Arts on IPTV

2009-04-10T09:42:00.002-05:00

Mark your calendars - check out these upcoming shows on Iowa Public Television!

* The Iowa Journal, Thursday, April 16 at 8 p.m., tours Iowa's performing arts centers.

* On Sunday, April 19 at 4 p.m., Poetry of Place: Eastern Iowa's Regionalist Artists traces the roots of Regionalism during the Great Depression, and discusses how the federal government played a role in encouraging the arts.

Meet us in Fort Dodge!

2009-04-09T14:58:00.004-05:00

IAC staff will be in Fort Dodge on Wednesday, May 6 for an “Office on the Road” (9 a.m.-noon) and a grant writing workshop (1-4 p.m.) at Iowa Central Community College, Triton Gallery at Decker Auditorium.

Register to attend either of these! During Office on the Road hours, IAC staff will be available for 20-minute sessions to help you with arts-related project planning and grant programs. Come with your questions, and get some face time with staff.

During the grant writing workshop, staff will walk you through the application process for IAC Mini and Major Grants, give guidance about funding priorities and guidelines, share tips for writing grants and put you in the reviewer's seat for a mock panel review of actual grants submitted to IAC.

The Iowa Music Scene - wow!

2009-04-09T08:52:00.002-05:00

It seems like such an amazing untold story -- Iowa is bursting with music! We've got incredibly talented symphony orchestras across the state. We've got a tradition of some of the best band, choral, and orchestral programs in K-12 and higher education nationwide. We've got terrific folk and traditional musicians, from Decorah's Foot-Notes (playing Scandinavian folk tunes) to Las Guitarras de Mexico, Inpanh Thavonekham, and the Java Jews. Jazz festivals. Acclaimed blues musicians. And a burgeoning rock/indie/hip-hop scene that comes together again next summer for Des Moines' second annual 80/35 Festival, sponsored by the Des Moines Music Coalition. It's not just the headliners (Public Enemy and Ben Harper), but the whole lineup of bands -- including 20 or more Iowa bands -- that creates excitement far beyond central Iowa.

It's this mix that's so incredible. You will love some, I will love others, but the presence of all of it in our state is what brings energy and vitality into our communities and our state. Play on!

Iowa Artist Showcase Reception

2009-04-06T19:29:00.001-05:00

Please join Lt. Governor Patty Judge as she introduces
two artists and unveils their work to
be displayed in the Governor’s Office in the Capitol

Patricia Shahrivar, Central City
Janet Murillo, Norwalk

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Northwestern Hotel Building
321 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA 50309

Reception 5pm
Program beings at 6pm
Live dance performance by Nolte Academy of Dance in Coralville
Refreshments provided by Jasper Winery

The Iowa Artist Showcase was created to highlight Iowa artists
and raise awareness for the art communities in our great state.
RSVP to Adam Gross by April 13
adam.gross@iowa.gov

Values at the Core?

2009-03-31T12:56:00.003-05:00

Do you as an artist - or does your organization - articulate a set of core values by which you operate? Whether the times are tough or the times are wonderful, I'm convinced that audiences/viewers respond to those who walk their talk. Check out some good thinking about core values for arts organizations (and for artful managers) in this blog post from Andrew Taylor's The Artful Manager blog.

The Dos and Don’ts of Grant Applications

2009-03-27T09:50:00.001-05:00

This incredibly clear and excellent list of pointers was published on the Fractured Atlas blog on March 10, 2009. Terrific advice for artists (and all) who are applying for Iowa Arts Council grants, and any other grants as well. Adapted just a bit and reprinted here with permission.

Writing grant applications is a drag. We all get that. We also get that people are looking for money anywhere they can to help them do the art they are passionate about, and we want to support as many artists as we can. That said, there’s a right way and wrong way to ask for money.
We recently completed a round of grant application reviews and after discussing the latest proposals with the fine folks of Fractured Atlas, it was suggested that I might put our thoughts into a blog post. And so I submit the following. I certainly don’t consider myself an expert, but I also don’t think any of this is particularly revolutionary. As Samuel Johnson said, “Man needs more to be reminded than instructed.”
The Dos (with a few don’ts thrown in for examples):
Do answer the questions actually being asked: It sounds so simple, and yet… When an application says “Provide a brief summary of the proposed activities” it means “give us your pitch.” Don’t start explaining who you are and how you came to do what you do. Don’t talk about the amazing people you work with. Think of it as your elevator pitch, which is sales/development jargon for “make the sale in the time it takes to ride an elevator a few floors.”
Be concise: Remember that yours is not the only application anyone is going to read. No proposal reviewer takes their job lightly, at least we certainly don’t, but we’ve got a lot of reading to do. Tell us what you want, why you want it, and why we should give it to you. As fascinating as the back story to how you came to want to do what you want to do, and I’m sure it is really interesting, the back story is not what you’re asking for money for, never mind your collaborator’s back story.
Be specific: This goes for every part of the application. If you’re applying for money for a consultant, tell us exactly what that person will do and exactly how you will go on doing what you need to do without that person when the consultant is done. If you are filling out a budget, tell us exactly how much each aspect is going to cost. Don’t just say “computer software- $248” – say “Microsoft Office Home- $149; Quickbooks- $99, etc.” Vagueness raises red flags
Be clear: Seriously. This one might be subtitled “proof read and make sure you’re saying everything you need to say correctly.” If you want money to go to Cleveland to work with an amazing dance company, say that. Don’t go off on long tangents. We’ve had more than a few applications where we spent some time discussing what exactly the artist wanted money for. If we have to have that conversation, we’re not going to give that person money.
Take the application seriously: We realize we’re not giving out vast sums of money, but it is money that can make a difference, so don’t just throw together an application in the last moment. We get lots of strong applications and the best ones are those that are well considered and well written. Put real effort into your proposal; others are putting effort into theirs.
The Don’ts (the ones I didn’t mention above)
Don’t ask for something that doesn’t fit the grant guidelines: This is a pitfall for large organizations as much as individual artists, for grants of every size. But I’ll use an example closer to home: if you’re applying for an organizational development grant, don’t ask for money for Photoshop for your photography. That’s not developing your organizational structure, that’s a tool you use for your art. Read the guidelines carefully. If you’re not sure, ask.
Don’t expect the grants committee to fill in the blanks: Here’s a common mistake we see. A proposal includes a budget for $3500, asks us for the maximum of $1000, and doesn’t clearly explain where the difference is going to come from. If we don’t think you’re going to be able to accomplish what you want to accomplish, we’re not going to fund it. If you tell us that it’s going to cost more than what you’re requesting, but that you’re also approaching other realistic funding sources and/or have other means of covering the cost, we have no problem contributing.
Don’t assume anything about who is reading your proposal, except that they want to give money: This is kind of a do and a don’t shoved together. It’s important to be explicit about what you want and why it’s valuable, but don’t assume the committee is filled with experts in your field. On the other hand, don’t assume they know nothing. The Fractured Atlas grants committee isn’t get paid, we’re a group of passionate professionals who want to help artists.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, more a jumping off point. I look forward to hearing ideas from others.

…and the IAC looks forward to hearing ideas from you, as well. Add your comments here: what are your own suggestions for writing a good grant application?

Disaster Recovery Business Rental Assistance

2009-03-26T08:21:00.002-05:00

Artists and nonprofits with businesses located in 2008 disaster-affected areas may want to look into a new program at the IA Department of Economic Development: the Disaster Recovery Business Rental Assistance Program. According to information released from the Governor's office, "the program will provide rental assistance to help offset building rental lease payments for a minimum of six months not to exceed a total award amount of $50,000. The award will be in the form of a forgivable loan to a business that has entered into a minimum one year market rate lease agreement." Applications will begin being accepted April 16, 2009. Find information about this and other small business disaster recovery assistance at IDED's web resource center.

NEA's regular funding gets a boost

2009-03-13T10:40:00.004-05:00

This information just out:
"On Tuesday [March 10], the U.S. Senate passed the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. The bill includes a significant $10 million increase for both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, which sets their budgets at $155 million each. The legislation also increases the budget for Arts in Education programs at the Department of Education to $38.16 million."

The FY2009 increase to the NEA impacts the Iowa Arts Council's budget for next year, because part of that increase will be passed on to state arts agencies. We haven't received information yet about how much our grant from the NEA will be increased for next year, but this is great news, as it should ease at least some of the grant program cuts we anticipated.

The increases are good news for Iowa in other ways, too! With more funding available in these programs, more Iowa organizations can apply directly to the NEA to support good projects, and to the Department of Education's arts education projects as well.

For more information about the federal increases: http://www.artsusa.org/news/afta_news/default.asp

More About NEA Stimulus Funds

2009-03-11T16:30:00.003-05:00

IAC staff is working hard to get all the pieces in place to make grants from the IAC's portion of the federal stimulus funds just as soon as possible. Look for guidelines to be available by April 1, with a June 1 application deadline.

All funds from the arts portion of the stimulus package, whether they come from the NEA, from the IAC, or from anywhere else, may only be spent on two things:
1) salary costs for positions that either have been eliminated or are in danger of being eliminated or reduced; OR
2) contract costs for artists that either extend a previously-planned contract or reinstate a previously planned contract that had to be cancelled due to the economy.

A few other basic details we can share at this point:
- none of these grant funds may be spent on costs related to fundraising (i.e., salaries or portions of salaries for staff members who raise funds for your organization)
- reporting requirements will be extremely heavy for these grants, as the Obama administration is particularly eager to be able to share lots of information and results with all Americans
- grant funds from the IAC may be spent between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010
- no match will be required for these grants

We know you're all chomping at the bit to get more information. Please be patient as we try to turn this around as quickly as we can!

NEA Stimulus Funds -- Are You Eligible?

2009-03-03T15:43:00.004-06:00

Application guidelines for The Arts and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 are now available on the NEA's website here. In accordance with this Act, the National Endowment for the Arts has received funds to help preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector that are threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn. These are one-time grants to preserve arts jobs. The deadline is coming up fast: April 2, 2009.

All applicants must be previous NEA award recipients from the past four years (see "Applicant Eligibility" for more information). In addition to the guidelines, please see the Frequently Asked Questions.

ALSO - pay special attention to the mandatory requirement that applicants be registered to apply through Grants.gov. This registration takes some time -- often at least 2 weeks, so get registered right away!

If your organization isn't eligible, stay tuned! The IAC will be making grants for this purpose, as well. We're fast at work putting forms and guidelines together, and making sure we stay within the NEA's guidelines for our sub-granting programs. Watch for information by the end of March, we hope. Probable application deadline: July 1, 2009.

Note: No organization can get more than one grant from the arts portion of the stimulus package. We recommend that, if you're eligible to apply directly to the NEA, you should do so -- and also be prepared to apply for the IAC funds when we make that application available. If you get a "yes" from the NEA, we'll pull your application out of the running for the state-administered funds. If you get a "no" from the NEA, then you'll still have a chance for assistance because your application will be in our office, as well.

Speaking of Marketing...

2009-03-02T13:30:00.003-06:00

Is your arts organization a member of its regional tourism organization? The Iowa Tourism Office has announced that a total of $150,000 will be available for out-of-state marketing grants for fiscal year 2010. Advertising (print, broadcast or billboard) must be placed between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010. Applications are available in the member sections of the three region Web sites (www.visitwesterniowa.com, www.iowatourism.com or www.easterniowatourism.org). The applications must be received in the Iowa Tourism Office by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 30.

Marketing help

2009-03-02T13:19:00.003-06:00

One of the most common remarks made by IAC grant reviewers is a desire to see a more targeted or detailed marketing plan. One of the most common needs indicated by individual artists is "getting my work seen/heard by other people," followed closely by "marketing/branding."

Take a look at www.artsmarketing.org. This new site, presented by the National Arts Marketing Project of Americans for the Arts, is full of marketing resources that can help. Since this is a site that depends on interaction with the arts field nationwide, the resources it shares should only get better with time.

Welcome

2009-02-25T12:06:00.002-06:00

Welcome to the inaugural post in the Iowa Arts Council's new blog! We created The Latest because there's so much news and information flowing through our computers and offices - it's just too hard to wait for the monthly Iowa Arts News e-newsletter deadline to come around before sharing some of it with our constituents!

Often, we will use this blog to post information about newsworthy items, new research reports, or good think-pieces we have seen elsewhere, that might be of interest or use to Iowa's artists, arts organizations, and arts supporters.

For a start -- have you seen this report?
The National Governors Association has released a new 40-page report, Arts & the Economy: Using Arts and Culture to Stimulate State Economic Development, that demonstrates the vital role that arts and culture industries play in the economic health of every state. Using concrete examples from many states, the report details benefits provided by the creative industries – including job creation, increased tourism, and ways the arts give businesses a creative edge.
Arts & the Economy was prepared in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. Find it under "Publications" at http://www.nga.org/ or at http://www.nasaa-arts.org/.