Arts Commission Elects New Officers

At its June Quarterly Business Meeting, the Indiana Arts Commission selected new officers for Fiscal Year 2014. Indianapolis businessman Trevor Yager was elected Chair. He succeeds Jon Ford, Terre Haute. Yager was first appointed to the Commission in 2010. He is the President and CEO of Indianapolis-based public relations and advertising firm TrendyMinds. Pam Hicks, Greenwood, was elected as Vice-chair replacing Karen Ellerbrook, Evansville. The office of Secretary was filled by Susan Hardwick, Newburgh who replaces Judy Hess, Corydon.

Creativity Given Wings to Soar Thanks to Arts in Education Grant

Customers of the Indiana Arts Trust license plate, also known as the Celebrate the Arts plate, have been making investments in arts education funding since the plate was introduced in March 2000. The vision of the Arts Trust was to establish sustainable arts funding for future generations, and the Indiana Arts Commission agreed the best way to reach future generations of artists, arts consumers, and arts patrons was through arts education. Good Shepherd Montessori School in South Bend, IN was a recent recipient of an Arts in Education grant, and the school's Director of Community Relations, Felicia Leon-Driscoll tells the story.

Indianapolis Children's Choir Subject of Two-Time Emmy Winning Commercial

The Lower Great Lakes Chapter of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences recently held the 2012 Emmy Awards gala in Cleveland Ohio. SceneStream Films, producer of a three-part campaign for the Indianapolis Children's Choir, won two Emmy awards for the production of "Be the ICC - part 2." The 60-second commercial is the second of three in a recruiting series that incorporates a highly stylized filming technique and concept. The spot featured an actual ICC singer as well as music sung by the choir. The commercial won for Best Commercial and Craft - Writing, Short Form, and was nominated for Best Photography. Matthew Hill, owner of SceneStream Films, John Wayne, photographer and Laura Neidig, ICC marketing director, were award recipients. Watch the commercial here. "Be the ICC - part 1" was nominated for Best Commercial in 2011. The Indianapolis Children's Choir received an Indiana Governor's Arts Award in 2007.

Valparaiso University to Host Arts & Entertainment Administration Professional development Workshops

Valparaiso University has announced a series of summer workshops for Arts and Entertainment Administration Professional Development. The series begins August 5 and will continue through August 11. The series includes: August 5: International Arts & Entertainment: Museums August 6: International Arts & Entertainment: Music August 7: International Arts & Entertainment: Theatre August 8: Arts in Downtown Valparaiso August 9: Grant Seeking and Grant Writing August 10 & 11: Continuity and Change in the Arts: Information Management As part of the Graduate School, Valparaiso University will offer graduate-level credit for the sessions. All the workshops are one-day and registration is $50 per day, plus means and optional entertainment. Registration is available for single or multiple days. For more information, email: graduate.school@valpo.edu.

TrendyMinds Plans Expansion on Indy Eastside

Public relations and advertising agency TrendyMinds continues to expand its presence on East Market Street. The firm has purchased a 5,510 sq. ft. building on Market Street to serve as a video production studio, event space and additional offices for the growing agency, President and CEO Trevor Yager announced in late June. Yager is the newly elected chair of the Indiana Arts Commission. Formerly housing numerous nightclubs and restaurants, the agency's new building will receive an investment of nearly $1 million in purchasing, remodeling and furnishing studio and production equipment. "TrendyMinds will utilize the space for a production studio to help support the growing video needs of our clients," Yager said. "We will also add additional offices as our team of 31 continues to grow." Yager said the company will use the building's commercial kitchen and former restaurant area for larger meeting and event space. The agency plans to add a garage for storing company vehicles and an outdoor patio area.

Fort Wayne Looks to Creative Incubators for Downtown Cultural District

The Fort Wayne Cultural District hosted a "Pop Up" event July 10 to help encourage public participation in planning the future for downtown Fort Wayne. During the event, citizens had the opportunity to review and react to a drafted "Platform for Action" that highlights eight initiatives: public market, public art, culinary incubator, creative business incubator, creative storefront development, activity, connectivity, and telling the city's story. "The Pop Up event provided a taste of everything our region's cultural core has to offer - food, art, music, green space and people," said Dan Ross, director of community development for Arts United, one of the four managing partners of the Cultural District. "It's also a great opportunity for people to share their ideas for creating a more vibrant, eclectic and inclusive downtown Fort Wayne." Community feedback collected during the event will be incorporated into the final plan for the Fort Wayne Cultural District. The drafted plan was developed through a strategic planning process that began with the initiation of the Cultural District Advisory Council in 2010, an Indiana Arts Commission consultancy in fall 2012, and focus groups involving 60 community leaders in February 2013. The plan aligns the Cultural District with the City of Fort Wayne's Blueprint, economic development initiative, regional planning efforts, and entrepreneurship in key creative industries. "Downtown is the center of our region. This is an extraordinary opportunity to expand the positive momentum in our downtown," said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. "We're seeing growth and investment that makes our community attractive and unique to residents, visitors, and businesses."

Arts Midwest Conference Visits Austin, Texas

The Arts Midwest Conference is the preeminent booking and educational conference for the Midwest performing arts industry. Join 1,000 of your colleagues when the conference brings together performing artists, managers, and agents; performing arts presenters/venues; and arts administrators together for an educational and motivational four days focused on promoting and presenting live touring performing arts. During the conference, attendees can connect with colleagues; promote or discover artists in the Marketplace exhibit hall; experience 200+ live performances or perform in showcases; and learn new skills and enrich their knowledge at a wide range of professional development sessions. For those looking to dig deeper into a topic the half-day In-Depth Seminars on fundraising, social media, and Presenting 101 are an affordable add on to the conference experience. Members of the Indiana Presenters Network will also hold business and block booking discussion, and Arts Midwest Touring Fund staff will be available for consultations. Registration will open August 13, 2013 for the September 9 through September 12 conference. For more information, please visit: www.artsmidwest.org/programs/conference. This conference serves the 15 states represented by Arts Midwest and their sister regional arts organization Mid-America Arts Alliance.

News Around the State

Artist Enclave is Future Vision for Bloomington
Artists not only encourage and energize one another, but they just may be a source of new growth and economic stimulus for Bloomington, Indiana. The steering committee for ImagineBloomington, a group assigned the task to craft the city's next plan to guide economic development, has focused one part of its plan on developing an artist enclave along Morton Street in an underutilized industrial area. The idea being to create a collaborative artists' district with studios, collaborative work and gallery spaces. Miah Michaelsen, the city's assistant economic development director for the arts said the city has been looking at South Morton Street as a place to put an artist-oriented development. She sees Paducah, KY and its "Lower Town" district, with its mix of studios for painters, jewelers, and potters as an example of what Bloomington could create. (source: Indiana Economic Digest)

ISO Names Finance Vice President
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has named Steve Hamilton vice president of finance. He most recently served as corporate treasurer and corporate director of finance with New York-based Redcats USA, the largest specialty multi-channel retailer of value-priced apparel and merchandise in the U.S. (source: Inside Indiana Business)

iMoCA to Receive Warhol Foundation Grant
The Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art (iMoCA) has landed funding from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The $50,000 grant will support iMoCA programming for two years. The museum presents exhibitions that invite audiences to engage with issues relevant to social, political, and artistic discourse today. Since its inception, the Andy Warhol Foundation has sought every opportunity to oppose censorship and support the creative vision of artists. (source: Inside Indiana Business)

Film Festival Receives Financial Boost
Heartland Truly Moving Pictures has announced a $75,000 grant from the Allen Whitehall Clowes Charitable Foundation. The funding will support the Heartland Roadshow and programming at the annual film festival which takes place in October. The Heartland Roadshow brings Festival films to partners through programs like The Great American Songbook Movie Series at The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, Indiana Black Expo Film Festival, Best of the Fest at The Historic Artcraft Theatre, Charley Creek Arts Fest, and the JCC for events like Indy Talks and the Ann Katz Festival of Books. In 2013 the Roadshow is on track to reach an audience of 10,000 outside the annual Festival. (source: Inside Indiana Business)

National News

California Arts Council to Receive Budget Boost
The California Arts Council will no longer rank 50th in public funding for the arts thanks to recent action by the state's General Assembly to provide a one-time allocation of $2 million to the agency.

House Subcommittee Proposes Dramatic Cuts to NEA Funding
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment (which has jurisdiction over the budget of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) released this month its proposed budget for fiscal year 2014. While it was expected that the House would recommend a reduction in funding for the NEA, the proposed level of $75 million, is more than anticipated: almost 50% lower that the NEA's current level ($146 million). Earlier this year, the Obama administration proposed a $154.5 million budget for the NEA for 2014. There is no date set for when the bill might reach the House floor, but the chances of the House and Senate being able to reach agreement on an overall budget before the end of the current fiscal year (September 30) seem unlikely.

Congress Advances Education Re-authorization Bill
Education leaders in Congress have begun the process to reauthorize the Elementary & Secondary Education Act, which expired in 2007. In mid-June, the Senate education committee considered the bill, and passed it out of committee along party lines. The bill is expected to reach the Senate floor yet this summer. Meanwhile, the House Education & Workforce Committee approved the "Student Success Act" which attempts to roll back much of No Child Left Behind, end early progress goals, and stop encouraging states to adopt common academic standards, including the arts. A presidential veto threat has been suggested as the bill moves on to the Senate where it is expected to receive strong opposition. The Senate is not expected to take up floor action until the fall.

Conference for Community Arts Education Planned this Fall
The National Guild for Community Education recently announced it will hold its 76th Annual Conference for Community Arts Education in Chicago October 30 through November 2. The conference will bring together more than 500 arts education leaders from more than 350 organizations nationwide. To join this dynamic learning community of staff, faculty, trustees, and teaching artists and forge the future of arts education in America, and to build new skills and relationships with top practitioners and experts, log on to www.communityartsed.org to register. Early registration deadline is August 14, 2013.

Opportunities

Community Development Manager & Accessibility Coordinator, Indiana Arts Commission
The Indiana Arts Commission seeks a Community Development Manager & Accessibility Coordinator. The position performs professional and administrative work in planning, organizing and directing the delivery of technical assistance and financial assistance through grant programs, conferences, workshops, and other services statewide. In addition, the position provided leadership in accessibility for all IAC programs and endeavors. Assists senior management staff and the Commission in meeting the agency's mission and facilitating social services involvement in IAC activities. This is a full-time position with benefits. All applications must be made through the Indiana State Department of Personnel. Please click here and search for Job 585562. Deadline to apply is August 6, 2013.

Deputy Director, Oklahoma Arts Council Oklahoma City, OK
The Oklahoma Arts Council, a state agency located in Oklahoma City, is seeking an experienced leader to fill the position of deputy director. In addition to working closely with the executive director, the individual will supervise program directors, develop the agency's strategic plan, manage HR functions, assist in policy development, provide budgetary oversight, represent the agency in legislative hearings and develop strategic relationships to promote the agency's mission. For more information, visit: http://arts.ok.gov.

Exhibits and Facilities Assistant Manager, WonderLab Museum, Bloomington, IN
This position assists with the upkeep of WonderLab's interactive exhibits, galleries and faiclity; assist with design, development, and fabrication of WonderLab's exhibits as well as structural and functional updates to galleries and facility. This is a full-time position and salary range is $22,880 to $26,000 commensurate with experience. Health, dental and vision benefits are available. WonderLab provides life insurance, long-term disability insurance, paid vacation, and family museum membership. To see a full job description, and to apply for this job, please visit: www.wonderlab.org/about/employment/staff-employment/.

Front-of-House Manager, The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel, IN
The Front-of-House Manager is responsible for the smooth operation of the Front-of-House public areas and the overall safety/comfort of patrons. Part-time position requires a flexible work schedule including evenings/weekends. Exceptional skills in working with people are a must. Position requires 1-2 years experience in House and/or volunteer management including supervisory experience, CPR certification (or must obtain within specified period), high school grad or GED equivalent required; bachelor's degree in theatre, liberal arts or related field is preferred. To apply for this job, please click here.

Director of Finance, The Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN
The Indianapolis Art Center is searching for a Director of Finance to oversee all of the Indianapolis Art Center's financial matters including planning, organizing, and directing the financial responsibilities including payroll, accounts payable and receivable, general accounting, budgeting and forecasting. Candidates must: have at least five years experience in direct budgetary oversight, preferably in a not-for-profit environment; previous supervisory experience; four-year college degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; proficiency in Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Outlook; and experience with ADP Payroll and/or Workforce Now preferred. To see more about this job, or to apply please click here.

Payroll & Benefits Specialist, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis, IN
Enjoy working with the highest quality of professional theatre that is sure to invoke lively conversations every day. Candidates should expect a dynamic non-profit atmosphere with a collaborative team. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist will prepare and process all aspects of payroll using the Paylocity Payroll System. The successful candidate should have 3 - 5 years payroll experience; above average attention to detail; ability to multitask with interruptions; ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion; posses strong verbal and written communications skills to effectively communicate with all internal and external customers; and strong computer skills. To see the full job description and duties, or to apply please click here.