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Statewide IAC Web Cafe Prompts Creative Discussion

Nearly 100 people took part in either the December 5 morning Web Cafe or online evening webinar hosted by the IAC. "Important and insightful comments were shared, and voting took place on what should be the most important goals and objectives we should be focusing on during the next three years," said IAC Executive Director Lewis C. Ricci. Results from the Web Cafe and webinar have been posted to the IAC website, along with a copy of the current Strategic Plan. The Web Cafe and webinar are part of the IAC's strategic planning process and will be taken into consideration by the Commission and staff as we enter into the final phase of the current Strategic Plan. "We were thrilled to embrace the technology available through this partnership with the Indiana State Library," Ricci said. "This enabled us to gather statewide information in one day what just three years ago took several weeks to accomplish."

Arts Commission Approves Seven Arts In Education Grant Projects

The Indiana Arts Commission recently approved seven grant allocations for its Arts In Education grant program. During the December 13th Quarterly Business Meeting in Indianapolis, the Commission approved funding in-classroom projects by the following schools or teaching artists: Greater Clark County Schools, Jeffersonville, IN Carmel High School, Carmel, IN Fort Wayne Community Schools, Fort Wayne, IN Northern Wells Community Schools, Ossian, IN West Newton Elementary School, West Newton, IN Cathy Morris, Indianapolis, IN Guy M. Hardy, Bloomington, IN This marks the second year teaching artists were also eligible to submit proposals for the grant program. The Arts In Education program is funded by revenue generated from Indiana's Celebrate the Arts special issue license plate. Each purchase or renewal of the plate results in a $25 donation to the Indiana Cultural Trust Fund. All funded projects must take place between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014.

Indiana Cultural Providers Among Latest NEA Grants

Seven Indiana arts organizations and cultural program providers are among the latest round of grants announced by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Senior Deputy Chairman Joan Shigekawa announed 1,083 grants totaling $25.8 million will be awarded to organizations and individuals nationwide for in grants the categories of  Art Works, Challenge America, and Creative Writing Fellowships.  Indiana grant recipients include: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, $10,000 Challenge America. Lotus Education & Arts Foundation, Bloomington, IN $30,000 Art Works. Arts Council of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN $35,000 Art Works. Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis, IN $15,000 Art Works. Indiana Symphony Society, Indianapolis, IN $22,500 Art Works. Muncie Civic & College Symphony Assoc., Muncie, IN $10,000 Challenge America. South Bend Symphony Orchestra Assoc., South Bend, IN $10,000 Challenge America. "The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support these exciting and diverse arts projects that will take place throughout the United States," said Shigekawa. "Whether it is through a focus on education, engagement, or innovation, these projects all contribute to vibrant communities and memorable experiences for the public to engage with the arts."

TAF Seeks Proposals for Art Integration Conference

Tippecanoe Arts Federation (TAF) is partnering with Lafayette School Corporation and the Community Cultural Plan Education Committee to offer a conference that focuses on empowering K-12 educators to engage youth through effective arts and multidisciplinary tools and curricula. TAF is requesting speaker proposals for the conference breakout sessions, which will be presented in 40 or 90 minute sessions. Please complete the application in this link. Deadline for proposals is 5:00 p.m. (EST) January 14, 2014. All questions regarding the proposal should be directed to Erika Kvam at rsd@tippecanoearts.org or call 765-423-2787. The conference is June 10, 2014 in Lafayette, Indiana.

National Conference to Focus on Diversity in the Arts

Registration is now open for SphinxCon, Empowering Ideas for Diversity in the Arts. The three-day conference is designed to convene a critical mass of performing arts leaders and practitioners on the topic of diversity and create a space for discussion and sharing. It is estimated that less than 1% of repertoire presented by American orchestras today is that by composers of color. Blacks and Latinos comprise less than 5% of orchestra members. Live audiences are dwindling and art forms are at risk. Music, theater, dance, and academia all struggle with understanding and promoting diversity. SphinxCon will present inspirational leaders from the world of business, academia and the arts to share their strategies and visions. The conference will be February 21 through 23, 2014 at the Marriott Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan. Conference registration ends February 14, 2014. For more information on the conference, featured leaders, and hotel booking information, please visit: www.SphinxCon.org.

National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures Redesigns Flagship Arts Grant Programs

The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC) announces the launch of the application cycle for 2014 grants and leadership programs. Applications are now being accepted for three grant programs, NALAC Fund for the Arts; Transnational Cultural Remittances and Diverse Arts Spaces; and two leadership programs, NALAC Leadership Institute and Advocacy Leadership Institute. NALAC is the nation's only multidisciplinary Latino arts service organization.  NALAC is the nation's only multidisciplinary Latino arts service organization. For 24 years, NALAC has delivered programs that stabilize and revitalize the U.S. Latino arts and cultural sector by providing critical advocacy, funding, networking opportunities and professional development training for Latino artists and arts organizations in every region of the country. For more information about NALAC programs, please visit: http://www.nalac.org.

New Publication Focuses on Key Influencers in the Performing Arts

Musical America Worldwide, a leading voice in the performing arts industry for over 100 years, recently released a new report on leaders in the performing arts industry. The organization's focus has been in-depth reporting of performing arts news, special reports in key issues of the industry, industry group news and job opportunities. Directors, presenters, marketers, executives, administrators and others who strive to innovate and expand the performing arts are featured in the free report, Movers & Shakers: 30 Key Influencers in the Performing Arts. Click here to learn more and to download the latest report.

Deadline Approaching to Apply for The Big Read

The Big Read is accepting applications from non-profit organizations to develop community-wide reading programs between September 2014 and June 2015. The Big Read is a national program partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Arts Midwest, and is designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment. Organizations selected to participate in The Big Read receive a grant, promotional materials, access to online educational materials, training resources and opportunities. Approximately 75 organizations from across the country will be selected. To review the guidelines and application instructions, visit The Big Read website. The deadline to apply is January 28, 2014.

Applications Open for National Arts & Humanities Youth Awards

The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is inviting applications for the 2014 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards. The 12 award-winning programs will receive $10,000 and an invitation to accept their award from the President's Committee's Honorary Chairman, First Lady Michelle Obama at a ceremony at the White House. In addition, winners will receive an award plaque, the opportunity to attend the Annual Awardee Conference in Washington, D.C. in summer of 2014, and will be featured on the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award website. For more information, and to apply, please visit: www.nahyp.org/how-to-apply/. Deadline for application is 5:00 p.m. (PST) February 10, 2014.

News Around the State

Herron School of Art Secures Major Donation
Philanthropist and advocate for mental health, Cindy Simon Skjodt has endowed a chair in Herron School of Art and Design's Art Therapy Program. The $2 million gift will help Herron respond to Indiana's need to educate master's-level art therapists, positioning them to obtain nationally-recognized professional credentials. Herron's Art Therapy Program aligns with Simon Skjodt's interest in therapeutic counseling, mental health and neurological research. (source: Inside Indiana Business)

ISO Reports Record Year
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) reports it raised more money during its 2012-2013 season than in any other year of its history. The ISO reported a general operating surplus of $235,558 and general operating revenue for FY13 was $23.3 million. Season ticket sales were down from FY12 due primarily to contract related interruption of the concert schedule at the beginning of the season and inclement weather at the conclusion of the ISO's outdoor season. The season was notable as the organization also reported its first balanced budget since the 2006-07 season. (source: Inside Indiana Business)

National Talent Show to Host Auditions in Indy
America's Got Talent (AGT), the only talent competition show open to any age and any talent, will hold open auditions in Indianapolis January 25 & 26 at the Indiana Convention Center. The AGT platform can give artists of any kind a serious amount of exposure, both on the air and through its online and social media  presence. For more information about the auditions, and to pre-register, click here. (source: AGT press release)

Kokomo School Corp. Investing $1.54 Million in Art School
The Kokomo School Corp. announced last month plans to spend $1.54 million to add an art studio, black box theater and new violin and piano labs at Wallace School of Integrated Arts. The addition will free up space in a school that is running out of it. Demand has increased from eight classes to 13 classes just this year to meet increased attendance. Currently the building only has 14 classrooms. In addition to the piano and violin labs, the black box theater will include a dance studio and seating for 75 people. The space could also be used for dramatic performances. Plans also call for a small art studio equipped with a modern kiln and potter's wheel that will seat 10 to 12 kids. Contractors are expected to begin work on the expansion project soon with a target completion date of August 1. (source: Indiana Economic Digest)

Art Galleries Planned for Historic Building
Indianapolis-based real estate company JHL Properties is currently rehabbing the oldest commercial building in the city and plans to return the historic four-story building to an architectural presentation similar to that of the late 1800s. The first two floors of the building are being renovated to house a pair of retail art galleries. The building, located at 42 East Washington Street is located along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. (source: Inside Indiana Business)

Art Project Planned at Fort Wayne Stadium
The New Bloom Committee, community leaders, Mayor Tom Henry, and the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department broke ground late last month for the New Bloom landmark sculpture than will be located in Robert E. Meyers Park at Parkview Field. The unique display, which demonstrates a commitment to the arts, will be a 24-foot tall, stylized iris with free-standing leaves that change color with reflected light. The sculpture, created by local artist Dianna Thornhill Miller, will be made of stainless steel with a rotating color LED lighting loop.  (source: Inside Indiana Business)

Tree Sculpture in Crawfordsville Give New Life to Farm Building
A tree- shaped sculpture fashioned out of 140-year-old wood is bringing to life Crawfordsville's holiday theme of "Re-imagine Our Town." The piece, "The Lone Pine" is on display at Canine Park and is the product of a chance collaboration among Crawfordsville Main Street, a downtown revitalization group, a longtime Montgomery County farm family, and several artists. To read the full story, click here. (source: Indiana Economic Digest)

National News

Report: Creative Economy Took a Beating in Great Recession
Nearly every sector of the U.S. economy struggled during the depths of the last recession, but according to a recent report perhaps none suffered more than the Creative Economy. The news comes from a report released this month by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts. It finds that, for 2011, "the value added from arts and cultural production accounted for nearly 3.2 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a level unchanged since 2009. The creative industries had peaked between 3.5 and 3.7 percent of GDP in the first half of the 2000s. That said, the figure still accounts for a sizable slice of the overall national economy. Two million Americans were employed in the arts and culture category in 2011. Read the full story from Pacific Standard by clicking here. (source: Pacific Standard online)

Milwaukee Symphony Seeks Emergency Financial Assistance
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra announced this month it will cut the size of the orchestra and change its schedule of performances as it seeks emergency financial assistance. The MSO reported a $2 million budget shortfall in fiscal 2013 and blamed an undue reliance on donations. A spokesperson for the MSO said the symphony reopened its contract with the musician's union, reaching a new agreement that will allow restructuring the size of the orchestra. Read the full story by clicking here. (source: The Business Journal Milwaukee)

Rockwell Painting Sells for Record Price
A painting by famed Saturday Evening Post illustrator Norman Rockwell recently sold at auction for a record $46 million. According to Sotheby's the painting "Saying Grace" was purchased by an undisclosed buyer. The painting had a pre-sale estimate of $15 million to $20 million. In 2006, Sotheby's sold a Rockwell painting for more than $15 million, which was then a record. (source: NBCnews.com)

Christie's Estimates Detroit Art Could Fetch $866 Million
With Detroit the largest American city to declare, and receive federal court approval to declare bankruptcy, the news from Christie's is welcome. The auction house was hired to appraise some of the Detroit Institute of Art collection as a potential means to satisfy some of its creditors. The appraised estimated at a fair market value of $452 million to as much as $866 million. Christie's is also reviewing options that could allow the city to avoid selling the works, but still permit some financial benefit. Eleven of the 2,781 pieces appraised account for 75 percent of the total appraised value of the collection which includes work by Bruegel, Cezanne, and van Gogh. (source: NBCnews.com)

All Christmas Music Programming Proves Profitable for Radio
Radio stations have long practiced programming shifts to Christmas music beginning shortly after Thanksgiving and ramping up in frequency leading up to the holiday. Last year, the top 48 radio markets measured by Nielsen reported 28.4 million Americans tuned into an "All Christmas" radio station on December 24. While the Christmas Eve uptick in ratings should not come as a surprise, the reports did find interesting trends for other times of the programming day. During mid-day ( Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) listening peaked over the four-week period from early December to New Year's. Last year, the audience size during mid-days increased 71 percent from when these stations aired "regular" programming versus all Christmas format. The most dramatic increases through came during evening air-time (Monday-Friday 7 p.m. to midnight). During the same four week period, evening listenership increased 129 percent over the four week period, peaking at a 582 percent increase on Christmas Eve. To read the full story, click here. (source: nielsen.com)

Opportunities

Communications Director, Maine Arts Commission, Augusta, ME
The Communications Director will be responsible for leading a wide range of communications work to promote and improve public, employee and funder understanding of the Maine Arts Commission's objectives and achievements and of relevant cultural-related issues. This may include, but not limited to: communications and marketing strategy development, communications program planning and execution, oversee media relations, materials and events; media relations and website management. The salary range for this position is $37,918.40 to $51,376.00 annually. Deadline to apply is December 27, 2013. For more information, or to apply for this position, please click here.

Director of Operations, Maine Arts Commission, Augusta, ME
The Director of Operations will assist the Executive Director in the day-to-day operations of the Maine Arts Commission and will oversee certain program initiatives. The agency is interested in applicants who are deeply and broadly knowledgeable in the arts, with a proven career engagement with arts innovation, engagement with artists and arts organizations and general diplomacy. Development skills are a plus, excellent written and verbal communications skills are essential. Responsibilities include human resource management, strategic planning implementation, internal fiscal and office management affairs, coordinating agency programs, and acting as liaison with arts organizations, the Maine Arts Commission members, as well as regional, federal and state agencies and commissions. Salary range for this position is $52,478.40 to $72,155.20 annually. Deadline to apply is January 3, 2014. For more information, or to apply for this position, please click here.

Visual Arts Coordinator, Jasper Arts Department, Jasper, IN
The Jasper Arts Department is seeking an individual to manage the Krempp Gallery exhibits program including: portfolio solicitation and review; negotiate exhibit contracts; exhibit installation, de-installation, packing, shipping and security, coordinate gallery sales; plan and implement visual arts marketing; assist volunteer committee with planning, program implementation, and evaluation; coordinate workshops in the visual arts; design advertising layouts for brochures; write radio ads, and press releases. Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Photo Imaging Software and Databases is required. Bachelor's degree or equivalent with specialty in the visual arts required. Experience in events management preferred. Candidate must possess strong public relations skills. This is a full-time position with attractive compensation and benefit package. The City of Jasper adheres to a Drug Testing Policy. No telephone inquiries. Submit resume with cover letter of interest, qualifications and references to: Personnel Director, EOE #252, c/o City of Jasper, P.O. Box 29, Jasper, IN 47547-0029.

Director of Arts Education, Oklahoma Arts Council, Oklahoma City, OK
The Oklahoma Arts Council is seeking a Director of Arts Education. Responsibilities include overseeing school and community-based grants, advising educators and nonprofit organizations on program development, conducting site visits statewide, managing a roster of teaching artists, and serving as the Council's accessibility coordinator. Salary is commensurate with experience with a cap of $43,470. For more information about the job and how to apply, please visit: http://arts.ok.gov/About_Us/Oklahoma_Arts_Council_Jobs.html.

Vice-President of Development, The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel, IN
The Center for the Performing Arts seeks a Vice-President of Development to be responsible for planning and implementation of all Annual, Capital and Endowment Campaigns. Must partner with volunteer community leaders on donor cultivation and solicitation and be an expert planner and strategist capable of elevating the capacity of the entire Development Department. Reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice-President of Development is the Center's most senior development professional. Currently the organization administers a $5.4 million annual campaign split between the Center and the Great American Songbook Initiative, and is planning to expand the major gifts program leading to a focus on endowment creation. As an accomplished manager with an impressive campaign track record, the VP Development must inspire and manage a growing department of four Development professionals and partner with volunteer community leaders on the highest level of donor cultivation and solicitation. For a complete job description and to apply online, please click here.

Assistant Manager, Indy Reads Books, Indianapolis, IN
Indy Reads Books is seeking a part-time Assistant Manager. This community-based bookstore exists to support the mission of Indy Reads: to promote and improve the literacy of adults and families in Central Indiana. The ideal candidate will have retail and nonprofit experience, volunteer management experience, and a Bachelor's degree. The Assistant Manager is responsible for store operations, in partnership with the manager, and as part of the management team develops and executes methods to improve store performance. For a complete list of essential job functions, candidate qualifications, and to apply for this job. please click here.

Accounting Assistant, Music for All, Inc., Indianapolis, IN
Music for All is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Accounting Assistant. The position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer and is an important part of the Music for All Team. Primary duties are, but not limited to: coordinate processing of invoices, collections, payments and communications regarding Accounts Payable; maintain the integrity of all accounting records and files for vendors and participants; coordinate processing of summer camp participant registrations and maintain accurate records in camp registration database; maintain and account for small amount of inventory for programs; assist in Month-End and Year-End close process, including preparation of account reconciliations and reports, as required to support financial reporting and audit requirements; ensure compliance with GAAP and organization policies with respect to cash handling and accounting procedures; and assist with finance and administrative duties as needed. To see a list of applicant qualifications and to apply, please click here.

Grants for Non-Profit Publishers, J.M. Kaplan Fund, Hudson, NY
The J.M. Kaplan Fund's Furthermore program supports nonfiction book publishing related to the urban experience; natural and historic resources; art, architecture, and design; cultural history; and civil liberties and other public issues. The program seeks work that appeals to an informed general audience and demonstrated evidence of high standards in editing, design, and production. Individual grants range from $500 - $15,000 and may be used to support writing, research, editing, design, indexing, photography, illustration, and/or printing and binding. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization. Deadline to apply is March 1, 2014. Please visit the program website at www.furthermore.org for more information on how to apply.