State Poet Laureate to Host Borderlands Project Readings

Indiana State Poet Laureate Karen Kovacik is planning a series of four public readings of poetry addressing the issues of immigration, migration, borders and home. The readings, to be held at locations on each of Indiana's four borders, will bring together poets and writers from Indiana and neighboring states. "Immigrants and migrants have had a profound effect not only on American history but on our literature," Kovacik, also a professor of English at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, said. "Think of Emma Lazarus' poem on the base of the Statue of Liberty, Lanston Hughes' 'Let America be America Again,' or Rita Dove's Pulitzer Prize-winning sequence Thomas and Beulah inspired by the Northern Migration of her African-American grandparents." The first reading, along Indiana's southern border, will occur at the Ohio Theatre in Madison, Indiana, Saturday, November 17, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. and will highlight poets from Indiana and Kentucky. The Ohio Theatre is located at 105 E. Main Street.

Three Million Stories: Understanding the Lives and Careers of America's Arts Graduates

The Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP), a project of the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise, and Public Policy at Vanderbilt University in collaboration with the Indiana University Center for Post-secondary Research, is pleased to invite you to a three-day national conference on arts education and the creative workforce. "3 Million Stories: Understanding the Lives and Careers of America's Arts Graduates" will bring together some of our nation's best informed and most thoughtful scholars, educators, arts graduates, and artists to discuss the state and future direction of creative training in the United States.

Among the panel topics are "The Ups and Downs of the Creative Economy," "Inequality in Artistic Training and Careers," and "How Far Can You Stretch a Tube of Paint?: The Arts Degree for Non-Artists." In a featured guest presentation, comedian Lewis Black will be interviewed by writer Willie Reale.

The cost of attendance is $185, which includes four meals. Scholarships are available for artists to offset this cost.

For more information or to register for this event, visit the conference website or email: 3millionstories@gmail.com. (source: press release)

Portrait of Governor Daniels Unveiled During State House Ceremony

First Lady Cheri Daniels and Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman unveiled the official portrait of Governor Mitch Daniels October 16th during a ceremony in the Indiana State House. The portrait will become part of the governor's portrait collection, which the Indiana State Museum maintains. Richard Halstead, a Lafayette native, was selected as the official portrait artist during a competitive process last year. Halstead said that as he prepared to paint the portrait he met with people who described the governor in diverse ways, from high energy to contemplative, preferring casualness, and an individual with unusual clarity of vision and purpose. "The governor's only request for the portrait was that it not be artificial or unnatural, and that was in keeping with comments I heard from others who emphasized his genuineness and authenticity," said Halstead. "From my interviews at the beginning all the way through to finish, my image of the governor has grown in its complexity and my appreciation. I hope you see that in the portrait. I hope you and people in the future can see the lasting impact of Governor Daniels' character on the history of this great state of Indiana."

Hastead's studio is located in Evanston, Illinois, where he also teaches portraiture classes. He studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and then pursued independent studies at U.S. and European art museums. He has more than 30 years of experience and his work can be found in such locations as the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution. Among his subjects are Marshall Field V, president of Field Enterprises; the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, archbishop of Chicago; and Jack Ragsdale, former president of the North American International Livestock Exposition.

Artists considered to paint the portrait were required to be a resident or native of Indiana and were asked to provide a resume that included such information as their portrait experience, art training and exhibitions as well as a statement about their approach to portrait painting. Halstead was selected after interviews with six finalists.

"I hope that long after anybody can name the person in this portrait, young people of today and those who were adults when it happened, will look back and say this was a time of action and turning a corner in Indiana," said Daniels.

Canine Assistance Art Show Fundraiser to Raise the Woof

The Indiana Canine Assistance Network (ICAN) is preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary in a very big way. In fact, one could forgive the play on words that the November 10th event will most certainly raise the woof at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. To commemorate the anniversary, "A Decade of Dogs," ICAN commissioned the creation of one-of-a-kind dog artwork by its current training class of dogs and inmate handlers at the Indiana Women's Prison, Indianapolis; Correctional Industrial Facility, Pendleton; and the Plainfield Correctional Facility, Plainfield. The artwork will be among items available for sale at the event, and funds from the art and other merchandise will help ICAN continue its mission of training service dogs to help people with disabilities live more independently. "Sally Irvin, the director of ICAN, came to me with the vision of doing a project that involved our dogs, handlers, offenders, and clients and show the impact the program has on each and every one involved," said Denise "Dino" Sierp, Project Coordinator for ICAN. "That idea has turned into something beyond what either of us imagined." During the summer, ICAN sought donations of art and craft related supplies for the project. Sierp said the correctional facilities had virtually no supplies, and they also must be very careful of the type of supplies suitable for use by offenders. They received more than $800 in cash or gift card donations, and a significant amount of materials dropped off in person. But ICAN still had to purchase additional supplies due to the tremendous interest expressed by offenders at the three facilities.

The result of the effort: nearly 150 pieces of dog-made art and 75 pieces created by handlers or offenders from the three facilities, and ICAN clients.

"We currently have 35 dogs in our program and each dog created three to four pieces, some of which will be given as gifts to the dogs' sponsors, and the rest will be available for sale," Sierp said. "Each piece of dog art will have a photo of the dog and its handler who created the piece. On the pieces created by offenders and clients, inspiration tags are being made in which the artists provide the title and inspiration for their work."

In addition to the canine and human paintings, there were four murals, framed dog-inspired poetry, knitted quilts and blankets created for the event. These items, along with offender-created dog beds and bandanas, will be available for sale.

"One of the most unique pieces of art created is a dog totem pole," Sierp said. "At Indianapolis Re-entry Education Facility (IREF) one of the offenders is creating this totem pole made from pop-cycle sticks. The totem pole looks like it is carved from solid wood, and featured the heads of service dogs including name tags that bear an attribute learned by the handler during the course of the training. These might be 'loyalty', 'friendship', 'resaponsibility', or 'unconditional love', but each reflects that handler's realization of self-improvement."

ICAN had never undertaken a project like this during their 10 years, and Sierp readily admits the ideas has turned into something of a monster, but a "good" monster. Four volunteers began sorting, matting, and cataloging the work. Carmel-based visual artist Nancy Noel offered her assistance with pricing and displaying the pieces, but also had an earlier hand in the creative process.

"Nancy gave her time to visit the Indiana Women's Prison and met with each of the artists involved one-on-one to offer her critique of the work and their style or, in the case of unfinished work, suggestions or ideas on finishing the piece," Sierp explained. "This had a tremendous impact on the artists."

Sierp related one case in which an offender artists had been doing very good work, but all of the pieces appeared much the same. "After meeting with Nancy, the artist began her next piece in such a dramatically different style I thought someone else had done it."

But the artist's impact was not limited to a change in painting style. Sierp said for another offender, who has been dealing with significant emotional issues during her incarceration, the experience revealed another aspect of the healing power of the arts.

"She had only been doing drawing and some sketching with colored pencils, but I came in one day and noticed she was painting for the very first time, and she was so proud of what Nancy had inspired her to do," Sierp said. "But what really got to me was when she said the experience of talking and working with Nancy made her feel, for the very first time since she'd been there, like a part of her was free. There was a glow about her, and she smiled."

The "Decade of Dogs" event will include dog training demonstrations; a photo exhibition of dogs, clients, and handlers depicting the 10 years of ICAN impact; a photo shoot on-site; and a dinner followed by live music. ICAN merchandise, including their new ICAN calendar, A Decade of Dogs, featuring 350 images, will be available for sale.

ICAN will bring more than 500 people to their WOOF ROOF event at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, November 10th beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are still available online at www.icandog.org. Tickets are $75 per person and will not be available at the door. Deadline for ticket purchase is November 1, 2012. For any questions, please contact Dino Sierp at dino@icandog.org.

News Around the State

Meis Name Returns to Downtown Terre Haute
The name Meis, once synonymous with a well-known Terre Haute department store, returned to the city's downtown early this month with the dedication of Meis Plaza, a gift from Lu and Alane "Laney" Meis (Laney is a former IAC Commission Chair). The plaza is located in front of offices of Indiana State University and contains a sculpture, named "Renewal," created by Tim Apham of Fort Collins, Colorado. Laney Meis is a board member of the Art Spaces, Inc and Lu Meis is a director of Vermillion Development Corp., which partnered to build a new Barnes & Noble Bookstore and the building that houses the Indiana State University Foundation. Laney said the site simply "called for something" as it was being developed. "We are always looking for sites for a sculpture and thought this would be a great spot," she said. While the sculpture was erected last year, the plaza was completed October 3, just before the official dedication. (source: Indiana Economic Digest)

Dozens of Homes Under Construction in Evansville Arts District
Dozens of new, single-family homes are under construction in the Evansville Arts District, near downtown, are expected to spruce up and revitalize a number of surrounding neighborhoods as well as provide affordable housing. The $9.5 million project - known as The Homes of Evansville - is being undertaken by Hope of Evansville, the city, and the NRP Group, a Cleveland, Ohio property developer. Several homes are already under roof while site preparation and the construction for dozens of other proposed homes has started or will start soon. Local officials estimate that within the arts district there are probably 100 to 150 at-risk homes, that if not repaired and maintained now will eventually need to be demolished. More than $1 million in tax credits for investors were awarded to the project in February 2011 by the Indianapolis-based Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. The $1 million is an annual credit for 10 years for a total of around $10 million. The arts district radiates from the historic Alhambra Theatre and spreads out for around 50 square blocks. (source: Indiana Economic Digest, and Evansville Courier & Press)

Returning Kokomo Native Brings Theater Back to Town
When Melody Pike came back to Kokomo after finishing college, she wanted to bring something with her that wasn't there before. Pike was well aware of many opportunities to take music lessons or dance classes, gymnastics and any number of sports, but the one thing that seemed to be lacking was theater. She set to work by opening "Melody Pike's Acting Classes & Coaching." Classes run for six weeks and train both the totally inexperienced young actors as well as those with some degree of experience. With her Long Island University acting training, experience directing and acting in more than 40 productions and working with children's theater in New York, Pike's work has come full circle from the days she was involved with Kokomo's own Curtain Call children's theater from age nine through high school. Since moving back about a year ago, Pike has played flute in the pit orchestra for the Kokomo Civic Theatre, written and directed a production for her church and is currently acting in Tipton Community Theatre's rendition of "Into the Woods."   (source: Inside Indiana Business, and Kokomo Tribune)

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Musicians Resolve Contract Dispute
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) is back in business after a month-long lockout of its musicians over stalled contract talks. An agreement was reached October 15th after the musicians agreed to $11 million in concessions. Concerts were expected to resume immediately. ISO musicians were locked out and without health insurance since September 10th, and the stalemate over the contract led to unemployment while the lockout continued. According to a statement from the ISO, the new agreement represents a new business model that reduces costs, includes fundraising efforts by the board, staff and musicians, and what the ISO calls a "more sustainable draw on the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Foundation (the endowment)." (source: WTHR online)

National News

Chicago Symphony Musicians Ratify Three-Year Deal
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians ratified a new three-year contract late last month that agrees to modest salary increases and hefty health-care premium jumps as well as some more flexible work rules. The agreement ended the musicians' strike which began September 22 just before that night's subscription concert, the only performance canceled because of the walkout. Both sides acknowledged that the major impasse involved financial compensation, specifically salary and health-insurance costs. CSO Association President Deborah Rutter stressed the organization has been operating in a "very challenging" economy, with such factors as investment returns and bond rates affecting the bottom line, so any contract had to be consistent with the CSO's long-term planning. (source: Chicago Tribune Online)

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Musicians Strike Deal, Avert Delay of Season Opener
After going without pay for a month, the musicians of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) accepted a new collective bargaining agreement barely averting a postponement of the fall season. The deal will cost players $5.2 million in compensation over two years, change their pay structure, and cut their numbers significantly. In return, ASO President Stanley Romanstein and a handful of other top ASO executives will forfeit six percent of their collective salaries. The agreement clears the way for the 2012-2013 season slated to open October 4. From the outset, musicians waged a passionate PR campaign on the dual themes of artistic quality and fairness. Trimming compensation and reducing the number of full-time players would roll back years' worth of strides toward artistic excellence, they warned. Musicians maintained the symphony's money troubles were not their doing; instead, they argued, management spent too much on other things, particularly administrative salaries and operating the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Drew McManus, an industry insider who has followed the negotiations, said that while the labor dispute has been settled, the fight is most likely not over. (source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution online)

Jacksonville Symphony: Music Plays but Talks Take Five
The music of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra continues, but contract negotiations between the musicians and administration have taken a break, at least for now. Peter Wright, president of the American Federation of Musicians Local 444, says the administration has only made one contract offer in seven months of negotiations, and Wright says musicians agree they don't believe it is the best offer. Since no agreement was reached before the start of this year's concert season, by the law the musicians have to accept the last offer of the symphony administration. Right now, they are working on a 10 percent salary cut. This year's season has also been shortened by four weeks. A shortened season combined with the salary cut combine to equal almost a 20 percent reduction in musicians' earnings for the season. For its part, the symphony administration says it is ready to resume talks anytime the musicians are ready to negotiate or bring them a contract proposal that takes into account the financial reality the symphony faces. Administration officials say the symphony has a $3 million debt. (source: WOKV online)

Minnesota Musicians, Orchestra Fail to Reach Agreement
Minnesota Orchestra management recently rejected two proposals from its players' union, but it remained unclear whether musicians would be locked out once their contract expired. Orchestra management has said it would lock musicians out if they did not accept what was termed a final offer, which would cut average salaries by 34 percent, or about $46,000. Musicians unanimously rejected those terms. Orchestra management also rejected a proposal that the contract dispute be placed in binding arbitration, or that the two sides "play and talk" under terms of the expired contract. (source: Minneapolis Star Tribune online)

Seattle Symphony and Opera Musicians Authorize Strike
The musicians of the Seattle Symphony and Opera Players' Organization have authorized as strike. After months of negotiations with the managements of the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera, the vote is in response to a contract offer that called for musicians to take a 15 percent reduction in compensation in the 2012-13 season. The reduction would come on top of earlier concessions topping $9.6 million that symphony and opera musicians have made in recent years, a SSOPO news release stated. In June, the Seattle Opera announced a $1 million shortfall in its $21.4 million annual budget for its 2010-2011 season. While the Symphony budget for 2012-13 is balanced, it carries an $11 million debt from the past season, and its endowment is underfunded. (source: Seattle Times online)

Congress Passes Continuing Resolution Through March, 2013; Cuts Scheduled for January
After a week of tense negotiations, the U.S. Senate passed a six-month spending bill to take effect October 1. The legislation includes a 0.6% spending increase for all discretionary programs, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). With the current fiscal year set to expire Oct. 1, lawmakers were under pressure to pass legislation before adjourning. Congress will now remain out of session until after the November elections. The Obama administration also announced how it plans to implement the Congressional budget sequestration, the deficit-reducing mechanism enacted as part of the Budget Control Act of 2011. In order to cut non-defense funding by $54.7 billion in fiscal year 2013, the administration would reduce spending on domestic non-discretionary spending amounts, including the NEA, by 8.2%. This would amount to a $12 million reduction in funding for the NEA in FY2013, which would affect NEA Partnership Agreement funds awarded for states' use in their 2014 fiscal years. The passage of the six-month spending bill has no impact on the Budget Control Act's 8.2% reduction slated for January. (source: National Assembly of State Arts Agencies) 

Opportunities

Staff Accountant, Center for the Performing Arts, Indianapolis, IN
The Center for the Performing Arts seeks a full-time staff accountant. Primary responsibilities include month-end close, review and reconciliation of box office and development transactions with the general ledger, financial statement preparation, and year-end audit work. The staff accountant also provides backup for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll entry. Other responsibilities include assisting the Director of Finance with budgeting and periodic forecasts. An accounting degree, or two-years of comparable experience in a not-for-profit environment, and strong Microsoft Office skills are required. Click this link to submit cover letter and resume. No phone calls accepted.

Programming Director, Embassy Theatre, Fort Wayne, IN
The Embassy Theatre is seeking a skilled and innovative programming director who will be responsible for finding and negotiating stage rentals, building relationships with promoters, creating Embassy-originated stage events and working as a collaborative team member with the technical director and other staffers. A bachelor's degree in a related field and/or at least two years of related experience is preferred for this key revenue-producing and mission-enhancing position. Salary range is $45,000 to $65,000. Send resume, three references and cover letter via email to: kelly@fwembassytheatre.org or mail to Embassy Theatre, executive director, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Application deadline is October 29, 2012.

Summer Fellowship for International Arts Managers
Launched in 2008, the DeVos Institute's Summer Fellowship for International Arts Managers offers international arts managers an immersive program of study in arts management strategy. For four weeks each summer, for three consecutive years, Fellows participate in seminars, group projects, individual mentorships, and practical assignments supervised by Institute leadership and Kennedy Center senior staff. Program includes seminars and coursework in: strategic planning, board development, fundraising, marketing, and artistic planning. Fellows receive: round trip economy airfare, lodging and per diem during the Fellowship, visa sponsorship, and program materials. Applicants must have a minimum of five years working experience in an administrative capacity in an arts organization; currently serving as a executive or department head with decision-making authority; excellent business English, orally and written; and able to commit to the full term of the Fellowship (July 1-26, 2013; June 30 - July 25, 2014; June 29 - July 24, 2015). The deadline for application is December 1, 2012. To apply for the Fellowship, or learn more about the program, please click here. For additional questions, please email artsmanager@kennedy-center.org. 

Ballet Scholarship Established by Ball State University
Lou Ann Young, a retired Ball State dance professor who was at the forefront of developing the university's dance program, has contributed to the establishment of a scholarship fund in her name that will benefit Ball State students studying dance. Availability of the Lou Ann Young Ballet Scholarship is dependent upon and award selection process established by Ball State and its academic departments. For specifics about the scholarship, contact the Department of Theatre and Dance at 765-285-8740.

Assistant Accountant, Arts For Learning, Indianapolis, IN
Arts for Learning, the Indiana Affiliate of Young Audiences, is seeking a part-time (20 hours/week) Assistant Accountant. Main responsibilities include but are not limited to: processing of accounts payable, recording cash receipts in general ledger, preparing financial statements, serving as liaison with payroll vendor, and reconciles bank accounts and all balance sheet accounts. The Assistant Accountant works closely with Arts For Learning program staff, reports to the President and CEO, and work is supervised by the Controller. Qualifications include: non-profit accounting experience preferable, but not required; proficient in Excel, and accounting software; have accounting/bookkeeping experience; and be highly organized. Full job description and qualifications can be viewed on the website. To submit a cover letter and resume, click here, or mail to Arts For Learning, 3921 N. Meridian St., Ste. 210, Indianapolis, IN 46208. Starting date is December 3, 2012.