 The city of Noblesville, Indiana has been designated as the latest Statewide Cultural District by the Indiana Arts Commission.
During its December 9, 2016 Quarterly Business Meeting in Indianapolis, the Commission accepted the recommendation of the Cultural Districts Panel to designate the Noblesville Cultural Arts District into the program.
Noblesville joins current Cultural District communities of Bloomington, Carmel, Columbus, Lafayette, Madison, and Nashville, each know for their strong arts and cultural appeal.
 The Indiana Arts Commission will award 72 grants that will fund 115 projects through the Arts in the Parks and Historic Sites program.
Projects approved include proposals by 47 individual artists and 25 organizations. Funded projects will take place in 31 State Parks, and 10 State Historic Sites. Of the total eligible projects, 34 are returning grantees.
Grant amounts range up to $3,000 each, and total amount of grants awarded is $207,150.20.
Originally developed as Arts in the Parks, Indiana State Historic Sites have also been added to the program presentation opportunities for 2017.
The projects were approved by the Commission at its December 9, 2016 Quarterly Business Meeting in Carmel, Indiana.
Back to Top
|
 The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced earlier this month it will award a total of $165,000 in grants to nine Indiana arts organizations and one artist as part of its first round of grants for 2017.
For a list of Indiana grantees and project descriptions, click here.
The NEA will award more than $30 million to nonprofit organizations and individuals across the country for grants in the areas of Art Works: Creative Connections, Challenge America, and Creative Writing Fellowships.
These grants cross all artistic disciplines, reach 48 states as well as Washington, DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and also support partnerships between the arts and non-arts sectors.
(source: NEA press release)
(Back to Top)
|
 The Indiana Arts Commission will require a "letter of intent to apply" for all organizations desiring to apply for Fiscal Year 2018 Arts Organization Support (AOS) I, II, and III grant funding.
Organizations must complete a notice of intent to apply form through the IAC's new online system by the 4:30 p.m. (EST) January 18, 2017 deadline.
The letter of intent form reflects revised eligibility guidelines for arts organization support grants, which require organizations to provide year-round arts activities and have arts as their core mission, purpose, and focus of the applicant organization. Changes to the grant guidelines impact Arts Organization Support (AOS) I, II, and III for Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018).
Back to Top
|
 After an intensive year-long process, the Indiana Arts Commission earlier this month gave pending approval to the 2017-2021 five-year strategic plan.
This document is an important planning foundation for our vision of the arts everywhere, every day, for everyone in Indiana.
We are waiting on one thing to make the plan final:
- Feedback from you
While we've receive public input throughout the development of the plan, we would like you valued opinion one more time before we finalize and the set the plan in motion.
Click here to review the plan and how you can provide your input. The IAC will accept public comment through January 31, 2017.
Be part of planning a creative future for Indiana.
Back to Top
|
 The Indiana Arts Commission recently released its 2015-2016 Biennial Report detailing the impact of IAC programs and services throughout our state.
As our Chairman Nancy P. Stewart and Executive Director Lewis C. Ricci note in their introduction, "the arts are a centerpiece of our communities and citizens' lives, and the work that is done in the arts has a ripple effect, improving our community efforts and outcomes, helping them to be representative of the many voices of our citizens."
Read the full report here.
Back to Top
|
 Tippecanoe Arts Federation (TAF) is seeking instrument donations to support the ARTreach instrument lending program.
Support a student, who could not otherwise afford one, the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.
At the end of 2016, nearly 400 students in Tippecanoe, Clinton and Warren Counties will be using an ARTreach instrument. With the average cost of an alto saxophone exceeding $2,000, the need for ARTreach instrument donations is growing.
Instruments can be delivered to TAF at 638 North Street, Lafayette, Indiana Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. donors will receive an in-kind form for used on their tax returns.
This program is made possible by a collaboration between North Central Health Services, TAF, area schools, and donors like you.
Back to Top
|
 Ronald E. Glass, who broke into theatre while a student at the University of Evansville and later starred in the well-known television series "Barney Miller" and "Firefly" died November 25, 2016 at age 71.
The Evansville native graduated with a double major in drama and literature. He had served as an at-large member of the university's Board of Trustees since 2008. Long involved in philanthropy in Evansville, Glass was chairman of the Evansville African-American Museum national capital campaign.
Perhaps best known as a cast member on "Barney Miller" during the show's entire run from 1975-82, Glass played the role of Ron Harris, an intellectual, fashionable detective who dabbled as an author. In 1982, the role earned Glass a prime-time Emmy for Best Supporting Actor.
In 1983, Glass was honored with the Indiana Governor's Arts Award.
(source: Indianapolis Star)
Back to Top
|
It's full STEAM ahead in Anderson fifth-grade classroom
Reeve Jarrell, 10, played around with the Tinker program on an iPad in preparation for learning how to code a video game. And with the new STEAM integrated classroom program at Anderson's Eastside Elementary School, where Reeve is a fifth-grader, she will have her chance. Many schools have started STEM programs - classes concentrating on science, technology, engineering and math. But Eastside has gone one step further by maintaining some commitment to the arts, making their acronym STEAM. Read the full story here. (source: Indiana Economic Digest)
ISO reports record ticket sales, budget deficit
The Indiana Symphony Orchestra (ISO) Inc. is reporting $8.49 million in ticket sales during the 2015-2016 season, which is a 15 percent increase over the previous year. Despite the record number, the organization says the ISO ended the year with a $561,000 deficit. Click here for the details. (source: Inside Indiana Business)
Greenfield artist seeks to capture fading era
Cathleen Huffman circulated through Twenty North Gallery surveying her work, a collection of watercolor paintings of small town Indiana's grain elevators. She gave a status update on each one as she passed it. Read more here. (source: Indiana Economic Digest)
Nappanee resident designs award-winning quilt
A Nappanee designer and a Bremen quilter are being lauded by the Indiana Historical Society for their roles in a team that created an award-winning quilt celebrating the state's bicentennial. The historical society is giving the Outstanding Bicentennial Collaborative Project Award to the Indiana Barn Foundation for its Indiana Bicentennial Barn Quilt Project. Click here for the full story. (source: Elkhart Truth)
High school students turn piano into art in Kokomo
Music is on the move in downtown Kokomo thanks to a local family and a group of Kokomo High School students. Dubbed "The Downtown Art Piano," a local family donated the piano and sponsors had it fitted with a study base and wheels to make it portable. Students then turned it into a playable work of art that downtown businesses and organizations may "check out." Read the full story here. (source: Indiana Economic Digest)
Abbey Press closing two divisions
St. Meinrad Archabbey in Spencer County has announced the layoffs at its Abbey Press unit. In a notice to the state, the archabbey says 71 employees will be out of work following the closure of the Abbey Press trade marketing and printing divisions, which is expected to take place in mid-2017. Click here for details. (source: Inside Indiana Business)
Back to Top
NEA publishes new guide to Creative Placemaking
In its ongoing commitment to producing resources for community engagement with the arts, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has published How to Do Creative Placemaking: An Action-Oriented Guide to Arts in Community Development. The book features 28 essays from thought leaders active in arts-based community development as well as studies of projects funded through the NEA's creative placemaking program, Our Town. (source: NEA press release)
NEA closes the year with sustained funding
Congress completed its work for the year by punting final funding decisions until the new year. Under the agreement, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will continue to receive "level" funding at $148 million, despite both the House and Senate advancing funding increases earlier this year. Final funding decisions will now wait until a new Congress is sworn in. (source: Americans for the Arts)
Arts education reduces stress for low income students
Poverty leads to stress, which in turn leads to poorer health. Breaking this cycle is certainly a challenge, especially with children. But promising new research provides evidence of an effective, low-cost intervention: arts education. Find out more here. (source: Pacific Standard)
Pittsburgh Symphony strike ends
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra strike is over, and they're scheduled to play again at Heinz Hall. The musicians, who went on strike Sept. 30, have ratified a new five-year contract that includes a 10.5 percent pay cut in the first year, but thanks to a contribution from an anonymous donor, the actual pay but will be 7.5 percent. Wages will be restored to pre-strike levels in the fifth year. Click here for the full story. (source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Tennessee Arts Commission launches Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program
The Tennessee Arts Commission Folklife Program announces the launch of its Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, The new initiative is designed to encourage the survival, continued development and proliferation of the state's diverse folklife traditions, especially those that are rare or endangered. Read the full story here. (source: Americans for the Arts)
Back to Top
2017 VSA Intersections call for conference sessions
Through innovative, thought-provoking, and interactive sessions, the VSA Intersections: Arts and Special Education Conference (Aug. 6 - 7, 2017) provides professionals in the intersecting fields of arts education and special education the opportunity to share current information in practice, programs, research, and policy, and to serve as a leading catalyst for change. You are cordially invited to submit presentation proposals for the 2017 conference at the JW Marriott in Austin, Texas. Sessions will be selected from this call. Click here for more information. Deadline for proposals is January 15, 2017.
INcommon Grants, Indiana Humanities Council, Indianapolis, IN
The Indiana Humanities Council is offering grants to Indiana nonprofits to fund programs that explore the social, economic, cultural and racial issues that confront Indiana communities. Entitled INcommon, grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded for new or ongoing public programs that use humanities ideas, history, readings and scholars to spar in-depth conversations, insight and consideration of others' points of view. For more information and how to apply, click here. Deadline to apply is January 20, 2017.
NEA accepting applications for The Big Read
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read annually supports approximately 75 dynamic community reading programs, each designed around a single NEA Big Read selection. Organizations selected to participate receive a grant, access to online training resources and opportunities, digital resources, and promotional materials designed to support widespread community involvement. For more information, click here. Deadline to apply is January 26, 2017.
Cultural Heritage Preservation Exchange Program, World Learning, Washington, D.C.
World Learning is administering a new program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State called Communities Connecting Heritage. The program will connect US-based organizations with like-minded organizations abroad to work on a collaborative cultural heritage project initially using virtual exchange, then culminating in a public exhibition and physical exchange to each other's countries. For more information, click here. Deadline to submit online application is January 27, 2017.
Executive Director, Propylaeum Historic Foundation, Indianapolis, IN
The Propylaeum Historic Foundation, Inc., a small nonprofit organization, seeks an organized, creative and energetic Executive Director to report to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director will be responsible for carrying out the organization's mission and vision through day-to-day operations, event programming, financial development, staff supervision and leadership. For a complete job description and how to apply, click here.
Director of Development, American Pianists Association, Indianapolis, IN
The Director of Development is responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of all fundraising efforts for the American Pianists Association. The director works closely with, and reports directly too, the President / CEO in the planning and execution of fundraising initiatives, which include grant writing, annual fund, corporate and individual donors, and foundations. For a complete job description and how to apply, click here.
Chief Operating Officer, Tippecanoe Arts Federation, Lafayette, IN
The Tippecanoe Arts Federation (TAF), seeks interested individuals for the Chief Operating Officer position. The Chief Operating Officer is expected to maintain the highest ethical standards in dealing with the funds entrusted to TAF, and plays a key role in helping TAF maintain the positive financial position it currently enjoys. The COO acts on behalf of the Executive Director in her absence and provides direct assistance in fundraising development. Click here for a complete job description and how to apply.
Business Manager, Big Car Collective, Indianapolis, IN
Big Car's Business Manager works with leadership staff to facilitate all aspects of the organization's financial and budgetary operations and reporting requirements. The Business Manager adheres to (and assists with adhering to) Big Car's board-approved fiscal policy. For a complete job description and how to apply, click here.
Spring Break Art Camp Instructor, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN
The Indianapolis Art Center, located in Broad Ripple, is looking for a Spring Break Art Camp (SBAC) Instructor. The instructor will assume curriculum development and teaching responsibilities for two full-day, week-long programs between March 20, 2017 and March 31, 2017. SBAC is made up of up to 12 kids with ages ranging between 8 - 13. The SBAC instructor must be a friendly and enthusiastic ambassador of the Indianapolis Art Center's mission to provide exemplary service to students and parents, informing students about other opportunities at the Art Center. For a complete job description and how to apply, click here.
Back to Top |
