 Freelance artist Rebecca Stockert (above) has taken her talents and love of cats to create a greeting card company for a very niche market that she calls "crazy cat people."
Cat People Press, a web-based business developed by Stockert, went live in early October. It offers 63 different greeting cards for birthdays, anniversaries, love, and more, featuring the common theme of cats.
Stockert, who resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana, holds a bachelor of art degree with a concentration in ceramics, and a master of arts with a concentration in painting, both from the University of Saint Francis. She is also an adjunct instructor teaching art courses at Ivy Tech Community College Northeast, and a visual arts columnist for the Fort Wayne Reader.
"Rebecca is a perfect example of an emerging Indiana artist with an entrepreneurial spirit growing our state's creative economy," said Lewis C. Ricci, IAC Executive Director. "One of Governor Holcomb's Next Level priorities is developing a 21st century skilled and ready workforce, and the Arts Commission will soon be announcing a new program designed to assist early career artists develop skills that allow them to be successful creative entrepreneurs right here in Indiana."
Stockert was a grant recipient of the 2017 Arts in the Parks & Historic Sites program. She completed a two-week illustration residency over the summer at the Gene Stratton-Porter Historical Site in Rome City, Indiana.
Read the full press release here
 Indiana high schools are reminded the deadline is approaching to register for the 2018 Poetry Out Loud competition.
Poetry Out Loud will accept commitments from Indiana schools to participate in the state recitation process until Thursday, November 30, 2017.
Preliminary competition is held at the individual school level to determine the school's representative to the state final competition February 17, 2018 at the Indiana State Library.
The Indiana Arts Commission and the Indiana State Library are partners in presenting the Indiana Poetry Out Loud competition.
For more information about the event and how to register.
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 Chapin Schnick (left), an art teacher at Charles L. Smith Fine Arts Academy, Martinsville, Indiana, has been named the Outstanding Art Educator of the Year by the Art Education Association of Indiana (AEAI).
The organization also recognized Schnick as Outstanding Elementary Art Teacher for 2017.
Schnick represented Smith Fine Arts Academy at the inaugural Indiana Arts Homecoming, and accepted the top InstaGrant award on behalf of the school.
(photo by Dan Axler)
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 Earlier this month Indiana Artisan opened a new gallery in the Carmel Arts & Design District.
Located at 111 West Main Street, Suite 140, Carmel, Indiana, the gallery features art, crafts, foods and spirits all made exclusively by selected artists and craftsmen from Indiana.
"The Arts & Design District has a reputation for fine quality work," said Eric Freeman, Indiana Artisan Director. "The collectibles and gifts that consumers will find in the Indiana Artisan store will add significantly to that selection."
The gallery held its grand opening November 11, 2017 in conjunction with the Carmel First Saturday Gallery Walk.
The Carmel location is the second Indiana Artisan brick and mortar store, joining the initial gallery in French Lick.
"The larger space will give Indiana Artisans the opportunity to bring their studios to store visitors," Freeman added. "Seeing demonstrations and getting to know the makers are two of the most talked about things among guests at the Indiana Artisan Marketplace."
The Carmel gallery hours will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
(source: Indiana Artisan press release)
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 Ornaments created by southern Indiana artists will dazzle President's Park in Washington, D.C. as part of the 94th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting display.
Members of the Jeffersonville Arts Alliance and the Jeffersonville Public Art Commission joined together in creating the 12 orbs that showcase the river heritage of southern Indiana.
Members from both groups worked on the design and crafting of the orbs which incorporate images of the Ohio River, a steamboat, the Peony (Indiana State Flower), an Ohio River bridge, the state shape, and peppermint candy.
To see more of the design, and learn more about the project, click here.
(source: City of Jeffersonville)
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The New Harmony Project joins the global #GivingTuesday movement and pledges to nurture and support writers who make a difference.
The New Harmony Project has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.
For more than three decades, The New Harmony Project has focused on lifting up writers who create hopeful, positive, challenging, and life-affirming stories.
Occurring this year on November 28, #GivingTuesday is held annual on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the US) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick off the holiday season and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to charities and causes they support.
Read the full press release here.
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 The three projects chosen for Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne's current cycle of #Amplify Art! exceeded their fundraising goals and will become reality thanks to community support through social media advocacy and online donations.
#Amplify Art! projects include:
- Cinema Center's Spectator Lounge Screen raised $5,075 to convert its Spectator Lounge space into a second screening room.
- The Derby Girls Documentary raised $4,032 towards production of a feature length documentary showcasing the lives of skaters who comprise the Fort Wayne Derby Girls.
- Indiana Center for Middle East Peace's The Andalusian Trail raised $4,320 for The Andalusian Trail project which celebrates through story and song the diversity of cultures that came to settle medieval Andalusia (southern Spain).
#Amplify Art! is a crowdfunding program that mobilizes community support for and awareness of diverse creative projects. Each #Amplify Art! campaign takes place over one month. Each project was seeded with $1,000, and donations from community members to each project were matched dollar for dollar up to a total of $1,500 by 3Rivers Festival Credit Union.
(source: Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne)
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 Individuals with arts degrees are engaged with the arts in their communities at a much higher rate than the general population, according to a recent report by the Strategic Arts Alumni Project at the Indiana University School of Education.
Research for the report, "Arts Alumni in Their Communities", analyzed date from over 61,000 arts graduate from 82 institutions in the United State.
Combining all roles (professional and voluntary) 98 percent of respondents report being involved with the arts at some level in their community.
- 84% attended an arts event
- 43% donated money to the arts
- 26% volunteered at an arts organization
- 20% volunteered to teach the arts
- 14% served on a nonprofit arts board
These figures contrast with national survey data by the Bureau of Statistics (2015) study of volunteering among the general U.S. population. According to that research, only 4% of the people 16 and older volunteered in the larger "sport, hobby, culture or arts" sector.
SNAAP is a collaboration between the Center for Postsecondary Research of the Indiana University School of Education and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University.
(source: SNAAP press release)
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Center for Black Literature & Culture: value beyond books
There is a new 3,990-square-foot space for Hoosiers to soak in the vibrant history and novel achievements of individuals with African roots. Learn more here. (source: Indianapolis Recorder)
Eiteljorg hosts exhibit of top contemporary Native American art
A new exhibition of some of the best contemporary Native American artworks of the past 25 years, Native Art Now!, is currently open at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. The exhibition runs through January 28. Click here for details. (source: Eiteljorg Museum press release)
Indiana nonprofits now eligible for innovative online fundraiser, Brackets for Good
After helping Indianapolis nonprofits gain awareness, meet new donors, and raise $2,278,809 since 2012, Brackets for Good is now adding a statewide Indiana tournament. Now, for the first time, charitable nonprofits across Indiana are eligible to participate in Brackets for Good Indiana, an online bracket-style fundraising tournament happening in March 2018. Click here for details. (source: Indiana Philanthropy Alliance)
Indy Ballet secures major grant
Indianapolis Ballet Inc. says its campaign to launch a professional ballet company in the city has taken a significant step forward. Find out more here. (source: Inside Indiana Business)
IU Dean's letter leaves theater students puzzled
A letter announcing the decision to discontinue Indiana University's Ph.D. program in theater has left students in that program with more questions than answers. Click here for more. (source: Indiana Economic Digest)
Study offers ideas for rehab of Madison's Ohio Theatre
An initial report from a feasibility study on Madison's historic downtown theater recommends renovations to the space and provides ideas of how the structure could be used as a multi-purpose arts venue. Read more here. (source: Indiana Economic Digest)
Investment paying off for Porter County opera house
Nearly three years after the Porter County Council bailed out the Memorial Opera House from financial crisis that threatened a final curtain call, the 124-year-old theater is reportedly back in the spotlight. Click here for details. (source: NWITimes)
Coordination among Muncie arts groups must improve
The city and Ball State University have many outlets for arts and culture, but the challenge is getting the community to attend events on campus, and getting college students to interact with the community. Find out more here. (source: The Star Press)
Hollywood star donates costumes to IU
Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Glenn Close has donated her costume collection to Indiana University. The wardrobe spans nearly four decades and will be maintained within the school's Sage Fashion Collection. Click here for details. (source: Inside Indiana Business)
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Senate committee recommends $150M in NEA funding
The Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee released a draft bill containing a proposed budget for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for fiscal year 2018. The bill recommends $150 million for the agency, an amount matching the NEA's current funding levels. The Senate bill recommends a higher funding amount for the NEA than did a bill passed by the House in September, which proposed $145 million. (source: National Assembly of State Arts Agencies)
Smucker's gives $1.1M to Akron Art Museum
The J.M. Smucker Co. is giving $1.1 million to the Akron Art Museum to support the museum's endowment and Free Thursdays program. Learn more here. (source: Beacon Journal)
Why companies should invest in artists
The nonprofit XPrize is funding teams to tackle problems such as Alzheimer's disease and air quality. The MacArthur Foundation's 100&Change competition will award $100 million to a single idea with the potential to create real, system-level impact. But there's a voice missing from these conversations, says Laura Callanan, founder of Upstart Co-Lab and former deputy chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. Click here to find out who. (source Fast Company)
Chicago Symphony deficit reported at $1.4M
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association posted an operating deficit of $1.4 million for fiscal 2017, compared with a surplus of $400,000 the year before. The association, the governing body of the orchestra, released 2017 financials at its November 1 annual meeting. Click here for more. (source: Cranes Chicago Business)
Columbus Symphony can finally afford an executive director
In a sign of health for the city's arts community, the Columbus Symphony has hired an executive director for the first time since budget cuts forced the elimination of the position is 2012. Read more here. (source: The Columbus Dispatch)
What is Art Therapy, and how does it help?
Second Lady Karen Pence held a press conference at Florida State University to outline how and why she will promote art therapy in the United States during her time in Washington, D.C. Her platform, officially known as Art Therapy: Healing with the HeART, aims to help Americans understand and access the benefits of art therapy and to stimulate interest among young people to pursue careers in the field. Click here for details. (source: Artsy)
Arts seen as crucial to healing youth, changing the system
For Jordan, growing up in Jamaica, Queens in New York City left much to be desired. One of the few places he could go after school were the youth arts programs in his neighborhood. One of the programs Jordan was in is Neighborhood Opportunity Networks, or NeON Arts. It's part of New York City's Department of Probation and is managed by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute. Learn more here. (source: Youth Today)
Study suggests distance can be a barrier to the arts
SMU's National Center for Arts Research (NCAR) has released a white paper describing the behavior patterns of arts audiences and how distance between households and arts venues influences the likelihood of arts participation. Read the white paper here. (source: SMU press release)
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Indiana
Jobs
Art Instructors, Garfield Park Arts Center, Indianapolis, IN
Artist Models (part-time), Ivy Tech State College Art Department, Indianapolis, IN
Art Teacher, IPS Sidener Academy, Indianapolis, IN
Dance Instructor (part-time), World Changers School of the Arts, Indianapolis, IN (Deadline November 30, 2017)
Design & Technical Director (Performing Arts Production Staff), DePauw University, Greencastle, IN (Deadline November 30, 2017)
Executive Director, Indiana Ballet Conservatory, Indianapolis, IN
Executive Director, Fort Wayne Cinema Center, Fort Wayne, IN
Grants & Bookkeeping Assistant, Indiana Arts Commission, Indianapolis, IN (Deadline December 6, 2017)
Indianapolis residents to partner with artists, Arts Council of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN (Deadline December 6, 2017)
Librarian (part-time) Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indianapolis, IN
Payroll & Receivable / Payables Coordinator, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN
Set, Costumes, Sound and Prop Designers, Storefront Theatre of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN (Deadline January 31, 2018)
Vice President of Development, Center for the Performing Arts & The Great American Songbook Foundation, Carmel, IN (Deadline December 10, 2018)
Workshops & Other Opportunities
Grant Writing Workshop, Grant Writing USA and the Greenwood Police Department, Greenwood, IN (November 27 - 28, 2017)
Prosperity Indiana Summit & Statehouse Day, Prosperity Indiana, Indianapolis, IN (January 23 - 24, 2018)
Visiting Artist Host Sites (Region 4), Tippecanoe Arts Federation, Lafayette, IN (Deadline January 5, 2018)
Other states
Jobs
Arts Marketing Program Manager, Americans for the Arts, Washington, D.C.
Assistant Professor at the School of Music, Theatre, & Dance, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (Deadline December 1, 2017)
Chief Operating Officer, Apollo Theater, New York, NY
Director of Development, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Cedar City, UT
Director of Marketing & Communications, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas, TX
Local Arts Advancement Program Manager, Americans for the Arts, Washington, D.C.
Workshops & Other Opportunities
Call for entries, Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, D.C. (Deadline 11:59 p.m. EST January 5, 2017)
Call for Session Proposals, 2018 LEAD Conference, Kennedy Center Office of Accessibility, Washington, D.C. (Deadline January 15, 2018)
Fellowships for Arts Managers, DeVos Institute of Arts Management, Washington, D.C. (December 15, 2017)
To submit an opportunity listing for Arts: 92, email your listing, including a link for details / application, name of the opportunity, organization, location, and deadline to rvanzant@iac.in.gov |
