February, 2004

GOVERNOR'S BUDGET HOLDS NYSCA FUNDING LEVEL

Given the proclaimed $5.1 billion shortfall in New York State, the State Arts Council budget fared well. Governor Pataki proposes

Grants to the field (Local Assistance) from New York State remains level at $37.4 million. There is a small increase of $65,000 that comes from Federal funds.

Administration (State Operations) was cut from $5.1 million to $4.91 million, a reduction of $179,000.

This is just the beginning of the long budget process. Now the legislature responds to the Governor's proposed budget. The arts could do better……or not. This is the time to begin the talks with your legislators. To help achieve a positive result this year, you need to make the case for the arts at home NOW.

In addition to your district appointments, make your appointments NOW to meet with your legislators on ARTS DAY IN ALBANY on MARCH 9.

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ARTS DAY IN ALBANY MARCH 9, 2004

Join your colleagues and celebrities in Albany for Arts Day on March 9. Meet with your legislators and the leadership to bring your messages to the attention of the people who determine how much government support there will be for the arts budget in FY 04 - 05. You can sign up online here.

This will be a very tough year as the State faces a multi-billion dollar deficit but it is also an election year. Bring your community, your staff, artists and board members. Arts Day is a grass roots groundswell of constituents endorsing public funding for the arts in NYS. In addition to the Hearing at 11 am, in Hearing Room A, we have reserved "THE WELL" this year (the central atrium space through which all people pass daily) for exhibits, performances and presentations. We want to attract attention and give the arts greater visibility in the halls of the legislative office building.

So far, eight organizations have reserved showcase space for Arts Day. They are: Museum Association of New York, New York Folklore Society, New York State Alliance for Arts Education, D and H Canal Historical Society and Museum, Arts Center/Old Forge, Alta Classica, Saratoga County Arts Council and the Heckscher Museum.

Please consider joining them by coming yourself and/or getting in touch with constituents to help us coordinate exhibits, performances, and presentations that would be in keeping with the intent and spirit of Arts Day. With your help we will be able to present a grand and highly visible Arts Day.

We suggest you extend invitations to selected artists and organizations, or put out a call for proposals. We would like each organization to coordinate their own constituents and then let us know who will be participating by February 20.

We can make the following available: 8 foot tables, skirting, chairs, and electric. All equipment (electronic, easels, etc) must be supplied by the presenters, who will also be responsible for "manning the tables", if that is appropriate. Set up can begin at 8 am and must be completed by 9 am. Performances will be scheduled between 9 am - 11 am and 1 pm - 3 pm.

Arts Day in Albany is sponsored by Senator Serphin Maltese and Assembyman Joseph Morelle. It is administered by the Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations, New York City Arts Coalition and Arts Action for New York.

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UPDATE ON CULTURE ZONES, NOW KNOWN AS CULTURE DEVELOPMENT AREAS

The Alliance Culture Zone Advisory Committeee met on January 21, 2004 to review a new draft of the Culture Development Area bill which was recented drafted with input from the 5 meetings around the state the Alliance convened in 2003. Based on the suggestions from all the meetings and the reading from the advisory committee, the bill is being revised, and we are working with professionals in Albany. We are anticipating that Assemblyman Morelle and Senator Maltese will introduce the resultant legislation to each of their respective chambers this spring and that it will be adopted. We willl keep you posted.

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ARTSACTION'S NEW ONLINE ADVOCACY TOOL CAPWIZ

The Alliance's Advocacy Partner, ARTSACTION FOR NY is pleased to announce its partnership with Americans for the Arts and arts advocacy organizations in 15 other states to provide state-of-the-art online access to timely federal, state and local legislative issues and the legislators who make the decisions. CAPWIZ , a new and powerful online advocacy service will make it easier than ever to play an active role in arts advocacy efforts at the state, local and federal levels.

E-advocacy using CAPWIZ is the easiest, timeliest, and most efficient way to communicate views to legislators at all levels of government: at home, in Albany and in Washington. This is one-stop shopping for arts advocates!

CAPWIZ offers extensive opportunities to:

* Send messages to your elected officials at the state, local and federal levels of government;
* Explore current issues and legislation impacting the arts;
* Browse your legislators' biographies, committee assignments, staff directories, and even the list of contributions made to them by political action committees;
* View the arts voting records of your Congressional delegation;
* Access a complete media guide to every newspaper, television and radio outlet in your area or in NY State;
* Find complete, up-to-the-minute election and candidate information on the state, congressional and presidential races including candidate biographies and position statements; and
* Download voter registration forms and stay abreast of key dates for primary and general elections.

Access this amazing grassroots advocacy tool by visiting www.artsactionforny.org. Grassroots advocacy is the foundation of our democratic system of government. Elected officials respect and respond to the input of their constituents more than any other group. Use it, and use it often!

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FROM THE UPSTATE OFFICE: Martha Strodel, Director, Rural Arts Program

It's time to start planning the Rural Workshops for this spring, and I need your input. For the past five years, the series has focused on helping board members in their crucial work with your organizations. The success of these workshops has been in great part because the topics and speakers have been selected and developed with your ideas and input. Every year, we've planned five to six workshops with host Rural Partners at various locations throughout the state. Hosting a workshop allows you to tailor the workshop to your board and community needs.

I've been thinking about the concept of one or two of the 2004 workshops as Board-to-Board sessions, perhaps in an informal setting and over lunch or dinner. It would follow a general agenda with a main topic, such as "board development" or "the board's role in fundraising." The idea is to provide an opportunity for board members from various organizations to fully participate with questions and ideas. Workshop discussion would be monitored with summaries posted to the Alliance website and shared for posting on your websites for use by other boards. If this concept for a Rural Workshop interests you and/or you would like to host a workshop on another topic for this spring, please let me know.

A note on newsletters from the field: I love getting your news as a way to keep up with new and exciting programs and services you offer, and different and creative twists to existing programs. For example:

Delaware Valley Arts Alliance announces a "DIGit: Digital Media Exposition" inaugural season. On April 23-25th, DVAA will feature screenings, workshops and panel discussion on media composed with the latest digital tools. A juried competition will award over $3,000 in cash prizes to outstanding submissions in a variety of categories. Check it out on the DVAA website: www.ArtsAllianceSite.org.

Kay Stamer of Greene County Council on the Arts sent me an invitation to their April 3rd Beaux Arts Ball. This year (their sixteenth) is the first time they are seeking direct underwriting for the event, which is a major fundraiser for GCCA. I wish you success in this effort, Kay! And the joint newsletter "Arts Alive" published by GCCA and Columbia County Council on the Arts (CCCA) not only gives both organizations a respected venue to promote their individual services and programs, but promotes the rich, active cultural life in these two rural counties south of Albany, and gives a sense of cultural unity between two counties historically separated by the Hudson River.

Chenango County Council of the Arts has secured a $10,000 Challenge America grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. CCCA will partner with the Chenango County Department of Planning and the City of Norwich to conduct a widespread community cultural plan for the county.

Genesee Valley Council on the Arts prints its annual report in their
newsletter, "Art Sphere." The introduction to their 2002-03 report caught
my immediate attention: " While societies and the economy around the world went into shock over events of the past two years, something extraordinary happened here. Membership funds grew by 25 percent." The report outlining programs and services GVCA provided in 02/03 gives vivid explanation why GVCA is thriving as a vital community cultural organization, despite funding cutbacks.

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ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES PLANNED INCREASE FOR NEA FUNDING

First Lady Laura Bush and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Dana Gioia recently announced that President Bush will propose an $18 million increase for a new initiative in the Administration's NEA budget for FY 2005. If approved, the proposal would increase the NEA budget to $139.4 million.

The increase would be dedicated to support a new initiative, American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius, a three-year program combining arts presentation, touring, and education programming in a variety of artistic disciplines.

For more information on the Administration's NEA proposal, please see today's statements from Mrs. Bush and Chairman Gioia at:www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/01/20040129-1.html and www.nea.gov/news/news04/AmericanMasterpieces1.html

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NATIONAL ARTS DAY MARCH 29-31, 2004….WASHINGTON D.C.

On March 29th The Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy will take place at 6:30 pm at Kennedy Center. On March 30 there will be a CAPWIZ E-Advocacy Worshop along with Arts Advocacy Day Training Workshops. There will also be a Congressional Arts Reception at 5:30pm held in conjunction with the Congressional Arts Caucus andYouth Arts Month. On March 31 registrants may make Congressional visits as part of a team with the State delegation. Alliance Executive Director, Judith Kaufman Weiner is New York State's Team Captain. For registration and further information with details contact Americans for the Arts 1000 Vermont Avenue NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20005 www.artsusa.org. (202) 371-2830, (202) 371-0424 (fax).

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The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations has a 28-year history as New York's primary service association for community based arts and cultural organizations. The Alliance provides leadership and vision, and delivers services, resources and tools that strengthen community cultural organizations. The Alliance monitors, informs and mobilizes the field on statewide and national issues affecting the arts and assists local arts agencies in building community support and developing effective grassroots public policy.

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Mattituck, NY 11952-0096
Phone (631) 298-1234 / Fax (631) 298-1101