March, 2005

NEWS FROM THE FIELD

ARTS & BUSINESS COUNCIL has announced that it has merged operations with Americans for the Arts. For more information on this merger, we refer you to A Public FAQ.

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REGISTER FOR NATIONAL ARTS ADVOCACY DAY: March 14-15

National Arts Advocacy Day 2005 will be held March 14-15. The event is strategically timed to give grassroots advocates the opportunity to shape federal arts policy and educate Members of Congress. Last year, arts advocates succeeded in securing increased funding for both the NEA and NEH, as well as increased funding for arts education programs within the U.S. Department of Education.

In preparation for National Arts Advocacy Day it is important to understand President Bush's 2006 BUDGET as it impacts the arts. The budget request included $121.3 million for the NEA and $138.1 million for the NEH, essentially identical to FY05 funding levels. However, the budget proposes an NEA redistribution of $6.5 million that would result in a 30 percent cut in the Endowment's longstanding and Congressionally-popular Challenge America program. The President requested a funding boost of $4.19 million (a 12 percent increase) for the Office of Museum Services, bringing the total OMS budget to $38.9 million. For the fifth consecutive year, the President's budget has eliminated funding for the Department of Education's Arts in Education programs; however, the President has never requested funding for these programs. This funding is traditionally restored by the Senate and accepted by the House in conference. http://ww3.artsusa.org/get_involved/advocacy/artsaction/2005/artsaction_02.07.05.htm

National Arts Advocacy Day is held in conjunction with the Congressional Arts Caucus, and many Members of Congress will be involved in the day's events. Additionally, dozens of national arts, humanities, educational, and civic organizations co-sponsor this event each year. Come to Washington, DC, joining New York State Captain, Judith Kaufman Weiner, Executive Director of the Alliance and make your voice heard. http://ww3.artsusa.org/events/2005/aad_001.asp

ARTS DAY IN ALBANY MARCH 22, 2005---9-3: JOIN US!

ARTS DAY MESSAGE
Please join us for Arts Day in Albany where along with 600 arts advocates from all over the state, we will advocate for a $2 million increase to the New York State Council on the Arts and urge passage of the Cultural Development Areas Bill this session.

Arts Day in Albany: SIGN UP NOW!
In order to be successful with this effort we need to you SIGN UP for ARTS DAY in Albany, Tuesday March 22, 2005. Make appointments NOW to meet with your legislators in Albany. The best time to schedule meetings is before 11 am and after 12 noon. ARTS DAY HEADQUARTERS will be open 8 am - 4 pm. Staff will be available to answer questions and offer guidance. Handouts and information to leave behind will be available.

ARTS DAY RALLY
The Arts Day RALLY will take place 11 AM-12:00 pm. Legislative Office Building Join celebrities and government officials. Pack the hearing room and help us present a unified voice for the arts.

ARTS DAY PARKING
IMPORTANT: If you would like to reserve a parking place in Albany, please contact the Alliance 631-298-1234; pkbarts@aol.com. Parking Spaces are $7/space and must be prepaid in advance. The deadline for reserving a parking place is March 15.

ARTS DAY SHOWCASE IN THE WELL
We only have 12 spaces left for the ARTS DAY SHOWCASE Don't miss the opportunity to showcase your organization a very high visibility central atrium in the Legislative Office Building. We can accommodate short performances and/or table top displays. The showcase will include performances, table top displays and small exhibits. We will supply 8 foot tables, skirting, chairs, and electric. All equipment (electronic, easels, etc) must be supplied by the presenters. 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. So sign up now. Take this opportunity to SIGN UP for the ARTS SHOWCASE.

ONLINE LIVE LOCAL ADVOCACY TRAINING FOR ARTS DAY
Online Live Local Advocacy Training on March 10 at 10 am Spend one hour online with Judy Weiner in a crash course with practical tips and tools for local advocacy.

You do not have to leave the comfort of your office or your computer. All you need is a telephone and high speed access (cable, road runner, DSL) to the internet. Register now by clicking this link. You will receive simple (very simple) instructions for loading the software online to participate in the session. If you have dial-up access to the internet, you have an option too. You can call in and participate on the telephone only. You will not see the visuals or the notes online. You do not need to be a techie to participate or have any special computer skills.

Online Live is supported in part with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.

ARTS DAY CAMPAIGN: $5,000: Only 1 Month Left!
We hope you are planning to join us for Arts Day in Albany on March 22, 2005---but whether you plan on being there or not, we need YOU to help us raise our goal of $5,000 in 50 days. These funds will be used to support the Arts Day and the statewide advocacy effort this year. We can achieve our goal easily if you join your colleagues and friends all over the state by giving a small $25 donation. Your participation in this special campaign will speak volumes to our elected officials statewide. Your name will be listed in the Arts Day Book distributed to all legislators. Time is of the essence. You may pay by credit card or send a check to: The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations PO Box 96 Mattituck, New York 11952

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

From past years, I remember when March 1st was the dreaded day to have NYSCA applications completed. (Many of you do too.) For the month of February, organizational directors would be buried in budget allocation forms, three copies of everything, and incommunicado as they worked feverishly to get all their information together. I even recall some late night trips to the back door of the local post office to get the required March 1st postmark and the packet on the midnight truck to New York City!

As an Alliance staff person, I haven't had to be responsible for a full organizational application in many years, but I've been watching how the field handles their work. When NYSCA put their application online, there were complaints and frustrations. But the system seems to be working well these days, and after the registration process is complete, spreading the actual application deadlines over an extended period has helped eliminate the craziness that March 1st used to engender. This is one tradition that isn't going to be missed.

It also suggests that NYSCA and the field have learned to use online technology to our advantage. In our quest to keep the Rurals Program relevant and useful to you, I recently completed a full report on its twelve years of operation. There are many high points, but the Alliance has led in technology training; many of the Rurals took advantage of our onsite training with Beth Kanter to learn how to use email and the internet. We initiated the RAN (Rurals Art Network) listserv, and Beth's photos from the training were the first information posted to the new Alliance website. This past fall, the Rurals Task Force pioneered the Alliance Online Live service. This week, the Alliance Rurals Committee will meet to discuss and plan the future of the program based on the work of the task force. We've come a long way, and e-technology has been very useful in our work.

But there's no substitute for getting together and comparing notes. I look forward to seeing many of you on March 22nd in Albany.

ALLIANCE CULTURAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT

We invite you to participate in this very short survey to assess the needs of the cultural community in New York State. Your answers will help Alliance staff, board and regional captains evaluate current programs and services in the context of the changing environment and the shifting priorities in program and service delivery statewide.

Data from this survey will be used to inform future programming regionally and statewide. It will enable us to respond with timely service delivery designed to strengthen organization infrastructure and foster regional partnerships and collaboration.

This survey will only take a few minutes of your time and can be submitted online. The data is important information for all of us. Please respond.

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KEN BURNS-THE 18TH ANNUAL NANCY HANKS LECTURE
ON ARTS AND PUBLIC POLICY

Americans for the Arts announces that Ken Burns will deliver the 18th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy on March 14, 2005, at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Mr. Burns, a documentary filmmaker, has been directing and producing some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries for 20 years, including The Civil War, Baseball, and The West. In January 2001, Mr. Burns focused on the arts with JAZZ https://secure.americansforthearts.org/registration/2005/nancy_hanks/

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OPPORTUNTITIES

NEW YORK STATE SOCIETY OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The New York State Society of CPA's has a new initiative to help Not-For-Profits address the financial issues facing the nonprofit community. This statewide program seeks to identify, train and match CPAs with nonprofit organizations. This initiative is a joint effort with the better business bureau and will be launched soon. www.nysscpa.org

ARTS EDUCATION GRANTS
On March 20, the U.S. Department of Education is expected to announce this year's competition for grants in the Arts in Education program. The Model Development & Dissemination Grant Program is expected to award $3.9 million, and the Professional Development for Arts Educators Program is expected to award $7 million. The application period for both of these programs has been extended this year from the typical 45 days to 60 days. Be sure to check these sites no later than March 21.

Professional Development Program: http://www.ed.gov/programs/artsedprofdev/index.html

Model Development & Dissemination Program: http://www.ed.gov/programs/artsedmodel/index.html

NEA DEADLINES

March 14: Access to Artistic Excellence (which includes service agency requests)

June 1: Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Fast Track Grants

June 13: Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth (can be school based, community based or a combination)

SCHOLARSHIPS for NATIONAL ARTS CONVENTION June 11-13

Americans for the Arts is pleased to offer four types of scholarships to arts leaders throughout the country to assist them in participating in Leading the Charge, Americans for the Arts 2005 Annual Convention, taking place in Austin, TX from June 11-13 with preconferences on emerging leaders, public art, and united arts fundraising taking place June 9 - 10. The purpose of these scholarships is to provide assistance for arts professionals to attend the convention and/or preconferences to network with peers and share strategies for success.

AFTA is pleased to provide five full scholarships for emerging leaders and five for individuals working in underserved communities to attend the convention, forty $500 reimbursement scholarships for individuals to attend the convention, and ten $500 reimbursement scholarships for individuals to attend a preconference.
Scholarships are open to members of Americans for the Arts and due by March 25, 2005. Details are available on the convention web-site: http://ww3.americansforthearts.org/events/2005/con_014.asp

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The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations has a 30-year history as New York’s service association for arts and cultural organizations. The Alliance provides leadership and vision, and delivers services, resources and tools that strengthen cultural organizations. The Alliance informs the field on statewide and national issues affecting the arts and assists local arts agencies in building community support.

P.O. Box 96
Mattituck, NY 11952-0096
Phone (631) 298-1234 / Fax (631) 298-1101