Theatre North Carolina

I Work in the Creative Industry!

Apparently, so do a lot of other people in North Carolina!

Secretary of Cultural Resources  Linda A. Carlisle unveiled findings from a new study - “Creativity Means Business: Economic Contributions of North Carolina’s Creative Industry." The study, prepared by the N.C. Department of Commerce - Policy, Research, and Strategic Planning Division, shows that the Creative Industry in North Carolina contributes $41.4 billion to our state's economy and accounts for nearly 300,000 jobs!

“Our creative industry is robust, and this important study underscores its role in North Carolina’s future,” said Carlisle. “Creativity in the workforce stimulates new products and services, and helps make North Carolina the most competitive it can be in the global economy.”

The NC Creative Industry is comprised of three types of enterprise: Arts, Entertainment and New Media, and Design. “People with creative ideas, innovators, and entrepreneurs bring investment and jobs to our communities,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “This report highlights the creative spark in North Carolina, and will be a big help in economic development.”

Find out more here: http://www.ncarts.org/creative_economy.

Community Connections - ARTS NC

ARTS North Carolina is beginning a program called Community Connections, a blitz of ARTS North Carolina activities in one location over a two or three day period of time. 



We begin in Winston-Salem this week and have events planned in Fayetteville, Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Asheville, and Greensboro-High Point. 

The central event is an Advocacy Workshop designed to get more people actively engaged in speaking for the arts, an imperative if we are to sustain state public funding in the years ahead and achieve our goals of a comprehensive arts education policy.  Projections have our budget deficit for 2010-11 at $4.4 billion, and to put this in perspective, the current-year deficit was $3.3 billion.  Cultural Resources overall saw a 7% cut in 2009-10, but NCAC recurring grants funding was sustained. 

Because of the deep reductions in operating funding in the current year, if additional cuts are made to Cultural Resources in 2010-11, our grants programs could be vulnerable. 

If  you would like to sponsor a Community Connection event in your community, just email Karen Wells at karen@artsnc.org.  No one is allowed to sit this one out.

Are You Going? Triangle Arts Mixer!

Triangle Arts Mixer

Friday, November 20 , 2009
6PM to 9PM

Building 2, The Cotton Room
Free, Open to public


The first-ever Triangle Arts Mixer is an evening for arts organizations, arts supporters, and artists of all disciplines to mix, mingle, and find new ways to activate and advance the Triangle arts scene.

The Mixer will feature a broad network of area arts organizations and young professional arts groups, dj Yes! Sputnik, light food, and a cash bar in the spectacular, newly-opened event venue—The Cotton Room. You won't want to miss this unique opportunity to interact with art organizations and other members of the Triangle community that share a common purpose and passion for the arts.

Held as part of Third Friday Durham, hosted by Golden Belt, CAM/now, and The Cotton Room.

Arts groups are still signing up to participate. The current list of groups attending includes:
CAM/now
Artspace
Carolina Ballet
NC Symphony
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Carolina Theatre
NC Museum of Art's Contemporaries
Code f.a.d. Company
Arts NC State

Arts NC - License Plates Are Here!

Well, not exactly, but almost! Arts NC worked really hard to get an arts specialty license plate approved by the general assembly. Unfortunately, we're still waiting for the GA to decide what to do about these specialty plates in general, so arts supporters are basically out of luck...until now!

You can still support all the great advocacy work that Arts NC does by purchasing a "The Creative State" front license plate and/or car magnet. Show your support and your colors by getting yours now!

Don't forget - Christmas is just around the corner, so buy one for each of your friends!

North Carolina is The Creative State. The arts are an industry of imagination, creativity, and transformative power, and it's time we put our message on the road.

CREATIVITY SNAPSHOT: The Arts

CREATIVITY SNAPSHOT: The Arts

Thursday, November 12, 2009

5:30 - 7:00 PM at
DOS PERROS RESTAURANT
200 N. Mangum St., Durham, NC 27701

The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) and the Durham Arts Council invite you to this interesting conversation of how a community can support and welcome artists as part of its culture. This event is part of IEI's creativity program of work, and one lucky person will win a ticket to the Emerging Issues Forum on February 8 and 9, 2010.

Appetizers provided; Cash Bar
Admission is Free. Please reserve your space.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Panelists:
Todd Atlas - Owner, Sound Pure Studios Durham
Greg Kueber - Development Manager, Golden Belt, Durham
Sherry DeVries - Executive Director,Durham Arts Council
Nancy Tuttle May- Nationally recognized Visual Artist, Durham
Moderator: Anita Brown-Graham - Director, Institute for Emerging Issues


About the NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues

The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) is a public policy, think-and-do tank that convenes leaders from business, non profit organizations, government and higher education to tackle some of the biggest issues facing North Carolina’s future growth and prosperity. More about IEI here.

The National Equality March and the Equality Army!

I haven't really had the opportunity to write about my experience at the National Equality March in Washington DC because as soon as I returned I had some minor surgery and I've been on the mend ever sense. It's be a very crazy couple weeks.

I went with my loving (straight) Brother who also accompanied me to the 25 Anniversary of Stonewall in NYC way back in 1994! I'm so fortunate to have such a caring Brother and Mother. I've always felt so supportive and it really meant a lot to me that my Brother would go all the way to DC to march for equal rights! Check out my style back then at age 19 at Stonewall 25!

 

Eeek! And the think I actually got some action looking like that! Anyway...

I was just thinking about the march because I discovered (via Facebook - I love you social media!) a fellow Emerson College alum named Blake Hayes. He smart, talented, cute and gay. He was also apparently the victim of a hate crime in Midtown Manhattan a few months ago. Hope you are doing OK Blake! Blake has started an advocacy and action group called the "Equality Army". It does remind me a little of Dumbledore's Army. Maybe that's why I like the idea so much!! Anyway, here's a note about the Army from Blake himself!

Hello!

I hope you've had a great weekend! Just wanted to let you know about this grassroots organization I've started. If you wish to join, click the link below.

Were you inspired to be more active after the National Equality March?
Are you angry about a recent pattern of attacks on LGBT New Yorkers?
Do you want EQUALITY for ALL Americans, regardless of who they love?

If you want to stand up and do something to create positive change... join the EQUALITY ARMY!

You'll get one e-mail per week with a simple assignment. It could be anything from calling a senator in support of a bill that affects LGBT people... to having a conversation with a family member about issues of equality. This is about small actions in large numbers to inspire REAL CHANGE.

Register here: blakehayes.com/equalityarmy

Thank you for making your voice heard!!

love. pride. equality.

-Blake Hayes

I applaud his efforts and I've just signed up! I hope you do too!

Also, as I said, Blake is an Emerson guy, so I have a special place in my heart for him. Check out his blog here. Also, check out this AWESOME video he did of the march. It sums up my feelings better than I could myself. Check out Blake's TV reel too! He's got some impressive interviews and his voice is mucho sexy!

Join ARTS NC Today!

Are you a member of Arts NC? Why not? If you are a reader of my blog you probably have some connection to the arts. Maybe you are a casual participant, an artist, an administrator, a technician. Maybe your son or daughter is in the marching band or the school chorus. Maybe you were once more involved in the arts, but you've gotten busy with work and family and life. Whatever your connection to the arts, know that Arts NC is your voice, your champion for the arts. Take a moment to review the benefits of membership and JOIN NOW!

OPPORTUNITIES AND PROMISES

Two years ago ARTS North Carolina embraced an opportunity. We could continue to allocate our limited resources on programs, or we could concentrate on what we heard you say you needed – a mission focused on arts advocacy.  We reasoned you would support our strategic decision.  You have, and we thank you.

The promise?  We never quit positioning for public support and pushing until every child in North Carolina has access to arts education. Anything else that comes up and affects our membership ... we’re on it.  

JOIN NOW.  SPEAK for the arts.  NETWORK with a grassroots movement full of passionate, creative people.  MOVE the arts forward in your community and your state.

Three easy ways to join:  Online at www.artsnc.org/join, print the form on the web page and mail or fax, or call us at 919/834-1411.  Whichever option, we can charge your credit card on a monthly basis.

CHANGES
Effective October 15, 2009:
    Members only will receive our job announcements and can list open positions.
    Members only will receive biweekly e-mail blasts with relevant industry news, trends, and announcements.
    Members only will receive a free Associate Membership with Fractured Atlas (www.fracturedatlas.org) that allows access to cost-effective liability insurance (event, directors’, teaching artist, etc.).
    Members only will have free admission to regional advocacy training workshops.

A NEW FOCUS
 
An Advocacy Plan is the “new” Strategic Plan.  Everyone needs one and better get one.  It’s a simple equation:  Without an organized process for advocacy, how can the arts possibly compete in an environment of authentic scarcity?  If this is true on the state political scene, how is it any less true in your community? We needed advocacy in good times, but an intentional and focused plan is an imperative in 2010.

This Fall:

    * Form an Advocacy Committee Task Force
    * Get up to speed on 2009 elections – forums and debates, candidates and their positions
    * Meet with City Council, County Commissioners, and School Board members and take someone who supported their campaigns – financial records are available from the Board of Elections
    * Answer this question in your way – how are the arts part of the solution?
    * Weave the arts into every community meeting – show up and speak for the arts
    * Make sure you have written your state Legislators to thank them for their support

NC Cultural Resources Announces $7.7 Million in Arts Funding

North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources Secretary Linda A. Carlisle announced today $7.7 million in funding for arts programs and projects across North Carolina for the 2009–10 fiscal year during a press conference today at the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Arts Council.

The organizational grants and federal stimulus grants for the arts are designed to support arts organizations who contribute to the economic, educational and cultural vitality of local communities throughout the state.

As a result of the support from the North Carolina General Assembly, along with funds from National Endowment for the Arts and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the funding will be distributed through 342 grants to organizations, 16 artist fellowships, three documentary grants and three internships.

In announcing the grants, Carlisle underscored the importance of the arts to North Carolina's economy and education. N.C. Arts Council grants provide artists in schools, afterschool arts programs for at-risk youth, innovative outreach to encourage participation, community revitalization, programs for populations in need, grassroots arts funding to ensure that every citizen has access to quality arts experiences, as well as ongoing support and organizational development.

"Education is vital to the mission of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources," Carlisle said. "More than 13.6 million people participated in Arts Council funded projects in North Carolina last year. Children make up about a quarter of that total. The majority of all Arts Council grants have an educational component, and this year 16 percent were direct Arts in Education projects."

Secretary Carlisle was joined by Majority Leader Sen. Tony Rand, N.C. Arts Council Board Chair Bobby Kadis, N.C. Arts Council Deputy Director Nancy Trovillion and Executive Director of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County Deborah Martin Mintz.

VIEW THE COMPLETE LIST OF GRANTS AWARDED HERE!

In addition to state funds, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), a federal stimulus program designed to aid in the economic recovery of our state and nation, provided $718,850 to preserve a total of 104 jobs that might otherwise have been eliminated due to the economy.

The Creative Workforce Grants range from $10,000 for smaller organizations to $25,000 for larger organizations and will support the preservation of critical jobs and artists' contracts. Local arts councils, statewide service organizations and organizations that currently receive General Support and Outreach grants from the Arts Council were eligible to apply.

Nancy Trovillion, deputy director of the N.C. Arts Council, said that the selection of the Creative Workforce Grant recipients was a very difficult process given the challenges that all arts organizations face during this economic downturn. "We had 79 requests from many of the state's top arts organizations but only enough money to fund 18," she says. "We had to turn down many worthy requests. We chose those organizations that made an urgent case that core positions would be lost without our funding.

Funds will support workers in the arts, ranging from gallery managers to an arts education coordinator.

The following is a list of organizations receiving Creative Workforce Grants:

• Arts & Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg:
  $25,000 to support the position of program director.


• Caldwell Arts Council:
  $10,000 to support the positions of the executive director, administrative assistant and office assistant.


• Carolina Ballet in Raleigh:
  $25,000 to support 38 dancers' contracts.


• Chatham Arts Council:
  $10,000 to support the position of the executive director.


• DREAMS of Wilmington:
  $10,000 to the position of program planning and communications specialist.


• Durham Arts Council:
  $25,000 to support the position of creative arts in the public/private schools (CAPS) manager.


• Johnston County Arts Council:
  $10,000 to support the position of executive director.


• Kinston Arts Council, Inc. dba Community Council for the Arts:
  $10,000 to support of the position of program and exhibitions director.


• McColl Center for Visual Arts in Charlotte:
  $25,000 to support the position of director of education and research.


• Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee:
  $25,000 to support the position of the education director.


• Opera Carolina in Charlotte:
  $25,000 to support the positions of head of music preparation, music director and resident stage director.


• Pocosin Arts in Columbia:
  $10,000 to support the position of program coordinator.


• Salisbury-Rowan Symphony:
  $10,000 to support the positions of music director and executive director.


• St. Joseph's Historic Foundation in Durham:
  $20,000 to support the positions of facility manager, administrative assistant, gallery curator, site coordinator, outreach coordinator, marketing coordinator and volunteer coordinator.


• Stecoah Valley Arts, Crafts & Educational Center:
  $10,000 to support the positions of arts program director and arts gallery manager.


• Toe River Arts Council in Burnsville:
  $10,000 to support the position of gallery manager.


• Winston-Salem Symphony Association:
  $20,000 to support the position of assistant conductor/education director.


• YMI Cultural Center in Asheville:
  $10,000 to support the positions of arts education coordinator and administrative manager.

Two additional grants were funded by the Southern Arts Federation: the Asheville Symphony and Triad Stage for a combined amount of $54,750 to support a total of five full-time positions.

The grant money includes the seven North Carolina organizations that received support directly from the NEA totaling $325,000 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

About the North Carolina Arts Council

The North Carolina Arts Council works to make North Carolina The Creative State where a robust arts industry produces a creative economy, vibrant communities, children prepared for the 21st century and lives filled with discovery and learning. The Arts Council accomplishes this in partnership with artists and arts organizations, other organizations that use the arts to make their communities stronger and North Carolinians—young and old—who enjoy and participate in the arts.

Arts Grants Funding Sustained and a License Plate Update

An Important Advocacy Update From Arts North Carolina

Grants Funding Sustained

Governor Perdue is expected to sign the 2009-2010 budget this afternoon. In North Carolina's worst economic year since the depression, no reductions were made to the recurring grant funds of the North Carolina Arts Council. The decision means that Grassroots Arts and Basic Grants will remain at 2008-09 levels, less the non-recurring funds that were eliminated in all departments at the beginning of the budget process.

There are many people who must be thanked, and ARTS North Carolina will send a Call to Action for Legislator appreciation later this week. However, this victory for the arts would not have happened without the leadership of our new Secretary of Cultural Resources, Linda Carlisle, Cultural Resources Liasion Melanie Soles, and the willingness of the North Carolina Arts Council to take deep operating cuts so that the grant programs remain whole. We must also recognize the exemplary leadership of General Government Chairs Representatives Alice Underhill and Susan Fisher and Senators Katie Dorsett and Bob Atwater.

License Plate Update

The roller coaster ride of license plate advocacy continues. Yesterday, the Call to Action centered on the House and the House Finance Chairs' turn-around decision not to pass any license plate legislation. If you have not taken action, please continue to do so because, as we have learned on Jones Street, "it isn't over until you hear singing and throat clearing does not count."
Click here to Take Action Now.
Earlier in the session, Senator Joe Sam Queen amended Senate Bill 3 to include 4 specialty, unique license plates. Senate Bill 3 originally provided for a redistribution of plate funds for the Great Smokey Mountain Foundation, but now it also includes the license plates. SB3 successfully passed its second reading but was withdrawn by a Senate Finance Chair and sent to Senate Finance Committee to die an unseemly death. Because of your stellar advocacy work, the leadership of Senator Tony Rand, and help from Cultural Resources, SB 3 has been withdrawn from Finance Committee and will be taken to the Senate floor today for its third and final reading. If it passes the Senate, it will be sent to the House.

That would leave two ways to get a license plate this session. The House changes their minds and pulls a bill together that includes all license plates introduced this session OR they pass SB3. It's a long shot for both, but we work until the final gavel signals the singing has begun. Word is they are going to try and adjourn either by the end of this week or next week at the latest, so resolution one way or the other is close.

Why is this so important to ARTS North Carolina? Arts positioning a score to the creative economy, arts promotion, visible evidence of statewide arts support, life, spirit, hope, sustainable revenue, and fairness.

TWO IMPORTANT FRIDAY DEADLINES!

OK, if you work in theatre in North Carolina and you aren't a dues paying member of NCTC then you are missing out. NCTC is your voice and the only way to make sure that NCTC's voice is loud and clear is for you to become a member, especially in this time of decreased funding and tight budgets.

Also, you've just got to come to the NCTC Producing Theatre Gathering. I can't tell you how much fun you will have! The networking opportunties are amazing! The sessions are going to be amazing! Secretary of Cultural Resources Linda Carlisle will be there and she will be amazing.

Check out the details below...

NCTC Producing Theatre Gathering - Registration Closes July 31

Registration for the 2009 NCTC Producing Theatre Gathering closes at 5pm on Friday.  We hope you will join the more than 50 theatre artists and administrators that have already registered!  Click here for registration and more information.

 

The Fine Print - all registration forms must be received by 5pm on Friday, July 31.  Payments may be made online, submitted by mail, or at the door.  You may also choose to take advantage of our Register Now, Pay Later offer.  To do so, simply email your registration form to angelahays@nctc.org and tell me when you might be able to submit payment.  Any member may take advantage of this offer, provided that your membership dues are current and your gathering payment is received no later than April 1, 2010

NCTC Membership - Discount Rates End July 31

NCTC is offering a 10% discount on membership dues, if you renew and pay by 5pm on Friday.  (Memberships run from July 1 – June 30).  Please take this opportunity to renew your membership and continue your commitment to NCTC. 

Click here to renew your NCTC membership. In 2009-2010, we continue the programming that you know and love – the High School and Middle School Play Festivals, the Producing Theatre Gathering, the Fall Theatre Gathering with the SETC Screening Auditions and Unified College Auditions and Fair, and so on.  We will also continue to work closely with Arts NC to speak as the united voice for theatre advocacy in this state. Your membership dollars make up 25% of our annual income; but, beyond the dollars, your membership ensures that we can continue to harness the power of numbers. We can advocate with more strength; we can educate more young artists; and we can consider new ways to grow. NCTC is dedicated to improving and enhancing the environment for quality theatre in NC through service, leadership and advocacy and we can only continue this mission with your help. The Fine Print - to receive the 10% discount, your membership form and payment must be received by 5pm on Friday, July 31.