arts alert: Where are Amendment Dollars Now?
MCA
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
2233 University Ave. W. #355
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-251-0868 fax 651-917-3561
staff at mncitizensforthearts.org
www.mncitizensforthearts.org
Arts Action Center
October 9, 2009
1. Where is the Amendment Money?
2. Last Two! Cultural Heritage Tourism Workshops: New Ulm, Paynesville
3. Nominations Open for Sally Awards
4. Internship Openings at MCA
———————————————————————-
1. Where is the Amendment Money?
Access Points For Amendment Resources:
The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, passed by the voters in November, 2008, created new resources for land conservation, water conservation, parks and arts.
The agencies and programs that received legislative appropriations from the four funds are scrambling now to create programs to make grants across the state. Many of these plans are not yet finalized, but a road map is now emerging for arts and culture organizations and artists in terms of how to access the resources in the Arts and Culture Fund. Because the funds have gone to multiple agencies, artists and arts organizations would be well advised to pay attention to these mulitple “Access Points” for Arts and Culture Fund dollars. I have included a quick description of where each agency is in their planning process.
ARTS, ARTISTS AND ARTS ACCESS:
The Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils
Minnesota’s state arts funding system includes a state agency (MSAB) that does statewide programming and grant-making, and 11 regional arts councils (RACs) which each serve a set of counties with local grants and services. Collectively, they received $21,650,000 for grants and services for 1. Arts, and Arts Access, 2. Arts Education, 3. Arts and Cultural Heritage.
STATEWIDE: MINNESOTA STATE ARTS BOARD: In addition to some administrative money, 70% of the MSAB/RAC appropriation goes to the MSAB for statewide projects and services. After a lengthy and exhaustive set of regional meetings and public input, the MSAB has nearly completed its plan to get grants out to Minnesota communities. Right now it looks like they will be doing a combination of beefing up current programs for artists and arts organizations, and creating new programs to promote arts education partnerships, to fund touring and festivals, to fund free public access to arts events, and to fund new opportunities for artists. Once finalized (within a month or two), they will be posted on www.arts.state.mn.us. I will send out updates as more specific information becomes available.
REGIONAL ARTS COUNCILS: The RACs are receiving 30% of the appropriation, and each RAC is determining independently the new programs it will create in their region based on local community input. For various reasons they are each on a different timeline, for example, Region 9 in Mankato will start making their grants in November, 2009. Region 2, in Bemidji, will be launching in May, 2010. To find out what opportunities are available in your area, contact your local Regional Arts Council. Contact info. can be found at http://www.arts.state.mn.us/racs/index.htm.
MINNESOTA PUBLIC TV
All public TV stations in MN have received money to do more arts and cultural programming with their amendment funds. To find out what the stations in your area are planning, and to potentially partner with them, call your local station:
Twin Cities Public Television, Minneapolis / St. Paul, 651-222-1717, www.tpt.org
WDSE-TV Channel 8, Duluth / Superior & Hibbing, 218-724-8567, www.wdse.org
Lakeland Public Television, Bemidji / Brainerd, 800-292-0922, www.lakelandptv.org
Pioneer Public Television, Appleton / Worthington / Fergus Falls, 800-726-3178, www.pioneer.org
KSMQ-TV, Austin / Rochester, 800-658-2539, www.ksmq.org
Prairie Public Television, Moorhead / Crookston, 800-359-6900, www.prairiepublic.org
ART IN LIBRARIES
The state’s twelve regional library systems have received $4.25 million to provide arts and culture activities. All of the systems are looking for partnerships that will connect libraries, historical societies, arts organizations, and literacy. The library Legacy money must be spent in 4 categories: 1. Arts 2. Culture 3. Literary 4. MN History. If you want to partner with the libraries to provide programming, then you should get on the phone with your regional library system asap. Some of them are very unfamiliar with local artists and arts organizations. More information about their Legacy Fund planning, and contact information for each of the regional library systems can be found at: www.crplsa.info. Suzanne Miller, State Librarian, Minnesota Department of Education can also provide additional information. She can be reached at: 651-582-8791 or suzanne.miller@state.mn.us. There is also a blog where the libraries are tracking their activity with Legacy funds at: http://www.crplsa.info/pages/viewrecentblogposts.action?key=CRPLSA.
STATEWIDE: All twelve regional library systems have set aside 10% of their allocation for a statewide initiative. While not confirmed, it looks like it will be used for a Greatest Generation program in partnership with the State Historical Society.
THE TWELVE REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEMS: The other 90% will be split between the twelve regional library systems. (The allocation for each of the regional library systems is based on the existing “Regional Library Basic System Support” formula which is used to distribute the state’s appropriation for libraries, which includes factors for population and geographical area).
METRO AREA: The seven metro counties and the City of St. Paul each have a regional library system. Collectively, the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) covers them all. They have decided to hire Melinda Ludwiczak melinda@melsa.org from the Hennepin County Library to coordinate the Legacy Fund efforts for the whole metro area. MELSA will use approximately 40% of their funds to create programs and partnerships on a metro-wide level. The remaining 50% will be allocated by population to each of the eight member systems to enhance partnerships with local community agencies and provide arts, cultural heritage, literary and Minnesota history activities.
GREATER MN: The remaining regional library systems are each determining their own programming.
The Traverse des Sioux Regional Library, headquartered in Mankato, will partner with the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council to get the money distributed.
In Duluth, the Executive Director of the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is on the committee to help the library system (Arrowhead Library System) determine how best to utilize their funds.
The East Central MN Library system has posted a web page where they will post their plans: http://eastcentrallibraries.blogspot.com/2009/08/arts-and-culture-in-library.html
MN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Minnesota Historical Society has created a web page to describe their plans and promote potential grant opportunities for local historical sites and organizations: http://www.mnhs.org/about/grants/legacy/index.htm.
MN PUBLIC RADIO
As of this writing, I don’t have any advice except to call your local station and ask them what their plans are.
———————————————————————-
2. Last Two! Cultural Heritage Tourism Workshops: New Ulm, Paynesville
So far three Cultural Heritage Tourism workshops have been held around the state to provide useful info. on using the web to promote your activities, and how to find partners to maximize your reach. There are only two more – in New Ulm and Paynesville – in the next few weeks. In these challenging times, how do you attract visitors to grow your audience? How can you make the most of scarce resources to promote your organization? By working together with other organizations and businesses in your community. It’s time to “Get a Little Help From Your Friends!”
What
Regional workshops on how to develop partnerships around cultural heritage tourism. Get some good ideas and network with others in your community and region.
Who Should Come
Staff and volunteers from community arts organizations, art studios/galleries, history museums, heritage festivals, lodging businesses, visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce and other tourism marketing organizations.
When and Where
New Ulm: Wednesday, October 14, at Turner Hall, from 9:00am – 3:30pm
Paynesville: Monday, November 9, at Bug-Bee Hive Resort, from 9:00am – 3:30pm
Highlights
Keynote Presentation
Ontend Creative Partners is a group of business leaders, artists, film makers, writers and performers who are using their collective experience in business and the arts to help clients look at their business strategy in new ways. Carr Hagerman and Gordon Boudreau are both past “street performers” who will translate their streetwise wisdom into practical ideas for you to attract new business and keep current customers coming back for more. Gordon is the presenter in Thief River Falls, and Carr will be making the other presentations. Go to www.ontend.com to learn more.
Regional Panel
“Success Stories” of partnerships between arts/culture/heritage and tourism organizations that are bringing larger audiences and increased business to their community.
Breakout Sessions
With experts like Andrew Eklund, Founder and CEO of Cicerón Web Marketing, and Linda Muus, Account Manager for Greater Grand Forks CVB, SimmonsFlint Communications.
Registration
$45 if paid one week prior to the workshop; $59 thereafter; Registration includes lunch, break and workshop materials. Register online at: http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/culture/ -or- print registration form and fax to: 651/296-7095
Planning Partners: Thank You to Organizations Who Are Making This Possible: Minnesota State Arts Board – Explore Minnesota Tourism – Minnesota Historical Society – Bloomington CVB – Minnesota Arrowhead Association – Minnesota Heartland Tourism Association – Metro Tourism Committee – Southern Minnesota Tourism Association – Minnesota Association of Museums – Minnesota Citizens for the Arts – Visit Duluth – Meet Minneapolis
———————————————————————-
3. Nominations Open for Sally Awards
Dear Arts Colleague:
Our state has many extraordinary people who inspire us every day through their creativity in the visual and performing arts. For 17 years, the Ordway has formally recognized their contributions through the Sally Ordway Irvine Awards. We invite you to join in the fun by recommending individuals and organizations to be considered for the 2009 Sally Awards.
As members of this state’s cultural community, we welcome your participation in this important Ordway tradition. It’s easy to do. Just think about those who have inspired you, your families or your friends, and forward their names to us as nominees for the 2009 Sally Awards. The Awards include four separate categories:
VISION | INITIATIVE | COMMITMENT | EDUCATION
Our arts scene is so rich and vibrant that it’s impossible for us to keep up with all the great work being done around the state. You probably know about artists who are not yet on our radar screen. Don’t keep their talents a secret! Any arts organization or individual in the state of Minnesota is eligible, as long as they have not already been a recipient.
The guidelines and nomination form are available on our website at ordway.org/sallyawards. Please consider making a nomination, and forward this invitation to your friends!
THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2009.
If you have any questions, please contact Kate Youngdahl at 651.282.3101.
———————————————————————-
4. Internship Openings at MCA
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA), a nationally renowned arts advocacy organization that lobbies for state arts funding, seeks an intern to begin October 12th. The position is part-time and flexible (approximately 20 hours per week), and pays a small hourly stipend.
MCA represents the arts community of Minnesota at the state legislature and lobbies for state funding of the arts, as well as other issues of concern to the non-profit arts community. MCA also does advocacy for the National Endowment for the Arts. To lobby effectively, MCA organizes grassroots advocacy around the state and keeps constituents educated and informed about the political process and the current state of arts funding throughout the year.
Interns will have exposure to and opportunities to interact with some of the movers and shakers in the arts community, as well as a working knowledge of the legislative process, arts funding structures in Minnesota and the basic functions of running a nonprofit. Perks include free tickets to performances and many opportunities to advance in the arts and/or political community.
Duties and projects included in the internship:
- Work with staff on current projects including grassroots organizing, candidate meetings, voter education, board meeting preparation, filing and data entry.
- Interns may also have the opportunity to identify and take on projects of interest that relate to arts advocacy.
A qualified applicant would possess the following skills:
- Understanding of the political process. Past political experience preferred.
-Interest in working with the arts community.
-Good communication skills, especially speaking with people on the phone.
-A self-starting, positive, self-motivated personality and a sense of humor.
-Good organizational skills and the ability to perform many tasks simultaneously.
-Computer literacy; preferably experience with Macintosh, Microsoft Word & Excel and database systems.
-Tech Savvy; understand basics of new media and improve MCA’s visibility on sites likes Facebook, YouTube and MySpace.
-Independent and creative work habits.
APPLY NOW. Please mail or email resume and cover letter by October 1, 2009 to:
Mark Albers, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, 2233 University Avenue West, Suite 355, St. Paul, MN 55114, staff@mncitizensforthearts.org
———————————————————————-
MCA VIDEO LINKS
Check out two great videos from Arts Advocacy Day Held February 24, 2009:
Here’s a video of highlights from the Arts Advocacy Day kickoff rally on MN Stories by Chuck Olsen:
http://www.mnstories.com/video/376/Arts-Adcovacy-Day
…and a 3 Minute Egg arts show by Matt Peiken with interviews of attendees and some footage of meetings with legislators:
http://www.mnstories.com/video/374/3-MINUTE-EGG-Arts-Advocacy-Day
———————————————————————-