arts alert: Demand for New Legacy Grants is Huge
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
April 10 , 2010
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1. Demand for New Legacy Grants is Huge
2. Join TWEETART Day on April 13 – National Arts Advocacy Day
3. New Artist Opportunities Funded by Legacy $
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1. Demand for New Legacy Grants is Huge
We knew there would be a huge demand for the arts via grants from the Legacy amendment, but this is amazing. This month the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) is holding panels for all of the new programs it has created with new Legacy money. They received so many applications that only 40% of requests can be funded. Clearly, this is an argument that a larger percentage of the new amendment-created Arts and Culture Heritage Fund should be going to the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Council (RAC) system. You may recall that we had a big fight on our hands last year to make sure that the new funding from the amendment actually went to the arts via the MSAB and RACs.
This data is just for the MSAB Legacy grants — It’s too early to see what the demand for Legacy grants at the RAC level will be. I am sure it will tell a similar story.
But for now, everyone needs to understand that even the new money is limited, and not every request is going to be funded.
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2. Join TWEETART Day on April 13
“Want to help promote the arts? It’s simple. Help us push “arts” into Twitter’s trending topics on April 13 to coincide with National Arts Advocacy Day. The following tweet will be sent out en-masse from all participants: “Tweet for the #arts today! It’s National Arts Advocacy Day. http://www.TweetArtsDay.org”
Want to help promote the arts but can’t travel to D.C.? It’s simple. Help us push “arts” into Twitter’s trending topics on April 13 to coincide with National Arts Advocacy Day. By signing up at http://www.tweetartsday.org, you can take a virtual stand with arts activists who will be lobbying on Capitol Hill. You can sign-up in advance through the secure login at http://www.tweetartsday.org and tweets will be sent en-masse from every participant on April 13. It’s an easy way to encourage legislators to continue funding and support for the arts and also to raise awareness for the arts on a national and global level. Tweet “Arts” Day is a collaborative project of Americans for the Arts and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
I’ve just started to Twitter (a very weird experiment at my age, I must admit), but this is a fun idea. So if you are a Twitterer, Tweet with us by signing up at http://www.tweetartsday.org!
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3. New Artist Opportunities Funded by Legacy $
One of the great new things happening from Legacy funds is a new Artist Development Project funded by the MN State Arts Board, in partnership with the Regional Arts Councils, Springboard for the Arts and Creative Capital. They will be offering a statewide pilot project of professional development workships and education opportunities for artists of all disciplines and all stages in their careers. This activity is made possible, in part, by funding from the MSAB, through an appropriation of the Minnesota State Legislature from the MN Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
Minnesota’s own Springboard for the Arts presents: The Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists! They will share valuable insights and practical tools for building your arts business. A 10-part course designed especially for artists across disciplines – in partnership with your local Regional Arts Council.
Creative Capitol Workships: Daylong intensive courses, for artists interested in an in-depth session focused on Strategic Planning, Supporting Your Work, Public Relations, or Internet, held in multiple locations around MN
Because of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund underwriting, these opportunities will be free of their regular fees. Space is limited! Early registrants have the best chance of getting their first choices. Deadline for applications is April 20, 2010. To sign up: www.springboardforthearts.org/workshops/ADP.asp
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RESOURCES
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ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the arts community and lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts, or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.