April, 2007

NEWS FROM THE FIELD

Patricia Snyder, Executive Director, East End Arts Council, has been named Woman of the Year by the East End Women's Network. Elaine Giguere announced that Delaware Valley Arts Alliance is celebrating their 30th Anniversary with a Gala Fundraiser.

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ARTS SUMMIT, Schenectady September 9, 10 and 11

Don't miss this gathering of statewide arts leaders for interactive dialogues and great networking opportunities. Learn about the arts and the economy. Explore existing and potential economic development tools. Participate in small group meetings and meet with a consultant one-on-one for help with new marketing strategies, board development and advocacy positions.

The Summit Planning Committee includes our Host Philip Morris and Proctors Theatre, Richard Driscoll, Kathryn Hollinger, Celeste Lawson, Sarah Lentini, Ron Thiele, Martha Strodel and Judy Weiner.

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ADVOCACY REPORT

New York State: Approximately 350 arts advocates from across New York State traveled to Albany on March 6 to participate in Arts Day. For most people, the day began with a visit to "The Well" in the legislative office building, where there were 27 exhibitors and performers throughout the day. The Well was filled with the sounds and sights of music, dance, and theater amid gold and red "star" balloons. It was a place to meet with legislators who stopped by, visit with colleagues and friends, and rest between meetings.

Advocates received hand outs and red buttons to support the message of investing $2.80 per person, or a total of $54 million, for NYSCA. All advocates also received a "welcome bag" to promote the statewide Arts Summit in Schenectady September 9, 10, 11, 2007.

Judith Kaufman Weiner, Alliance Executive Director, holding Advocacy Button and Senator Serphin R. Maltese in "The Well"

The rally in the Legislative Hearing Room was energizing. Actor, John Christopher Jones, told the crowd about his work with theaters in New York City and in the Adirondacks that receive public support. Voza Rivers, Chairman of the Harlem Arts Alliance, spoke of the economic impact of the arts, and represented a large contingent of Harlem artists and advocates who made the trip. Marisa Catalina Casey, a graduate student in the Arts Administration program at Columbia University's Teachers College and the founder of an arts organization, spoke of the importance of arts in education. Our Rally speakers and leaders then met with Speaker Sheldon Silver, Majority Leader Joe Bruno, and with the Lt. Governor's staff where we discussed the impact of NYSCA funding in communities all across the State and the potential of the Culture Zone bill.

During the rally, Senator Serphin R. Maltese, Chair of Senate Special Task Force on Arts and Culture, presented a proclamation naming March 6, 2007 as Arts Day in New York State.

While this year's budget negotiation is still in process, most reports are that the legislature, at a minimum, is prepared to support Governor Spitzer's $5 million increase to the New York State Council on the Arts. That would bring the NYSCA budget for 2007-2008 to $47.5 million for grants to the field.

Federal: The New York State delegation of approximately 40 advocates was led by Judith K Weiner on Advocacy Day in Washington, March 13 and 14. Advocates met with: Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Chuck Schumer, Rep. Louise Slaughter, Rep. Maurice Hinchey, Rep. Tom Walsh, Rep. Charles Rangel, Rep. Steve Israel, Rep. Nita Lowey, Rep. John Hall, Rep. Kirsten Guillibrand, Rep. Yvette Clarke, Rep. Michael Acuri.

Advocates were supporting:

* NEA budget of $176 million, bring it back to th e1992 funding level
* NEH budget increase of $36 million
* IMLS budget increase to $39.9 million
* Arts Education to appropriate $53 million
* Make IRA rollover provision permanent
* Give artists fair market value tax deduction for gifts of their own work
* Improve the via process for international artists
* Increase funding by $10 million for cultural exchange programs in the US Dept of State
* Corporation for Public Broadcasting budget of $430 million

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BOOTSTRAP YOUR MUSIC…COMING IN APRIL

As the recipient of a grant from the New York State Music Fund, the Alliance is rolling out BOOTSTRAP MUSIC: Online Courses and Blog. This program will help New York State musicians, composers, and performers enhance skills, communication, networking, collaboration, and entrepreneurial success in the marketplace.

A great opportunity for music artists to kick start their ability to earn a living from their art with online courses that include "How to Protect Yourself" in contracts, copyright and general negotiation; Online Promotion and Distribution; and Bootstrap Your Music. All online courses will be enhanced by a teaching blog and the opportunity to interact with course instructors and colleagues.

All courses are FREE. The online registration will be available in April for the first in the series of courses. The Alliance will be working with service organizations statewide for recommendations of potential candidates to participate in the program. Participants may sign up for one, two, or all three courses which will be delivered in a series of webinars. The only requirement is a telephone and high speed internet access.

The New York State Music Fund was created when the New York State Attorney General's Office resolved investigations against major record companies that had violated state and federal laws prohibiting "pay for play" (also called "payola"). The settlement agreement stipulated that funds paid by music businesses would support music education and appreciation for the benefit of New York State residents. The Attorney General's Office enlisted the services of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, one of the nation's largest and most experienced philanthropy services, to develop and manage the grant program.

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FROM THE UPSTATE OFFICE April 2007
ARTS DAY 2007

It was good seeing so many of you in Albany for Arts Day! Even though everyone was busy with scheduled appointments with their legislators, the Well was your break and meet-up place. So I enjoyed numerous hellos and quick catch ups with many of you. I was assigned as point person with staff member Angela Lipfert in the Well to oversee the smooth flow of performances and exhibitors. It was a terrific public presentation of the variety and depth of cultural programming statewide, and I met and become acquainted with a number of groups I had not known before Arts Day. (see separate article on Fractured Atlas in this issue.) This year, the overall mood was very positive - people were enthusiastic about the Governor's proposed increase for the arts budget, and our message of $2.80 per person.

2007 RURAL WORKSHOPS

E-Marketing for the Arts, Wednesday, April 25, 3 - 6 pm with Chris Andreola and Kevin Newman. Hosted by Cultural Council of Cortland County, the workshop will cover the basics of using email and your website to build interest and support for your organization and programs. It will also focus on marketing a community arts festival. The workshop will take place in the conference room at the CCCC facilities at 37 Court Street in Cortland. Cost is $10 per person. For information or registration, contact David Beale at 607-753-1188 or by email: staff@cortlandevents.com.

Effective Boards and Committees, Tuesday, May 8, 5:30 - 8:30 pm. with Anne Ackerson and hosted by Arts Council of Wyoming County. The session will focus on basic roles and responsibilities, board involvement in budgeting and program planning, and best practices for effective board committee work. Dinner is included in the $10 per person cost. Location to be announced. For information, contact Patti Hughes at 585-237-3517 or at: hughes@artswyco.org.

Basic Board Roles & Responsibilities, Tuesday, July 10th from 11 am - 3 pm with Anne Ackerson at Blue Seed Studio, 14 Cedar Street in Saranac Lake. The workshop will also focus on the board's role in fundraising. Hosted by Arts Council for the Northern Adirondacks, the $10 per person fee includes lunch; contact Caroline Rubino at 518-962-8778 or at artsco@westelcom.com.

If you would like to host a 2007 Rural Workshop, there's still time to plan one based on interests of your board, staff, and constituents. Let Martha know.

FRACTURED ATLAS is one of the many exhibiting organizations that were represented at Arts Day. It is a non-profit "that serves a national community of artists and arts organizations..." (from their mission statement) based in New York City. They are interested in reaching out to artists based throughout New York State, and artist member organizations. Their members enjoy access to low-cost options for healthcare; fiscal sponsorships that provide "limited financial and legal oversight for a project initiated independently by an artist"; marketing and promotional services, educational and professional development services; grants to artists through an Emerging Artists Fund and event liability insurance. Check out their offerings at: www.fracturedatlas.org or call 212-277-8020.

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POSTAL RATES FOR CHARITY MAILINGS EXPECTED TO RISE ON MAY 14
(from the Chronicle of Philanthropy)

Charities will soon pay an average of 6.7 percent more on postage for fund-raising letters and other types of so-called nonprofit standard mail. Most of those new rates are expected to take effect on May 14.

Nonprofit periodical rates will also increase, by 11. 7 percent more, on average, but those rates do not take effect until July 15. The governors of the U.S. Postal Service said organizations need more time to adjust to the new rates because it approved 55 different prices based on how charities sort their periodical mailings and other factors.

While the Postal Service governors approved the increases, which had been proposed by the Postal Regulatory Commission, they expressed concern about the impact the rise in postage costs would have on small charities, which often can't take advantage of the discounts the Postal Service offers to organizations that send a lot of mail or take steps to make it easier for the postal service to deliver their mail.

To that end, the governors asked the commission to reconsider some rate increases that would be especially difficult for small charities that send catalogs and groups that send fund-raising letters that contain small gifts. The increases, which lobbyists for nonprofit mailers said would have doubled the cost of mailings for many charities, could cause "rate shock," the Governors said.

The Direct Marketing Association's Nonprofit Federation has asked the Postal Service to delay the new rates by one year. A complete list of U.S. Postal Service rates and fees, including the proposed increases, is available online.

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The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations has a long 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