From Lorain Smalligan, Executive Director at the Lowell Area Arts Council:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Lowell Area Arts Council, 149 S. Hudson, PO Box 53 Lowell, MI 49331
Phone: (616) 897-8545; Email: info@lowellartscouncil.org

CALL FOR ARTISTS – JURIED COMPETITION

24th West Michigan Regional Competition

February 18 – April 10, 2010

Public Reception: Sunday, March 14 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Juror’s Statement and Awards presented at 3:00 p.m.

The 24th Annual West Michigan Regional (art) Competition at the Lowell Area Arts Council runs from February 18 – April 10, 2010 with an opening reception on Sunday, March 14 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Gallery hours for the Lowell Area Arts Council are Tuesday - Friday from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm and Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The Lowell Area Arts Council is located at 149 S. Hudson, Lowell, Michigan, 49331.

This year’s West Michigan Regional Competition juror is Armin Mersmann. Mersmann is mainly known for his intense naturalistic graphite drawings however he also works in oils, which often have an element of wood construction. Mersmann lives in Midland, Michigan. “My interests have become exceedingly experimental with more attention placed on the surfaces of the work itself. Discovering and rediscovering my chosen medium is the everlasting stimulus that keeps me interested and excited. Accidental process and meticulous planning co-mingle in all my work. Texture, either real or illusionary, and that one ever-elusive brush stroke, the one that says it all; this keeps me searching and exploring.” Mersmann’s works have been shown in more than 150 exhibitions regionally, nationally and internationally. Learn more by visiting www.arminmersmann.com

Entry forms for the 24th West Michigan Regional Competition are available. Participation is open to Lower West Michigan artists 18 yrs. and older. Eligible counties include Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, Montcalm, Ionia, Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Berrien, Cass, and Saint Joseph. Drop-off dates are February 12 & 13 and each artist may submit up to two entries. There is a non-refundable total entry fee of $30 for Lowell Area Arts Council members and students, and $35 for non-members. Five prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Best of Show - $500; 1st Place - $400; 2nd Place - $300; 3rd Place - $200; and 4th Place - $100. In addition the juror will select artworks for special recognition awards.

For more information on this exhibition and to receive a CALL FOR ENTRY FORM contact the Lowell Area Arts Council: (616) 897-8545 / e-mail: info@lowellartscouncil.org or download an application at www.lowellartscouncil.org

Lorain Smalligan
Executive Director
Lowell Area Arts Council
149 S. Hudson
PO Box 53
Lowell, Michigan 49331
(616) 897-8545
lorain@lowellartscouncil.org
www.lowellartscouncil.org

VSA Arts Institute - workshop for educators/artists! Apps due 2/12

From Jessica Guzman, Deputy Director at VSA Arts of Michigan:

The VSA arts Institute (2/25-2/27) is a series of workshops focusing on the design and delivery of inclusive and accessible arts learning experiences. Through discussion and hands-on arts activities, participants in this three day intensive gain an understanding of the foundations of arts learning and inclusive education, and how to use these practices in their work.

*Feb. 25 Session 1 - Arts & Inclusive Learning
*Feb. 26 Session 2 - Keep What Works & Learning from the Rest (Evaluation and Assessment)
*Feb. 27 Session 3A - Winning Partnerships for Successful Programs in Schools & Communities
*Feb. 27 Session 3B - Curriculum Development and Integration.

For more information, please visit: http://www.vsami.org/programs.htm#ArtsInstitute or http://www.vsami.org/documents/InstituteFlyerandRegistration.pdf

Registration is open (2/12 deadline) and accepted by mail, email (jessica@vsami.org), fax 313.832.3387, or online at http://www.vsami.org/artsInstituteonlineregistration.htm

Jessica Guzmán
Deputy Director
VSA arts of Michigan
PO Box 0280
5100 West Alexandrine
Detroit, Michigan 48202
313-832-3303 - phone
313-832-3387 - fax
www.vsami.org
http://vsaartsmichigan.wordpress.com
http://vsamiartists.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/vsaartsmi
http://twitter.com/vsami

"Promoting creative power in people with disabilities, and working to create a society where people with disabilities participate in, learn through, excel in and enjoy the arts"

VSA arts of Michigan is a member of the international network of VSA arts, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts inWashington, DC.

FEB 7TH: 13th Annual Sphinx Competition -- Tix support young minority music program!

Join the Sphinx Organization for a celebration of diversity and classical music at Orchestra Hall on Sunday, February 7th at 2pm.

The 13th annual Sphinx Competition will bring the nation’s finest young Black and Latino string players to Detroit to compete for more than $100,000 in prizes and scholarships.

Don’t miss this exciting event! Tickets can be reserved by emailing Nicholas@sphinxmusic.org or by calling 313-576-5111.

http://www.sphinxmusic.org/programs/competition.html

JOB OPENING: Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo seeks Executive Director

From the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo:

The posting for Executive Director can be found on our website at www.kalamazooarts.com.

Applications need to be submitted via email to our interim ED, Judy Jolliffe at jjolliffe@kalamazooarts.com.

Beth McCann
Director of Marketing and Community Relations
Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo
Epic Center
359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 203
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
P: 269.342.5059 x20
F: 269-342.342.6531

DUE 2/15! Call for Sculptors from City of Lansing

From Leslie Donaldson, Executive Director at the Art Council of Greater Lansing:

This is a Request for Proposal to artists who may wish to propose design of an outdoor sculpture to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the City of Lansing, Michigan.

The proposals will be reviewed by the Lansing 150 Sculpture Committee which will make its selection based on the experience of the artist in creating sculptures of the scale and materials specified below, the critical acclaim of the artist, desirability of design, likely public response, appropriateness as a signature sculpture conveying the importance and significance of the 150th anniversary of the City of Lansing, cost, materials used and information about fabrication quality, method of attachment to the base, likely maintenance required, safety and engineering considerations, timetable required between time of approval and installation, among other factors.

The sculpture is to be a free-form design, fabricated of polished stainless steel and a height of 18 to 20 feet. Additionally an appropriate plinth (or base) should also be proposed on which the sculpture could be placed for the purpose of providing greater total height and to lessen the exposure to potential direct contact and vandalism. The exact height of the finished sculpture and base will be a function of funds raised for the project. It is possible that the sculpture height could be greater if sufficient funds are raised.

The proposal should include the total cost to the Sculpture Committee of the sculpture including artist's fee, all materials and fabrication. The estimated cost of the plinth based on specified materials and design and height options should also be provided. Estimated cost for delivery and installation should be provided. The proposal should include site requirements relative to load-bearing footings or other such concrete work and lighting recommendations.

Artists should provide biographical information including a listing with photos and locations of completed large scale polished stainless steel sculptures.

The sculpture is intended to be erected in a park-like area on the riverfront in downtown Lansing, Michigan, the exact location is to be determined. The photo shown here http://www.flickr.com/photos/36299945@N00/2141223513/ provides a view of the general area where the sculpture will likely be installed. To the east is the Grand River and across from the River is a convention center. To the south is the Michigan Avenue bridge and a tall clock tower. Across from the Wentworth Park to the west is a Radisson Hotel. To the north is the Ottawa Street Power Station which is being converted into the headquarters of the Accident Fund Insurance Company of America. The State Capitol building is two blocks further west.

To be considered for the project, a proposal should be provided which visually presents the suggested design(s) in whichever medium the artist believes would allow the Committee to best evaluate, assess, and judge its merits relative to proposals that will be received from other artists. The proposal could be presented as a drawing, maquette, digital or photo mock-up, or similar format that fully conveys the design intent of the sculpture.

Proposals should be received by Monday, February 15, 2010 and the Committee will review the proposals and provide a response by March 15, 2010, although the dates are subject to change.

Once an artist and proposal are selected, the Committee will present its recommendation to the City of Lansing for acceptance. The project is intended to be funded entirely by private contributions and presented as a gift to the City.

The proposal can be mailed or emailed to:

Michael G Harrison
Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C.
313 South Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48933-2193
Phone: (517) 371-8162
mharrison@fosterswift.com


Sharla Clements
Legal Secretary
Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC
313 South Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48933-2193
Phone: 517.371.8188
Fax: 517.367.7188
sclements@fosterswift.com
www.fosterswift.com

Feb.5th GR conversation re: local impact of art, labor, economics

from Fulton Street Artisans (via Facebook):

Hello!

The DAAC is hosting a pretty interesting conversation about the local impact of art, labor and economics on

February 5th from 3-5pm
The Division Avenue Arts Collective
115 S. Division, Grand Rapids, MI

We are inviting artists, city planners, strategists to participate in conversation.

Chicago artist Marc Fischer is leading the discussion and focusing on the issues addressed in the ART WORK project, a national dialogue concerning art and economies. This open, free, community driven conversation.

To give you a little background...the ARTWORK project includes:

A dialogue online at the Artwork website http://www.artandwork.us/ . A publication which will be avaiable at the DAAC event and on display at the UICA

A series of public conversations to discuss the global and local implications of the shift in the economy; focusing on the impact of arts, culture and communities.

Interested individuals are invited to check out the ART WORK project website prior to the discussion at http://www.artandwork.us/ and then join us from 3-5PM to meet Artist Marc Fischer, and participate in this timely and loaded conversation about arts, culture and economies.

For more information about Marc Fischer visit: http://www.g-rad.org/cal/2010/02/artwork-a-natio.php .

If you have questions let me know or drop me an email at wordonthestreetgr@gmail.com or catch me on facebook!

If you know of someone else who might be interested please pass the invite along! Hope to see you there...

jenn schaub

This event is supported by Grand Valley State University.

MCACA UPDATE: FY 2010 Funding Priorities

ArtServe Michigan: MCACA Update

MCACA Funding Priorities

This afternoon the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs met to unveil its new funding priorities for Fiscal Year 2010. As you know, with this year's funding 70% below last year's level, the council was charged with reshaping its grant programs to reflect its $2.265 million in funding.

Having considered the challenges faced with limited funding and a desire to spread grants to as many organizations as possible, the Council unveiled a plan that it believes will maximize both impact and breadth.

In a room of more that one hundred people, the Council announced that the new funding priorities for FY 2010 will include the Mini-Grant Program as well as the newly developed Program for Organizational and Project Support.

Mini-Grant Program - $500,000 - One round of the mini-grant program will be held to award up to $4,000 to organizations applying through one of the 19 regional regranter's as designated by the MCACA. The deadline to apply is February 24, 2010.

The Program for Operational and Project Support - will offer an opportunity for non-profit or other tax exempt organizations to apply for a competitive grant in either of the two identified categories--Operational Support or Project Support. Each category has specific eligibility requirements and review criteria. Organizational Support grants will be offered to organization as a four tiered program, depending on each organization's operating budget. Grant awards for this program will range from a high of $20,000 to a minimum of $5,000. Project Support grants will be awarded at levels between $7,500 and $5,000. The deadline to apply is February 24, 2010.

* Noting the reduced level of funding, the Council reported that it will not be assessing an application fee for this round of grants.

* It is important to note that organizations will only be eligible to receive one grant from the MCACA or Mini-Grant Program. An organization may choose to apply for more than one grant, but may only receive one.

Program information, guidelines and the application process for each of the above funding priorities can be obtained by visiting http://www.themedc.org/Arts/Grant-Program/Default.aspx

Given the delayed completion of this year's budget, timing for the entire grant process must be accelerated to just over two months. An announcement of the grants awarded will take place by March 31st. It is, however, worth repeating that this grant cycle is for dollars to be spent between April 1st and September 30th.

Reminder - School Bus Fast Grants Available

Last week the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs announced the availability of School Bus Fast Grants - grants of up to $500 per K-12 school building for the documented transportation cost of a field trip to designated MCACA-affiliated arts and culture organizations. The deadline to apply is February 8, 2010. Application, guidelines and the list of organizations are on MCACA's website: www.themedc.org/arts, click on "Grant Program." For more information, contact Carolyn Damstra, Program Manager: (517) 241-3968, damstrac@michigan.org . The list of designated MCACA-affiliated arts and culture organizations is attached for your convenience.

FY 2009 Final Payments

John Bracey spoke briefly about the final grant payments for around 130-140 grantees from Fiscal Year 2009. Due to some delays in transferring the remaining money from the now-defunct Department of History, Arts and Libraries to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation final grant payments should go out within the next couple of weeks.

As always, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to reply to respond to this blog post or contact Mike Latvis directly at mike@artservemichigan.org or 248-379-5897.

MCACA GRANT MEETING on 1/19 1:30pm

A message from John Bracey, Executive Director for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA):

I would like to invite all of you to a Council meeting that will be held on January 19th, at 1:30 p.m. in the Forum Auditorium of the State of Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 West Kalamazoo in Lansing.

The agenda for that meeting will include the introduction of our FY 2010 grant program opportunities.

As you know MCACA will have about $2 million to grant and we have been working hard to put together a grant program that will address some of your organizational needs… albeit in a small way.

It has been some time since you have had the chance to have a conversation with Council members or MCACA staff, so I am hoping to fill the room, as they say.

Please make every effort to attend and as always, if you have questions do not hesitate to give me a call.

Also, please accept my apologies if you receive this message more than once… it just means you are in our data base more than once.

John Bracey, Executive Director
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
300 N. Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48913
BraceyJ@Michigan.org
517.241.3972
www.themedc.org/Arts
Please note the new e-mail address