New Arts Admin Master's offered at UM-Flint!

From Jon Davidson, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions at the University of Michigan - Flint:

The University of Michigan-Flint is offering a new Master of Arts in Arts Administration program -designed for those considering a leadership role in arts organizations. Courses include a wide range of areas such as artistic traditions, aesthetic styles, grant-writing, personnel policies, fiscal management, and marketing. The 36 credit hour program is part-time with courses offered in the evening at the Flint campus. For more information, visit http://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/artsadmin.htm or email gp@umflint.edu.

For more info on UM-Flint's graduate programs visit www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms

BREAKING NEWS: Administration Recommends $2.36 Million for Arts Grants

BREAKING NEWS FROM ARTSERVE MICHIGAN:

Administration Recommends $2.36 Million for Arts Grants

This morning Governor Granholm presented her Fiscal Year 2011 Executive Budget Recommendations to a joint meeting of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Among many other things, the budget includes $566 million in cuts and reforms while tapping into $722 million in federal recovery assistance funds.

Governor Granholm has recommended leaving the Fiscal Year 2011 grant budget of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs relatively level at $2,367,400. This includes $850,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as a projected $100,000 to be secured through personal income tax donations from the Michigan Council for Arts Fund. The funding supports three full-time employees, and while we are still combing through the budget bill, we believe that there may be a mix of operational and capital funding recommended by the Governor.

Given what occurred last year, and what may have been expected, we believe that this is positive start to the 2011 budget process. ArtServe is pleased to see that the administration has recognized the importance of arts and culture to Michigan's communities and the revitalization of the state. However, we know that the state can and must do more to support organizations that contribute so much to the people of Michigan and our state's economy.

The state can and must do more to support a sector that generates over $65 million each year in tourism spending. It can and must do more to support a sector that contributes 21,059 arts-related businesses and puts over 75,000 people to work. The state can and must do more to support a sector that contributes over $1.5 billion each year to the state in personal income. The state can and must do more to support a sector that provides arts education programming in school districts where budget cuts have eliminated funding for arts classes, band and orchestra programs, theater, dance and more. We intend to continue emphasizing this message to the members of the Legislature and to each and every prospective candidate in the November statewide election.

As it is every year, we have a long way to go until this budget is finalized. The legislative review and approval process for the FY 2011 General Government budget, which includes the MCACA, will begin in the House and end in the Senate. ArtServe will need your continued commitment to contact and inform your elected officials if we are to succeed in securing appropriate funding for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and its programs for Fiscal Year 2011. Trust that we will stay in touch to keep you up to speed and let you know what you can do to "ignite" our leaders to action in rebuilding the state's investment for the arts.

As always, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact ArtServe Michigan's Director of Public Policy, Mike Latvis at mike@artservemichigan.org or 248-379-5897.

Are you on Twitter? Do you want to get your breaking news as it develops? Follow Mike and ArtServe on Twitter @mlatvis or @ArtServeMI

"Give to Six!": Donate to the MI Council for Arts Fund this year on your tax form!

It’s tax time again and this year Michigan taxpayers can contribute $5, $10, or more to any of the new funds on you can find on Form 4642, Voluntary Contributions Schedule. For the first time in Michigan this includes the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Called the Michigan Council for the Arts Fund, contributions are for local grant programs that help to keep our communities thriving with quality arts and culture. Individuals may contribute $5 or more to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs in support of local arts and cultural events. These contributions are returned to local communities and nonprofit organizations in the form of grants. Programs and services funded by these monies include arts education and low-cost performances and exhibits.

Help to support grants coming directly to your community’s arts and cultural organizations by contributing to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs through this tax check off opportunity.

For more information go to the Department of Treasury’s website at:https://treas-secure.state.mi.us/apps/TaxFormSearch/formsearch.asp and search for form 4642.

DUE 2/19: MEDC grant op, nonprofit cultural institutions may be eligible

From Carolyn Damstra, Program Manager for the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA):

I want to let you know about an interesting Urban Revitalization grant opportunity through the MEDC Community Assistance Team (CAT): http://www.themedc.org/Products-Services/Community-Assistance/Default.aspx
Citys have to be the applicant like our previous capital program, but some nonprofit cultural institution capital projects are eligible. The CAT team can also connect you with other opportunities through MSHDA, SHPO and other state agencies.
Carolyn


Please note my new email, mailing address and URL:
Carolyn Damstra
Program Manager, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
300 N. Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48913
(517) 241-3968
FAX (517) 241-3979
damstrac@michigan.org
www.themedc.org/Arts

BREAKING NEWS: Lifetime MI Arts Activist, E. Ray Scott Passes Away

From Jennifer H. Goulet, President of ArtServe Michigan:

I just learned that E. Ray Scott passed away this morning. As many of you know, he was the Executive Director of the Michigan Council for the Arts, from its inception in 1966 to 1985. He was a tireless and determined advocate for the arts – a voice that will truly be missed. This is a very sad day for the arts and cultural community in Michigan indeed.

I understand that there will be plans for a memorial service several weeks from now and we’ll share more information as details unfold.

Jennifer H. Goulet, President
ArtServe Michigan
1 Clover Court, Wixom MI 48393
248-912-0760
248-912-0768 (fax)
734-834-4288 (cell)
www.artservemichigan.org


Bio from 2007 Guvvy’s where E.Ray Scott was honored as Michigan’s “Arts Advocate of the Year”:

E. Ray Scott is the embodiment of an arts advocate and has demonstrated so over the course of a lifetime. Among his many accomplishments is the founding of Artrain USA. As noted by his long-time friend Robert O’Leary III, “If there is one defining moment in which Ray takes the most pride, it is the establishment of Artrain.” Launched in 1971 as a rail car equipped as a travelling art gallery with the mission of bringing art to low-income youth throughout Michigan, Artrain USA now brings art to over 300,000 visitors in 120 communities around the country during each of its three-year touring exhibitions.

Scott is perhaps best known and loved, however, for having served for 25 years as the first executive director of the Michigan Council for the Arts, allocating funds for artists in schools, community art councils and other forms of arts outreach. During his tenure as executive director, he was known for his passionate, intelligent and persuasive lobbying for stat support of artists, cultural institutions and arts in education programs.

Scott also served as the director of the Michigan Commission on Art in Public Places and over the years has played leadership roles on numerous other commissions and boards of arts and cultural organizations throughout the state.

In 2004 after state funding for individual artists was eliminated, Scott used his own resources to work with ArtServe Michigan to establish the Michigan Artist Prize which awarded $3,000 prizes to three Michigan artists each year. The primary purpose of the prize was to provide artists with a level of economic freedom that would allow them to concentrate their energies on their work.

Call for Artists DUE 2/21: from the Arts Council of White Lake

from Barb Aardema, Marketing Director at the White River Gallery:

Contact:
For the Adult portion of the exhibit:
Barb Aardema
231-894-9378 (after 5)
barb.aardema@gmail.com
For the youth portion:
Janelle Mair
231-894-2787
janelle@artscouncilofwhitelake.org

ART EXHIBIT INVITES ENTRANTS

January 25, 2010, Montague, Mich. The Arts Council of White Lake’s White River Gallery and Nuveen Community Center for the Arts invite artists to submit entries for the seventh annual Change of Seasons Juried Exhibition. Entries will be received for consideration February 19, 20, and 21 at the Council’s two locations in downtown Montague. Accepted works will be displayed from March 2 to April 3, 2010. A public reception will be held March 6 from 1-3 P.M. with awards presentation and juror’s statement at 1:30 P.M.

The White River Gallery hosts the adult portion of Change of Seasons, while students in grades K-12 are invited to participate at in the youth division of the exhibition, held at the Nuveen Community Center for the Arts.

“Change of Seasons is an excellent way for student to experience a juried show of high caliber” said Deb Harris, art teacher at Reeths Puffer High School. “I’ve always been amazed by the quality of work that the students produce – this is a wonderful show!”

The 2010 juror is watercolorist Sandy Meyer. Her watercolor techniques have been featured in numerous art publication, and she has conducted classes and workshops throughout the Midwest since 1980. Sandy was an Elementary Art Educator for schools in the Quincy and Hamilton Illinois School Districts, 1990-2004. She has conducted watercolor and drawing classes for several arts organizations and colleges, and has been a judge for several fine art exhibits and competitions over the past 15 years.

“Our judge is an accomplished watercolorist who has a deep appreciation for any media,” White River Gallery co-director Peter Johnson said. “She has been very active as director of Grand Haven’s Gallery Uptown. Gallery Uptown’s Winter Art Festival and our Change of Seasons are sequential, so we are the two West Michigan galleries that provide the hot chocolate and fireside experience during February and March.”

Adult winners will receive cash awards of $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 each for third place and the Arts Council of White Lake Award. Youth exhibitors will compete for awards of $50 for first place, $25 for second place and $15 for third place in each of four categories determined by grade level from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Also awarded to youths will be Honorable Mentions in each category and a $50 cash award to the Arts Council of White Lake Award winner.

Artists may request an entry form or more information by calling (231) 894-ARTS (2787). All entries will be accepted February 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; February 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and February 21, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at White River Gallery (adults – 231-894-8659) and the Nuveen Center (youth – 231-894-2787), located at the corner of Dowling and Ferry Streets in downtown Montague.

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