2009 TCG National Conference - How to attend for less
Attending the 2009 TCG National Conference and Pre-Conference is not as expensive as you might think. We’ve found some great ways to save on travel, lodging and registration costs and some good ideas below. But nothing will save you as much as simply booking early. From registration discounts to airfares, booking now can save you hundreds of dollars off your total conference costs.
Ways to save on travel:
- www.gotobus.com – the expedia.com for buses. You can find discount bus fares from anywhere on the east coast to Baltimore. Fares vary but average about $20 each way. We’ve tried some lines, many include free wi-fi access and are a remarkably comfortable way to travel.
- For those that would rather travel by train, Amtrak has just announced new lower fares on the high-speed Acela train, up to 25% off when you purchase at least 14 days in advance.
- Not on the east coast and forced to fly? Check out www.sidestep.com which searches all of the airlines and discount travel sites for the absolute lowest airfare. Many flights to Baltimore from across the country can be had for around $200 round trip. If you’re interested you should book now, these prices won’t be around in another month.
Ways to save on hotels:
- A great way to save a few hundred dollars while you’re in Baltimore is to stay in the dorms at MICA. We know, many of you have the same horrified looks on your faces as we did when we recalled our old dorm days, but these are not the dorms you used in college. MICA’s new Gateway dorm is a state of the art facility with great views and a low cost of $50 per night. Check out pictures at the MICA website.
- Not interested in dorms, no matter how good they look? Take advantage of our roommate matching service and split the cost of your hotel room with a colleague.
Ways to save on Registration:
- TCG is offering discounts of up to $100 to registrants who are attending the conference for the very first time.
- We also have discounts for attendees who register for both the Pre-conference and the conference together.
- Buy 2 and get 1 under 35 for free! For every two people you send to the conference, you can send an additional staff member under the age of 35 absolutely free.
Grants in your area:
- Many local and state arts agencies offer assistance to their current grantees seeking additional professional development, specifically at conferences. Ask your program officers about potential sources of assistance. Or, speak with current funders about the same thing—we’ve heard from several communities where funders are making additional contributions to help grant recipients attend the TCG conference. For example, the Maryland State Arts Council is offering a technical assistance matching grant to all of their current grantees to cover registration and travel funds to/from the conference. Basically what this means is that any organization currently funded by MSAC could pay for one registration and get two free (one from the MSAC, and one from TCG for a young leader under 35). Feel free to share this story with your own funders, and see if they’d be willing to offer a similar deal. Americans for the Arts has a great search engine of local arts agencies that can help you pinpoint opportunities in your area.
- Below are some state arts agencies that have special grant categories designed to support career development or travel. We try to keep this list as up to date as possible, but we recommend that you carefully consult the agency's website for program status, application guidelines, deadlines, and application procedures. State arts agency staff can provide you with guidance and refer you to additional sources of information or support.
Alabama State Council on the Arts
Randy Shoults, Community Arts Progam Manager
Ph: (334) 242-4076 x 224
Em: randy.shoults@arts.alabama.gov
Deadline: June 1, 2008
About: Technical Assistance grants are available for costs of attending a conference. Requests must not relate to any program or project area already funded or applied for in another category, and must not be eligible or appropriate for funding under another category. Technical assistance grants often serve to allow organizations to meet a unique opportunity. Amounts of $1,000 or less may be approved by the Council’s executive director. For funding availability at any time throughout the year, please contact the appropriate program manager. Click for Grant GuidelinesArizona Commission on the Arts
Jaya Rao, Accessibility & State and Local Partnerships Coordinator
Ph: (602) 771-6532
Em: jrao@azarts.gov
About: Assists Arizona artists and representatives of small and mid-sized Arizona arts organizations attend out-of-state conferences, workshops, seminars and retreats that will contribute to their professional growth. Subject to approval, Professional Development Grants to artists or arts organizations are awarded up to $500.Alaska State Council on the Arts
Andrea Noble, Grant Administrator
Ph: (907) 269-6605
Em: andrea.noble@alaska.gov
About: Career Opportunity Grants are designed to provide financial assistance to professional artists and professionals engaged in arts administration for travel to in-state, national, or international events, programs or seminars; and for other activities that will contribute to the strength of the applicant's professional standing or skill.
Deadline: June 1 / September 1California Arts Council
Josie Talamantez, Chief of Programs
Ph: (916) 322-6934
Em: jtalamantez@caartscouncil.com
About: Technical assistance funds are used to support development opportunities and activities that bring the Arts to the broadest constituency.Colorado Arts Council
Jeanette Albert, Program Administrator
Ph: (303) 892-3838
Em: jeanette.albert@state.co.us
About: Small Steps Award: Programs / GuidelinesDelaware Division of the Arts
Terry Plummer, Program Director, Community Arts Development/ Technical Assistance
Ph: 302.739.4748x183
Em: terry.plummer@state.de.us
About: Applicants may apply for up to 80% of the conference cost with the amount not to exceed $750.Florida Division of Cultural Affairs
Morgan Lewis, Arts Administrator
Ph: (850) 245-6356
Em: mblewis@dos.state.fl.us
About: Artist Enhancement Grants are awarded in the amounts of either $500, $750, or $1,000 and are used to support specific, career-building opportunities that will advance an artists work and careers.Georgia Council for the Arts
Jhai James, Public Relations & Information Officer
Ph: (404) 685-2784
Em: jjames@gaarts.org
About: Georgia Council for the Arts is a state agency dedicated to funding and supporting the arts in Georgia. They provide grants and services for non-profit arts and cultural organizations throughout the state in an effort to make quality arts programming available to all Georgians. The council offers grants and services in the following focus areas: General Operating Support, Project Support, Touring Arts, Arts Education.Idaho Commission on the Arts
Toni Oravez, Program Support Specialist
Ph: (208) 334.2119 x102
Em: toravez@arts.idaho.gov
About: QuickFund$ Professional Development Grants are available for artists and arts administrators to receive reimbursement for attending a conference, seminar, workshop, or other form of career advancement. Traditional artists may request funds to attend gatherings where they will teach or learn from peers.Arts Council of Indianapolis (ACI), IN
Dave Lawrence
Ph: (317) 631-3301 X 222
Em: dlawrence@indyarts.org
About: Creative Renewal grants for arts administrators working in the Indianapolis region.Kansas Arts Commission
Sarah VanLanduyt, Program Manager
Ph: (785) 368-6542
Em: sarah@arts.ks.gov
The Kansas Arts Commission supports arts organization staff who wish to attend conferences. Applicants are eligible to receive up to $2,000.
Deadline: First-come; first-servedKentucky Arts Council
Tamara Coffey, Individual Artist Program Director
Ph: (502) 564-3757 x479
Em: Tamara.Coffey@ky.gov
About: Professional Development Grants provide funding support of up to $500 with 1:1 matching funds for activities that will help artists further their artwork and careers.Maryland State Arts Council
Pamela Dunne, Assistant Director for Grants and Programs
Ph: (410) 767-6484
Em: pdunne@msac.org
About: Technical Assistance for GFO (Grants for Organizations) available for professional consultant/consulting firms providing technical assistance services in organizational development areas such as fundraising, marketing, public relations, strategic planning or technology issues, as well as professional development fees, i.e., conference or workshop registration fees for board and/or staff members.Mississippi Arts Commission
Judi Puliam, Director of Grants and Special Initiatives
Ph: (601) 359-6034
Em: jpulliam@arts.state.ms.us
About: Conference Mini-grants for Organizations support registration and travel expenses for conferences and workshops that benefit an arts organization by training staff and board members. For grants to send a staff or board member to a conference or other training opportunity, your organization must submit a registration brochure with the application, along with any supplementary material that would describe topics and speakers and an explanation of how the organization will benefit from attendance by the individual(s).Missouri Arts Council
Donald Rice, Program Specialist
Ph: (314) 340.6845
Em: donald.rice@ded.mo.gov
About: Capacity Building Monthly Strategic Grants (formerly Technical Assistance) help nonprofit organizations develop defined administrative, artistic, and technical skills. Organizations may apply to attend conferences or seminars; to produce a conference or workshops; for consultant or contractor; or other capacity building projects, for example, services, equipment, computers, and publications. Maximum request depends upon the type of project. Multiple applications may be submitted.Montana Arts Council
Beck McLaughlin, Education & Web Services Director
Ph: (406) 444-6522
Em: bemclaughlin@mt.gov
About: Professional Development Grants are given throughout the year to enable the council to respond to artists', organizations' or teachers' professional development needs.Nevada Arts Council
Maryjane Dorofachuk, Arts in Education Coordinator
Ph: (702) 486.3738
Em: mdorofac@clan.lib.nv.us
About: Better Education through the Arts (BETA) Grants provide funding up to $750 for Professional Development for Individuals: encourages individuals whose work involves the planning, implementation, and/or evaluation of arts education programs including teachers, teaching artists, artists in residence, librarians, staffs of social service organizations and parks and recreation departments, arts or education administrators, etc. to broaden their skills and knowledge of the arts, arts integration or current educational strategies in arts education through participation in career enhancement activities.New Hampshire State Council on the Arts
Judy Rigmont, Coordinator of artists' services program, and mini-grants
Ph: (603) 271-2789
Em: Judy.L.Rigmont@dcr.nh.gov
About: Offers grants for artist to develop their work and careers as well as to arts administrators' and arts educators' for professional development.
North Carolina Arts Council
Linda Bamford, Arts in Education Director
Ph: (919) 807-6502
Em: linda.bamford@ncmail.net
About: Technical Assistance grants provide funds on a limited basis for staff members to attend workshops, conferences, or short-term training programs.
Deadline: April 1, 2009North Dakota Council on the Arts
Amy Schmidt, Public Information Officer
Ph: (701) 328-7590
Em: amschmid@nd.gov
About: Professional Development grants of up to $500 available for staff members, board members, or volunteers attending a seminar, conference, or workshop which develops the attendee's professional abilities that relate to their duties with the organization.Ohio Arts Council
Katherine L. Eckstrand, Community Development Director
Ph: (614) 466.2613
Em: katherine.eckstrand@oac.state.oh.us
About: Capacity Building for Organizations supports established and emerging institutions to develop effective leadership, sound management practices, diverse financial resources and successful partnerships. Applicants are asked to identify appropriate, realistic strategies for developing individual and organizational skills as well as demonstrate readiness to undertake capacity building activities. A flexible application and staff review process ensures that Capacity Building projects enhance the overall artistic, educational and cultural value of organizations to their communities and help maintain a strong infrastructure for the arts throughout Ohio. Click here for program guidelines.Oregon Arts Commission
Brian Wagner, Community Development Coordinator
Ph: (503) 986-0083
Em: brian.wagner@state.or.us
About: Career Opportunity Grants for ArtistsTennessee Arts Commission
Rod Reiner, Deputy Director
Ph: (615) 741-2093
Em: Rod.Reiner@state.tn.us
About: Special Opportunities grant funds for conference registration fees only.
Deadline: at least 30 days prior to the event.Texas Commission on the Arts
Ph: (512) 463-5535
Em: front.desk@arts.state.tx.us
About: Priority given to first time TCA applicants, rural and underserved areas, and unforeseen opportunities. Maximum of $2000 per fiscal year for each organization in the Cultural Connections program.Vermont Arts Council
Sonia Rae, Community Program Manager
Ph: (802) 828.5425
Em: srae@vermontartscouncil.org
About: Artist Development Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted ONLINE at least 60 days before an event or activity is to occur. Applicants are usually notified within 45 days of the submission date.Virginia Commission for the Arts
Cathy Welborn, Program Coordinator
Ph: (804) 225.3132
Em: Cathy.welborn@arts.virginia.gov
About: Technical Assistance Grants of up to $1,000 are available.Washington State Arts Commission
Lisa Jaret, Program Manager Arts in Education
Ph: (360) 753-3860
Em: lisaj@arts.wa.gov
About: The Professional Development Assistance Program provides small matching grants that allow artists and arts organizations to develop their professionalism through attendance at workshops, conferences or other learning opportunities. Up to one half of the costs of attendance, or a maximum of $500, can be awarded.West Virginia Commission on the Arts
Debbie Rainey Haught, Community Arts Coordinator
Ph: 304-558-0240
Em: debbie.haught@wvculture.org
About: Training and Travel Fund grants offer assistance of up to 50% of applicable conference expenses.
Deadline: No later than six weeks prior to the event. Funds are limited. Early application is encouraged.