TCG Bulletin

December 2007, Volume 30, Issue 12

Also online this month:

FIELD LETTER

In her final Field Letter of the year, Teresa comments on the elimination of NEA site visits (and encourages your feedback), previews an upcoming book on arts participation and shares information and stories from the Children's Theatre Company's latest foray into making theatre for pre-schoolers: "During one performance, when the dog puppet entered, a toddler who had his stuffed dog with him walked onto the stage to introduce his stuffed dog to the puppet dog. When an ambulance arrived to get Bartholomew after his fall, a young voice shouted out, 'I'm a car, I can help!' At another performance, when Bartholomew arrived in his wheelchair from the hospital feeling sad, a young girl walked onto the stage and offered him her teddy bear."

• Click here to view the December 2007 Field Letter.

CENTERPIECE: Focus on Governance
In Whom We Trust IV: Theatre Governing Boards in 2007

Conducted every three years, TCG's Governing Boards Survey explores various facets of not-for-profit boards of directors, including board composition and structure, board policies, board development, board/staff relations and board committees. This report contains the results and analysis of the 2007 Governing Boards Survey, which was completed by 143 TCG member theatres.

• Click here to download the December 2007 Centerpiece (PDF).

TCG NEWS

Salary Survey 2008: Deadline Extended to December 7!

Have you completed your 2008 Salary Survey yet?! The annual survey, which is administered online, launched in mid-October and an email was sent to managing leaders containing a link to the online survey. In response to member feedback, this year's survey introduces several new items—so be sure to thoroughly read the instructions!

Not sure what this survey can do for you? The Salary Survey reports the salary range and average for over 60 job titles that are common among not-for-profit theatres, from artistic director to box office manager. The survey results also track average fees paid to guest artists and average weekly salaries for both union and non-union actors and stage managers. All data is broken down by budget group, so you don't have to compare your theatre's data with that of theatres half or twice your size. After you have received the Salary Survey results, you are free to ask for special reports tailored specifically to your theatre's needs. Remember, surveys are confidential and only managing leaders from participating organizations are entitled to receive the results.

Action: The survey deadline has been extended to Friday, December 7. An email was sent to managing leaders at TCG member theatres last month with a link to the survey, or you can check the Tools & Research section of the website for a link to the online survey. You will need your username and password to access the survey. Email Ilana Rose if you have any questions.

Fiscal Survey 2007

In a few days, TCG will send managing leaders an email with a link to our interactive Fiscal Survey 2007. For easier workflow, we recommend printing the survey worksheet and completing the survey offline before entering the results on our website. Advantages of the online survey include:

While we recognize that the survey can be a burden on your time and energy, please let us urge you to complete it. Theatre Facts, the annual in-depth report drawn from this data, is the only document analyzing the national not-for-profit theatre field and is a vital advocacy and policy tool for trustees, foundation and corporation executives, policymakers and the national press. Also, only participating theatres will have online access to the full survey results. We will not be able to accept surveys after the survey is closed! Remember, in order to apply for any TCG grant program, completion of the Fiscal Survey is required.

Action: The survey deadline is Friday, December 21. Visit the Tools & Research section of the website for a link to the online survey form. You will need your username and password to access the survey. If you do not have your username and password, email customer service.

Dual Leadership 2008 Registration Deadline: December 14

For the second time, TCG, Dance/USA and the Institute for Cultural Policy and Practice at Virginia Tech are pleased to offer Dual Leadership: Partnering from the Inside Out from February 24–26, 2008, in New Orleans, LA. Dual Leadership provides a unique opportunity for artistic and managing leaders from theatre and dance companies to come together and build their understanding of the specific challenges involved in developing sustainable and effective dual leadership structures. This highly engaging seminar focuses on the competencies and practices required to build strong team-based leadership models that support both the artistic vision and the institutional resilience required for long term impact.

Action: The registration deadline is December 14. Visit the Events section of the website for more details or to download the registration form.

2008 TCG National Conference—Save the date!

It's time to mark your calendars for next year's exciting opportunity to spend FIVE exhilarating days among the 5,000 performing arts professionals who will converge in Colorado for Taking Action Together!

TCG is thrilled that the 2008 TCG National Conference will be held in conjunction with the 2008 National Performing Arts Convention in Denver, Colorado, from June 10–14, 2008. The 2008 National Performing Arts Convention will present important voices from the performing arts and beyond in keynote speeches, the best and brightest problem solvers in workshop and breakout sessions and ample opportunities for building relationships between arts disciplines. In addition to convention events, TCG will individually host a variety of theatre-specific activities, including events at the Denver Center Theatre Company and the Curious Theatre Company.

Action: Registration begins on January 7, 2008. Visit the Events section of the website or the National Performing Arts Convention website for more information. A TCG press release on the convention can be found in the About TCG section of the website.

Wanted: Electronic Human Resources Documents for TCG's Topical Files

As a service for member theatres, TCG maintains electronic resource files for inquiries about performance reviews, job descriptions, organizational structure, trustee evaluation, software packages and more. Some of our most useful and most requested files contain employee handbooks, reviews, job descriptions and contracts that are submitted by member theatres to be used as a resource by other member theatres.

All member theatres are encouraged to send us any electronic human resources-related documents they utilize for inclusion in these files. We can remove any language that identifies your theatre, if you wish to contribute anonymously. In particular, we are looking to expand our collection of employment contracts for full-time and management-level staff, but we gladly welcome any and all submissions. Also, if you have worked with a consultant that you particularly would recommend, please forward their information as well.

Action: If you have any documents that you would like to contribute to our files, please email them as an attachment (Microsoft Word preferred) to Jason Schroeder.

Update Your Staff Contacts with TCG

TCG sends email notification of the TCG Bulletin and Field Letter directly to general managers, education directors, business managers, marketing directors, PR directors, literary managers, dramaturgs, development directors and associate artistic directors at TCG member theatres. We do this in order to keep staff informed of the activities and developments of the not-for-profit theatre field, to deepen staff knowledge of TCG and to increase participation in our programs. Many of these senior staff already participate in TCG programs and have sent TCG their email addresses. However, we are far from a complete list. We strongly encourage you to send us email contacts for all senior staff at your theatre, and to inform us of any staff changes when they occur.

Action: To receive notification of the TCG Bulletin and Field Letter by email or to inform TCG of staff changes at your theatre, contact Kelly Haydon.

TCG Requests Production Posters

TCG is requesting posters from your theatre's current season. We prominently display members' posters in our office, which not only creates a lively and attractive work environment but also helps us showcase the full diversity of our membership to the artists, funders, government leaders, theatre administrators and board members who visit TCG. We also remind you to send posters to your federal, state and local legislators. They often like to display their constituents' posters in their offices.

Action: Mail posters to Demosthenes Chrysan, TCG, 520 Eighth Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10018-4156, as well as your legislators.

TCG Trustee Leadership Network

All trustees of TCG member theatres are eligible to join the TCG Trustee Leadership Network. For $75 annually, the network affords trustees the following benefits: American Theatre magazine; annual TCG Theatre Directory; and notification of management publications including the TCG Bulletin, Field Letter and Centerpiece. Please encourage your board members to join.

Action: Visit the Membership section of the website to download a registration form or for more information.

TCG and League of American Theatres and Producers Collaborate on Quarterly Information Alerts to Commercial Producers

As part of ACT II's ongoing dialogue between not-for-profit theatres and commercial producers, TCG and the League of American Theatres and Producers have instituted quarterly alerts to commercial producers about upcoming workshops, staged readings and new productions of plays and musicals of particular interest.

If your theatre is developing a new work or production that you feel has commercial potential, it will be suitable for the alert. You will need to provide the following information: name of new work; author(s); theatre; a one-line description; dates and location of workshop, reading or production; and contact name, phone and email at the theatre. Entries will be distributed quarterly to League members.

Action: Submissions for the March 1 issue are due by February 15, 2008. To participate, email your details to Ben Pesner, League of American Theatres and Producers.

TCG Seeks Interns

TCG's Internship Program is looking for highly motivated individuals with good organizational, communication and computer skills. Learn about contemporary American theatre through contact with the artists and professionals who work in our over 450 member theatres, as well as constant interaction with the TCG staff and its unique resources. Internships are offered year-round in the following areas: Artistic Programs, Fundraising, Communications, Management Programs, Advocacy/Education Programs, American Theatre magazine/Publications, National Conference, Graphic Design, Business Administration and Website. Fall and Spring internships are available.

Action: For more detailed information, please visit the About TCG section of the website. To apply, email your résumé and a cover letter indicating primary area of interest to Jen Cleary.

Club Quarters: A Benefit for TCG Member Theatres, Affiliates and Individual Members

Club Quarters are private, full service hotels exclusively for member organizations; they offer unique, user-friendly services designed for both business and leisure. Club Quarters have rooms of various sizes for long or short stays and each location has a restaurant and bar, club room, fitness facility and meeting space accommodating up to 250 people.

TCG is a member of Club Quarters, and TCG member theatres, affiliates and individual members can pay low rates for quality hotel rooms in eleven prime urban locations, such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston and London.

Action: Visit the Club Quarters website or call Club Quarters Member Services at 212-575-0006 to make reservations or for more information. Your password is TCG.

ADVOCACY NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN ARTS ALLIANCE AND TCG

Register Now for National Arts Advocacy Day, March 31–April 1, 2008!

Arts Advocacy Day will begin on Monday, March 31, 2008, with a day of legislative training sessions and guest speakers. The Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy takes place on Monday evening at the Kennedy Center. This year's speaker is Daniel Pink, a best-selling author and an expert on innovation, competition and the changing world of work. On Tuesday morning, the day begins with the Congressional Arts Breakfast on Capitol Hill and continues with Hill Visits to elected officials. Members of Congress want and need to hear from their constituents—your involvement does make a difference and we hope you will consider participating in this year's event.

Action: Arts Advocacy Day is taking place on March 31 & April 1. If you can attend, please register by visiting the Americans for the Arts website and please contact Laurie Baskin at (212) 609-5900 x228.

NEA and Arts Education Funding Stalled

Potential historic increases in funding for the NEA ($35 million, approved by the House in June) and Arts Education within the U.S. Department of Education ($3 million, approved by both Houses in their Conference Report) are in jeopardy as Congress and the White House face off over total spending for the current fiscal year. On November 13, the President vetoed the Labor-HHS-Education funding bill, which included unprecedented support for arts education funding and would have fully funded long-awaited research on the status of arts education in our nation's schools. Only one of the 12 federal FY08 spending measures—the Defense Bill—has been signed into law. Congress may craft a catch-all spending bill in December, an Omnibus Bill, but holding on to the gains in arts funding will be tough as Washington policymakers whittle away at all proposed increases in domestic spending.

Action: Please continue to remind your elected officials of the importance of federal funding for the arts and arts education in your communities!

Congress Acts to Improve Visa Process

The House Judiciary committee recently approved legislation to improve the visa process for artists. The "Arts Require Timely Service (ARTS) Act", sponsored by Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) and 10 other bipartisan congressional leaders, would make the artist visa process more reliable, efficient and affordable for not-for-profit arts-related petitioners.

Amendments that would have drastically limited the effectiveness of the ARTS Act were defeated and the Act was approved for consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives.

An identical provision, S. 2178, has been introduced by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT). As Congress finishes its work for 2007, the Performing Arts Visa Task Force will continue to work to advance these improvements to the visa process. We will keep you posted regarding specific, strategic advocacy opportunities!

Action: None

Inside Tips for Your Next Visa Petition

In late September, representatives of the American Arts Alliance met with top officials at the processing unit in California—one of two locations that process all arts-related visa petitions—to describe the visa obstacles encountered by performing arts organizations and gain insights into the petition process.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials were welcoming, listened to the concerns of arts petitioners, and provided helpful information about the current visa process. The California processing center alone receives nearly 60,000 petitions each month for a wide array of visa classifications for workers and visitors traveling to the United States. Simply getting an artist's petition through the mailroom can be a significant challenge.

Action: Visit the Artists From Abroad website, which has been updated to reflect new tips that can help your visa petition make its way more quickly and reliably through the process.

IRS to Step Up Tax Enforcement

Foreign artists are subject to specific tax withholding rules. The IRS has recently announced plans to beef up enforcement of these withholding requirements. According to an IRS official, "The bottom line is the IRS is concerned that foreign athletes and entertainers pay their fair share of withholding tax and do the proper reporting for earnings in the United States."

As the IRS considers creating new guidance and outreach regarding foreign artist withholding, the Performing Arts Visa Task Force is conveying the unique concerns of the not-for-profit performing arts community.

Action: Visit the tax section of the Artists From Abroad website to be sure your theatre is familiar with the tax requirements for foreign guest artists.

White House Announces 2007 National Medal of Arts Recipients

President George W. Bush recently announced the recipients of the 2007 National Medal of Arts. Nine medals will be presented by the President and Mrs. Laura Bush in an East Room ceremony at the White House. The NEA manages the National Medal of Arts nomination process.

2007 National Medal of Arts Recipients:

Action: Visit the NEA website for more information.

DEVELOPMENT

City Theatre Company Receives $270,000 Grant

City Theatre Company (Pittsburgh, PA) recently received a $270,000 grant from the Heinz Endowments for general operating support and to develop and facilitate a new strategic plan.

Action: None

Source: The Chronicle of Philanthropy, November 15, 2007

INTERNATIONAL NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES

Theatre of the Nations Festival: October 2008 in Nanjing, China

The Chinese Centre of ITI is happy to announce that it will host the 31st session of Theatre of the Nations, the esteemed world theatre festival, in collaboration with ITI headquarters in Paris and the Provincial Government of Jiangsu Province.

The festival will take place in Nanjing City, capital of Jiangsu Province in Central-East of China, from October 16–26, 2008. The event will also include the first China International Theatre Festival, which is scheduled to be a biennial event in the future.

Organizers intend to invite distinguished theatre companies or groups of high artistic excellence and national characteristics from around 10 countries to participate in the festival. The countries will cover five continents to represent the universality of this great world theatre festival. Quality, plurality and diversity in contemporary theatre, and popularity for the local audience, are the criteria of the festival. It will cover all theatrical genres to showcase a full spectrum of theatrical charm, with Theatre Tradition and New Appearance of the World being its theme.

The festival will cover accommodation, local transportation and meals for the invited theatres for a period of up to seven days in China. Visiting theatres will be responsible for international air tickets and shipment costs for their props.

Action: The application deadline is December 15. Email Mr. Wang Ling (Project Manager, Chinese Center of I.T.I.) at ctawangling@bbn.cn for more information or to obtain an application form.

MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH

Call for Submissions: Censorship and Theatre

For a forthcoming issue on "Censorship and Theatre," Theater magazine is compiling a section of short reports of incidents of censorship and intimidation of live theatre around the world since 2001. These may include official government or state censorship; public protest; threats to playwrights, directors or other theater makers; funding controversies; and instances of self-censorship. The magazine is seeking brief submissions describing local incidents from around the world.

Submissions will ideally be written by those with first-hand knowledge of the event in question—the artists or producers involved—or by observers with direct knowledge or a local connection to the event. Submissions should be 250–500 words. Theater is published three times each year by the Yale School of Drama and Duke University Press.

Action: The submission deadline is February 1, 2008. Submissions should be sent to Miriam Felton-Dansky at theater.magazine@yale.edu. Please be sure to include an email address or other author contact information with your submission.

Panel on the Nonprofit Sector Releases Governance Report

The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector has released Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice: A Guide for Charities and Foundations. The Guide represents the first time that charities and foundations reflecting a broad cross-section of the American not-for-profit community have come together to develop principles of ethical conduct, accountability and transparency that they aspire to and encourage all organizations to follow.

The Guide outlines 33 practices designed to support board members and staff leaders of every charitable organization as they work to improve their own operations. The Panel encourages these leaders to examine the Principles carefully and determine how best they should be applied to their own operations.

Action: Visit the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector website to download the report as a PDF.

Good News on Future Postal Rates

On November 15, the Postal Service Governors announced that the next adjusted postal rates will be done according to a new ratemaking system that was issued by the Postal Regulatory Commission last month. This system caps future increases at the rate of inflation. Although the Governors had the option to file another rate case under regulations used since 1971, they voted to proceed under the new pricing regulations.

Action: Visit the Postal Regulatory Commission website for complete details on the new pricing regulations.

Source: American Symphony Orchestra League Government Affairs Update, November 20, 2007

Study: Trustees Don't Do Enough to Raise Money

Board members of not-for-profit organizations aren't doing enough to raise money for their groups, according to Nonprofit Governance Index 2007, a new report that surveyed chief executives and board members from more than 1,100 organizations.

Only 40 percent of charity board members feel comfortable asking other people to donate to their organizations, and on average, only about three-quarters of board members donate money themselves, according to the report by BoardSource, a Washington not-for-profit group that provides governance training to not-for-profit groups and their trustees.

Among other key findings in the report:

Action: Visit the BoardSource website to download the report as a PDF.

Source: The Chronicle of Philanthropy, November 8, 2007

Trends in Corporate Philanthropy Report Released

The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy recently released Giving in Numbers 2007 Edition, a new resource on corporate giving trends and benchmarking data. The report offers a comprehensive analysis of the latest trends impacting the field of corporate giving.

The findings are drawn from an in-depth study of 136 prominent companies, including 55 of the Fortune 100 and accounting for $11.2 billion in corporate giving data. Giving in Numbers 2007 Edition addresses questions like:

Action: Visit the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy website to download the report as a PDF.

Source: PNNOnline, October 22, 2007

The Best Companies Supporting the Arts

THE BCA TEN: Best Companies Supporting the Arts in America, sponsored by the Business Committee for the Arts, Inc. (BCA) and Forbes Magazine, were presented on October 16 in New York City. This national list—the first of its kind created by a not-for-profit organization—was initiated by BCA in 2005 to recognize ten companies each year for their exceptional support of the arts in the United States. TCG is especially pleased that Shugoll Research has been honored this year, as the company's CEO, Mark Shugoll, serves on TCG's board of directors.

The companies on THE BCA TEN for 2007 include:

Action: Visit the BCA website for more information on THE BCA TEN.

RESOURCES

Logo Design Giveaway

LogoBee.com, one of the internet's most respected online graphic design firms, is holding its third annual Logo Design Makeover Giveaway, for which the company donates its professional logo design services to select not-for-profit organizations that need a fresh or new logo. LogoBee will be donating up to ten logo design packages, valued at $425 each. These packages include business card and stationery layouts that incorporate the new logo.

Action: The deadline for entries is December 4. Visit the LogoBee website to submit an entry online.

NEW TCG MEMBERS

Actors' Shakespeare Project

PO Box 400986
Cambridge, MA 02140
tel (617) 547-1982
fax (617) 547-1986
info@actorsshakespeareproject.org
www.actorsshakespeareproject.org
Benjamin Evett, Artistic Director
Sara Stackhouse, Executive Producer
Faith Parker, Board Chair

Paul Mesner Puppets, Inc

1006 E Linwood Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64109
tel (816) 756-3500
fax (816) 756-3045
puppets@paulmesnerpuppets.org
www.paulmesnerpuppets.org
Paul Mesner, Artistic Director
Diane Barker, Executive Director
Siobhan Lesley, Board President

Repertorio Español **Former member, recently rejoined**

138 E 27th St
New York, NY 10016
tel (212) 889-2850
fax (212) 225-9085
info@repertorio.org
www.repertorio.org
René Buch, Artistic Director
Robert Federico, Executive Director

TimeLine Theatre Company

615 W Wellington Ave
Chicago, IL 60657-5305
tel (773) 281-8463
fax (773) 281-1134
info@timelinetheatre.com
www.timelinetheatre.com
PJ Powers, Artistic Director
Elizabeth Auman, Managing Director
Gloria Friedman, Board President

TCG DEADLINES

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Copyright 2007 Theatre Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Information appearing in the TCG Bulletin may not be reprinted without permission.