TCG Bulletin

May 2008, Volume 31, Issue 5

Also online this month:

FIELD LETTER

In the May Field Letter, Teresa updates the community on her participation in Arts Advocacy Day 2008, and a gathering of international theatre artists co-sponsored by TCG and the Martin E. Segal Center. She discusses an exciting new audience research program for Free Night of Theater which will survey focus groups of non-theatregoing high school students. Teresa also reports on the recent Leadership Teleconference with Robert Rubin. Responding to Robert Rubin’s observation that that the theatre community has yet to establish a strong voice on the national level, Teresa remarks, “it’s an important discussion for us and for the field—how we are even more at the center of discourse on the direction of our nation. The TCG National Conference and the Performing Arts Convention are an excellent place to engage in that conversation with colleagues from theatre and other disciplines.”

• Click here to view the May 2008 Field Letter.

CURRENT TCG NEWS

Audio Transcript of Leadership Telefoncerence with Robert Rubin Now Available

The audio transcript of TCG’s first Leadership Teleconference is now available on the TCG website. The teleconference featured Robert Rubin, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Citigroup and 70th Secretary of the Treasury (1995-1999), who offered his keen observations on the economic realities that we all face and give us his perspective on where we are now and where we could be headed.

Action: Visit the Teleconferences section of the website for the full audio transcript (available as an MP3).

The Final Round of Expanding the Theatre Manager's Repertoire Slated for August 10-12

For the eleventh and FINAL consecutive year, TCG and Target Corporation are pleased to offer Expanding the Theatre Manager's Repertoire, our popular and invaluable human resources training program. The program will be held August 10-12 in Charleston, South Carolina. Building on Target's own human resources training methods, which exemplify the best practices in the corporate sector, this training is specifically tailored for theatre managers. Over 600 managers have participated in this program!

The program will begin on Sunday in the late afternoon and will end on Tuesday afternoon, which provides a more relaxed pace to the training and allows participants to catch earlier flights home after the final session.

Action: Information on the program will be available on the Events section of the website in late April. Invitations will be sent via email to TCG member theatres in early May.

2008 TCG National Conference: Theatre at the Center

The flowers are coming out, people are smiling and your heart should be going pitter-pat in mounting anticipation as the TCG National Conference in Denver draws nearer! This year’s conference from June 10 to 14 is being held in conjunction with the National Performing Arts Convention, offering you the chance to convene with other incredible performing arts workers to discuss, learn and be inspired. The convention will include talks held by renowned theatre artists, experts addressing high-priority issues for our field, small and large meetings with peers and an amazing Exhibition Hall with over two hundred companies. There has already been an exciting response to registration, so don’t miss this incredible opportunity!

Action: Visit the Events section of the website or the National Performing Arts Convention website for registration and more information. A TCG press release on the convention can be found in the About TCG section of the website.

TCG Announces Plans for Free Night of Theater 2008

Free Night of Theater, TCG’s exciting national audience development program to attract new audiences and build general awareness of live theatre, continues its national expansion in 2008, including Chicago, New York City and over 70 other cities from coast to coast. The goal for the 2008 program is to increase individual theatre participation to over 700 theatres that will in turn offer as many as 75,000 free tickets nationally.

Action: Free Night of Theater 2008 will open across the country on Thursday, October 16. Visit the Events section of the TCG website for complete details on how to participate in the 2008 campaign.

METLIFE/TCG A-ha! Program: Think It, Do It

A program for TCG member theatres that supports creative thinking and action in two ways: Think It grants (up to $25,000) give theatre professionals the time and space for research and development, Do It grants (up to $50,000) support the implementation and testing of new ideas.

Action: The deadline for applications is May 15. For guidelines and application, visit the Grants area of the website. For more information, or email Roweena Mackay or call (212) 609-5900 x. 214.

Theatre Membership Renewals

TCG theatre membership renewal materials were mailed out to all member theatres at the end of March. We hope that you will once again choose to join the national theatre field in a spectrum of programs and conferences designed to further our collective artistic and management skills, advance internal field communication and position the field more effectively in our local and national communities.

Please join us again as we tackle the issues affecting the theatre field this year. As a TCG member, you belong to an increasingly vibrant community of more than 450 theatres and make a stand for artistry, effectiveness and advocacy. We look forward to counting you as part of the TCG family in the coming year.

Action: The early bird renewal deadline has been extended to May 15. Contact Jen Cleary for more information or to obtain duplicate copies of renewal materials.

RECURRING TCG NEWS

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 Ilana Rose.

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 Broadway League 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 Broadway League 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 June 1 issue are due by May 15. To participate, email your details to Ben Pesner, Broadway League.

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. Summer and fall 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

House Approves Artist Visa Act

On April 1, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to improve the artist visa process. The “Arts Require Timely Service (ARTS) Act” (HR 1312) is sponsored by Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) and ten other bipartisan leaders, and would improve the reliability, efficiency and affordability of the artist visa process.

The next step is for the legislation to be approved by the U.S. Senate. A similar bill, S. 2178 has already been introduced by Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT). We will keep you apprised of the progress of the legislation in the Senate. We are told that the legislation has a greater chance of passage by letting it move through the legislative process without “public” fanfare. So, no action is called for at the moment.

Action: None

Update on New Issue: White Space

Soon, the television industry will transition to digital transmission, which potentially opens up certain “white spaces” in the broadcast spectrum. The computer industry is seeking a ruling from the FCC to allow new electronic hand-held devices, such as PDAs, cordless phones and even newer technologies to operate in these frequencies. Performing arts venues have operated wireless microphones and audio systems in this “white space” spectrum for 35 years. The new electronic devices pose a threat to performing arts technology, and could create interference in our systems.

On March 21, Google Inc. filed with the FCC an Ex Parte letter regarding its desire to use the TV “White Space” for mobile broadband services. The letter argues that there is “no risk” to enhancing the spectrum usage and “can provide huge economic and social gains if used more efficiently.” There is no assurance that their proposal will avoid interference with wireless microphones used in the performing arts. Adequate testing is still needed. The FCC has given no indication at this time when it may reach a decision on the rulemaking of unlicensed operation in the TV broadband.

Action: Please urge your Member of Congress to instruct the FCC Chairman to preserve the ability of wireless microphones used in the performing arts to operate without interference. The FCC should be urged to conduct adequate testing before permitting new devices to operate in the White Space spectrum. Please visit the American Arts Alliance website for an Action Alert on this issue.

Arts Advocacy Day Recap

Daniel Pink delivered the 21st Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture, which kicked off Arts Advocacy Day events on March 31. Arts advocacy training workshops were the focus of the events on March 31. There were legislative issue briefings on NEA appropriations, arts education funding, charitable tax incentives, improving the visa process for international artists, funding for cultural exchange and protecting performing arts technology that utilizes White Spaces.

During Hill Visits on April 1, members of Congress were urged to support an increase in the NEA’s appropriation and arts education funding within the U.S. Department of Education. Congress was asked to support legislation that will reduce the total processing times for O and P visa petitions filed by not-for-profit arts organizations to a maximum of 45 days. Congress was urged to increase funding for cultural exchange through the State Department. Congress was also asked to reject the proposed funding cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in the fiscal year 2009 appropriations bill. Members of Congress were urged to support increased tax incentives for charitable giving—such as extending the IRA Rollover provision. Last, Congress was asked to urge the FCC Commissioner to provide adequate testing of new electronic devices so that they will not interfere with wireless microphone technology used in theatres.

Action: None

National Assembly of State Arts Agencies Publishes Study of Nation's State Arts Agency Appropriations

Legislative appropriations to state arts agencies increased in fiscal year 2008, according to a study published by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA). Between fiscal years 2007 and 2008, state arts agencies gained $9.5 million in state funds, an increase of 2.7 percent. Total legislative appropriations to state arts agencies currently stand at $359.6 million or $1.18 per capita. Fiscal year 2008 marks the fourth consecutive year of gains for the arts following three years of sharp declines during the recession. More states experienced increases in fiscal year 2008 than in any of the previous five years. Forty-five state arts agencies report appropriations growth in 2008, with a median increase of 8.9 percent. Three states reported declines, which were significant in Florida and Illinois. Excluding these two states, total appropriations among all other state arts agencies increased by 13.6 percent. State legislatures have increased arts funding by more than $55 million during the last three years.

Action: Visit the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies website for more information on this report.

ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES

Call for Proposals: Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 Watermill Center Residencies

Founded in 1992 by Robert Wilson, the Watermill Center is located in a former Western Union research laboratory in Long Island, New York. The Watermill Center Residencies are open to artists from all fields, social scientists, alumni of the Watermill Center Summer Program and former artists-in-residence. Special consideration is given to emerging artists and trans-disciplinary approaches. Residencies are free of charge, and proposed residences may be up to four weeks in duration. Accepted proposals will be scheduled by mutual agreement between September 8 and December 12, 2008 (fall), and between March 16 and June 12, 2009 (spring).

Action: The deadline for proposals is May 30, 2008. Visit the Watermill Center website for application materials and more information.

Steinberg Trust Establishes Two Awards for United States Playwrights

The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust Foundation recently announced two new awards for American playwrights. The Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award will award $200,000 to a mid-career playwright. The first recipient will be announced this fall, and the prize will be awarded biennially thereafter. Beginning in 2009, the Steinberg Emerging Playwrights Award will award $50,000 biennially to two early career playwrights whose professional work shows great promise. A not-for-profit theatre that produces a debut production of a Steinberg Award-winning playwright may also be eligible for a production grant, which will be determined at the discretion of the awards’ advisory committee and the trust.

Action: None

ARTS EDUCATION

Survey for Teaching Artists

Teaching artists planning to attend the National Performing Arts Convention (NPAC), to be held in Denver this June, are encouraged to fill out a one-page survey that will serve as a jumping off place for a three hour NPAC session on teaching artists. This survey will result in a statement of beliefs from teaching artists to jump start the session toward agreed upon actions. The survey was developed by the NPAC workshop leaders: Barbara Shepherd (The Kennedy Center); David O'Fallon (MacPhail School of Music); Daniel Renner (Denver Center for the Performing Arts); Kimberli Boyd (independent dance teaching artist); Eric Booth (teaching artist/consultant). Please note that this survey is intended for teaching artists, not their administrators.

Action: The survey deadline is May 10. Click here to access the survey online. Please circulate this story to teaching artists. Visit the National Performing Arts Convention website for more information on NPAC.

Recommendations Released from 2007 National Arts Policy Roundtable

The 2007 National Arts Policy Roundtable participants focused on the challenge of preparing students to enter the workforce with the creativity and innovation skills needed to compete successfully in the new economy. They agreed that the arts are an indispensable tool for building the creative thinking skills essential to ensuring that American business and culture will prosper. The members acknowledged that if the arts are to play a role in helping to build the 21st century workforce, then leaders in the public, private, education and culture sectors must recognize three fundamental principles:

To achieve the recognition and understanding of the role of the arts in building a creative workforce, Roundtable participants made recommendations in three key areas:

Action: A list of participants and the full recommendations report can be accessed online at the Americans for the Arts website.

CONFERENCES & SEMINARS

8th Annual Trustee Residency at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center: July 8-13

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s annual Trustee Residency, July 8-13, provides trustees an opportunity to explore the artistic process and learn about how new works for the stage are developed. Participants attend O’Neill Conference rehearsals, readings and performances, as well as seminars on topics such as board governance, fundraising and strategic planning. Past invited speakers include Michael Riedel of the New York Post, Broadway producer Tom Viertel and executive director of TCG Teresa Eyring.

Action: The application deadline is May 15. Visit the O’Neill Theater Center website for more information.

Fund Raising Day 2008 in New York, NY: June 13

Sponsored by the Organization of Fund Raising Professionals, the 29th annual Fund Raising Day 2008 will take place in New York, NY, on Friday, June 13. Participants in Fund Raising Day’s Fundamentals Track, which includes sessions on annual giving, special events and basic principles of development, are eligible for the Fundamentals of Fundraising Certificate Program. A limited number of conference scholarships to cover conference registration fees are available for representatives from organizations with a total budget under $1,000,000.

Action: Visit the Organization of Fund Raising Professionals website to register. To be eligible for scholarships, applications must be postmarked by May 2.

Nonprofit Congress 2008 in Washington, DC: June 1-4

Nonprofit Congress 2008, an initiative of the National Council of Nonprofit Organizations, is designed to build on and celebrate the accomplishments of not-for-profits across the country. Highlights of the national meeting will include the first-ever Nonprofit Expo, networking sessions, educational sessions and Lobby Day, an opportunity to meet with Congressional delegations and discuss the impact not-for-profits are having in their communities. The conference seeks attendees from every state and subsector, and from large and small organizations.

Action: Visit the Nonprofit Congress 2008 website for registration materials and more information.

DEVELOPMENT

Target Accepting Applications for Local Store Grants

Target Corporation’s Local Store Grants provide funding support to the arts, reading programs and family violence prevention. Not-for-profit organizations located in communities where Target does business are eligible for funding. Arts grants are awarded to programs that bring the arts to schools, or make the arts accessible to children and families. The average grant amount is between $1,000 and $3,000.

Action: The application deadline is May 31. Visit the Target website for application and program information.

Report finds Increase in Family Foundation Giving

Key Facts on Family Foundations, recently released by the Foundation Center, reports that family foundations in the United States awarded $17 billion in grants in 2006, an increase of 21 percent from the previous year. According to the report, giving by family foundations has more than doubled since 1998, and accounts for 59 percent of overall giving by independent organizations. Health and education were the top two funding priorities, both receiving approximately 25 percent of overall family foundation giving, whereas arts and culture accounted for approximately 12 percent of overall foundation giving.

Action: Visit the Foundation Center website for the full report.

Philadelphia Theatre Company Receives Major Gift

The Philadelphia Theatre Company received $120,000 from the Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative to support the salary of a new full-time staff position, a corporate membership manager/special events coordinator.

Action: None.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival Receives Major Gift

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival received a $300,000 grant over three years from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to help commission several new plays under its new initiative, American Revolutions: the United States History Cycle.

Action: None.

Two Minnesota Theatres Receive Major Gifts from the McKnight Foundation

Park Square Theatre received $110,000 over two years for general operating support and Stages Theatre Company received $280,000 over two years for general operating support from the McKnight Foundation.

Action: None.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES

Kunstenfestivaldesarts in Brussels, Belgium: May 9-31

The annual Kunstenfestivaldesarts, featuring new creations by international performing and visual artists, will take place in Brussels, Belgium, from May 9-31. The festival will include thirty one new works by artists from Australia, Belgium, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and other countries. Featured artists include German artist/director Heiner Goebbels, Tokyo-based director Toshiki Okada and Indian performer Rehaan Engineer.

Action: Visit the Kunstenfestivaldesarts website for tickets and schedule information.

MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH

New Report on Not-for-Profit Governance

The National Board Governance Survey for Not-for-Profit Organizations, recently released by the accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP, finds that 56 percent of not-for-profit organizations require their board members to make an annual contribution, and that the size of the annual gift correlates roughly with the organization’s budget size. Since 2003, the inaugural year of the National Board Governance Survey, there has been an increase of 67 percent in the number of not-for-profit organizations adopting governance policies to conform to the Sarbanes-Oxley act. These policies include formal ethics policies and audit controls.

Action: Visit the Grant Thornton LLP website to download a free copy of the report. Visit the Centerpiece section of the TCG website for TCG’s Theatre Governing Boards Survey and Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sarbanes-Oxley but Were Afraid to Ask.

New Report on Off-Off Broadway Budgets

Statistical Analysis of Off-Off-Broadway Budgets, recently released by the New York Innovative Theatre Foundation, reports that Off-Off Broadway productions have an average production budget of $18,000, and that the most expensive budget item is typically rent, which can cost up to $4,000 per week. The report is the first to exclusively survey the finances of Off-Off Broadway. The Innovative Theatre Foundation is also currently conducting a demographic statistics survey for the artists working on Off-Off Broadway.

Action: Visit the New York Innovative Theatre Foundation website for more information.

RESOURCES

Flickr Offers Free Accounts to Not-for-Profits

Flickr, the photo-sharing website, is donating 10,000 free accounts to not-for-profit organizations. Not-for-profits can request up to five free premium one-year accounts, which allow organizations to upload an unlimited amount of pictures. The free accounts can be requested through the San Francisco-based not-for-profit technology group TechSoup.

Action: Visit Flickr or TechSoup for more information.

New Searchable Corporate Donation Database

The Nonprofit Times recently launched an online portal giving free access to corporate donation data. Powered by Internet search company NOZA, the portal already includes more than 4,300 searchable records of corporate donations. The portal allows researchers to view and save information about the corporate donor, recipient organization, size of gift and year of donation.

Action: Visit The Nonprofit Times website for free access to the portal.

NEW TCG MEMBERS & AFFILIATES

foolsFURY Theater

131 10th St, 3rd Fl
San Francisco, CA 94103
tel (415) 626-0453
ben@foolsfury.org
www.foolsfury.org
Ben Yalom, Artistic Director
Angela Santillo, Company Manager

SF Playhouse

588 Sutter St, #318
San Francisco, CA 94102
tel (415) 677-9596
fax (415) 677-9597
info@sfplayhouse.org
www.sfplayhouse.org
Bill English, Artistic Director
Susi Damilano, Producing Director
John Kalin, Board President

Virginia Premiere Theatre

6138 East River Rd
Mobjack, VA 23056
tel (804) 725-3645
fax (804) 725-1538
info@vptheatre.com
www.vptheatre.com
Robert Ruffin, Producing Artistic Director
Mary Wadkins, Producing Director
Mark Lerman, Board President

AudienceView Ticketing

36 Toronto St, Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5C 2C5
Tel (416) 687-2029
Fax (416) 913-6158
Jeff Koets, VP Sales & Marketing
jeff.koets@audienceview.com
www.audienceview.com

Nacht Theatre Consulting, LLC

334 Audubon Court
New Haven, CT 06510
Tel (203) 752-1566
Arthur F. Nacht, Member and Principal
anacht@nachtconsulting.com
www.nachtconsulting.com

Point Park University

Pittsburgh Playhouse
222 Craft Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 75213
Tel (412) 621-4445
Fax (412) 621-4762
Earl Hughes, Director of Production
ehughes@pointpark.edu
www.pittsburghplayhouse.com

TCG DEADLINES

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