TCG Bulletin

November 2009, Volume 32, Issue 11

Also online this month:

In lieu of a Field Letter, follow Teresa around the world on her travel blog!

CENTERPIECE: Focus on Social Media

How To Use Twitter to Build Audience

This Centerpiece explains how Twitter—a social media messaging service that limits its users to 140 characters or less—can be used by theatres to build new audiences. Callie Kimball recaps and expands upon the presentation she gave to TCG member theatres in last August’s Leadership Teleconference. Using real examples from theatres and performing arts organizations around the country, Callie demonstrates the best practices for theatres wanting to explore this new media territory.

• Click here to download the November 2009 Centerpiece.

MONTHLY MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT

Every year there are one or two Halloween costumes that saturate the market, usually due to their central presence in pop culture at the time. Last year, for example, Sarah Palin’s sassy hairdo and glasses seemed to haunt every street corner. This year, Halloween hasn’t even arrived yet but the celebrations have started and just last weekend I counted at least five Lady Gagas running around the city…but none of them held a candle to the Santa Fe Opera Electricians. Their parody of Lady Gaga’s hit single “Poker Face,” titled “Focus Tape,”makes one wonder why we need actors and directors when the tech crew can pull all this off on their own. Share pictures of your Halloween costumes (the more theatrical the better) on our Facebook page!

TCG NEWS

Theatre Professionals Teleconference for Finance Directors and Artistic Directors

We are pleased to announce our upcoming discussion-based teleconference series for finance directors, moderated by Maggie Arbogast, general manager of the Wilma Theater, as well as a separate series for artistic directors, moderated by Olga Sanchez, artistic director of Miracle Mainstage and Bellas Artes for Miracle Theatre Group and TCG board member. Agendas for this and other Theatre Professionals Teleconferences are developed from the issues of greatest importance to the participants. The teleconference series is comprised of two tracks (one for theatres in budget groups 1-3 and one for theatres in budget groups 4-6) of four hour-long telephone discussions—one per track each month—with a different central topic for each session. A fee of $100 will cover the technical costs of your participation.

Action: The deadline for the finance directors series is November 6. The deadline for the artistic directors series is November 2. Visit the Events section of the website for teleconference dates and registration materials. Please register early as space is limited and places are reserved on a first come, first served basis.

National Findings from the Latest Fiscal Pulse Survey

Taking Your Fiscal Pulse—August 2009 was TCG’s third Taking Your Fiscal Pulse snapshot survey. It also marked TCG's second collaboration with the Association of Performing Arts Service Organizations (APASO), the result of which was participation by over 465 not-for-profit theatres and a greater sense of the state of the national theatre field. This report relays national findings from this snapshot survey. Theatres reported on the actual and projected activity for their fiscal year ending anytime between spring 2009 through winter 2010.

Action: Visit the Snapshot Survey section for more information and to download the report.

Fiscal Survey 2009 To be Launched in November!

TCG member theatres are encouraged to participate in this comprehensive annual survey, which serves as the basis for Theatre Facts, TCG's in-depth report on the field's attendance, performance and fiscal health. For many of our member theatres, participation in TCG’s Fiscal Survey has become a routine annual activity that has proven well worth the time, effort and, admittedly, a small measure of pain! Members have long reported that the work they put into our survey creates a fiscal template for their organizations—one that serves as a foundation for a variety of grant applications and donor correspondence. The Fiscal Survey process further provides an unparalleled opportunity to take stock of, and improve upon, the financial systems that they have in place. Only participating theatres will have online access to the full survey results.

Action: Fiscal Survey 2009 will be launched in early November. An announcement email with instructions will be sent to managing leaders and finance directors.

Salary Survey 2010

The Salary Survey gathers the salary range and average for over 70 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. Remember, surveys are confidential and only managing leaders from participating TCG member theatres will receive the results.

Action: The extended deadline is November 13. An email was sent to managing leaders at TCG member theatres with a link to the online survey, also available in the Tools & Research section of the website. You will need your username and password to access the survey. Contact Ilana Rose with questions.

New Titles Now Available From TCG Books

David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face, a humorous look at race in the United States, is now available from TCG Books. Hwang is the author of the Tony Award–winning M. Butterfly, a finalist for the 1988 Pulitzer Prize and was an appointee to the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities under Bill Clinton. Also newly available from TCG Books is A Prayer for My Enemy, from playwright Craig Lucas. Here we find the Noone family: son Billy returns from Iraq, his pregnant sister Marianne marries Billy’s friend and former lover Tad, his mother Karen tries to keep her husband Austin from falling off the wagon—all while the Red Sox and Yankees battle for the 2004 pennant.

Action: Visit the TCG Bookstore to purchase these titles and others.

New Generations: Future Collaborations Travel Grants

Individual theatre practitioners and theatres may apply to for these geographically unrestricted travel grants of up to $6,000 to facilitate international collaboration by way of hosting or traveling abroad.

Action: The deadline is November 16. Visit the Grants section of the website for application materials and guidelines.

New Generations: Future Leaders Grants

In this grant program, emerging leaders in all areas of the theatre field are mentored by accomplished theatre professionals. $80,000 will be paid to the theatre in support of the 18-month paid mentorship with up to an additional $10,000 available to the mentee for student loan repayment.

Action: The deadline is December 15. Visit the Grants section of the website for application materials and guidelines.

New Generations: Future Audiences Grants

Theatres with a successful track record of reaching young, culturally specific and/or underserved communities will receive a matching grant of up to $65,000 to support the development or expansion of technology aimed at cultivating a diverse audience. Up to $7,500 in additional funding will be made available to help recipients transition out of the program.

Action: The deadline is December 15. Visit the Grants section of the website for application materials and guidelines.

2009 TCG Fall Forum on Governance

UPDATED This story was originally published in the August 2009 issue of the Bulletin.
Online registration for the 2009 TCG Fall Forum on Governance, Opportunity Knocks: Proactive Leadership in a “Wait and See” World, is still open but is almost sold out! Scheduled speakers include playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman and Jack Uldrich, futurist and best-selling author. Registration is open to staff and trustees at TCG member theatres.

Action: Visit the Fall Forum section of the website to learn more and register.

Congratulations 2009 Free Night of Theater Participants!

Free Night of Theater celebrated its 5th anniversary in over 120 cities from coast to coast on Thursday, October 15. This year, 714 theatres offered over 65,000 tickets to more than 2,000 performances. Over the past five years, the Free Night of Theater program has, under the leadership of Phillip Matthews, introduced almost 200,000 new theatergoers to the thrill of live performance. Stay tuned for the Shugoll Research report on the 2009 program.

Action: Visit the national Free Night of Theater website for details about the program, including participating communities, theatres and performances.

Save the Date: TCG National Conference 2010-Pre-Conference on Arts Education

TCG will focus on Arts Education and Assessment at a pre-conference to the June 2010 TCG National Conference in Chicago. We will follow up on the Building a National TEAM: Theatre Education Assessment Models Pre-Conference from 2007. The purpose of this pre-conference will be to train education directors in adapting the national assessment models for use in their education programs as well as aligning the evaluation and assessment work with federal and state standards. Participants will learn how to use the model templates to assess the growth of students and to collect information critical to school districts, parents, theatre leadership and funders. Theatre educators will also learn how to analyze the information collected through their newly developed assessment models.

Action: Save the dates, June 16-17, 2010, and stay tuned for more information!

ADVOCACY NEWS FROM THE PERFORMING ARTS ALLIANCE AND TCG

Important Update! New USCIS Rules for Shared Visa Petitions

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new policies revoking the ability of a U.S.-based employer to file a single petition for artists coming to the U.S. for an itinerary of events with multiple arts organizations—unless the petitioner is in business as an agent. Instead, each U.S. employer must file a separate visa petition. If an artist plans to travel to the U.S. for multiple engagements, and the petitioning U.S. organization IS in business as an agent, the petition must be carefully assembled to satisfy new USCIS requirements. TCG is working with partners in the national performing arts community to reverse this detrimental, costly and unjustified policy shift by USCIS.

Action: Visit the Artists from Abroad website for guidance and full details on how to prevent petition rejections or time-consuming re-filing for engagements not included in a petition approval. Email Laurie Baskin at TCG to keep us informed about any visa problems your theatre experiences—whether it results in increasing costs, changes in scheduling or any other kind of difficulty you may encounter. TCG will soon distribute a survey to gather information field-wide regarding visa problems.

Appropriations Updates-NEA and Arts Education

The U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate have completed their appropriations bills for FY10. Included in these bills are funding allocations for the NEA, with the House approving $170 million for the NEA and the Senate allocating $161.3 million. The next step in the appropriations process will be a House and Senate conference committee to arrive at a final funding decision.
Arts Education funding for FY09 now totals $38.2 million. For the first time in eight years, the Presidential budget request includes Arts in Education programs, calling for level funding in FY10. The House has approved $40.1 million and the Senate Appropriations Committee has recommended $40 million. With level or increased funding, the U.S. Department of Education will open a new competitive grant round in FY10 for the Model Development and Dissemination Program.

Action: Visit The Performing Arts Alliance website to contact your elected officials simply and easily. Please continue to urge your Members of Congress and Senators to support a $15 million increase for the NEA.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Update

The Department of Education has released proposed application guidelines for “Race to the Top” grants, economic stimulus funds made available through the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund to support arts education. Arts organizations at the state and local level are being encouraged to apply for this funding. The Performing Arts Alliance filed comments in response to the Department of Education's proposed application guidelines for the “Race to the Top” grants. They request guideline improvements that will encourage eligible states to use a portion of ARRA funds to support arts education.
The Department of Education has also established the “Investing in Innovation Fund” with ARRA dollars to support the efforts of local educational agencies (LEAs) and not-for-profit organizations that have strong track records of improving student achievement. Secretary Duncan released the priorities for this fund. Further, in the Department's current issue of its newsletter, The Innovator, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Innovation and Improvement Jim Shelton notes, "I also see us looking to our arts and financial-literary programs for opportunities to push the envelope and really craft solutions that drive a different level of academic achievement and school performance." Final applications for the “Investing in Innovation Fund” will be released early next year and proposals will be due in spring 2010.

Action: Visit the Regulations.gov website to view the PAA Race to the Top comments. Visit the U.S. Department of Education website to view the priorities for the Investing in Innovation Fund.

New Leaders Appointed by President Obama to the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities

President Barack Obama appointed writer, director and producer George Stevens, Jr. and Broadway producer Margo Lion to serve as co-chairs of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. To serve as Vice-Chair, the President appointed Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, Dean of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. The President’s Committee helps bring together the public and private sectors to advance the non-partisan cultural objectives of the Administration. It is comprised of private citizens from around the United States, as well as the heads of government cultural agencies, including the NEA, the NEH and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. In early August, President Obama appointed Rachel Goslins, independent TV and film producer, as the President’s Committee's Executive Director.

Action: Visit the President’s Committee on Arts and Humanities website for more information.

ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES

The Playwrights' Center McKnight National Residency and Commission Program

The Playwrights’ Center is now accepting proposals for its $12,500 McKnight National Residency and Commission Program. Applicants must be nationally recognized playwrights, not based in Minnesota, with at least two different plays fully produced by professional theatres. Proposals must be agent/professional only; no unsolicited proposals accepted.

Action: The deadline is December 7. Visit the Playwrights’ Center website for application guidelines and materials.

2010-11 Playwrights' Center Jerome Fellowships

Jerome Fellowships will be awarded to emerging playwrights with less than two professional productions. Fellows spend a year in residence in Minneapolis receiving professional support, stipend and play development funds.

Action: The deadline is December 11. Visit the Playwrights’ Center website for application guidelines and materials.

ARTS EDUCATION

TCG National Conference 2010-Pre-Conference on Arts Education

Action: See story in the Current TCG News section.

Secretary of Education Calls for Reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

On September 24 at the Department of Education's Monthly Stakeholders Meeting, Secretary Duncan said reauthorization for the K-12 ESEA should begin now. He stated, "Let us build a law that discourages a narrowing of curriculum and promotes a well-rounded education that draws children into sciences and history, languages and the arts in order to build a society distinguished by both intellectual and economic prowess. Our children must be allowed to develop their unique skills, interests, and talents. Let's give them that opportunity."

Action: Visit the U.S. Department of Education website to read the Secretary's full speech.

Association for Theatre in Higher Education. August 3-6, 2010, in Los Angeles, CA–Call for Session Proposals

The 2010 ATHE Conference theme is Theatre Alive: Theater, Media, and Survival. In an era of dwindling resources, how do we keep our field vital and alive to our students, embrace our partners in related media and other fields and strengthen the significance and impact of theatre across the academic landscape? Proposals relating to the conference theme are encouraged.

Action: The deadline is November 1. Visit the ATHE website for proposal guidelines.

Dana Foundation Research Shows How Arts Training Improves Attention and Cognition

Does education in the arts transfer to seemingly unrelated cognitive abilities? Researchers are finding evidence that it does. Michael Posner argues that when children find an art form that sustains their interest, the subsequent strengthening of their brains’ attention networks can improve cognition more broadly.

Action: Visit the Dana Foundation website to read the full article.

L.A. County Arts Commission Publishes Arts Education Initiative Case Studies

In September 2002 the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted Arts for All: Los Angeles County Regional Blueprint for Arts Education. This strategic plan was meant to restore arts education in dance, music, theatre and the visual arts to all students in the county. Arts for All: The Vanguard Districts — Case Studies from the First Five Years offers evidence of progress and details the challenges and needs that remain in case studies of the first 11 districts to join the initiative. The case studies and cross-case analyses offer new insights about the differences between planning to restore arts education and making that plan a reality.

Action: Visit the Los Angeles County Arts Commission website to download the full report.

Surdna Foundation Announces Arts Teachers Fellowship

The Surdna Foundation invites arts teachers from public arts high schools to apply for funding for artistic development through its Arts Teachers Fellowship Program (SATF). Eligible schools include specialized public arts high schools, as well as arts-focused, magnet and charter high schools. The program offers teachers the opportunity to immerse themselves in their own creative work, interact with other professional artists and stay current with new practices.

Action: The Letter of Intent deadline is November 13. Visit the Surdna Foundation website for application guidelines and materials.

VSA arts and MetLife Foundation Announce "Arts Connect All" Grant Opportunity for Inclusive Arts Programs

“Arts Connect All” grants are meant to strengthen partnerships between arts organizations and local public schools by creating or enhancing inclusive educational programs. A maximum of ten grants of up to $15,000 each will be awarded to selected programs. Proposals are invited from arts institutions creating or enhancing inclusive educational programs.

Action: The deadline is December 11. Visit the VSA arts website for application guidelines and materials.

DEVELOPMENT

Center Theatre Group Receives $1,000,000 Grant

Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, CA will receive $1,000,000 over three years from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to develop experimental theatre productions with Los Angeles-based artists.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES

USArtists International Offers Funding for Artists to Perform at Festivals Abroad

Grants are available to American dance, music and theatre ensembles and solo artists that have been invited to participate in international festivals outside the United States.

Action: The deadline is January 8. Visit the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation website for application guidelines and materials.

MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH

StartingBloc Social Innovation Fellowship

This fellowship sends individuals to the five-day Institute for Social Innovation where fellows interact with one another and StartingBloc alumni mentors. Students and young professionals are provided with the training, education and networks necessary to turn any career into a socially responsible one.

Action: The deadline is November 15. Visit the StartingBloc website for application guidelines and materials.

Atlas Service Corps Invites Not-for-Profit Leaders to Apply for Fellowship Positions

Not-for-profit leaders from around the globe are invited to apply for 2010-11 fellowship positions in Washington, DC, Baltimore and Bogotá, Colombia. In addition to volunteering full time at their host organization, fellows are enrolled in a management development training program.

Action: The deadline is November 10. Visit the Atlas Service Corps for application guidelines and materials.

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Publishes Research Into Action: Pathways to New Opportunities

This research report offers specific insights into how the Philadelphia region’s diverse population engages with the arts and provides specific strategies for cultural organizations looking to build stronger audience connections.

Action: Visit the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance website to read the full report.

RESOURCES

Online Tactics and Success: An Examination of the Obama for America New Media Campaign

This report documents the results of a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the Obama for America’s New Media Campaign. It attempts to understand which strategies and tactics drove a true return on investment for the campaign and which did not, and how the winning strategies can be replicated by not-for-profit advocacy organizations.

Action: Visit the Wilburforce Foundation website to download the full report (PDF).

100 Online Tools for Not-for-Profits

The Wild Apricot blog posts a list of 100 different online applications to help with a variety of tasks from project tracking and collaboration to donor and membership management.

Action: Visit the Wild Apricot blog to view the full post.

FutureLab from Independent Sector

Independent Sector, the coalition for charities, foundations and corporate giving programs, has launched an online forum where members of the not-for-profit and philanthropic community can share ideas to chart a better 2020. Independent Sector envisions leaders from the not-for-profit sector generating, sharing and developing ideas that have the potential to strengthen the sector at large and increase the not-for-profit sector’s collective impact.

Action: Visit the Futurelab website to discuss and share ideas.

TCG DEADLINES

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Information appearing in the TCG Bulletin may not be reprinted without permission.