Latest News
 

Illinois State Board of Education announces new grant program
On April 10, 2006 the Illinois State Board of Education announced a new grant program to assist districts with engaging in a planning process to develop new or strengthen existing arts education and foreign language curricula. The annual grants will range from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on the size of district, the scope of the program, and the level of planning required. The application deadline is May 25, 2006. Only school districts are eligible to apply for this grant. Please urge your district to apply and offer to be part of the planning team!

To download the Arts Education/Foreign Language RFP and Forms, visit www.isbe.net/grants/html/RFP.htm, and for more information on the Arts and Foreign Language grant program contact Lou Berkman at 312/814-3853 or Joyce Krumtinger at 217/577-7323 in the Division of Curriculum and Instruction. A list of District Arts Education Planning Resources, including example plans from school districts in other states, can be found at www.artsalliance.org/ed_resources.shtml#district .

Nonprofit Congress Announces National Meeting, Seeks Delegates
The Nonprofit Congress, an initiative of the D.C.-based National Council of Nonprofit Associations, has opened the application process for delegates to the Nonprofit Congress National Meeting, to be held October 16- 17, 2006. Approximately five hundred nonprofit delegates are expected to gather in the nation's capital for the event, where they will craft a unified vision and message for the nonprofit sector. In the months leading up to the conference, town hall meetings will be held around the country to give local nonprofit leaders an opportunity to help shape and comment on an agenda. In order to ensure that a wide range of voices is heard, NCNA is encouraging nonprofit leaders, staff and volunteers to apply to be delegates and to participate in the process. www.nonprofitcongress.org

 

 Resources
 Websites, research and publications

New Organization Assessment Tools Available
The Donors Forum of Chicago has released four organizational assessment tools that were developed as next steps for implementing Illinois Nonprofit Principles and Best Practices. Available tools include an organizational self-assessment worksheet, a board questionnaire, and an individual board member self- assessment.
www.donorsforum.org/publictrust/assessment.html.

Ten Tips for Donating a Computer
As more organizations and individuals find reasons to upgrade their computers, the problem of how to safely discard used equipment continues to grow. TechSoup provides a guide to parting with old computers responsibly. http://ga0.org/ct/r71DYyY1izRF/

SmARTstart
The Arts & Business Council of Chicago has launched SmARTstart, an online guide for start-up and small arts organizations seeking practical information about the business of the arts, covering everything from audience development and board governance, to income generation and financial management. www.artsbiz-chicago.org

Texas Commission on the Arts Tools for Results
The Texas Commission on the Arts recently launched an online tool kit for nonprofits covering six topic areas: Fundraising & Development, Programs & Exhibitions, Cultural Tourism, Marketing, Advocacy, and Nonprofit Basics. Each section covers the basics, relevant concepts, best practices, things to consider, ideas for implementing change, common mistakes, ways to get started, do’s and don’ts, and how-to’s on a variety of topics. The “tools” are the sample forms, letters, documents, checklists, templates, and other resources. www.arts.state.tx.us/toolkit/

 

 Grants and Awards
 Funding for Illinois artists and arts organizations

National Endowment for the Arts Summer School in the Arts Program
The National Endowment for the Arts' Summer Schools in the Arts program supports rigorous, challenging summer arts education that enables children and youth to acquire knowledge and skills in the arts as well as gain lifelong interests in the arts and culture. Summer school programs must take place during the summer of 2007.
Deadline: May 22, 2006. www.arts.endow.gov

Association of Performing Arts Presenters Innovations Grant Program
As part of their Creative Campus initiative, Arts Presenters will award 6-12, one- to two-year project grants, ranging from $50,000-$200,000 in 2007 to college and university presenters for a variety of campus-based activities that more fully integrate the work of presenters into the life of the academy and the community and for campus presenters working collectively with college or university partners to maximize resources and capacities in the performing arts.
Deadline: June 15, 2006. www.TheCreativeCampus.org

NEA/TCG Theater Residency Program for Playwrights
The NEA/TCG Theater Residency Program for Playwrights, jointly developed by the Theatre Communications Group and the National Endowment for the Arts, affords playwrights the opportunity to create new plays in residence at a host theater and to become an integral part of the theater's artistic life and community activities.
Deadline: July 7, 2006. www.tcg.org/frames/programs/fs_ap_grants.htm

Blues Music Foundation Offers Funding for Blues Education and Preservation
The Blues Music Foundation will distribute $195,000 in proceeds from the "Salute to the Blues" 2003 benefit concert and resulting concert film to the general blues culture in 2006. The foundation invites grant applications from 501(c)(3) organizations in the blues world for programs to further the celebration and preservation of the blues, promote blues education, assist individuals and/or organizations with special needs, and/or other worthy blues causes. The foundation will not fund individuals directly.
Deadline: August 4, 2006. www.emplive.org/BMF/

 

 Conferences & Workshops
 Professional development & learning opportunities

Next Steps: Succession Planning for Founders & Long-Term Executives
Developed by TransitionGuides with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Next Steps workshop helps long-term and founder executives explore the critical and complex issues around succession planning and transition. This intensive, two-day session provides a safe and confidential place to ask difficult questions and explore a variety of organizational and personal issues with peers and consultants. Scholarships and travel assistance are available to selected Annie E. Casey Foundation Grantees.
June 5-6, 2006, Oakland, CA. www.compasspoint.org/nextsteps/

American Alliance for Theatre and Education Annual Conference
The American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE) will host its annual conference in Washington, DC—Connecting our Neighborhoods: Using Theatre to Discover our Common Ground. July 26-30, 2006, Washington, DC. www.aate.com/conferences.asp

 

 Local Arts Network Events
 for IAA and LAN members

Peer Coaching Circles
On May 10, LAN members will gather in Decatur to learn about an opportunity to partner with IAA to bring Peer Coaching Circles to their communities. However, if you are unable to attend on the 10th, you can still get involved.

Peer Coaching Circles are small, highly focused learning groups of between 4-6 members which meet monthly for three hours to discuss current projects, share insights and materials, support and challenge each other, and develop action plans. To find out more about Peer Coaching Circles and how LAN members can participate, visit the IAA website at www.artsalliance.org/lac_peer.shtml or contact Lisa May Simpson at simpson@artsalliance.org.

 

 Arts Around Illinois
 Cultural happenings throughout the state

Teacher Training at Buchanan Center for the Arts
A free one-day teacher training will be offered at the Buchanan Center on September 16th, 2006 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The training will be conducted by Joyce Witt of Highland Park, a member of the Regional Education Corps of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in Washington, DC. The training will focus on the traveling exhibition from the USHMM, Varian Fry: Assignment Rescue, whose organization was instrumental in assisting many artists & intellectuals to escape Nazi persecution during the Holocaust.

Space is limited! Reserve a spot today by calling the BCA at 309-734-3033.

What's New In Your Patch of the Prairie?
Share your news! Send submissions to simpson@artsalliance.org with the subject heading: Locals Online Submission.