March, 2006
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National
Arts Advocacy Day:
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In this month's memo CLICK
AND BE COUNTED URGE CONGRESS TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE GIVING OTHER
FEDERAL ISSUES NEA
GRANTS OPPORTUNITIES
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Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) has announced that Ellen Butz, director of Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts for the past ten years, will take over as Executive Director of LARAC beginning April 1st. She is filling the position held by Patricia Carey Joyce for many years. As a veteran of the field, Pat officially retires on March 31st and plans to finish her master's thesis in arts administration. We wish our good friend and colleague all the best, as we applaud her many years of outstanding service to this field and to her community.
Welcome to
Patti Hughes, Director of Arts Council for Wyoming County. Patti is a
past board member of the arts council and has eighteen years experience
in regional and statewide advocacy and non-profit administration as the
Director of the Wyoming County Youth Bureau.
We cannot
side on the sidelines and wait for someone else to fix NYS Arts budget
inequities. This is the time to take action for what you believe in.
Click here NOW and send a message to your legislators during the Virtual Rally……now through March 7.
Arts Day in Albany is Tuesday, March 7, 2006
9:00 am - 3 pm
The Alliance
urges arts constituents all over the state to be part of advocacy efforts,
and to make their case for increased support of the Arts. We're asking
you to:
1. Sign up for Arts Day in Albany, Tuesday, March 7, 2006. Use this link to our online registration.
2. Make appointments NOW to meet with your legislators in Albany. Give your appointment schedule to the Alliance.
3. Stay in contact with your Regional Captain about local efforts during NYS Arts Advocacy Week, February 27 - March 5.
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ARTS
MESSAGE |
The governor
has proposed a $2.6 million increase bringing grant money to $40 million.
NYSCA administration is also proposed to increase from $5.3 to $5.7 million.
The governor's budget is a step in the right direction, but does not go
far enough. This is the right time to push hard to increase the NYSCA
budget and regain some of what we've lost.
Tell legislators
your own stories about the importance of the arts, and how they impact
the economy and quality of life in your community. Remind your legislators
of what $2.50 will purchase in your area, and how that compares to the
benefits of investing $2.50 in the arts.
NATIONAL ARTS ADVOCACY DAY MARCH 13 - 14, 2006
The Alliance is leading the New York delegation as we advocate on behalf
of the arts. National Arts Advocacy Day 2006 is March 13-14, 2006, in
Washington D.C. Join the advocates as we attend seminars, listen to distinguished
speakers, and lobby for the arts. For more information on this important
national advocacy opportunity go to http://ww3.artsusa.org/events/2006/aad/001.asp
URGE CONGRESS TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE GIVING
Congress
is now finalizing a bill that would have a major impact on the arts. House
and Senate negotiators will be working out a final version of tax legislation
that is theoretically designed to promote charitable giving, including
giving to the arts. While the bill is large and complicated, the Senate
version includes two provisions of particular importance: one that is
very positive, and one that could have a negative effect on the arts and
indeed on charities in general. Therefore, it is important for arts advocates
to take
action now to ensure that Congress includes the first provision
and drops the second one.
The first
provision would encourage artists to donate their works of art to nonprofit
arts, cultural, and educational institutions by allowing them to claim
a tax deduction for the true value of the works. The provision would both
build collections for public use and give equal tax treatment to artists
and non-artists. Currently, artists can write off only the cost of materials,
such as paint and canvas, not the actual value of the work, while collectors
can deduct the full fair-market value. The provision is important because
most museums, libraries, and archives have limited acquisition funds;
the primary way to acquire new works is through donations. This type of
new tax incentive could make it more financially feasible for artists
to donate their works for public enjoyment rather than selling them into
private hands.
The second
provision, while intended to expand charitable giving, could have a negative
impact on many taxpayers and indeed on charities themselves. As a recent
Wall Street Journal article stated, "A Senate measure designed to
expand charitable giving could result in a tax increase for some 37 million
taxpayers." Here's how it works: taxpayers would be allowed to write
off gifts only above an annual threshold of $210 ($420 for couples who
file jointly). In the short term, anybody who gives to charity and also
claims itemized deductions will see their taxes go up, because the first
$210 of their charitable contributions were not tax deductible. In the
long term, Congress is likely to raise the threshold higher, thereby creating
a disincentive for people to give to charities in the future. Charities
and the communities they serve will suffer. Please help fight this dangerous
first step down a long and slippery slope. (We encourage you to read Americans
for the Arts' position paper on this issue.)
Again, a
House-Senate conference committee is set to craft a final bill starting
next week, so now is the time to send a message to both of your Senators
and your House Member. This information comes from American for the Arts.
* National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Urge Congress to support a budget of $170 million. Please note: A $3.46 million cut to Challenge America will be diverted to other purposes at the NEA…unless we speak up:
$1.84 million for salaries and administrative costs; $1.12 million for direct grants; $0.51 million for state and regional partnerships. The Challenge America program is comprised of $10,000 Fast Track grants, supporting underserved communities. Through this program, NEA directly funded projects in over 99% percent of all Congressional districts in 2004, up from about 75% in previous years. Challenge America is one of the main ways that the NEA has been able to ensure that direct funding reaches every congressional district. It is about equity and access!
* National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): Urge Congress to provide aan increase of $15 million for a total funding level of $156 million.
* Disaster
Recovery Assistance for the Arts: Urge Conggess to support a special
appropriation of $5 million for the NEA to provide disaster recovery assistance
for the arts as part of the next installment of hurricane relief funding.
* Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS): Urge Congress
to support the President's proposed increase to $41.385 million.
* Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB): Reject the current proposed cuts to CPB.
* Arts
Education at the Department of Education: Appropriate $53 million
for Arts in Education programs.
* Artists Fair Market Value Deduction Bill: Allow artists to take
a fair market value deduction for self created works given to a nonprofit
institution.
SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMICS:
Creating A Culture Of Innovation
presented by Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester
March 17, 2006
Rochester Riverside Convention Center 123 East Main St., Rochester, NY
14604
Registration 8:30 am - 9:00am Conference 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
This March 17 conference, Science, Technology and Economics: Creating
a Culture of Innovation, will focus on and explore methods for capitalizing
on Rochester's wealth of creative resources. Come hear about innovative
models and approaches from Rochester, New York City, and Philadelphia.
Our keynote speaker, Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle, will present "Creating
a State of Innovation: Unleashing the Power of New York's Entrepreneurial
Economy".
The Innovation Conference Series: Connecting Creativity to Regional
Success brings together leaders from the arts, sciences, business,
education and government. This quarterly series focuses on the roles of
creativity and innovation in building a competitive, sustainable and livable
community in the 21st century.
For further information on this conference visit: http://www.artsrochester.org/artisttools/Innovation%20Conference/IntroMarch2006.htm
The National
Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced that application guidelines
for FY 2007 grants are now available on-line at www.arts.gov.
Annually NEA awards more than $100 million in matching grants to non-profit
organizations nationwide, and grant awards range from $5,000 to $150,000.
Grant categories
include:
* Access to Artistic Excellence
* Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Fast-Track Review
* Grants Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth
Access to Artistic Excellence application deadline is March 13. The application
and grant guidelines for NEA grants can be found on www.arts.gov.
JOB
OPPORTUNITY
Seeking Creative Multi-talented Organized Leader
The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts in Blue Mountain Lake
seeks an Executive Director to oversee the operation of the year-round,
multi-arts community arts center that has been serving the central Adirondack
region for almost 40 years. The Executive Director will work closely with
the Board of Directors and Staff to provide visual and performing arts
programs and services to the region, serve established and aspiring artists,
and offer educational programs and activities of general interest. Candidates
should have strong communication, fundraising, planning, and financial
management skills in addition to a love of the arts and a good sense of
humor. Salary commensurate with experience, plus benefits. Call 518-352-7715
for a complete job description.
Please send cover letter & resume to:
ALCA, Attn. Search Committee
PO Box 205, Blue Mt. Lake, NY 12812
The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations has a 31-year history as New York’s service association for arts and cultural organizations. The Alliance provides leadership and vision, and delivers services, resources and tools that strengthen cultural organizations. The Alliance informs the field on statewide and national issues affecting the arts and assists local arts agencies in building community support.
P.O. Box 96
Mattituck, NY 11952-0096
Phone (631) 298-1234 / Fax (631) 298-1101