Georgia Council for the Arts quarterly newsletter, Vol. 1, Issue 1 (Sept. 2007)

Volume 1, Issue 1

Quarterly Newsletter of Georgia Council for the Arts

September 2007

Inside this Issue:
State Art Collection : 2
Arts Council Hand- 2 book: Useful Guidelines Grant Opportunities: 3 Arts Education & Project Grants, Round Two Client Corner: New 3 Ideas for Success
Tips & Tools: Inexpen- 4 sive Promotional Tools GCA New Staff: Tina 4 Lilly & Janice Eaton
Did you know...
America's nonprofit arts &
culture industry generates
$166.2 billion in economic activity
every year.
-Americans for the Arts, Arts & Economic Prosperity
III, May 2007

Introducing: The New Georgia Council for the Arts Newsletter

Georgia Council for the Arts is pleased to reintroduce its newsletter to our clients, stakeholders, elected officials, friends, and the general public. There are several projects, programs and initiatives we are introducing this fiscal year and, in addition to the website, this publication will be a tool for communication.
Several years ago a hard copy version of the newsletter was published and distributed via U.S. Mail. Unfortunately, due to increasing costs associated with printing and mailing, the newsletter was eliminated. Now, however, with so many

(from left): Gillian Gonda, Program Manager, Georgia Public Broadcasting; Nancy Hall, Interim Executive Director, Georgia Public Broadcasting; Susan Weiner, GCA Executive Director; Veronica Njoku, Director, Fulton County Arts Council
advances in electronic publishing, GCA is pleased to once again offer information that we hope you will find useful, informative and, occasionally, entertaining.
Included in this issue is information about Georgia's one-of-a-kind State Art Collection website, client marketing opportunities, the next grant deadline, new

additions to the staff and so much more!
Although this semiinaugural issue includes brief information about the aforementioned topics, future issues will include news about our clients, technical assistance opportunities, advocacy issues, and special events. In fact, if you have an idea for articles, simply send an email to gaarts@gaarts.org and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
For now, please enjoy this first edition of Georgia Council for the Arts' e-Newsletter. We look forward to bringing you many, many more!

Increase Your Organization's Southern Exposure

Clients of Georgia Council for the Arts are
invited to generate more publicity, attract new audiences, and, as a result,
increase ticket sales and box office revenue by increasing their southern exposure. How? Simple:
List any upcoming events on the state of the art event and performance calendar.

The calendar is a searchable database of
Georgia -based arts activities such as theat-
rical productions, music performances visual art exhibits and
more, hosted by clients of the agency. Event or performance information may be added to the calendar

up to one year in advance.
However, State of the Arts is much more than an event calendar. It's also an award-
winning television program that airs on Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) stations across the state. Program producers look for interest-

ing story ideas and unique approaches to the arts when choosing organizations to feature.
Interested? Then visit the GCA Website to learn how to have your event listed on the calendar and the GPB Website to learn more about the television program, including broadcast dates.

Volume 1, Issue 1

Quarterly Newsletter of Georgia Council for the Arts

September 2007

New "Virtual" Home for State Art Collection
More than three-hundred artists featured

Georgia's State Art Collection has painting, ceramics, fiber and silver Public Broadcasting and photogra-

a new home on the world wide web: www.thegaartcollection.org. The website is new in more ways than one. It is the first to be hosted on a

work. Various art forms are represented as well, such as traditional art and contemporary weavings.

pher Walker Montgomery to digitize and archive more than six-hundred pieces of art created by more than
three hundred Georgia artists.

dedicated site by a state arts agency that focuses exclusively on visual artists of the state and also offers curriculum-based lesson

Many of these names are easily recognizable by patrons of the arts. Benny Andrews, Ed Moulthrop, Howard Finster, and

plans. The artwork is available for

Lamar Dodd are just a few of

research as well as for enjoyment.

the artists whose roots origi-

"The state art collection is a legacy," states GCA Executive

nated in Georgia but who have gained national recognition.

Director Susan Weiner. "It is a part of our heritage, of where we

Screen shot of Georgia's State Art Collection website. Artwork shown is Homage by Benny Andrews (Mixed
Media Oil Collage)

A wealth of information accompanies each digitized image

come from and who we are a part of."

For more than eighteen-months, on the website. Visitors can view

Media in the Collection include sculpture, photography, printmaking,

Georgia Council for the Arts worked with technology partner Georgia

actual footage of many of the artists and listen as they discuss what motivated a particular piece; observe the

Information Developed for Arts Organizations

texture of a piece close-up that details brush strokes or intricate weaving patterns; learn more about the artist through biographical content

Instructional, Interactive Handbook Available Online
G eorgia Council for the Arts has partnered with the Georgia Center for Nonprofits to produce and electronically publish the Arts Council Development Handbook: How to Develop a Successful, Sustainable Arts Council in Your Community. The publication includes instructions and helpful advice for creating an effective, efficient arts organization.
Information provided includes:
Success stories and case studies of existing arts organizations

that includes exhibit locations and educational background, and download lesson plans that connect the art work to core curriculum.
The website is a virtual home for everyone who has a connection to the arts. Through this use of great art, GCA hopes to expand the public's recognition of Georgia's visual and traditional artists, who not only expand our vision, but also preserve our

Sample documents such as surveys, questionnaires, and worksheets

cultural heritage.

Links to useful resources such as the Office of the Secretary of State, the Community Arts Network and the Georgia Assembly of Community Arts Agencies
To download a copy visit the GCA Website and click the "Arts Council Handbook" link on the navigation menu.

Additionally, under the direction of the GCA Advisory Board, the State Art Collection Docents Program is currently being established, providing tours of the collection by appointment through the gallery halls at Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Volume 1, Issue 1

Quarterly Newsletter of Georgia Council for the Arts

September 2007

Grant Opportunities: Arts Education & Project Grants Round Two Deadline is September 24

Arts organizations interested in project grants or arts education grant funding from Georgia Council for the Arts have until September 24 to submit applications and other required materials. Individuals interested in submitting applications for inclusion in the Arts Education Banks have until the same date.
There are two categories of project grant support available: Arts Program Grants and Touring Grants. Arts Program Grants support projects that use arts programming as their primary activity. To be eligible for funding, all arts programs must include a public component. Touring Grants support projects that hire

artists and/or arts organizations from the GCA Touring Artist Roster as part of the applicant's arts programming.
Round Two Arts Education Grant funding is also available. Applications are being accepted for ArtistsIn-Residence 1 & 2 Grants which allow for teaching artists to assist in the design and instruction of arts-ineducation curriculum-based experiences; Parents, Teachers, Artists Grants which promote collaborative partnerships among Georgia K-8 teachers, parents/families and community organizations; and Teacher Professional Learning Grants which help fund professional develop-

ment activities for Georgia K-12 educators. Individual artists may submit applications to be considered for placement in the Arts Education Consultant Bank and the Teaching Artist Bank. The Banks are a resource of skilled arts education professionals available to nonprofit organizations, schools and school systems for in-depth development, expansion, and/or enhancement of arts curricula.
For more information on these opportunities, visit the GCA Website.
-Adapted from the GCA Grant Guidelines, 2008

Client Corner: Best Practices from the Field

How do you make the most of what your arts organization has to offer? Traditional marketing strategies, such as print or broadcast advertising, are most often cost prohibitive. Additionally, this tried and true method does not always create the greatest return on an investment. When all else fails, it pays to think outside of the proverbial box.
Each issue of the GCA newsletter will feature Best Practices from the Field, a look at what arts organizations around the state are doing to promote and market their programs and services. Sharing information and innovative ideas is vital to the long-term success of our community. It promotes and reinforces a stronger sense of a supportive environment.
Recently, the Georgia Ballet utilized the opportunity to say "thank you" as a chance to promote the organization. When Development

Director Pamela Hennes distributed an informal e-mail thanking attendees of a recent luncheon, she also made an appeal for the recipients to get involved in the arts community by volunteering, making a donation or, best of all, by attending an upcoming Georgia Ballet event. (See box at right). As a result, more than twenty people contacted Hennes to get additional information about the Georgia Ballet. The fundraiser also received print and broadcast media coverage (CBS46, The Marietta Daily-Journal & The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) in a market where the arts often go unnoticed.
Had any good ideas lately? Share your successes with Georgia Council for the Arts and we'll publish them in future issues of the newsletter. For more marketing suggestions, read Tips & Tools on the next page.

Georgia Ballet Development Director Pamela Hennes, thought of ideas "outside the box" to increase attendance and generate interest for the organization's fundraiser, DANCERS ARE ATHLETES.

Volume 1, Issue 1

Quarterly Newsletter of Georgia Council for the Arts

September 2007

GCA Welcomes Experienced Arts Administrators

GCA Executive Director Susan Weiner is pleased to announced the addition of two highly skilled and experienced arts administrators to the staff: Tina Lilly, Arts Services Program Manager and Janice Eaton Kilby, Community Arts Program Manager.
"Both of these women are an incredible asset to Georgia Council for the Arts," states Weiner. "They both have strong

backgrounds in arts management but also bring unique, individual assets with them that will enhance the level of service we provide."
Lilly earned an MFA from DePaul University where she also worked as an adjunct professor directing multiple student productions. Lilly's background also includes being a director and managing director with Chicago's Live Bait Theatre. In addition to

being the former Administrative Director of 7 Stages Theater in Atlanta, she also served as the Executive Director of the MadisonMorgan Cultural Arts Center. Under her leadership, the organization doubled its operating budget.
Georgia native Janice Eaton Kilby is a former Executive Director of Georgia Lawyers for the Arts. She comes to GCA as an accomplished writer and editor, having authored and co-

authored more than nine books that have been published in twenty languages to date. Eaton Kilby is also an accomplished visual artist and photographer and a former juried Studio Artist with the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center.
More information on Lilly and Eaton Kilby is available on the "press release" page of the GCA website.

Coming Up...
September 26 - 29, 2007 - Performing Arts Exchange, Louisville, KY. Conference for those involved in the performing arts field as a presenter, touring artist, manager, or representative of a service organization
September 22 - 23, 2007 - UPROOTED: The Katrina Project, Atlanta, GA. Ensemble performance at 7Stages Theatre featuring dance, theatre, spoken word and performance art.
September 29, 2007 - Sautee Jamboree "Raise the Roof" Benefit Concert, Sautee Nacoochee, GA. Noon to midnight live music festival, chili cook-off and mountain arts and craft fair.
October 2007 - Georgia Open Arts (GO ARTS) Month. Statewide cultural extravaganza. Includes the National Free Night of Theater on October 18.
October 20, 2007 - Augusta Symphony Pops! At the Bell, Augusta, GA. The Gatlin Brothers perform their greatest hits with the Augusta Symphony
Events listed in Coming Up... are selected at random from events and performances listed in the State of the Arts (SOTA) calendar. For more information on these events, search the State of the Arts calendar online.

Tips & Tools: Ways to Promote Your Arts Organization
Develop relationships with local businesses Speak at a local Kiwanis or Rotary Club Distribute information at sports events Co-op with restaurants to print tray liners with performance/event information
Invite a local business to provide ushers for performances as a corporate team
Co-host a performance with local charity Place bounce back ads on the back of tickets Place ads/information in church and temple
bulletins and programs Place performance collateral at local
libraries
Adapted from 101 Ways to Promote the Arts, Arts & Business Council of Miami