After one year and a few days on the job, there is much that I am thankful for. The number one item on this long list is a tied position: the staff and the arts organizations who work cooperatively and positively to improve the conditions of the arts industry in Georgia. Thank you. Permanent Task Forces Many grantees have expressed their appreciation to GCA for implementing recommendations made during the Task Force Meetings held earlier this year. GCA understands that some of the best solutions come from those involved. To this end, I will be establishing a number of Permanent Task Force groups to regularly advise GCA Staff on issues of importance to both the agency and the grantees. Members will be appointed based upon positive contributions. Each group's participation will be an ongoing assessment, with reports forwarded to the members for review. In the next few months, I hope to make appointments to three Permanent Task Force groups: Economic Impact, GAP, and Evaluation Criteria. The recommendations and ongoing assessments by these groups will be invaluable in providing "real world" feedback. Loss of a Team Player GCA is sad to lose a member of our team, Darrya Lipscomb, Public Information Specialist. She is moving on to a more responsible posi- tion with the AMB Group, LLC. We wish her well. Other News As of this publication, GCA is completing the search for the Traditional Arts Manager. With this hiring, it will be the first time in ___ years that GCA has had this position filled by an experienced staffer in folklife and the traditional arts. Sincerely, Susan S. Weiner Volume 3, Issue 3 February/March Newsletter Inside this issue: GCA congratulates the eight Georgia Schools that were awarded Artist-in-Residence (AIR) funding in January. The AIR Grant is designed to assist teachers and benefit students through the contracting of a GCA-Certified Teaching Artist to participate in the planning, design, and instruction of an arts education or arts-ineducation curriculum-based project. Each school listed below was awarded $7,000 in funding for the following innovative projects: Chesney Elementary School, Duluth - GCA artist Jeff Mather will work with fourth grade students and teachers in an interdisciplinary project involving the whole school community. He will work with students to create a site sculpture to represent the school, bring unity to the community, and help foster school identity and pride. Doves Creek Elementary, Elberton - GCA artist Kay Rosenblum will work with students at Doves Creek and the local Elbert Theatre in a residency that will culminate in a performance by students. Valley Point Middle School, Dalton - GCA Artist Jeff Mather will work with students in a residency that will include science and engineering concepts. The project was inspired by the nautical/ocean theme displayed on many of the school s murals. International Community School, Decatur - GCA Artist Elise Witt will work with 2nd grade students and a group of after school students who will participate in a drumming group. She will also help teachers integrate music into the regular curriculum. Students will be exposed to a wide Volume 3, Issue 3 Page 2 AIR GRANTS, Cont. variety of world music. Jasper Elementary School, Jasper - GCA Artist Angie Cook will lead students in a process that will end with a mural being installed in the school lobby. The whole school community will be encouraged to participate and the academic core curriculum will connect to visual arts. Montgomery Elementary, Atlanta - GCA Artist Sherry Norfolk will connecting the art of storytelling with language arts curriculum with students in the third and fourth grade. GCA artist Claire Ritzler will work with 1st and 2nd graders to integrate language arts into the magic of puppetry. Rutland Middle School, Macon - GCA Artist Aima Bey will conduct a residency using Discipline-Based Theatre Education focusing on music and dance with language arts core curriculum connections. Union County Elementary School, Blairsville - GCA Artist Angie Cook will lead a residency for the 3rd through 5th grade combining current regular class literature with visual arts. The local community including parents will be encouraged to participate with the workshop and teacher in-services will also be part of this residency. FROM THE GRANTS DIRECTOR As you work on general operating support applications for the upcoming deadline, we want to call your attention to a few details that often bring questions to our office this time of year. This information may both raise an applicant's score from the panels and shorten the processing time for your first reimbursement checks. Before packaging your application, please double-check each item on the checklist below. Note that these items apply to GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT applications: Checklist of the Three Most Common Application Errors/Omissions: UNIVERSAL APPLICATION FORM, SECTION IV, ANNUAL BUDGET EXPENSES: -Lines 1-5 and 9: Attach breakdowns. These are REQUIRED; see the center column in these lines. Make certain that the totals for breakdowns, which appear in your Grant Specific Application Package, match exactly the total you provided for that line item on lines 1-5 and 9. All personnel costs (salaries, for example) that appear on lines 1-3 must be broken down by the cost per position for each position, but it is not necessary to list salaries by the actual name of the individual working in the position listed (you may list "Executive Director, $40,000," instead of "John Doe, Executive Director, $40,000 ). UNIVERSAL APPLICATION FORM, SECTION IV, THREE-YEAR FINANCIAL COMPARISON: -Line 33: If you list either a surplus or deficit, be certain to provide an explanation of how you intend to expend any surplus or reduce any deficit, giving some measure of detail in the Grant-Specific Application Package for Section A (Budget Information), No. 2 (Annual Three-Year Comparison). Do not just report, "The Board has a plan to reduce the deficit." Provide a brief detail on the plan that could read, for example, "The Board's deficit reduction plan includes specific goals, such as a 10% increase in the Annual Fund for FY 06 and a reduction in production costs of 7% for FY 06." For Line 09 specifically, we are often asked: What is an allowable expense on this line and what exactly is an "application budget?" Refer to the Guidelines, Part One, Guidelines and Policy Section A, # 9 for details on what expenses may not be included on your application budget. Even for general operating support, an application budget is a proposal to the State of Georgia for reimbursement of specific expenses that are a part of your budget - - not for support of your total operating budget. You cannot include a request for funding in areas that the State will not fund (for example, donor receptions, artist dinners, capital improvements, etc.). GCA provides contracts for specific services and their associated expenses, not for all expenses that may be incurred in a given year. UNIVERSAL APPLICATION FORM, SECTION IV, EMPLOYEE & VOLUNTEER REPORT -Lines 37-45: Regarding Demographics. Where you reported figures in Section IV, Lines 37-45, be sure they are also represented on Section VI, Demographic Information, Line 55 in the appropriate rows, and vice versa; compare these sections together and provide complete information for volunteers. Other important reminders and notes: Read and follow the line-item instructions and use the Checklist of Required Elements at the end of the Grant Specific Application Package. Provide the correct number of copies. Please e.mail or call your program manager soon with any questions. Your program managers are eager to help with any line item in your application, but please remember that during the week of the application deadline it can be difficult to reach your program manager on the telephone due to the volume of calls. The sooner you e.mail or call with questions, the more likely you are to reach your program manager in "real time." By all means, do not hesitate to e.mail or call with *any* question, however technical, tactical, aesthetic or - - whatever specific questions about completing the application you have on your mind. We are here to help. All best, Walton Volume 3, Issue 3 ARTS NOTES Page 3 SNAPSHOT: THE ATLANTA BALLET The oldest continually-operating ballet company in the United States and the official ballet company of the state of Georgia, Atlanta Ballet is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this Season. Under the guidance of Artistic Director/CEO John McFall, the Ballet strives to: feed the soul through dance, inspire through dance performance and empower through education and learning. In alignment with this mission, the Centre for Dance Education opened in 1996 to provide first-rate arts education to all who desire it. The Centre s External Division brings dance education opportunities to thousands of at-risk students in schools and community centers across Atlanta. Sharon Story, Dean of the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education says facilitating access to the art of dance lies at the heart of our mission. With experience and exposure to the medium of dance, young people have the tools they need to set goals and work productively to achieve them. Atlanta Ballet was the recipient of a FY2004 Community Partners Grant for its collaborative project with the Latin American Association The Atlanta Ballet/Latin American Association Dance and Cultural Initiative. This after-school and summer program provides metro-Atlanta s Hispanic youth with year-round service at no cost to students or their families. Classes are offered at the Latin American Association headquarters in midtown Atlanta, and include many styles of dance and movement, such as ballet, hip-hop, jazz, Capoeira (Brazilian martial arts), Brazilian folk dance, flamenco, Tae Kwan Do and break dance. In addition, the program incorporates academic tutorials in English and Math, a Conflict Resolution class, studio art and film appreciation classes, and a guest speaker series on topics including career development, teen health issues and current events. Carla Cuba Atlanta Ballet s Latin American Education Coordinator is instrumental to the program s success. She is a bi-lingual (Spanish and English) former professional dancer from Peru who is a positive role model for the students, providing mentorship that leads to long-lasting relationships. The program is highly regarded among Atlanta s Latino community, and enrollment numbers have consistently increased since the program began in 2001. In 2003-2004, the after-school program served 91 students; there are currently 146 students enrolled in the 2004-2005 program. The 2004 summer program served 138 students. All External Division outreach programs are custom-tailored to meet the needs of each individual school/community. Please contact the Atlanta Ballet for more information on External Division programs. Volume 3, Issue 3 FY06 PANEL MEETING DATES January 18-19, 2005 Fast Track/Quick Benefits Panel Meeting March 21, 2005 Literature Panel Meeting March 28-29, 2005 Theatre Panel Meeting April 11-12, 2005 CAPS & Presenters Panel Meeting April 18-19, 2005 Dance Panel Meeting April 22, 2005 Grassroots Arts Program Panel Meeting April 25-26, 2005 Music Panel Meeting April 27-28, 2005 Arts Education Panel Meeting April 29, 2005 Community Partners Panel Meeting May 2-3, 2005 Visual Arts Panel Meeting May 11, 2005 Traditional Arts and Folklife Project Panel Meeting Page 4 NEA Awards Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded the Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County (CAC) $10,000 through its Challenge America Fast Track Grants Program. Only sixteen local arts agencies were funded through the program and only six arts organizations in Georgia. The CAC was the only arts council in the state to receive funding. The award will support the development of a Campus Master Plan that will expand the Cultural Arts Center s current facilities. The architectural firm of Lord, Aeck, & Sargent will create a comprehensive plan for the property, located in Douglasville s historic district. The firm is also developing the new High Museum of Art Building designed by Renzo Piano, one of the world s most significant architects. The NEA s Challenge America Grant is designed to fund projects that provide opportunities for people to experience and participate in a wide-range of art forms. It also enables arts organizations to expand their audiences. The Campus Plan will enable the Cultural Arts Council to develop much needed, expanded facilities and preserve our historic home here at the Cultural Arts Center in order to serve our growing community s increasingly sophisticated needs and demands for cultural programming. We are thrilled to have this opportunity and to have our efforts to expand recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, CAC Executive Director Laura Lieberman said. This is the Council s first time receiving NEA funding. For a complete listing of the Challenge America awards and more information, go to www.arts.gov/news/news04/ AnnounceChallengeAmerica.html Volume 3, Issue 3 Page 5 Georgia Council for the Arts/Georgia Public Broadcasting State of the Arts Event Calendar up on GCA Website The State of the Arts Statewide Arts Event Calendar is now accessible through the GCA website. Go to www.gaarts.org and click GCA/GPB Arts Event Calendar . We hope now with the calendar accessible at two locations (the State of the Arts companion website on gpb.org and the GCA website), more arts organizations in Georgia will post events. Currently, 59 arts organizations across the state are posting on the daily basis. For more information or to request a username and password to post events for your arts organization, call 404-685-2787 or email gaarts@gaarts.org. SNAPSHOT: COOK COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER FOR ARTS PROJECTS The Cook Council for the Arts and the Cook County Board of Education began a relationship with GCA by receiving a Grassroots Arts Program grant to fund Summer Arts Camp, a four-week enrichment camp serving 40 students in grades 3-6 and featuring art, music, drama and literature. Partially funded by the Commission for Children and Youth, the Summer Art Camp was such a huge success that the organizations applied for and received an FY05 Community Partners Grant to fund more programming throughout the year. The first joint event was the Fall Arts Festival on November 6, 2005. Held at the Cook Middle School, the five-hour festival brought approximately 200 people ranging in age from 3 months to 93 years old together to enjoy music, art and family fun. The festival included a variety of musical performances, sidewalk art contests, face-painting and a free lunch buffet. Educational display exhibits by various organizations to provide information on drug prevention, health care and exercise, educational programs, cancer prevention and homelessness were also included. Festival attendees were treated to performances by professional fiddler Henry Rutland and guitarist Paul Massey from Thomasville who opened the festival with old bluegrass tunes and traditional mountain music. Energia Latina , a Hispanic dance troupe from Tifton, performed dance routines including a special performance by a Flamenco dancer from Seville, Spain. The Fall Festival will be followed up by an event built around a visiting storyteller. The organizations have also partnered with area churches for in-kind venue support and have been incredibly successful in galvanizing the support of local business owners . Atlanta Dance Companies Join in Benefit to Raise Money for Tsunami Several Atlanta Area Dance Companies will join together for a special evening of performance and events to raise money for victims of the Tsunami. The event titled, Artists for Humanity: A Benefit Evening will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 11 at the Georgia Ballet Studios in Marietta. Dancers from The Georgia Ballet, Ballethnic Dance Company, Zoetic Dance Ensemble, and Atlanta Festival Ballet are donating their time and talents to present an eclectic performance for the public. In addition to the performance, there will also be a silent auction. Many businesses in the Atlanta community have donated auction items. I am so pleased that all of the Artistic Directors of these great dance companies were so willing to be a part of this event, Angela Harris, Co-Chair of Artists for Humanity said. In this time that we ask for so much, it is also so important to give back when we can. In association with the performance event, an additional initiative, Young Artists for Humanity. Dance studios across Georgia will be collecting small donations from the students at their schools. The initiative was created to include young people in the project. The event is open to the public and tickets are $20. Seating is limited. For tickets and more information, contact The Georgia Ballet at 770-528-0881. Visit us on the Web! www.gaarts.org GCA Calendar Reminders: February 15, 2005 - Application deadline for all grants and funded-programs May 1, 2005 - Intent-to-apply deadline for Arts Project Grant (2nd application deadline) June 15, 2005 - 2nd Application deadline for Arts Project Grant July 15, 2005 - Intent-to-apply deadline for Arts Project Grant (3rd application deadline) August 15, 2005 - 3rd Application deadline for Arts Project Grant Snapshots are homegrown stories of success and innovation found across Georgia in the arts organizations supported by GCA. Grantees are encouraged to submit up to 500 word articles with photographs for consideration to gaarts@gaarts.org