ArtsErie received a grant from The Kresge Foundation to fund capacity-building opportunities for arts and cultural organizations. To learn how your organization can benefit, join us for an informational workshop.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Noon-1pm

Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul
Downey Hall, 134 West 7th St.

Presenters:
Char Mashyna, ArtsErie and
Bob Wooler, The Nonprofit Partnership

Information will be provided on the focus of the grants, the application process, and important deadlines. 

Please RSVP by Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 to info@artserie.org

Light lunch provided.

Hope to see you there!

 

It’s time again for Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts: Program Stream grant applications! A PDF of your instructions for the 2010-2011 PPA Program Stream application may be downloaded at this link. Please read through the guidelines PDF as it is very helpful.

The PCA website at www.pacouncilonthearts.org also has a lot of information and FAQs. The application deadline is to be submitted online and postmarked or hand delivered to Michele Marini at ArtsErie on Friday, February 12, 2010.

The guidelines are similar to last year and will direct you to http://pca.egrant.org to fill out your application and PACDP information. PLEASE NOTE that this year most applicants will have interim status, meaning your application is the shorter version.

For general questions or for questions on which application to file, please contact Michele Marini at mmarini@artserie.org. PACDP question are to be directed to the “helpdesk.” That email address is given to you on the guidelines.

 

Due to the state budget cuts, ArtsErie will not conduct an artist application process this year for teaching artists, but we are working to have funding back on track for next year. In the mean time, you can help us advocate for the importance of the Arts in Education by visiting the Citizens for the Arts website and clicking on the Legislative Action Center button on the bottom left corner. At the Action Center, you can contact your legislator about the importance of the Arts in Education. Thanks!

Resolve to take 5 minutes out of your day to send an e-mail to Governor Rendell to ask him to include state funding for arts grants in his FY 2010-11 state budget. Citizens for the Arts in PA has made it easy for you by creating a template for your use on their Legislative Action Center site.

Please remember to join us tonight to hear Tim Hamilton, author/illustrator of the graphic novel based on Ray Bradbury's 'Fahrenheit 451,' talk about his work. He will also sign books.

As you may have heard, the proposed state budget eliminates the exemption from sales tax on arts and cultural activities. It is important that arts organizations AND their patrons, members, advocates contact our state legislators to express their opposition. Thanks to Tom New, WQLN and other public broadcasting stations, the website they used earlier this year, http://www.wqln.org/artsadvocate/ has been adapted to address the issue of the state sales tax. The Citizens for the Arts website is also available at http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/pa/state/main/?state=PA.
 
While your own words have more impact, please feel free to cut and paste any part of what I've written below. For more information, see the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance website at http://www.philaculture.org/action. PLEASE WRITE OR CALL TODAY!

Sincerely,

Char Mashyna
Executive Director
ArtsErie

---

SAMPLE LETTER:
I'm concerned about the proposal to eliminate the sales tax exemption on a variety of arts, cultural and heritage performances and admission fees. In Erie County, our nonprofit arts and cultural organizations are struggling with the loss of Regional Asset Funding after only 2 years, the loss of City and County funding, the decline in our endowments and significantly lower funds raised by annual campaigns due to the economy. We already have a 3% tax on events in the City. With the sales tax, it would be 9%. That becomes a significant barrier to the arts for those on fixed or lower incomes, to students and to families.
 
It seems like the approach is to look at arts and cultural exhibits and performances as simply entertainment. Tax those who go. Yet, the arts are much more. They impact the quality of life in Erie County, are a valuable component in the development of our young people, and are a tool in the attraction and retention of workers to Erie. Not to mention the economic impact of the arts to the state which is estimated at $155 million.
 
Please eliminate this policy which unfairly singles out arts and culture by taxing museums, theaters and music events but not sports and movies. This burden should not be placed on the shoulders of the nonprofit arts community.

We want your opinions and ideas!

You are invited to attend a CultureSpark Cultural Planning Forum!

Be a part of a vibrant conversation about our community by attending an open meeting as part of CultureSpark, a year-long, county-wide cultural planning process.

Choose the session that best fits your schedule and help the county define its cultural future. Bring your experience, imagination and concrete ideas!

To RSVP to one of the following meetings, or for more information about CultureSpark, call 452-3427 or email info@culturesparkerie.org by Thursday, September 10.

Light refreshments will be served.

SCHEDULE

• Tuesday, September 15
  9 – 11 a.m.    Malin, Bergquist & Company, 2402 West 8th Street
  5:30 – 7:30 p.m.    Booker T. Washington Center, 1720 Holland Street
• Wednesday, September 16
  7 – 9 p.m.    WQLN, 8425 Peach Street
• Thursday, September 17
  4 – 6 p.m.    Edinboro University, Room 142, Miller Hall

FOCUS GROUP SCHEDULE

• Thursday, September 17
  7 – 8:30 p.m.   17 North Main St., Union City
  (Site of the Union City Community Arts Project)

Please help spread the word about these important forums by sending this invitation to your colleagues and asking them to send it along to their contacts and networks. Thanks!

Read this editorial from Char Mashyna, ArtsErie Executive Director, about the importance of the arts. Her letter is addressed to Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio and members of Erie County Council, in regard to funding for regional assets.

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090807/OPINION02/308079995/0/OPINION

Click http://artserie.org/events/fall_for_the_arts_nominations.htm to access the ArtsErie Arts Appreciation Awards Nomination Form.