Archive for March, 2009
Jackson Hole Community School Art
The Jackson Hole Community School auctions off artwork by students and local artists this Friday, March 20, 6-8 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Teton Literacy Program and the JHCS Scholarship Fund. The two organizations “won” the proceeds via a student vote.  JHCS is located at 1715 High School Road.  For information, contact Robin Ackerman at 307.733.5427 ext. 150.  Or, email rackerman@jhcommunityschool.org.
The Wyoming Arts Council, a state agency promoting and supporting the arts in our state, says it will receive $290,000 in funds. Those funds will be sliced from the $50 million the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is distributing to arts entities around the country.
The NEA is a standout amongst the countless arts concerns struggling to survive. The Wyoming Arts Council receives more dollars per capita than any other arts agencies; Wyoming is also the country’s least populous state.
Americans for the Arts post these numbers relating to the important role arts play in our lives, our livelihoods:
5.7 million — jobs
100,000 — nonprofit arts organizations
612,000 — arts-centric businesses
4.3 percent — of all American businesses
$29.6 billion — in tax revenue
$166.2 billion — total economic impact
The Art of Finding Funds: Utah Arts Organizations Retool for Leaner Times,a Salt Lake Tribune article on how that state’s art organizations are coping, provides some interesting perspective. Here’s an excerpt:
“And in trying economic times, many in the nonprofit world have rallied around the time-honored advice of nonprofit arts guru Michael M. Kaiser. Maintain the strongest programming possible, advises Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and look to diversify funding sources….For Utah arts organizations, that means considering offerings with a fresh set of eyes, looking to staff for more talent and resources, and, yes, scaling back fundraising events while searching for additional funds with renewed determination.”
Two days ago I attended a fab web marketing seminar, presented by Chris Hansen, owner of Twist of Lime Marketing. I’m plugging him here because Chris taught me, over the phone, how to build this blog.  And I’m here to testify that if Chris can teach me how to build my own blog, he can teach anybody. I’m creative, and I have strong textural/color/composition skills, but I have a very difficult time understanding the inner workings of platforms and web design because I lack spatial aptitude.   It’s my theory that individuals with strong spacial relations have an easier time visualizing how websites are put together.
Years ago, an aptitude test involving my trying to put a big bunch of black wiggly blocks back together in one sculpture proved quite vexing. I was asked if I wanted to try again. “No thanks,” I said.
Chris explained WordPress step-by-step. He held my hand and never lost patience. He’s a specialist, but he’s able to talk to lay people using accessible, non-threatening language.   Hire him.
The University of Wyoming Art Museum and the Wyoming Arts Council are taking up the matter of public art placemaking, hosting “Public Art and Community: Inspiration and Reflection.” The conference takes place April 2-4.
The focus is public art and its role in shaping community–in this case, participants will discuss public art’s role in civic matters and it’s place on campus. All are invited to attend. Those working in arts-related fields are especially encouraged, and we assume public planning and government officials on all levels would be welcomed. Public art planning does not happen in a vacuum; it takes a special effort by artists willing to engage in public process.
Participants may opt to attend one day of meetings or the entire conference.  Presenters will speak on topics such as “Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational,” Wyoming public arts programs, public policy and other related subjects.
Discounts are available for early registration–which ends Sunday, March 15. For tickets and more information, log onto the University of Wyoming Art Museum’s website, or phone the Wyoming Arts Council at 307-777-7742.
