The 2012 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon will be held in conjunction with Arts Day on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. This daylong event demonstrating public value and support for the arts is sponsored by the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation. Arts Day will include an arts advocacy briefing, legislative visits, an arts showcase, tours of the Ohio Statehouse, and student exhibitions.

Arts Day was created to foster a greater awareness of the value of the arts in Ohio. Citizens are encouraged to participate in Arts Day by visiting with their state legislators and communicating the need for public support of the arts and arts education. Every year on Arts Day, the Capitol is filled with arts supporters sharing the importance of the arts in their communities.

For more information on how to participate in Arts Day, or how to purchase table sponsorships for the luncheon, contact the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation at info@ohiocitizensforthearts.org or 614.221.4064.

Until next time,

Donna S. Collins
Executive Director

2012 Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio Winners Announced

Eight winners have been selected to receive the 2012 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio. The awards will be presented at a luncheon ceremony honoring the winners and members of the Ohio Legislature at noon on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at the Columbus Athenaeum in downtown Columbus. The luncheon is hosted by the Ohio Arts Council and Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation. Winners will receive an original work of art by Debra Joyce Dawson, a plein air artist from Pataskala.
Winners were selected from 67 nominations submitted by individuals and organizations throughout Ohio. The award categories and recipients are: Arts Administration, Ed Stern & Buzz Ward, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (Cincinnati); Arts Education, Toledo School for the Arts (Toledo); Arts Patron, Louise D. Nippert (Cincinnati); Business Support of the Arts, Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio (Dayton); Community Development & Participation, ArtsinStark (Canton); Individual Artist, Michael Jerome Bashaw (Kettering); Irma Lazarus Award, Barbara S. Robinson (Cleveland).

The 2012 Governor’s Awards Selection Committee consisted of seven Ohio Arts Council board members and three non-board members who were selected by Ohio Citizens for the Arts. They were: Committee Chair Chuck McWeeny (Athens), Ohio Arts Council committee members Karen Bell (Columbus), Louisa Celebrezze (Columbus), Matt Colopy (Columbus), Sara Jane DeHoff (Perrysburg), Jeff Rich (Dublin) and Tom Schorgl (Cleveland), and Ohio Citizens for the Arts committee members Marc Folk (Toledo), Mary Gimpel (Cincinnati) and Dave Seyer (Dayton).

More information about the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio & Arts Day Luncheon, including a full list of past winners and program advertising information, is available on the Ohio Arts Council website at www.oac.ohio.gov/events/GovAwards .

The Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio & Arts Day Luncheon will be held in conjunction with Arts Day on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. This daylong event demonstrating public value and support for the arts is sponsored by the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation. Arts Day will include an arts advocacy briefing, legislative visits, an arts showcase, Statehouse tours and student exhibitions. For more information on Arts Day 2012, visit  www.ohiocitizensforthearts.org or call 614/221-4064.

Arts Day was created to foster a greater awareness of the value of the arts in Ohio. Citizens are encouraged to participate in Arts Day by visiting with their state legislators and communicating the need for public support of the arts and arts education. Every year on Arts Day, the Capitol is filled with arts supporters sharing the importance of the arts in their communities.

The 2012 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio & Arts Day Luncheon are presented in partnership with the Ohio Channel.

Source: Ohio Arts Council

Congress Passes FY 2012 Budget: $9M Cut for NEA, NEH

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the final budget agreement for FY 2012, which includes $146.255 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

The $146,255 million appropriation is identical to President Obama’s proposed budget, a cut of nearly $9 million from FY 2011, and is a compromise between the House of Representatives number of $135 million and the Senate number of $155 million as previously considered by their respective subcommittees.

Also included in this bill is $24.596 million in funding for the Arts in Education programs at the U.S. Department of Education, which had been zeroed-out in a previous proposal in the House.

This concludes the prolonged Congressional negotiations for the FY 2012 budget and prevents a government shutdown.

Source: Americans for the Arts

The pARTnership Movement: Enhancing Business & Arts Partnerships

In this current economic environment, businesses are continually seeking new ways to build their competitive advantage. To help them reach this goal, Americans for the Arts has launched  The pARTnership Movement, a new initiative designed to create mutually beneficial partnerships between arts and business institutions.

The Movement demonstrates how the arts can help business achieve these goals by enhancing the critical thinking, team building, and creative skills of the corporate workforce while also enhancing communities to attract and retain employees. In addition, it prepares arts organizations to partner with businesses in new and innovative ways.

To help businesses better understand the myriad benefits of partnering with an arts organization, The pARTnership Movement-working with local arts agencies across the country-will place ads with major newspapers, magazines, and other publications that demonstrate how partnering with the arts enhances critical thinking skills and creativity within the workforce as well as strengthens community engagement.

The website gives a comprehensive description of the benefits partnering with the arts brings, provides numerous case studies and creates a one-stop shop for building out connections in the community; provides companies with a thorough overview of how and why the arts can help them realize business goals; and includes a zip code finder that will allow businesses to easily locate Americans for the Arts’ member arts organizations across the country that are ready to partner.

The Movement also offers arts organizations the tools they need to more effectively partner with the businesses in their communities including: case studies that showcase innovative ideas and program concepts and multi-channel aspects to highly successful partnerships that deepen over time; information on creating a solid business proposition for partnering with the arts and making an initial request; opportunities to connect with business leaders, gleaning valuable tips directly from the source; and chances to network with and learn from peers.

Source: Americans for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts Announces a New Federal Interagency Task Force to Promote Research on the Arts and Human Development

The National Endowment for the Arts is leading a new task force of 13 federal agencies and departments to encourage more and better research on how the arts help people reach their full potential at all stages of life.

“Human Development” is a framework that researchers, policymakers, and practitioners use to devise research and programs that help people lead full lives from early childhood through old age. While many studies have found links between the arts and positive cognitive, behavioral, and social outcomes, most of this research is small-scale and short-term. There are major gaps in federally sponsored arts research. For example, there is no large-scale research on the arts and creative thinking, a critical asset in today’s global economy. There are research gaps on how the arts influence both youth and aging populations. And there is no nationally representative research on how the arts affect people with illness, injury, or disability. Until now, arts research has not been part of significant research on human development, and there has been little coordination among federal agencies, researchers, and practitioners to rectify this problem.

Taking a collective leap forward, the members of the NEA Interagency Task Force will work together to help fill the research gaps and build a stronger evidence base to inform future policy and practices nationwide. The task force will:
•    host a series of quarterly webinars on compelling research and practices;
•    coordinate the distribution of information about funding opportunities for researchers and providers of the arts, health, and education across the lifespan;
•    conduct or commission a gap-analysis and literature review of federally sponsored research on the arts and human development;
•    identify and leverage joint research funding opportunities across agencies;
•    host a convening with researchers and practitioners for professional development and capacity-building in the field of arts and human development
“It is my job to support artists and arts organizations in their prime mission: making and presenting art. But we also have a responsibility to look beyond ourselves to see the ways in which our work connects with our fellow citizens and the world at large,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “I am pleased to be working in partnership with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to create a research agenda that explores the role of the arts in human development across the life span.”

The task force is a result of The Arts and Human Development, a white paper that proposes a framework for long-term collaboration among federal agencies to build capacity for future research and evidence sharing about the arts’ role in human development. The white paper stems from a first-ever convening between the NEA and the Department of Health and Human Services in March 2011 in Washington, DC with NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman and Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. In her remarks at the convening, Secretary Sebelius stated, “It is our hope that coming out of this meeting we can deepen our collaboration on research and identify new avenues for studying how the arts can improve all our lives.”
Participating federal agencies and departments in the task force are:

•    HHS/Administration for Children & Families
•    HHS/Administration on Aging
•    Department of Education/Office of Innovation & Improvement
•    NIH/National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine
•    NIH/National Institute on Aging
•    NIH/Office of Science Education
•    NIH/Office of Behavioral & Social Sciences Research
•    NIH/National Institute of Child Health & Human Development
•    NIH/National Institute of Mental Health
•    Institute of Museum & Library Services
•    Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
•    National Science Foundation/Science of Learning Centers
•    National Endowment for the Arts

Source: National Endowment for the Arts

The BCA 10: Best Companies Supporting the Arts in America

The BCA 10: Best Companies Supporting the Arts in America recognizes businesses of all sizes for their exceptional involvement with the arts that enrich the workplace, education, and the community. These companies set the standard of excellence and serve as role models for others to follow.

The BCA 10 2011 was presented on Wednesday, October 5 at the Central Park Boathouse in NYC. Please view the gala publication here (pdf 3.5 MB).

Nominate a Company
Who can nominate a company?  Anyone can do it-an individual, an arts organization, or company employee.
Which companies are eligible?  Companies large and small that support the arts in the United States are eligible. Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations are ineligible.

 Submit a nomination here. Nominations close on Friday, February 17, 2012.

Source: Americans for the Arts

Governor to Deliver State of the State Address at Steubenville’s Wells Academy

Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich announced on January 18, 2012 that he will deliver the annual State of the State address on February 7 at Wells Academy in Steubenville.

Wells Academy is the highest-ranking public elementary school in Ohio, measured by test results, and part of Steubenville City Schools. It is consistently viewed as one of the best, most innovative elementary schools in Ohio.

Ohio governors deliver the annual State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly; therefore the General Assembly will pass a Joint Resolution enabling it to convene for the day at Wells Academy, which shares its building and auditorium with Steubenville High School.

Source:  Media Release, Governor’s Office

Suggested Reading

Wallace Studies in Building Arts Audiences: Getting more people to experience more art more deeply is the work of 54 Wallace Excellence Award winners. This series explores the audience-building efforts of four arts groups.

NBC foots bill for school musical programs: The nonprofit iTheatrics’ Junior Theater Project aims to begin another 180 programs this fall, building toward a 2014 goal of 1,000 school programs reaching 1 million students, NBC said. Schools may apply for the fall program at the website MakeaMusical.org starting Friday. NBC declined to put a funding amount on the initiative.

TACLing Collaboration: Ohio’s very own Marc Folk talks revitalizing our cities and collaborating with organizations in your area.

Ohio Citizens for the Arts Gift Memberships Available

Are you looking for a perfect gift to share with the arts lover in your life?

Thinking about what to give to your favorite hostess at that upcoming next social gathering, (because we know you are tired of bringing the same cheese ball or bottle of wine to the party)?
Consider the gift of an Ohio Citizens for the Arts membership for friends, colleagues, and families!

It’s easy to shop … just call Ohio Citizens for the Arts and we’ll process the gift membership right over the phone. We will provide a beautiful card announcing your gift, with an image of the Ohio Statehouse painted by Ohio Artist Jim Siemer, for each gift membership you purchase.  Gift memberships are a great way to support the arts in Ohio!

Contact Janelle at 614.221.4064 or by email at janelle@ohiocitizensforthearts.org for more information about processing your membership gifts!

A table includes ten seats and is just $1,000 (with $500 of that being tax deductible).  We are happy to assist you in registering all of your guests to save you an on-line step in the registration process. Your sponsorship will be recognized at the luncheon on event signage and will be featured in the program.  The Arts Day Luncheon has been a sellout event in past years so you’ll want to reserve your table as early as possible.

The 2012 Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Arts Day Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, May 9th, at the Columbus Athenaeum, 32 North Fourth Street.  This event will be an opportunity for you and other sponsors to reach an audience of arts patrons, artists, and arts administrators along with business and civic leaders from around the state.  Once again we expect to have 80% of the legislature in attendance as well as Ohio’s legislative leadership presenting the awards.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be a table sponsor of this exciting event.  To confirm your sponsorship, simply contact Janelle at 614.221.4064.  We look forward to seeing you at the 2012 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon.

To learn more about past AEO tours visit: www.vsao.org/programs/prof-dev-AEO

Be a Tour Site for the AEO 2012 Tour!

Interested sites should download a Site Application and return it to VSAO by December 16 for scheduling priority.

2012 Young Soloists: Annually, VSA Ohio names a select group of musical artists under the age of 25, as the Young Soloists of the year. The Young Soloists demonstrate outstanding talent in vocal or instrumental music. Winners receive cash prizes and are connected with performance opportunities.  All entries are forwarded to the VSA International application process for a chance to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

To apply download the YS application.

For more information on past Young Soloist winners visit: www.vsao.org/programs/outreach-soloists.

If you have further questions about any of these programs or the application process, contact VSA Ohio at 614-241-5325 or info@vsao.org.

Register Now for National Arts Advocacy Day 2012
Conference Headquarters
Omni Shoreham Hotel
2500 Calvert Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
T: 202.234.0700
F: 202.265.7972
888.444.OMNI (Reservations)

There are three easy ways to register:
Register online
Register by mail
Download our printable PDF registration form and mail to:
Americans for the Arts
c/o Meetings & Events
P.O. Box 91261
Washington, DC 20090-1261
Register by fax
Download our printable PDF registration form and fax to:
F 202.371.0424
Attn: Meetings and Events

To register for the Nancy Hanks Lecture only please click here.

Registration and Admission Policies
Note: Registration payments made with credit card can be processed online, by fax, or by mail. However, payments made by check, purchase order number, or registrations for students can only be processed by mail. If registration form and payment are not received by Friday, March 30, 2012, you must register on site at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.

Admission Procedures
You are required to wear your name badge to all conference events and meal functions. Admission will be denied to those without a badge. Replacement badges may be purchased at the Registration Desk for $50.

Advance Registration Deadline
All advance registration payments must be received by March 30, 2012. Registrations received after this deadline will not be processed in advance. You will be asked to register on site and provide payment at that time.

Lunch with State and District Captains
During the lunch break on Monday, April 16, 2012, you will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with your Arts Advocacy Day State and District Captains and plan your lobbying visits to Capitol Hill. Boxed lunch tickets for this event are $25 each and must be purchased in advance, no later than the registration deadline, Friday, March 30, 2012. On-site sales cannot be guaranteed.

Student Registrations
Individual full time students are eligible to register at the student rate of $75. Students must register by paper form and submit a copy of a valid student ID.

Payment
Registrations are not considered complete until all fees are paid in full. All payments must be received by Friday, March 30, 2012. Registrations received after this date will not be processed in advance and you will be asked to register on site and provide payment at that time. Payment of registrations secured by Purchase Order must be received by Friday, March 30, 2012. If payment by purchase order is not received by this date, the attendee will be required to provide a credit card and sign a payment authorization form to guarantee payment at the onsite Registration Desk before receiving credentials.

Confirmation
All attendees will receive confirmation of registration via e-mail. If you have not received a confirmation notice within three weeks of submitting your registration, or if you wish to change your registration information, please contact us by e-mail at events@artsusa.org.

Refunds
All requests for refunds must be made in writing to Americans for the Arts c/o Meetings and Events. Full refunds, minus a $25 administrative fee, will be issued to requests received by Friday, March 30, 2012. Refund requests received after this deadline will not be considered.

For more information about this program or any Americans for the Arts programs and services, please contact AFTA by e-mail or call us at 202.371.2830

2011 Post-Election Impact on the Arts
The 2011 election proved to be a fairly good year for incumbents. Many candidates who are supportive of the arts and creative economies within their state or region were elected into office.  There were only two gubernatorial elections this year. In Kentucky, Democratic Governor Steve Beshear won re-election over his republican contender. Earlier this year in May, Beshear announced the creation of a statewide cultural district certification program. In a press release  for the initiative, Beshear said “My administration recognizes that a thriving creative sector is a powerful economic development tool and community revitalization asset,” Gov. Beshear said.  “This new program will further strengthen these assets, and Kentucky’s vibrant communities.”

In Mississippi, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant is the Republican winner of the gubernatorial election, and will replace the term-limited Haley Barbour. He is a proponent of expanding the state’s film tax credit program which was launched this year, and co-hosted a film summit over the summer that focused on connecting the local business community to the film industry. Bryant will also preside over Blueprint Mississippi, an initiative launched during Barbour’s tenure that serves as strategic plan to revitalize the state, in part through the expansion of a creative and cultural economy.  Bryant had also been a proponent of the state’s Personhood Amendment, which failed with 58% opposition.

States with legislature elections were Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Virginia, and a special election in Iowa. It now appears Republicans will take party control of the Mississippi state House as well as the Virginia state senate. In Iowa, Democrat Liz Mathis won a special election to fill a state senate seat that was vacated when Governor Terry Branstad appointed Democratic Senator Swati Dandekar to an administrative position. The victory means that Democrats will maintain a razor-thin majority in the state senate.  Also of note is the ousting of Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce via recall vote, making him the first recalled elected official in state history. Pearce was the author of Arizona’s controversial immigration legislation, SB 1070.

On the mayoral front, incumbents dominated yesterday’s contests, and the arts appear to be in good hands in several large cities throughout the country. I’m also happy to note that three recipients of the Americans for the Arts Public Leadership in the Arts Awards won re-election: Mayor James Brainard of Carmel, IN; Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia; and Mayor Joseph Riley of Charleston, SC.  You can check out full results of yesterday’s mayoral elections at the US Conference of Mayors Election Center. Below you will find mayoral results in Ohio.

Columbus, OH
Mayor Michael Coleman (D) re-elected.

• Launched the Capital Kids Initiative in 2001 – an afterschool program that includes “Academic assistance, including help with their homework, science projects, literacy tutoring and computer math; Enrichment activities such as cooking, field trips, drama and art.”
• Served on a panel in September with NEA Chair Rocco Landesman titled “A Way Forward: Arts and Economic Development.”2
• In 2004, launched Art Classifieds in partnership with the Greater Columbus Arts Council. It is an n interactive online directory of regional arts education workshops and classes. 3
• Spearheading revitalization of King Lincoln Historical District.4
• Performed a rap on literacy for Columbus public school children.5

Source: Americans for the Arts

Ohio Arts Council Approves 80 Grants Totaling $394,501
At a public meeting on October 13, 2011, the OAC board approved the second round of grants for fiscal year 2012 and grant ratifications for fiscal years 2011 and 2010. As a result, the OAC will award 80 grants totaling $394,501 to support arts organizations, arts programs and artists across Ohio. These awards have not been previously announced. For FY2012, the OAC has received a total of 504 grant requests totaling $14,351,311.

Organizations that receive OAC funds are required to match state tax dollars with additional public and private funds. In general, for every state tax dollar invested, $84 is raised in matching funds by recipient organizations.

For more information specific to this round of grant announcements, download the following PDF file: a by-city list of grants awarded in this round.

FY 2012 Grant Award Ratifications
Artists with Disabilities Access
Five (5) Artists with Disabilities Access grants were approved totaling $2,150. The Artists with Disabilities Access Program (ADAP) is designed to help artists with disabilities move to a higher level of artistic development.

Project Support
Sixty-Four (64) Project Support grants were awarded totaling $202,964. The Project Support program provides flexible funding to help organizations complete short-term projects addressing a wide variety of goals and objectives through two types of project grantsGeneral Project and Creative Economy Project.

Special Projects for Organizations
Three (3) Special Projects grants were approved for a total of $88,207. Special Projects grants include arts consultancies, fee support for presenters and one-time special projects for organizations.

FY 2010/2011 Grant Award Ratifications
Ratifications are the board’s final approval of funds allocated in various program areas since the June 29, 2011 board meeting. The board ratified six (6) grants from FY2011 totaling $71,750 and two (2) grants from FY2010 totaling $29,430. These awards have not been announced previously.

The FY2011 ratifications included:
One (1) Artists with Disabilities Access grant totaling $250
Five (5) Special Organization grants totaling $71,500

The FY2010 ratifications included:
Two (2) Special Organization grants totaling $29,430
Grant information dating back to FY1998, is searchable on the Ohio Arts Council’s website at: www.oac.ohio.gov/search/grants/SearchGrants.asp  

Grant applications were reviewed by Ohio Arts Council staff and diverse panels of arts experts. The OAC board, consisting of 15 gubernatorial appointees and four nonvoting members from the Ohio legislature, makes final decisions based on panel recommendations.

Source: Ohio Arts Council

Sculpture promotes art at Williamson
The Williamson College of Business Administration held a dedication ceremony on Thursday night for a new sculpture that hangs from the atrium ceiling.

The sculpture, named “Corpus Mirabile,” was designed by artists Gregory Gomez and Peter Andruchow and commissioned as part of the Ohio Percent for Art Program.

In 1990, the Ohio Legislature passed a law requiring any new or renovated public building that receives more than $4 million in capital project funds to allocate at least 1 percent of those funds for original works of public art.

Ken Emerick, director of the Ohio Percent for Art Program, said the Ohio Arts Council had a “great experience” at Youngstown State University. After putting out an open call for public art project proposals, the college assembled a nine-member committee to review the submissions.

“Open-call projects are the most adventurous type of projects,” Emerick said. “We had hundreds of submissions and a budget of over $100,000. But everything went very smoothly. This was a model situation for the program and a great example of how this program can work.”

The committee narrowed the submissions to three finalists who were invited to tour the building. The finalists were then given six weeks to modify their designs to fit the space.

Gomez, a sculptor, painter and associate professor at Wheelock College, and Andruchow, a sculptor and metal artist who owns and operates Woven Steel Distinctive Iron Works in Boston, were chosen from the finalists.

“Corpus Mirabile” is meant to be a metaphor for the corporation, the designers said. The sculpture – made up of many parts working together and going through cycles – is an ever-expanding entity.

Additionally, its open surface, which reveals the strong inner structure, represents the importance of trust and transparency in business.

The Fibonacci numbers – a mathematical sequence in which each number is the sum of the previous two – inspired the designers. Fibonacci sequences often occur in nature – like the arrangement of leaves on a stem, the form of a shell or the shape of a pinecone.

“The piece is only based on the mathematical sequence,” Andruchow said. “If we had built it with the correct math, it would have been sticking out of the ceiling. We were inspired by the mathematics, but we didn’t feel like we had to be a slave to it.”

Greg Moring, professor and acting chairman of the art department, noted the importance of public art projects and their ability to revitalize communities.

“The first thing you think of when you look at a piece of public art is the aesthetics … ‘Do I like it?’” Moring said. “But the second question most people ask is about the finances … ‘Who paid for it?’

There’s often some resentment about public dollars spent on art. But it’s important to separate those two questions and take the business investment into account.”

Moring explained that many cities like Chicago, Columbus and New York have used an investment in public art to draw people and businesses back to disadvantaged and failing communities.

“These projects have a return like any other investment,” Moring said. “Art creates a business opportunity because it creates places that people like to visit. We need to find a way to convince places like Youngstown to see art as an investment in the community.”

Source: The Jambar

Central State University Receives Recognition
Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Jim Petro, joined by Central State University President John W. Garland, today named the Central State University’s Center of Excellence in Fine and Performing Arts an Ohio Center of Excellence in Cultural and Societal Transformation. The newly designated Center of Excellence will serve as a cultural hub for promoting musical and artistic excellence in area schools and communities as well as promoting local economic development.

The Center of Excellence in Fine and Performing Arts (CEFPA) is the second Center of Excellence designation awarded to Central State University and the 51st overall awarded by the Board of Regents.

“I commend Central State University for utilizing their strengths in the music and art programs to develop an Ohio Center of Excellence,” Petro said. “In addition to enhancing the cultural environment of the region with performances and the teaching of free private music lessons, the Center will also drive economic development and lead to collaboration with regional, national, and international fine arts organizations.”

CEFPA combines the strengths of the Music and Art programs at Ohio’s only historically black public university and will offer access to outstanding education in the arts for minority students. The Center will train and graduate students in music and fine art who will provide exemplary professional and cultural leadership in their fields.

The Center will also attract nationally renowned faculty and student talent to Ohio and promote local economic development by attracting and retaining the “creative community” to live and work in the Miami Valley. Graduates will become the local band and choral directors, and will pursue ventures in recording, performance, collaboration, and/or private teaching studios.

CEFPA aspires to provide online course offerings which would be included in the Ohio Learning Network course catalogue, collaborate with local and international dance and music programs, host a world music festival in Ohio, and provide master level classes.

“The CEFPA designation recognizes our longstanding preeminence as a producer of top-notch talent and leadership in the field of fine and performing arts,” CSU President John W. Garland said. “Examples include the renowned Grammy-award winning CSU Chorus and our highly regarded Music Mentors and jazz studies programs as well as CSU alumni Leontyne Price, Nancy Wilson, Roberta Alexander, and Frank Foster. The alumni, faculty and students associated with Central State University’s music and fine arts programs have greatly enriched the cultural life of the surrounding community, the state and the nation.”

More information is available.

NEA Announces New Research Note on Artists in the Workforce
Research offers industry-specific, regional, and demographic data on the 2.1 million artists working in the U.S.

There are 2.1 million artists in the United States workforce, and a large portion of them — designers — contribute to industries whose products Americans use every day, according to new research from the National Endowment for the Arts. Artists and Arts Workers in the United States offers the first combined analysis of artists and industries, state and metro employment rates, and new demographic information such as age, education levels, income, ethnicity, and other social characteristics.

This latest report builds on earlier NEA research — Artists in the Workforce: 1990 – 2005 — which identified key traits that differentiated artists from other U.S. workers. That report found artists to be entrepreneurial (more likely to be self-employed) and more educated than the workforce at large. This latest research confirms those earlier conclusions and shares new data about the working artist. Among the key findings:

There are 2.1 million artists in the United States. They make up 1.4 percent of the total workforce, and 6.9 percent of the professional workforce (artists are classified as “professional workers”).

• More than one-third of artists in the survey (39 percent, or 829,000 workers) are designers (such as graphic, commercial, and industrial designers, fashion designers, floral designers, interior designers, merchandise displayers, and set and exhibit designers.)
• Performing artists make up the next largest category (17 percent). In addition, each of the following occupations make up 10 percent of all artists:  fine artists, art directors, and animators; writers and authors; and architects.
• Between 2000 and 2009, the artist labor force increased by 5 percent while the civilian labor force grew by nearly 8 percent. (i)

Artists work in many industries and job sectors

• More than half of artists (54 percent) work in the private, for-profit sector; 35 percent are self-employed.
• One in three artists (34 percent) works in the “professional, scientific, and technical services” sector, which includes architectural and design firms, advertising agencies and consulting firms, and companies offering computer or photographic services.
• One in five (18 percent) of artists work in the “performing arts, spectator sports, and independent artists” category, including more than half (53 percent) of all musicians.
• Fourteen percent of all artists (73 percent of producers and directors, 23 percent of actors, and 20 percent of writers and authors) work in “information” industries, such as the motion picture, video, and broadcasting industries, or newspaper, book, or directory publishing.

Wage gaps persist

• Women artists earn $0.81 cents for every dollar earned by men artists. This gap is similar to that in the overall labor force (where women earn $0.80 cents for every dollar earned by men); professional women earn even less — $0.74 for every dollar earned by professional men. (ii)
• Artists’ median wages and salaries ($43,000 in 2009) are higher than the median for the whole labor force ($39,000). Yet artists as a whole earn far less than the median wage of the “professional” category of workers ($54,000), to which they belong. Architects make the highest median wage ($63,000), while workers who are classified as “other entertainers” had the lowest ($25,000). (iii)

Artist demographics

• Artists are less socioeconomically and demographically diverse than the total U.S. workforce, yet diversity levels vary across individual artist occupations.
• While artists as a whole are less likely to be foreign-born than other U.S. workers, some of the highest-paid artist occupations have the highest rates of foreign-born workers. Architects and designers are the most likely to be foreign-born (14 to 16 percent, roughly the same as the U.S. workforce).
• Artists work at home at more than three times the rate of the total labor force (15 versus 4 percent).
• Artists are just as likely to be married as the general workforce (53-54 percent).

Artist-heavy states and regions

• New York and California have the highest numbers of artists in the U.S. Oregon and Vermont have 20 percent greater-than-average numbers of artists, with writers and authors especially prominent. Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Washington, and Rhode Island outdo the national average.
• In Tennessee, 22 percent of all working artists are musicians.
• Minnesota, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey have the most workers in the book publishing industry. (iv)
• The San Jose, California metro area has the highest level of employment in industrial design services — more than 3 times the U.S. average. (v)

The NEA analyzed data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, a new annual survey tool that complements the decennial census. The note analyzed 11 distinct artist occupations: actors, announcers, architects, dancers and choreographers, designers, fine artists, art directors and animators, musicians, other entertainers, photographers, producers and directors, and writers and authors. The NEA used a five-year data set (2005-2009) to get a large enough sample size for a thorough analysis. New data on employment patterns and freelance artists reveal more accurate totals for this mobile, entrepreneurial group of workers.

i. Bureau of Labor Statistics
ii. These calculations are for full-year/full-time work only.
iii. Annual wages and salaries are provided only for full-time, full-year artists, based on 2009 estimates..
iv. From the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, which tracks employment by industry, not occupation. This data includes both artists and other workers in that industry.
v. Ibid.

Source: National Endowment for the Arts

Ohio Citizens for the Arts Gift Memberships Available
Are you looking for a perfect gift to share with the arts lover in your life?

With holidays just around the corner are you wondering what the perfect gift can be for the family with everything?

Thinking about what to give to your favorite hostess at that upcoming next social gathering, (because we know you are tired of bringing the same cheese ball or bottle of wine to the party)?

Let us help you plan ahead for the gift giving season.  Consider the gift of an Ohio Citizens for the Arts membership for friends, colleagues, and families!

It’s easy to shop … just call Ohio Citizens for the Arts and we’ll process the gift membership right over the phone. We will provide a beautiful card announcing your gift, with an image of the Ohio Statehouse painted by Ohio Artist Jim Siemer, for each gift membership you purchase.  Gift memberships are a great way to support the arts in Ohio!

Start your holiday shopping today! Contact Janelle at 614.221.4064 or by email at janelle@ohiocitizensforthearts.org for more information about processing your membership gifts!

Ohio Citizens for the Arts will hold its Annual Meeting in Columbus on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 10:30 AM.  The purpose of the meeting is to carry out the business of the organization (electing Board members, approving the 2012 budget, considering amendments to the bylaws, etc.) and to provide an update on the 2011 work of the organization and introduce potential new opportunities for 2012.  All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Ohio Citizens for the Arts Annual Meeting
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts
77 South High Street, 31st Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6108
614.221.4064

We look forward to your participation!  Please RSVP to 614.221.4064 so that we can prepare for your participation.

Until next time,

Donna S. Collins
Executive Director

Seeking 12 Ohio High Schools To Represent Ohio’s 1.8 Million Students! Is Your High School The Perfect Match?

Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation, in partnership with the Ohio Arts Council, offers a unique community service opportunity for high school students in conjunction with Ohio’s annual Arts Day and Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio.  Twelve high schools from around the state will be chosen to send a team of six students to Columbus to serve as student advocates.  These students will participate in a range of activities highlighting the value and importance of the arts and arts education as a part of a complete curriculum. This is a valuable opportunity for your students to participate in the democratic process in a way that is personally meaningful to them.

You are invited to express your interest in having your students participate in Arts Day 2012 to be held in Columbus on Wednesday, May 9th.  Please respond in writing by November 3, 2011 by email, fax, or US mail (contact information can be found at the close of this message).  High school selections will be made by the end of November from those indicating their interest to participate.

WHAT: Arts Day 2012 Student Advocate Program
WHEN: Wednesday, May 9, 2012   9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
WHERE: Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts and the Ohio Statehouse

ACTIVITIES:

• Students attend an advocacy briefing
• Students meet with state legislators or their aides to advocate for the arts and arts education
• Students attend the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon with members of the state legislature
• Students tour state buildings and other cultural venues while in Columbus

OPPORTUNITIES:

• Collaborate among academic departments within the high school (ex. arts, government, and language arts)
• Host a member of the Ohio House of Representatives and/or Senate in your school for a pre-Arts Day orientation to discuss the role of a legislator in education and the arts funding process
• Raise student awareness of the legislative process and citizens’ participation in government
• Receive positive recognition for your school
• Make an important contribution to the continuation of state funding for the arts and arts education

REQUIREMENTS:

• Six (6) students who demonstrate an interest in the arts and the day’s activities
• Advance preparation by students: identify and write their Ohio legislators
• School-provided release time for: a) two-hour in-school legislative visit; and b) trip to Columbus on Arts Day
• School-provided transportation to Columbus for students and accompanying adult(s)
• Teacher and/or school administrator to “advise” the student participation and serve as a liaison with the Arts Day Committee member

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Donna Collins, Executive Director
Email: donnacollins@ohiocitizensforthearts.org
Telephone:  614.221.4064 Fax:  614.241.5329
Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation
77 South High Street, 2nd Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6108

The Big Read Accepting Applications for September 2012-June 2013
Application submission deadline: February 1, 2012

The Big Read is accepting applications from non-profit organizations to develop community-wide reading programs between September 2012 and June 2013. The Big Read is a national program designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment. Organizations selected to participate in The Big Read receive a grant, access to online training resources and opportunities, and educational and promotional materials designed to support widespread community involvement and participation. Approximately 75 organizations from across the country will be selected.

To review the Guidelines & Application Instructions visit The Big Read website

Questions? Call Arts Midwest at 612.238.8010 or email  TheBigRead@artsmidwest.org

National Association for Music Education Council of Music Program Leaders Presents Music Program Leaders Academy at the 2012 Music Education Week “Leadership for Music Education 2.0″ Call for Proposals

Purpose: This academy is designed for leaders in music education who are responsible for the oversight and implementation of various components of school district music programs. Diverse sessions that address the current status of the revised art standards, professional learning communities, formative assessment, growth measures for student music achievement, professional development partnerships, and increased student empowerment are planned to maximize personal leadership and the influence on current decision making practices. Opportunities for professional conversation are included through targeted discussions, as well as at the annual meeting of the NAfME Council of Music Program Leaders (NCMPL).

Submissions Deadline: November 18, 2011.

To achieve the purpose of the Music Program Leaders Academy, members of the NCMPL are invited to submit proposals for topical sessions by the stipulated target date (time extensions will not be granted). Proposals must be sent electronically to sandyf@nafme.org by November 18, 2011. The final decision regarding acceptance for presentation at the Music Program Leaders Academy will be made by the NCMPL conference committee.

Selection Process: The NCMPL conference committee will be guided in this selection by the following criteria: quality of presentation; relevance to academy’s stated theme; innovativeness; timeliness of the specific topic to the field.

Presentation Format: Applicants may submit one or more proposals in presentation-style format. Appropriate technology will be available for projection, and applicants can propose sessions between 60 and 90 minutes in length.

Appropriate Topics: The theme of the 2012 Music Education Week Supervisors Academy is “Leadership for Music Education 2.0.” This theme is designed to attract proposals that address the current needs of music education leaders and their students. Topics for consideration include:

• Professional learning communities
• Formative assessment
• Growth measures for student music achievement
• Professional development partnerships
• Increased student empowerment
• Revised arts standards

Procedure: If accepted, presenters must register for and attend the conference, and must be members of NAfME at the time of application and dates of the conference.

This is a message regarding important or time-sensitive information for NAfME members who have selected administration/supervision as a teaching area. It has been sent to you by National Association for Music Education, 1806 Robert Fulton Drive, Reston, VA 20191. If you do NOT wish to receive future e-mail messages from NAfME, send an e-mail message to NAfME News . Write “unsubscribe” in the subject line and your name and member number in the body of your e-mail. You will be unsubscribed within two weeks of receipt of your message, but you may receive Updates in the interim. To change your e-mail address or for other general membership inquiries, contact Member Services. To contact NAfME staff with specific inquiries, visit the Contact page. Inquiries sent as replies to this e-mail may not be answered! NAfME does not sell or share the e-mail addresses of our members.

Two Foundations Take New Approaches to Arts Engagement
Many arts organizations have tracked fluctuations in attendance rates during the economic downturn, and with two separate funding initiatives the James Irvine Foundation and the Knight Foundation seem to have responded by saying, “Yes, changes have occurred. Embrace them.”

A recent story in the Sacramento Bee highlights the demographic changes that led the James Irvine Foundation to shift its arts funding strategy. A key factor was a study (PDF) released in September on arts engagement that reveals that Californians are increasingly experiencing culture at home as opposed to in theaters, museums, or galleries. The study also emphasizes the increasing importance of religion in individuals’ cultural preferences-particularly for African Americans and Hispanics. The new Exploring Engagement Fund aims to promote arts engagement by supporting arts nonprofits that are responding to the changes in the “who,” “how,” and “where” that arts engagement is now taking place within California. Commenting on the shift reflected in this new initiative, Josephine Ramirez, arts program director at the Irvine Foundation, told the Bee, “This is a whole new world where we’re prototyping risk and experimentation.” She added, “What I think we will see are a lot of organizations across the state trying new things and coming up with interesting ideas.”

Meanwhile, over on the East c\Coast, the Knight Foundation is accepting applications for the second round of Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia, a grant program that is open to established arts institutions, independent artists of all types, and even businesses and service organizations. The only three criteria for the program are that projects focus on art, that they benefit Philadelphia in some way, and that they come with matching funds. As an example of  a funded project from the last round, a recent NewsWorks story cites “A Play, A Pie, A Pint,” in which audiences “at a pub or lounge can see a short play, and wash a slice of pizza down with a pint of beer, for $15.” The concept is a British import that Emma Gibson brought to the U.S. Dennis Scholl, vice president of arts at the Knight Foundation, told NewsWorks, “This year, we’re going to reach deeper into the community and try and motivate and look for ideas from individual artists and also from the creative community.”

Source: The Nonprofit Quarterly

Statewide Arts Agency Appropriations Preview Fiscal Year 2012
This report provides a forecast of state government funding for the arts in the year ahead as budgets for FY2012 are being finalized and national funding trends are beginning to emerge. Please note that this is preliminary information. Many states will revisit enacted budgets in the coming months in order to adjust for shifting revenue and expense conditions.

The Climate for Arts Funding
State budgets continue to feel the effects of the recession, which triggered the largest collapse in state revenues ever recorded. As they began planning for FY2012, governors and legislators in 42 states struggled to close budget shortfalls. Compounding this challenge was a great deal of political churn. Twenty-nine new governors and 1,620 new state legislators took office early this year, and many of those individuals campaigned on platforms of government downsizing. These conditions all led to significant cutbacks in many public services as well as reductions in spending for education, health care, aid to localities and compensation for state workers.

See the results from NASAA!

Source: National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

String: The Premier Guitar Festival at the Ananda Center Northeast Ohio
This inaugural festival of guitars assembles premier players and technicians from two continents for a weeklong musical journey. String provides an opportunity to hear, observe, and learn from an outstanding acoustic array of musical excellence encompassing a sundry of styles and eras to tantalize the senses.

Collaborating with schools: Massillon native Randall Avers and Benoit Albert of Les Freres Meduses will be providing weeklong performances and workshops within the school districts of Stark County, Ohio.

On Saturday, November 12, at the Massillon Museum, a full day of workshops and seminars offering a variety of learning levels and experiences will be presented by the participants.

Friday, November 11, 2011 7:00 P.M.: The opening concert with Les Freres Meduses in the intimate setting of the Main Gallery of the Massillon Museum. Doors will open at 6:30 P.M.

Saturday, November 12, 2011 8:00 P.M.: Goran Ivanovic and Andreas Kapsalis at the historic Lincoln Theater. Doors will open at 7:30 P.M.

Sunday, November 13, 2011 1:30 P.M.: Solo Performance by Dieter Hennings on baroque lute and the classical guitar.

3:00 P.M.: Closing performance by Stephen and JoNell Aron.
Doors will open a half an hour before each performance.
Visit the Ananda Center’s Website for more information.
Public Art in Westerville Spaces – Sculpture Project 2012-2013
Project Description: “Public Art in Westerville Spaces – Sculpture Project 2012-2013″ is a yearlong community arts project sponsored by the City of Westerville Parks and Recreation Department, Westerville Parks Foundation and the Arts Council of Westerville, Inc. The 2012 – 2013 exhibition will feature 7 – 10 sculptures by Ohio artists.  Sculptures will be juried into the exhibit and installed outdoors, on concrete pads in high profile locations  in historic uptown Westerville, Ohio and throughout City Parks and business areas. Online and print brochures will be provided to the public to inspire self-guided walking tours of theexhibit. Guided docent tours will also be available through the Arts Council of Westerville. On the launch date of Saturday, June 16, 2012, there will be a reception hosted by the Arts Council of Westerville for the artists and all the collaborators.

All work must be for sale and remain in the exhibit for the entire duration. Each artist will receive a $500 stipend. In addition to the stipend, a grand prize of $500 will be awarded. The postmark deadline for submissions is January 20, 2012.

Selection Criteria: Entries will be critiqued on artistic merit and originality. All finalists will have to meet standards of public safety and durability of design and materials. Freestanding sculptures will be considered. When choosing submissions, please keep in mind sculptures will be shown outdoors and should be of a substantive size and impact to complement surroundings. All work must be original, created by an artist residing in Ohio, for sale, and remain in the exhibit for one year. Artists selected will be notified by February 17th, 2012.

Submission Procedure: “Public Art in Westerville Spaces – Sculpture Project 2012-2013″ is open to all artists 18 years of age and older residing in Ohio. Artists may submit up to three (3) original sculptures. The non-refundable entry fee for each sculpture submitted is $25 (make checks payable to the Westerville Parks Foundation). Please download and print a copy of the application and complete it in its entirety. Artists are required to include a copy of their resume, and an artist statement. Each application must include a CD with digital images of the artwork and each image file name must specify the title. Each image submitted must be a high resolution, 300 dpi. and measure 5” X 7”. Each submission must also include information about each sculpture which includes title, dimensions, media, date created, and retail price. The Westerville Parks and Recreation Department and The Arts Council of Westerville, Inc., reserve the right to reject, upon receipt, any sculpture that does not meet the aforementioned standards for outdoor display, is deemed unsafe, and differs from artist’s photo and/or description or for any other reason.

Benefits to the Exhibiting Sculptor

• $500 stipend
• $500 grand prize for “Best in Show”
• Sculptures will be placed high visibility sites in the Westerville, Ohio named one of “America’s Best Places to Live” by Forbes Magazine
• A yearlong marketing campaign, including press releases and brochures distributed in Central Ohio

Process to Apply: In order to be included in the selection process each application package must BE SUBMITTED BY JANUARY 20, 2012 and include the following:
1. Completed Application
2. $25 non-refundable entry fee per sculpture (check payable to Westerville Parks Foundation)
3. Resume/ Artist statement
4. Descriptive statement about each piece submitted
5. CD with high resolution images of each submitted piece and a detailed description of each piece
6. Artists that wish for return of materials must include a SASE

For additional information or an application to apply please contact Jan Fedorenko at 614-797-7100 or FedorenJ@westerville.k12.oh.us

* NO ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION WILL BE ACCEPTED

Suggested Reading
Getting In On The Act: How Arts Groups Are Creating Opportunities for Active Participation: This report and case studies of illustrative projects help provide a better understanding of how people are engaging in the arts, and of how arts organizations are enabling this involvement. Researchers at WolfBrown investigated active arts participation across the arts sector in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, learning from more than 100 organizations currently engaging in participatory arts. The report helps address many of the concerns that arts organizations may have in embracing participatory arts practices and illuminates the various trends in the field that are responsible for this shift. This report also presents the “Audience Involvement Spectrum,” a helpful new model for understanding various levels of arts engagement.

Beyond Their Walls: Ten Major London Arts and Cultural Organizations Share Experience of Working In The Public Realm: With an eye on the 2012 Olympics and a desire to increase engagement with the arts among all sections of society, New landscapes makes a number of recommendations to improve the working environment for outdoor arts, build a clearer picture of working practices, gather evidence of the impact of the work and increase the longer-term sustainability of the sector. This series of dialogues focuses on significant cultural organizations across London, from the Royal Opera House to the British Library, some of which are experienced in the art of working outdoors and some of which are unaccustomed to working in public spaces. It captures a range of thoughts from some of our leading cultural voices and illustrates ways in which the arts sector is working to offer audiences new experiences, transform places in unexpected ways and ignite artistic creativity.

Cultural Organizations and Changing Leisure Trends: For two working days in May 2007, a group of 34 leaders from arts, culture, entertainment, commerce, and academia focused on the issue of leisure in America. While the effort and its subject may seem a bit of a disconnect (working at understanding leisure), the conversations underscored the fact that leisure trends are serious business for cultural organizations. The changing shape and nature of non-work life fundamentally frames the public’s engagement with the arts, humanities, and sciences. This group convened to consider whether and how cultural organizations might respond to that changing frame, and where the shifts might take the interplay of leisure and cultural experience in the future.

Ohio Citizens for the Arts Gift Memberships Available
Are you looking for a perfect gift to share with the arts lover in your life?

With holidays just around the corner are you wondering what the perfect gift can be for the family with everything?

Thinking about what to give to your favorite hostess at that upcoming next social gathering, (because we know you are tired of bringing the same cheese ball or bottle of wine to the party)?

Let us help you plan ahead for the gift giving season.  Consider the gift of an Ohio Citizens for the Arts membership for friends, colleagues, and families!

It’s easy to shop … just call Ohio Citizens for the Arts and we’ll process the gift membership right over the phone. We will provide a beautiful card announcing your gift, with an image of the Ohio Statehouse painted by Ohio Artist Jim Siemer, for each gift membership you purchase.  Gift memberships are a great way to support the arts in Ohio!

Start your holiday shopping today! Contact Janelle at 614.221.4064 or by email at janelle@ohiocitizensforthearts.org for more information about processing your membership gifts!

Governor John Kasich has issued a proclamation declaring October Arts & Humanities Month in Ohio.

“The arts and humanities play a unique role in the lives of our families, communities and country by enhancing and enriching the human experience,” proclaims Gov. Kasich. “I hereby designate October 2011 as Arts & Humanities Month throughout Ohio and encourage the residents of Ohio to celebrate and promote the arts and culture in our state.”

National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM) has been celebrated since 1993 and provides a great opportunity for people to participate in the arts offered in their communities. The Ohio Arts Council (OAC) is teaming up with the Ohio Statehouse to celebrate NAHM by organizing a series of free arts events in downtown Columbus.

On Tuesday, October 4, the month-long celebration will kick off in the Statehouse Atrium from noon to 1 p.m. with a reading of Gov. Kasich’s proclamation of October as Arts & Humanities Month throughout Ohio. Following the reading, high-energy bluegrass band Grassahol will perform a 45-minute set of their toe-tapping music. Described as “original, contemporary bluegrass at its finest” by Bluegrass Unlimited, the band frequently entertains audiences across the Midwest and features the musical stylings of Carl Yaffey (banjo), Chas Williams (fiddle), Heidi White (bass), Buren Carter (guitar) and Scott Brooks (mandolin). The lunchtime event will be free and open to the public.

A visit to the Statehouse is always a good time to explore the People’s Art Collection. The artwork in the collection depicts the hopes, dreams, values and aspirations of Ohioans and commemorates Ohio’s accomplishments and struggles. With the support of the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and the OAC, the People’s Art Collection created integrated lessons about the artwork found within the Statehouse and on Capitol Square. These resources are available for parents and teachers.

The Statehouse is just one place where Ohioans can discover and explore the arts in the Buckeye state during NAHM. To discover the rich variety of arts and cultural activities going on throughout Ohio, visit ArtsinOhio.com. The OAC also encourages arts organizations to schedule events in coordination with NAHM and to use ArtsinOhio.com to promote them. Organizations can register online for free and post their events to the website.

Ohio Arts & Humanities Month events are organized by the Ohio Arts Council and the Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board with support from the Central Ohio Bluegrass Association and Ohio Citizens for the Arts.

Source: Ohio Arts Council

Consortium Views Arts as Engines of Recovery

In the two years since he became chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Rocco Landesman has been trying to make the case that art is an effective linchpin to economic development. Now in a broad effort to build on that thesis, he has helped to enlist an unusual consortium of foundations, corporations and federal agencies that will use cultural enterprises to anchor and enliven 34 projects around the country, from a struggling city block in Detroit to a vacant school in East Harlem.

The projects will receive $11.5 million in grants from the foundations and another $12 million in loans from the corporations under the program that is to be financed through the private sector but coordinated in part by federal agencies. The program, to be announced on Thursday and called ArtPlace, aims to integrate artists and arts groups into local efforts in transportation, housing, community development and job creation as an important tool of economic recovery.

“We really need to scale up the resources in the field,” Mr. Landesman said. “It is not going to be through Congressional appropriation.”

“We felt,” he added, “if we worked together and coordinated our efforts, it would have a multiplier effect.”

The foundations involved are the Ford Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the James Irvine Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, the Rasmuson Foundation and the Robina Foundation as well as an anonymous donor.

It is unusual for foundations to join forces in this way to back a single cause. “It seemed too important not to do,” said Don Michael Randel, president of the Mellon Foundation. “The support for the arts and humanities is fairly frail.”

The federal partners besides the National Endowment are the departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Education, and Transportation, along with the White House’s Office of Management and Budget and its Domestic Policy Council.

Source: New York Times

Nonprofit Job Growth Nearly Flat in 2010, Says Study

The growth in nonprofit jobs slowed in 2010 compared with other recent years, according to a new analysis of U.S. labor statistics.

The number of nonprofit jobs grew by just under 1 percent from 2009 to 2010, according to a study of figures in 45 states by the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Civil Society Studies, in Baltimore. Year-to-year nonprofit job totals increased by 1.2 percent in 2009 and 2.6 percent in 2008.

However, nonprofits fared better in 2010 than for-profit companies, which saw a 0.9 percent decrease in jobs last year.

Among specific fields, education saw the highest rate of growth at a rate of 1.9 percent from 2007 to 2010, followed by professional services and arts, each at 1.8 percent. Health-related jobs grew by 1.6 percent, and social services by 1.5 percent. Civic groups saw a 0.5-percent drop in jobs during that three-year period, according to the report.

Other key findings show that half of all nonprofit jobs are health-related, 13 percent are in education, and 11 percent in social services.

The full report, “Nonprofits Continue to Add Jobs in the Current Downturn but Rate of Job Growth Falters: An Overview,” will be released later this month, but a summary of its main findings can be found on the university’s Center for Civil Society Studies Web site.

Source: Chronicle of Philanthropy

CMU gets $265 million gift from William S. Dietrich II

A philanthropist and former steel executive is giving Carnegie Mellon University $265 million, its biggest gift ever and one of the 10 largest by an individual to private higher education in the United States, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has learned.

The gift, which has the potential of transforming the university, is from William S. Dietrich II, 73, a longtime member of Carnegie Mellon’s board of trustees. It is to be announced today at a gathering honoring Mr. Dietrich, who was reared in Crafton and is former chairman of Dietrich Industries. His gift becomes effective upon his death.

The CMU gift — equal to about a fourth of the university’s entire endowment — is intended to be a catalyst for its global initiatives and for something long a source of CMU pride: What campus officials call the “fusion of left-brain and right-brain thinking” that includes linking arts and technology study.

The gift will be felt throughout the 111-year-old university at the undergraduate and graduate levels, in scholarship, artistic creation and in research, officials said. And it will support emphasis on interdisciplinary study and problem-solving at an institution Mr. Dietrich has called “a special place.”

Find out more about Mr. Dietrich and his gift to Carnegie Mellon University.

Ohio Statehouse Asks Ohioans to Send a Birthday Greeting

Organizations, schools and individuals are being asked to help celebrate the 150th birthday of the Ohio Statehouse by sending a “birthday greeting.”

In preparation for a special 150th birthday event on November 15, the actual day the Capitol Building was completed in 1861, citizens and organizations throughout the state are encouraged to send a birthday greeting to mark the historic occasion.

Birthday greetings can be as unique as Ohio’s 11.5 million residents. Birthday greetings can represent and capture the well-wisher’s organization or school. Greetings can be sent in any manageable size, format and/or medium. Creativity is highly encouraged.

Each birthday greeting will be displayed during the “Ohio Statehouse 150th Birthday Celebration Open House and Capitol Artists Fair” scheduled for November 15.

Each submitted birthday greeting will become part of the permanent collection of the Ohio Statehouse. Plans are in place to preserve each greeting and display them during the Statehouse’s 200th anniversary in the year 2061.

Birthday greetings should be mailed by November 8 to:

Ohio Statehouse 150th Birthday
Ohio Statehouse
1 Capitol Square
Columbus, OH 43215

Digital greetings should be emailed by November 10 to:

150@csrab.state.oh.us

About the Ohio Statehouse 150th Birthday Celebration Open House and Capitol Artists Fair:

November 15, 2011, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Cake Cutting at 12 p.m.; Statehouse Rotunda
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!

The Ohio Statehouse will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Ohio Statehouse with a birthday celebration open house and artists fair. The day of special events will feature Ohio artists, crafts and activities. The Capitol Artists Fair will include both contemporary crafters and artisans from every corner of Ohio. Ohio artists will display their own original work in the beautiful Ohio Statehouse. It is a one-stop shopping extravaganza for central Ohio and Ohio Statehouse visitors. From glass, to jewelry, to pottery and paintings …it’s all together in one location. Ohio food and wine sampling, special discounts and door prizes! The day-long event will provide an opportunity for all Ohioans to learn about the important history of the Ohio Statehouse and the time period in which it was completed.

November 15, 1861 was the day that the Ohio Statehouse was pronounced complete. This program is sponsored by the Capitol Square Foundation.

About the Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial

The people of Ohio are celebrating the sesquicentennial of the Ohio Statehouse throughout 2011. The Ohio Statehouse has served as the heart of Ohio democracy for the last 150 years. Construction on the Ohio Statehouse began on July 4, 1839. After 22 years, the temple to democracy was completed on November 15, 1861. Throughout the state, the Ohio Statehouse stands as a symbol of the legislative and executive branches of state government, and the people of Ohio.

After 22 years of construction, the Ohio Statehouse was completed in 1861 at the beginning of the American Civil War. One hundred and fifty years later, the Ohio Statehouse continues to serve as the heart of Ohio democracy.

The Statehouse is considered to be one of the most significant architectural accomplishments of the early republic. Its Greek Revival Doric architectural details and proportions give the impression of permanence, elegance and grandeur deserved by the original State Legislature who passed a law on January 26, 1838 to build the new Statehouse. Restored to its 1861 appearance, the Ohio Statehouse maintains its historic character as it continues to function as the center of state government in Ohio.

Source: Ohio Statehouse

Ohio Citizens for the Arts Gift Memberships Available

Are you looking for a perfect gift to share with the arts lover in your life?

With holidays just around the corner are you wondering what the perfect gift can be for the family with everything?

Thinking about what to give to your favorite hostess at that upcoming next social gathering, (because we know you are tired of bringing the same cheese ball or bottle of wine to the party)?

Let us help you plan ahead for the gift giving season.  Consider the gift of an Ohio Citizens for the Arts membership for friends, colleagues, and families!

It’s easy to shop … just call Ohio Citizens for the Arts and we’ll process the gift membership right over the phone. We will provide a beautiful card announcing your gift, with an image of the Ohio Statehouse painted by Ohio Artist Jim Siemer, for each gift membership you purchase.  Gift memberships are a great way to support the arts in Ohio!

Start your holiday shopping today! Contact Janelle at 614.221.4064 or by email at janelle@ohiocitizensforthearts.org for more information about processing your membership gifts!

You are invited to express your interest in having your students participate in Arts Day 2012 to be held in Columbus on Wednesday, May 9^th.  Please respond in writing by November 3, 2011 by email, fax, or US mail (contact information can be found at the close of this message).  High school selections will be made by the end of November from those indicating their interest to participate.

WHAT: Arts Day 2012 Student Advocate Program

WHEN: Wednesday, May 9, 2012   9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

WHERE: Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts and the Ohio Statehouse

ACTIVITIES:

• Students attend an advocacy briefing
• Students meet with state legislators or their aides to advocate for the arts and arts education
• Students attend the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon with members of the state legislature
• Students tour state buildings and other cultural venues while in Columbus

OPPORTUNITIES:

• Collaborate among academic departments within the high school (ex. arts, government, and language arts)
• Host a member of the Ohio House of Representatives and/or Senate in your school for a pre-Arts Day orientation to discuss the role of a legislator in education and the arts funding process
• Raise student awareness of the legislative process and citizens’ participation in government
• Receive positive recognition for your school
• Make an important contribution to the continuation of state funding for the arts and arts education

REQUIREMENTS:

• Six (6) students who demonstrate an interest in the arts and the day’s activities
• Advance preparation by students: identify and write their Ohio legislators
• School-provided release time for: a) two-hour in-school legislative visit; and b) trip to Columbus on Arts Day
• School-provided transportation to Columbus for students and accompanying adult(s)
• Teacher and/or school administrator to “advise” the student participation and serve as a liaison with the Arts Day Committee member

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Donna Collins, Executive Director

Email: donnacollins@ohiocitizensforthearts.org

Telephone:  614.221.4064     Fax:  614.241.5329

Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation

77 South High Street, 2^nd Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6108

An article by Gary Christenson, M.D. in Minnesota Medicine discusses the benefits of the arts in medicine. Christenson cites examples of students using the arts to help study for their medical degrees, using the arts to provide therapeutic benefits to patients, and even how the arts help prevent disease.

Christenson states “Although some might be inclined to dismiss the arts as a triviality, luxury, or unjustified expense in a time of concern over rising health care costs, research is showing that use of the arts in health care can be cost-effective”.

In addition, the arts can be used to promote public health. A great example of this was Sidewalks Saving Lives, a collaborative project of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, Kwanzaa Community Church, and Juxtaposition Arts in north Minneapolis, in which community members worked with artists during 2008 and 2009 to paint sidewalks with educational messages about HIV/AIDS and the importance of being tested.

Find out more ways in which the arts can benefit your health and the healthcare system!

Source: Minnesota Medicine                                                                                 

Cultural Diplomacy on Main St. in America

The US State Department, which has long sent American artists abroad as part of its cultural diplomacy efforts, is for the first time launching a sizable program to bring foreign performers here – an initiative administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts.

Comedians, puppeteers, musicians, and dancers from Pakistan, Haiti, and Indonesia will tour to small and midsize cities across America next year as part of the nearly $2 million Center Stage program.

Where the Center Stage artists will travel in the United States has not yet been decided, but Rebecca Blunk, executive director of the New England Foundation for the Arts, said that she expects some of them will stop in New England.

“This is a real change, and we think a really great one,” said Blunk. “By bringing artists from other countries, we’re showing respect. We’re opening up to learning from them.”

Stock, who has called the pilot program “an unprecedented endeavor” marking “a significant shift” in the department’s focus,  said that it does not reflect a policy change. Rather, she said, it marks a broadening of an agenda that for decades has included bringing foreign students to this country.

Find out more about cultural diplomacy in the United States.

Source: Boston.com

Crayola Launches “Creativity as 21st Century Skill” Program at U.S. Department of Education

With government and business leaders now emphasizing creativity as an essential 21st century skill for every student, Crayola is launching an initiative to inspire creativity in the next generation  of Edisons, Armstrongs and Zuckerbergs.

Crayola has teamed up with the National Association of Elementary School Principals(NAESP), the National Art Education Association (NAEA) and  the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21) to create the “Champion Creatively Alive Children” program. The professional development program emphasizes creativity as a 21st century skill and addresses the need for arts-infused education in schools. It empowers art teachers to become the “chief creative officers” in their schools and ensures that principals have the tools to lead their faculty to develop the originality in every child.

The U.S. Department of Education is hosting a professional development event based on this program at its national headquarters to put Department staff, who work on behalf of students every day, in touch with teachers and principals, their counterparts in the classroom. All participants, including principals and teachers from the Northeast, were told “don’t come as you are, come as you were” with a child-like spirit.  Hands-on activities led by Cheri Sterman, Crayola Director of Education and Child Development, will draw out each participant’s creativity to show how art activities build critical  thinking and collaboration skills in students.

“Creativity is a skill that every child needs,” said Mike Perry, Crayola President and Chief Executive Officer. “We started this program asking ourselves ‘What if every principal and teacher championed creatively alive children in their schools?’ Imagine how ready these children will be to face 21st century challenges with a strong foundation in creative thinking.”

The “Champion Creatively Alive Children” professional development program includes videos showcasing how arts-infused education builds the 4Cs – critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication. A fifth video devoted to arts-infused education advocacy helps art teachers become the chief creative officer in their schools. Each video tells the story of a school that was awarded one of 20 “Champion Creatively Alive Children” mini-grants from Crayola and NAESP for the innovative ways they are integrating art across the curriculum. Five facilitator guides accompany the video series to enable principals and teachers to lead workshops and staff and parents’ meetings around art as a way to building 21st century skills. The entire series is available at no charge on Crayola.com.

Source: Crayola

Call for Artists! A Gateway to Our Community

Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) is excited about its upcoming mural project in the city’s Idora neighborhood and would like to extend a call for artists to submit qualifications for producing a large outdoor mural!

PROJECT DETAILS

Empty parking lots line both sides of Sherwood Avenue at the intersection with Glenwood Avenue–a major traffic corridor on Youngstown´s South Side.  Just one block south on Glenwood a multi-million dollar project is underway to build a new grocery store, which will increase traffic along the corridor. YNDC will improve the intersection at Sherwood and Glenwood to serve as a gateway to the Idora neighborhood and a continued sign of revitalization.  The mural project will be one phase of the improvements to the Sherwood and Glenwood intersection. Specifically, the mural will be painted on the north side of the former Park Inn building approximately 150 feet from the intersection of Sherwood and Glenwood. The mural wall is one-story constructed primarily of brick with a concrete block addition on the back.  The dimensions of the wall are 15 feet by 90 feet (1350 square feet).

For more information, please download the YNDC Call for Artists document.

QUESTIONS: Please direct questions to Liberty Merrill or Ian Beniston by phone (330.480.0423)or by e-mail (lmerrill@yndc.org; ibeniston@yndc.org.

OAPN Annual Conference

The Ohio Arts Presenter’s Network invites you to attend the 24th OAPN Annual Showcase Conference October 24-26, 2011 at the Columbus Athenaeum, historic Lincoln Theatre and the Hyatt on Capitol Square in downtown Columbus. Our annual conference serves as a productive, affordable marketplace for arts and entertainment booking, as well as a valuable forum for networking and professional development. If you or your organization hires performing artists, schedules entertainment, offers performances, represents performing artists, or provides support services to the performing arts field, ours is The conference to attend! We provide a friendly, intimate setting to meet and develop business relationships with performing arts colleagues from Ohio and   beyond!

The Annual Showcase Conference is a three day event that has 36 showcases, an exhibit hall, professional development workshops and lots of networking opportunities. Attendees to the Annual Showcase Conference include Presenters, Performing Artists, Agents, Service Organizations and Consultants who reside in and outside of Ohio.

Please click here for a conference schedule.

We are pleased to announce the return of the VSA Ohio exhibit Accessible Expressions Ohio. This collection is an adjudicated, statewide exhibition and tour of visual art that began in 1996 and is an opportunity for artists to create, exhibit and sell their art; recognize all ability levels; and present art by people with disabilities in inclusive settings. This exhibit will be on display at the Columbus Athenaeum during the conference.

Professional Development workshops will be offered on a variety of topics from presenters all over the state. Please click here to view the descriptions.

The showcasing artist schedule will be released later this fall. Please check back to this website for the list and schedule.

Special thanks to our conference partners: Ohio Arts Council, Ohio Citizens for the Arts and Ohio Alliance for Arts Education.

Before registering for the conference, please click the links below to learn 

about hotel accommodations & travel, award nominations, showcase applications, exhibitor, sponsor and advertiser sign-up.

Conference Registration(Early Bird discount deadline: July 15, 2011, Deadline for pre-registration: October 17, 2011)

Advertiser Sign-Up (Deadline: September 2, 2011)

Award Nominations (Nomination deadline: September 30, 2011)

Exhibitor Sign-Up (Deadline: September 2, 2011)

Hotel Accommodations and Travel (Hotel Reservation Deadline: September 29, 2011, or until filled)

Showcase Application (Application deadline: July 1, 2011)

Sponsor Sign-Up (Deadline:  September 2, 2011)

Young Artist Initiative (Deadline: September 2, 2011)

Suggested Reading

Revitalizing Arts Education Through Community-Wide Coordination: In this Wallace-commissioned study, RAND researchers describe initiatives in six cities to reverse a long decline in arts education by coordinating the work of city agencies, arts institutions, schools and others. These “coordinated efforts” are fragile, RAND concludes, but  show some promise in making more and better arts education available to  more city children.

Collecting and Using Information to Strengthen Citywide Out-of-School Time Systems: A number of U.S. communities have been building citywide systems to make high-quality after-school programs more available to children. Many such efforts have shaped their work around the collection and analysis of current, credible data. This guide looks at the kinds of data cities are gathering, how they collect it and how they put it to use.

Please see the attached flyer for event details.   You can also direct folks to our Facebook Event page, http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144119062346586

Folks are standing up for the arts at Mershon Auditorium on OSU’s campus at the Wexner Center for the Arts on September 19th, starting at 4pm.   See you there!

Sincerely,
Alex Fischer – President and CEO, The Columbus Partnership
Milt Baughman – President, Greater Columbus Arts Council
Doug Kridler – President, The Columbus Foundation

Ohio boasts a wealth of talented artists, arts institutions and people who support them. What better way to show your appreciation for those who support and work on behalf of the arts in Ohio than to nominate them for an award?

The Ohio Arts Council is now accepting online nominations for the 2012 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio. The annual awards are given to Ohio individuals and organizations in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the arts statewide, regionally and nationally. Awards are given for Arts Administration, Arts Education, Arts Patron, Business Support of the Arts, Community Development & Participation and Individual Artist.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, October 14, 2011 at 5 p.m. and the deadline for support letters is Friday, October 21, 2011 at 5 p.m.

Nominations will be accepted online only. A complete explanation of the nomination process is available on the 2012 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon website at www.oac.ohio.gov/events/GovAwards/. For more information about the Governor’s Awards nomination process, please contact Amy McKay at the Ohio Arts Council at 614/728-4463 or amy.mckay@oac.state.oh.us.

The 2012 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon, presented by the Ohio Arts Council and the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation, will be held Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at noon at the Columbus Athenaeum in downtown Columbus. Tickets are $50 and include lunch and a dessert reception. All proceeds go to the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation. Winners will receive an original work of art by Ohio painter Debra Joyce Dawson at a public ceremony during the luncheon.

The Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon will be held in conjunction with Arts Day 2012. This daylong event demonstrating public value and support for the arts is sponsored by the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation. Arts Day will include an arts advocacy briefing, legislative visits, arts showcase, Statehouse tours and student exhibitions. For more information on Arts Day 2012, visit www.ohiocitizensforthearts.org or call 614/221-4064.

Arts Day was created to foster a greater awareness of the value of the arts in Ohio. Citizens are encouraged to participate in Arts Day by visiting with their state legislators and communicating the need for public support of the arts and arts education. Each year on Arts Day, the Capitol is filled with arts supporters sharing the importance of the arts in their communities.

The 2012 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon are presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and Ohio Government Telecommunications.

On July 1, 2011, Governor John Kasich approved the 2012/2013 biennium budget, which includes $17.2 million for the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). This is an increase of 30.5 percent over our final 2010/2011 appropriation of $13.2 million. In the 2012/2013 budget, the OAC’s subsidy line (the money used for grant-making) increased by $3.7 million.

At a public meeting on June 29, 2011, the OAC board approved the first round of grants for fiscal year 2012 and grant ratifications for fiscal years 2011 and 2010. As a result, the OAC will award 379 grants totaling $5,920,294 to support arts organizations, arts programs and artists across Ohio. These awards have not been previously announced. For FY2012, the OAC received 408 grant requests totaling $13,876,254.

Organizations that receive OAC funds are required to match state tax dollars with additional public and private funds. In general, for every state tax dollar invested, $84 is raised in matching funds by recipient organizations.

For more information specific to this round of grant announcements, download the following PDF file: a by-city list of grants awarded in this round.

Sustainability Program

The Sustainability Program provides two-year grants for organizational operating support. This program supports Ohio organizations that plan and conduct ongoing arts programs for either a full year of programming or a recurring single project or activity. The program supports organizations that offer broad-based arts programming in any discipline (i.e., performing arts, literature, traditional arts, visual arts, etc.) that is produced and presented by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, other nonprofit or government entities, and colleges or universities that offer arts programming.

A total of $3,254,525 was awarded to thirty-eight (38) of Ohio’s major arts institutions with budgets of more than $1.5 million. And the OAC board approved 225 grants for a total of $2,114,253 for organizations with budgets of less than $1.5 million.

Arts Access

Thirty-four (34) Arts Access grants were approved totaling $92,917. The Arts Access program provides two-year grants for organizational operating support for Ohio organizations with budgets under $30,000 that plan and conduct ongoing arts programs.

Arts Learning–Arts Partnership

Thirty-three (33) Arts Partnership grants were awarded totaling $304,759. The program provides one- or two-year grants to support activities that enhance the quality of and access to learning in the arts for learners of all ages, backgrounds, experience levels and abilities.

Arts Learning–Artist in Residence

The Artist in Residence Program (AIR) awarded twenty-seven (27) grants for a total of $45,600. AIR places accomplished, professional artists in a variety of educational and community settings.

Individual Creativity–Traditional Arts Apprenticeships

Five (5) Traditional Arts Apprenticeships were approved totaling $18,600. The program provides support for a master artist and one or more apprentices to work together in an intensive individual study program that preserves the traditional art forms of Ohio residents. Examples of traditional arts include, but are not limited to: Polish paper cutting, blues music, stone carving, Appalachian fiddling, embroidery, Laotian khene playing, icon painting, Irish step dancing, woodcarving, Chicano corridor singing, quilting, tamburitza music and polka.

2010/2011 Grant Award Ratifications

Ratifications are the board’s final approval of funds allocated in various program areas since the March 8, 2011 board meeting. The board ratified 14 grants from 2011 totaling $40,640 and three (3) grants from 2010 totaling $49,000. These awards have not been announced previously.

The 2011 ratifications included:

• Four (4) Artists with Disabilities Access grants totaling $2,000
• Ten (10) Special Organization grants totaling $38,640

The 2010 ratifications included:

• Three (3) Special Organization grants totaling $49,000

Grant information dating back to FY1998, is searchable on the Ohio Arts Council’s website at: www.oac.ohio.gov/search/grants/SearchGrants.asp

Grant applications were reviewed this past winter and spring by panels of arts experts and Ohio Arts Council staff. The OAC board, consisting of 15 gubernatorial appointees and four nonvoting members from the Ohio legislature, makes final decisions based on panel recommendations.

About the Ohio Arts Council:
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.