Ohio Storms “The Hill”

The Buckeye state was well-represented in Washington D.C. at the 2015 Arts Advocacy Day on March 24^th. More than 40 arts advocates from Ohio attended, making our state’s delegation the biggest and best of all the states. Arts Advocacy Day is sponsored each year by Americans for the Arts.

During preparations for our Congressional visits we were briefed on key policy issues, observed a mock congressional visit, and planned our strategy in state caucuses. The evening before the visits, we traveled to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for an evening of inspirational musical performances and the 28^th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture. Introduced by the award winning hip hop artist Common, this year’s lecture was given by Norman Lear. The groundbreaking television producer, author and social activist, didn’t disappoint. His lecture was candid, funny and moving as he skewered the powers that be and made us laugh at our human failings.

The morning of Arts Advocacy Day, we met in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building where turnaround artist and actor Doc Shaw, actress and playwright Holland Taylor, NEA Chairman Jane Chu, NEH Chairman Bro Adams and several Members of Congress ”revved up the troops”. The 2015 Congressional Arts Leadership Award was presented to Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM). In accepting the award, Sen. Udall said, “We need a United States of America that puts the arts front and center of American life.”

We visited the offices of both of our U.S. Senators and all of our Members of Congress and urged them to support $155 million for the NEA, reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, provide funding for arts education programs and retain incentives for charitable giving. To learn more about the issues discussed with Ohio’s Congressional delegation, you can view the 2015 Congressional Arts Handbook, here.

I was pleased to serve as Ohio’s State Captain for Arts Advocacy Day this year and want to thank each of the committed arts advocates who took the time to speak truth to power. It was a great day and the Ohio arts community, once again, did itself proud!

Congressional Arts Kickoff with Tom Katzenmeyer, Bob Lynch, NEA Chairman Chu, Linda Woggon

Senate Standing Committees

On January 23^, 2015, Senate President Keith Faber made the following appointments to the Senate Standing Committees:

Agriculture: Republicans:  Hite (Chair), Uecker (Vice Chair), Beagle, Burke, Gardner, Manning, and Peterson  Democrats: Gentile (Ranking Member), Cafaro and Skindell

Civil Justice: Republicans:  Bacon (Chair), Oelslager (Vice Chair), Coley, Eklund, Hughes, Obhof and Seitz  Democrats: Skindell (Ranking Member), Brown and Thomas

Criminal Justice: Republicans:  Eklund (Chair), Obhof (Vice Chair), Bacon, Hughes, Lehner, Seitz and Uecker  Democrats: Thomas (Ranking Member), Skindell, and Williams

Education: Republicans:  Lehner (Chair), Hite (Vice Chair), Balderson, Coley, Gardner, Jordan, Manning, Peterson, and Widener  Democrats: Sawyer (Ranking Member), Thomas, Williams and Yuko

Energy & Natural Resources: Republicans:  Balderson (Chair), Jones (Vice Chair), Gardner, Hite, Hottinger, Patton, Seitz, and Uecker  Democrats:  Gentile (Ranking Member), Cafaro and Williams

Finance: Republicans:  Oelslager (Chair), Coley (Vice Chair), Beagle, Burke, Gardner, Hughes, LaRose, Patton, and Peterson  Democrats: Skindell (Ranking Member), Gentile, Sawyer, and Tavares

Finance Subcommittee on General Government: Republicans:  Jordan (Chair), Eklund, Jones and Peterson. Democrats: Gentile (Vice Chair) and Skindell

Finance Subcommittee on Higher Education: Republicans:  Gardner (Chair), Bacon, Hughes, and Manning. Democrats: Cafaro (Vice Chair) and Thomas

Finance Subcommittee on Education: Republicans:  Hite (Chair), Balderson, Beagle, Coley and Lehner. Democrats: Sawyer (Vice Chair), Thomas and Yuko

Finance Subcommittee on Corrections: Republicans:  Uecker (Chair), Obhof, Patton, and Seitz  Democrats: Brown (Vice Chair) and Tavares

Finance Subcommittee on Workforce: Republicans:  Beagle (Chair), Hottinger, LaRose and Widener  Democrats: Williams (Vice Chair) and Yuko

Financial Institutions: Republicans:  Hughes (Chair), Eklund (Vice Chair), Bacon, Beagle, Burke, Hottinger, LaRose and Obhof  Democrats: Yuko (Ranking Member), Gentile and Thomas.

Government Oversight & Reform: Republicans:  Coley (Chair), Seitz (Vice Chair), Balderson, Burke, Jordan, LaRose, Obhof, Patton and Widener. Democrats: Yuko (Ranking Member), Brown and Skindell.

Health & Human Services: Republicans:  Jones (Chair), Lehner (Vice Chair), Beagle, Gardner, Hite, Hottinger, Manning and Oelslager  Democrats: Tavares (Ranking Member), Cafaro and Williams.

Insurance: Republicans:  Hottinger (Chair), Bacon (Vice Chair), Balderson, Beagle, Hughes, Jones,LaRose, Manning and Peterson  Democrats: Brown (Ranking Member), Gentile, Thomas and Williams

Medicaid: Republicans:  Burke (Chair), Manning (Vice Chair), Coley, Jones, Jordan, Lehner and Widener  Democrats: Cafaro (Ranking Member), Brown and Tavares

Public Utilities: Republicans:  Seitz (Chair), Balderson (Vice Chair), Bacon, Eklund, Hite, Patton, Peterson and Uecker  Democrats: Williams (Ranking Member), Sawyer and Tavares

Rules & Reference: Republicans:  Faber (Chair), Widener (Vice Chair), Burke, Coley, Hite, Hughes, Manning, Obhof, Oelslager and Patton  Democrats: Schiavoni (Ranking Member), Brown, Gentile and Tavares

State & Local Government: Republicans:  LaRose (Chair), Hottinger (Vice Chair), Hughes, Jones, Jordan, Peterson, Seitz and Uecker  Democrats: Thomas (Ranking Member), Brown and Yuko

Transportation, Commerce & Labor: Republicans: Manning (Chair), Senator Patton (Vice Chair), Bacon, Eklund, Hottinger, LaRose and Uecker  Democrats: Cafaro (Ranking Member), Brown, Gentile and Yuko

Ways & Means: Republicans: Senator Peterson (Chair), Beagle (Vice Chair), Eklund, Hite, Jordan, Obhof and Widener  Democrats: Tavares (Ranking Member), Cafaro and Williams

OHIO HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEES

On January 21, 2015, Speaker Cliff Rosenberger made the following appointments to the House Standing Committees.

Agriculture & Rural Development

Republican: Chair Hill, B., Vice Chair Burkley, T., Boose, T., Buchy, J., Hagan, C., Kraus, S., LaTourette, S., Retherford, W.,Rezabek, J., Ruhl, M., Schaffer, T., Thompson, A., Vitale, N., Zeltwanger, P.
Democrat: Ranking Member Patterson, J., Cera, J., O’Brien, M., O’Brien, S., Patmon, B., Phillips, D., Sheehy, M.

Armed Services, Veterans Affairs & Public Safety 

Republican: Chair Johnson, T., Vice Chair Perales, R., Anielski, M., Kraus, S., Landis, A., Retherford, W., Terhar, L., Vitale, N., Young, R., Zeltwanger, P.                   Democrat: Ranking Member Craig, H., Bishoff, H., Fedor, T., Johnson, G., O’Brien, M

Commerce & Labor 

Republican: Chair Young, R., Vice Chair DeVitis, T., Blessing, L., Brinkman, T., Duffey, M., Hood, R., Koehler, K., Landis, A.,Pelanda, D., Roegner, K.
Democrat: Ranking Member Lepore-Hagan, M., Fedor, T., Reece, A., Slesnick, S., Sweeney, M.

Community & Family Advancement

Republican: Chair Derickson, T., Vice Chair Ginter, T., Antani, N., Conditt, M., Dever, J., Hagan, C., Hayes, B., Hood, R.,McClain, J., Young, R.
Democrat: Ranking Member Howse, S., Boyce, K., Boyd, J., Lepore-Hagan, M., Patmon, B.

Community & Family Advancement Sub.: Minority Affairs

Republican: Antani, N., Conditt, M., Dever, J.
Democrat: Chair Boyce, K., Patmon, B.

Economic & Workforce Development 

Republican: Chair Baker, N., Vice Chair Romanchuk, M., Antani, N., Koehler, K., Kraus, S., Perales, R., Ryan, S., Young, R.,Zeltwanger, P.
Democrat: RMM Smith, K., Barnes, J., Craig, H., Driehaus, D.

Education 

Republican: Chair Hayes, B., Vice Chair Brenner, A., Blessing, L., Cupp, R., Derickson, T., Henne, M., Huffman, S., Koehler, K., Manning, N., Roegner, K., Slaby, M., Smith, R.
Democrat: Ranking Member Fedor, T., Boyd, J., Patmon, B., Patterson, J., Phillips, D., Ramos, D., Smith, K.

Energy & Natural Resources

Republican: Chair Landis, A., Vice Chair Hagan, C., Grossman, C., Hall, D., Hill, B., Maag, R., Slaby, M., Terhar, L.,Thompson, A.
Democrat: Ranking Member O’Brien, S., Cera, J., Howse, S., Leland, D.

Finance & Appropriations

Republican: Chair Smith, R., Vice Chair Schuring, K., Anielski, M., Burkley, T., Cupp, R., Derickson, T., Dovilla, M., Duffey, M., Green, D., Grossman, C., Hall, D., Kunze, S., Maag, R., McClain, J., Perales, R., Reineke, B., Romanchuk, M.,Scherer, G., Sears, B., Sprague, R., Thompson, A.
Democrat: Ranking Member Driehaus, D., Antonio, N., Boyce, K., Cera, J., Clyde, K., O’Brien, M., Patterson, J., Phillips, D.,Ramos, D., Reece, A., Sykes, E.

Finance Subcommittee on Agriculture, Development & Natural Resources

Republican: Chair Thompson, A., Burkley, T., Hall, D.
Democrat: Ranking Minority O’Brien, M., Cera, J.

Finance Subcommittee on Health & Human Services

Republican: Chair Sprague, R., Romanchuk, M., Sears, B.
Democrat: Ranking Member Sykes, E., Antonio, N.

Finance Subcommittee on Higher Education

Republican: Chair Duffey, M., Anielski, M., Perales, R.
Democrat: Ranking Member Ramos, D., Boyce, K.

Finance Subcommittee on Primary & Secondary Education

Republican: Chair Cupp, R., Derickson, T., Kunze, S.
Democrat: Ranking Member Phillips, D., Patterson, J.

Finance Subcommittee on Transportation

Republican: Chair Grossman, C., Dovilla, M., Green, D.
Democrat: Ranking Member Reece, A., Clyde, K.

Financial Institutions, Housing & Urban Development

Republican: Chair Terhar, L., Vice Chair Hambley, S., Brenner, A., Brown, T., Dovilla, M., Hackett, B., Reineke, B., Schaffer, T., Sprague, R.
Democrat: Ranking Member Bryant Kuhns, C., Craig, H., Leland, D., Smith, K.

Government Accountability & Oversight

Republican: Chair Brown, T., Vice Chair Blessing, L., Buchy, J., Butler, J., Derickson, T., Green, D., McColley, R., Pelanda, D., Smith, R.
Democrat: Ranking Member Clyde, K., Curtin, M., Gerberry, R., Leland, D.

Health & Aging

Republican: Chair Gonzales, A., Vice Chair Huffman, S., Brown, T., Butler, J., Duffey, M., Ginter, T., Johnson, T., LaTourette, S., Maag, R., Schuring, K., Sears, B., Sprague, R.
Democrat: Ranking Member Antonio, N., Barnes, J., Bishoff, H., Bryant Kuhns, C., Lepore-Hagan, M., Ramos, D., Sykes, E.

Insurance 

Republican: Chair Hackett, B., Vice Chair Henne, M., Brinkman, T., DeVitis, T., Gonzales, A., Kunze, S., Retherford, W.,Roegner, K., Sears, B.
Democrat: Ranking Member Bishoff, H., Ashford, M., Bryant Kuhns, C., Stinziano, M.

Judiciary

Republican: Chair Butler, J., Vice Chair Manning, N., Antani, N., Conditt, M., Cupp, R., Dever, J., McColley, R., Pelanda, D.,Rezabek, J.
Democrat: Ranking Member Stinziano, M., Celebrezze, N., Johnson, G., Sykes, E.

Local Government

Republican: Chair Anielski, M., Vice Chair Ryan, S., Baker, N., Becker, J., Boose, T., Hambley, S., Rezabek, J., Ruhl, M.,Vitale, N.
Democrat: Ranking Member Rogers, J., Ashford, M., Boyd, J., Reece, A.

 Public Utilities

Republican: Chair Schaffer, T., Vice Chair Roegner, K., Amstutz, R., Brinkman, T., Buchy, J., Conditt, M., Cupp, R., Dovilla, M., Ginter, T., Hagan, C., Hall, D., Hill, B., Manning, N., Romanchuk, M., Ryan, S.
Democrat: Ranking Member Ashford, M., Clyde, K., O’Brien, S., Rogers, J., Sheehy, M., Slesnick, S., Smith, K., Stinziano, M.

Rules & Reference

Republican: Chair Amstutz, R., Vice Chair Rosenberger, C., Brenner, A., Grossman, C., Hayes, B., Hood, R., Pelanda, D.,Schuring, K.
Democrat: Ranking Member Strahorn, F., Antonio, N., Boyce, K., Celebrezze, N., Ramos, D.

State Government 

Republican: Chair Maag, R., Vice Chair Kunze, S., Becker, J., Grossman, C., Hackett, B., Hood, R., Huffman, S., LaTourette, S., Perales, R.
Democrat: Ranking Member Gerberry, R., Curtin, M., Slesnick, S., Sweeney, M.

Transportation & Infrastructure 

Republican: Chair Boose, T., Vice Chair Green, D., Antani, N., Becker, J., Dever, J., DeVitis, T., Dovilla, M., Johnson, T., Ruhl, M., Vitale, N.
Democrat: Ranking Member Sheehy, M., Howse, S., Johnson, G., Lepore-Hagan, M., Sweeney, M.

Ways & Means 

Republican: Chair McClain, J., Vice Chair Scherer, G., Amstutz, R., Baker, N., Boose, T., Burkley, T., Dever, J., Hambley, S.,Henne, M., McColley, R., Reineke, B., Ryan, S., Schaffer, T., Slaby, M.
Democrat: Ranking Member Cera, J., Barnes, J., Curtin, M., Driehaus, D., Rogers, J., Sheehy, M., Sykes, E.

Ohio House Committee Leaders Announced

On January 12, 2015 House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger and Minority Leader Fred Strahorn announced the Chairs, Vice Chairs and Ranking minority members of Ohio House standing committees. The total number of standing committees increased by two.  There is one new committee, Community & Family Advancement and the former Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee was split into an Agriculture & Rural Development Committee and an Energy & Natural Resources Committee.

Here is a list of the House standing committees for the 131^st General Assembly along with the Chair, Vice Chair and Ranking Minority member of each:

Agriculture & Rural Development:
Chair: Rep. Brian Hill (R-Zanesville)
Vice chair: Rep. Tony Burkley (R-Payne)
Ranking member: Rep. John Patterson (D-Jefferson)

Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety:
Chair: Rep. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott)
Vice chair: Rep. Rick Perales (R-Beavercreek)
Ranking member: Rep. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus)

Commerce & Labor:
Chair: Rep. Ron Young (R-Leroy Township)
Vice chair: Rep. Anthony DeVitis (R-Green)
Ranking member: Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown)

Community & Family Advancement:
Chair: Rep. Tim Derickson (R-Oxford)
Vice chair: Rep. Tim Ginter (R-Salem)
Ranking member: Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland)

Community & Family Advancement Subcommittee:
Minoirty Affairs (Chair:  Rep. Kevin Boyce, D-Columbus)

Economic & Workforce Development:
Chair: Rep. Nan Baker (R-Westlake)
Vice chair: Rep. Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario)
Ranking member: Rep. Kent Smith (D-Euclid)

Education:
Chair: Rep. Bill Hayes (R-Harrison Township)
Vice chair: Rep. Andrew Brenner (R-Powell)
Ranking member: Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo)

Energy & Natural Resources:
Chair: Rep. Al Landis (R-Dover)
Vice chair: Rep. Christina Hagan (R-Alliance)
Ranking member: Rep. Sean O’Brien (D-Bazetta)

Finance & Appropriations:
Chair: Rep. Ryan Smith (R-Bidwell)
Vice chair: Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton)
Ranking member: Rep. Denise Driehaus (D-Cincinnati)

Finance & Appropriations Subcommittees:
Agriculture, Development and Natural Resources (Chair: Rep. Andy Thompson, R-Marietta; Ranking member: Rep. Sean O’Brien, D-Bazetta)
Health and Human Services (Chair: Rep. Robert Sprague, R-Findlay; Ranking member: Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron)
Higher Education (Chair: Rep. Mike Duffey, R-Worthington; Ranking member: Rep. Dan Ramos, D-Lorain)
Transportation (Chair: Rep. Cheryl Grossman, R-Grove City; Ranking member: Rep. Alicia Reece, D-Cincinnati)
Primary and Secondary Education (Chair: Rep. Bob Cupp, R-Lima; Ranking member: Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Albany)

Financial Institutions, Housing and Urban Development:
Chair: Rep. Lou Terhar (R-Green Township)
Vice chair: Rep. Steve Hambley (R-Brunswick)
Ranking member: Rep. Christie Bryant Kuhns (D-Cincinnati)

Government Accountability & Oversight:
Chair: Rep. Tim Brown (R-Bowling Green)
Vice chair: Rep. Bill Blessing (R-Colerain Township)
Ranking member: Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent)

Health & Aging:
Chair: Rep. Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville)
Vice chair: Rep. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City)
Ranking member: Rep. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood)

Insurance:
Chair: Rep. Robert Hackett (R-London)
Vice chair: Rep. Mike Henne (R-Clayton)
Ranking member: Rep. Heather Bishoff (D-Blacklick)

Judiciary:
Chair: Rep. Jim Butler (R-Oakwood)
Vice chair: Rep. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville)
Ranking member: Rep. Michael Stinziano (D-Columbus)

Local Government:

Chair: Rep. Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills)

Vice chair: Rep. Scott Ryan (R-Granville Township)

Ranking member: Rep. John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake)

Public Utilities:
Chair: Rep. Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster)
Vice chair: Rep. Kristina Daley Roegner (R-Hudson)
Ranking member: Rep. Mike Ashford (D-Toledo)

Rules & Reference:
Chair: Rep. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster)
Vice chair: Speaker Clifford A. Rosenberger (R-Clarksville)
Ranking member: Minority Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton)

State Government:
Chair: Rep. Ron Maag (R-Lebanon)
Vice chair: Rep. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard)
Ranking member: Rep. Ronald Gerberry (D-Austintown)

Transportation & Infrastructure:
Chair: Rep. Terry Boose (R-Norwalk)
Vice chair: Rep. Doug Green (R-Mt. Orab)
Ranking member: Rep. Michael Sheehy (D-Oregon)

Ways & Means:
Chair: Rep. Jeff McClain (R-Upper Sandusky)
Vice chair: Rep. Gary Scherer (R-Circleville)
Ranking member: Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire)

Ohio Senate and House Select Leaders

Republican and Democratic caucuses in the Ohio Senate and House have selected their leadership teams for the upcoming 131^st Ohio General Assembly.  They will be officially elected when the legislature convenes in January 2015.  Those tapped for leadership positions are as follows:

Ohio Senate

President:  Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina)

President Pro Tempore:  Sen. Chris Widener (R-Springfield)

Majority Floor Leader:  Sen. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville)

Majority Whip:  Sen. Larry Obhof (R-Medina)

Minority Leader:  Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman)

Minority Whip:  Sen. Edna Brown (D-Toledo)

Assistant Minority Whip:  Lou Gentile (D-Steubenville)

Assistant Minority Leader:  Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus)

Ohio House

Speaker:  Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville)

Speaker Pro Tem:  Rep. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster)

Majority Leader:  Rep. Barbara Sears (R-Maumee)

Assistant Majority Floor Leader:  Rep. Jim Buchy (R-Greenville)

Majority Whip:  Rep. Mike Dovilla (R-Berea)

Assistant Majority Whip:  Rep. Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville)

Minority Leader:  Rep. Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton)

Assistant Minority Leader:  Rep. Nicholas Celebrezze (D-Parma)

Minority Whip:  Rep. Kevin Boyce (D-Columbus)

Assistant Minority Whip:  Rep. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood)

Ohio Citizens for the Arts (OCA) looks forward to working with these legislative leaders to increase public support of the arts in Ohio.

If you are an “Arts Advocate” and would like to become part of this powerful network, visit OCA’s membership page.

The Arts are a Driving Force in Lancaster, Ohio

Posted by: Linda Woggon on July 28, 2014

In communities across Ohio, the arts are helping increase quality of life and drive economic development. Last week I had the good fortune of observing this in Lancaster, Ohio.

Barbara Hunzicker, a member of the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Board of Directors and one of Lancaster’s biggest arts advocates, was the perfect person to accompany me to the Edith Head exhibit. Barbara was instrumental in bringing this outstanding exhibit to Lancaster and it could not reside in a more beautiful place, the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio where Barbara is chairperson of exhibits.

Edith Head is one of the most recognizable names in film fashion history, earning 35 Academy Award nominations over her 60-year career. The costumes in this exhibition represent an amazing cross-section of films produced between 1937 and 1967. The exhibit was curated by Randall Thropp and has been outside of Hollywood only on one other occasion. It runs through August 17 and is well worth a visit.

Barbara and I also visited with art advocate Trisha Clifford-Sprouse, the Decorative Arts Center’s Education Director. She showed us the Wendel Center for Art Education. Drawing students of all ages, it is popularly referred to as “The Garage”, because it was formerly the carriage house of the residence that became the Decorative Arts Center. During our visit we were able to observe a class of four children paint self-portraits. We definitely saw some budding talent in “The Garage” that day! Back on the first floor of the Center another group of children were learning about jazz from the legendary Arnett Howard.

I spent the second part of my visit with David Scheffler, another strong advocate for the arts, David is an award-winning fine arts photographer. His studio is in downtown Lancaster and his work can be found at Art & Clay on Main and the Fairfield Heritage Association Georgian Museum.

We began our look at the arts scene with a tour of the outdoor sculptures located throughout the downtown. These sculptures are very special because they were created by area students. The students are mentored by well-known Lancaster sculptor, Ric Liechliter as they design and build their steel sculptures. Each sculpture is displayed downtown for public viewing then goes back to the school where it was created for permanent display. What a unique way to teach art in the schools and supply public art for the community!

We also visited the Ohio Glass Museum, watched a glass blower at work, and stopped in at Blue Shoe Arts. Blue Shoe is an accessible studio for artists with developmental disabilities. Each artist explores their own creative style in whatever medium they desire and the art is professionally displayed for sale at the gallery.

There is nothing better than seeing how the arts are helping to drive economic development and quality of life in Ohio communities. Thank you Barbara, David and all of Lancaster’s arts advocates!

Linda Woggon is Executive Director of Ohio Citizens for the Arts.

2014 Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award Winner

Donna S. Collins currently serves as Executive Director of Ohio Citizens for the Arts (OCA) and the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education (OAAE) with offices in Columbus, Ohio. As a leader in the advocacy and arts education fields, Collins has had the opportunity to work extensively with national, statewide, and local organizations. Through Collins’ leadership OAAE and OCA, both statewide not for profits, maintain strong relationships with Ohio’s statewide agencies and professional organizations to support the arts and arts education. Through these partnerships, Collins has helped to foster a diverse community of arts advocates, educators, artists, and professional organizations which cultivate local, statewide, and national initiatives and actions that directly impact children, families, communities, and the creative economy in and through the arts.

In February, 2014 the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) Board selected Collins as the new OAC executive director. Collins will succeed current OAC executive director Julie S. Henahan, who is retiring in July 2014 after 30 years of service to the agency.

Donna and her husband, Howard, have three sons: TJ, Joshua (Deidre), and Ryan. They are blessed with a grandgirl, Cierra, who is 9, and a grandboy, Chance, who is 4. The family lives in Glenford, Ohio and is actively involved in volunteer efforts to support the arts and arts education.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown Honored with 2014 National Award for Congressional Arts Leadership

Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, in conjunction with The United States Conference of Mayors, presented the 2014 National Award for Congressional Arts Leadership to Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The award, which recognizes distinguished public service on behalf of the arts, was presented on Tuesday, March 25 at the Congressional Arts Kick Off during Arts Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill.

Brown has received many accolades from local arts organizations, a tribute showing that the arts build communities and help areas revitalize and prosper.

“Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown has an outstanding track record on supporting arts-related issues on the federal level, and we are delighted that he is receiving the Congressional Arts Leadership Award. As a testimony to his commitment to the arts, Senator Brown recently visited several cultural organizations in Northwest Ohio to deepen his understanding of how the arts impact both economic and workforce development and the quality of life for his constituents. The arts are fortunate to have the Senator as a champion, and we congratulate him on this prestigious award,” said Marc D. Folk, president, Ohio Citizens for the Arts.

“Sen. Brown has certainly been very supportive of public broadcasting and our role in showcasing artists of all genres to the American public through PBS and local programming efforts,” said Tom Rieland, general manager, WOSU.

“Columbus’ arts community is thriving thanks to Sen. Sherrod Brown, and other leaders, who actively champion the arts in Ohio. I am so proud to live in a community that recognizes the value of entwining art into our everyday experiences. It’s part of what makes Ohio great,” said arts advocate Judith Oppenheimer of Bexley, Ohio.

“I am so pleased that Sen. Sherrod Brown is receiving the National Award for Congressional Arts Leadership from Americans for the Arts this year. This is a much-deserved recognition of Senator Brown’s strong support of and belief in the power of the arts to transform lives and revitalize our communities. Sen. Brown has also always understood that the arts are part of a well-rounded education for our children and an integral component to a strong workforce and a diversified national economy,” said Julie Henahan, executive director, Ohio Arts Council.

“Sen. Brown has demonstrated his commitment to building and maintaining thriving communities through his support of the National Endowment for the Arts and commitment to education,” said Columbus Museum of Art Executive Director Nannette V. Maciejunes.

“Sen. Brown is a good friend and a long-tenured supporter of arts and culture, starting with his time in the Ohio House of Representatives in the mid-1970s. The entire state and nation has benefited from his dedication to arts and arts education,” said Bill Blair, legislative counsel, Ohio Citizens for the Arts.

The senator’s nomination for this award was also supported by Barbara Robinson, the chairwoman of the Ohio Arts Council for 14 years, who is now its chair emeritus and an Americans for the Arts board member.

The National Award for Congressional Arts Leadership is part of a series of Public Leadership in the Arts Awards which have been given annually since 1997 by Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

The United States Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,139 such cities in the country today, each represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the Mayor. Additional information is available at www.USMayors.org.

News from Ohio Citizens for the Arts

Ohio Citizens for the Arts Announces the New William R. Joseph Ohio Arts Advocacy Medal    Nominations Are Open!   Ohio Citizens for the Arts will celebrate the life and legacy of arts advocacy to honor our founder William R. Joseph through an annual award beginning in 2014. The William R. Joseph Ohio Arts Advocacy Medal will be given annually as part of the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon. Ohio Citizens for the Arts’ members (individuals and organizational members) may make nominations now through February 28, 2014. Nominations will be accepted by US mail at: Ohio Citizens for the Arts, 77 South High Street, 2nd floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6108, or by email at:donnacollins@OhioCitizensForTheArts.org All nominations must be postmarked no later than February 28. A nomination includes the completed items listed below: Award Nomination Form Letter of Recommendation documenting the nominees’ high-level of strategic engagement as an advocate for governmental support of the arts. Image/photo of the nominee Nominations are accepted only from Ohio Citizens for the Arts’ members (individual or organization). Download the nomination form here. Questions may be answered by calling the Ohio Citizens for the Arts office at 614.221.4064.

Registration Opens for the 2014 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio & Arts Day Luncheon REGISTER ONLINE NOW! Registration is now open for the 2014 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio luncheon. This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the luncheon, which will be held at noon on May 21, 2014 at the Columbus Athenaeum in downtown Columbus. The luncheon is hosted by the Ohio Arts Council and the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation. Single tickets, which must be purchased online at the Ohio Arts Council website, are $50 and include lunch and a dessert reception. Table sponsorships are available through the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation. Registration closes on April 21, 2014. Six winners, selected from 76 nominations submitted by individuals and organizations across the state, will be honored at the luncheon ceremony along with members of the Ohio Legislature. Winners will receive an original work of art by Ohio painter Steven Walker at a public ceremony during the luncheon. The award categories and recipients are: Arts Administration, Sherri Geldin, Wexner Center for the Arts(Columbus); Arts Education, Dancing Wheels Company & School (Cleveland); Arts Patron, The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation (Cincinnati); Business Support of the Arts, Macy’s, Inc. (Statewide); Community Development and Participation, Neal Gittleman, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (Dayton); Individual Artist, Sheri Williams, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (Dayton). Additionally, advertisements may be purchased online for the Governor’s Awards program. Placing an advertisement in the luncheon program is an excellent way to congratulate a winner, promote an upcoming season, exhibition or performance, highlight a tourism venue or thank legislators for their support of the arts. The 2014 Governor’s Awards ceremony and luncheon will be held in conjunction with Arts Day on May 21, 2014. 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, Columbus is filled with arts supporters who share the importance of the arts in their communities. For more information on how to participate, or how to purchase table sponsorships for the luncheon, contact the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation atinfo@ohiocitizensforthearts.org or 614/221-4064. The 2014 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon are presented in partnership with the Ohio Government Telecommunications.

Additional Opportunities to Participate in Arts Day and the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio Luncheon Table sponsorships are available through the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation. The details of purchasing a table sponsorship are as follows: Cost: $1,000 ($500 of which is tax deductible) Payment for the table can be made to the Ohio Citizens For the Arts Foundation 77 South High Street, Floor 2 Columbus, Ohio 43215. Seating: 10 seats for the guests of your choice. We encourage you to invite a legislator to join you at your table. If you would like to do so, please let us know who you would like to have join you and we will extend the invite to the legislator’s office on your behalf. Recognition: Table signage, event signage for the day of the event, recognition in the program. Seating near the front of the stage for better viewing. Participate in the 2014 Arts Day Showcase. This event is an opportunity for you to showcase your organization to hundreds of individuals from around Ohio participating in Arts Day.  On Wednesday, May 21, 2014 the Showcase will be held at the Columbus Athenaeum, 34 North Fourth Street, Columbus, Ohio to coincide with the arrival of attendees, including members of the Ohio Legislature, to the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon.  To secure your spot as a 2014 Arts Day Showcase participant, contact Janelle at Ohio Citizens for the Arts by phone at 614.221.4064 or email janelle@ohiocitizensforthearts.org for an application. Spots for the Arts Day Showcase are provided on a first come first serve basis. Purchase an Ad in the Governor’s Awards for the Arts Luncheon Program. Click hereto download the ADVERTISING ORDER FORM. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to: Recognize outstanding contributions to the arts in your community Advertise an upcoming season Thank your legislators for their support of the arts Congratulate a winner To reserve your space in the event program, complete the Advertising Order Form by Friday, February 21, 2014. Due to technical difficulties with our website, the Ohio Arts Council will NOT be offering online payment for ads this year. Instead, please send a check made out to the Ohio Arts Council, along with your order form, to: Ohio Arts Council Attn: Elizabeth Weinstein 30 E. Broad St., 33rd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 elizabeth.weinstein@oac.state.oh.us Fax: 614/466-4494 Participate in the 2014 Arts Day Showcase. This event is an opportunity for you to showcase your organization to hundreds of individuals from around Ohio participating in Arts Day.  On Wednesday, May 21, 2014 the Showcase will be held at the Columbus Athenaeum, 34 North Fourth Street, Columbus, Ohio to coincide with the arrival of attendees, including members of the Ohio Legislature, to the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon.  We hope to generate a large amount of people traffic at the Columbus Athenaeum between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM.   To secure your space for the 2014 Ohio Arts Organizations Showcase email Janelle atjanelle@ohiocitizensforthearts.org for an application!  Space is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Arts & Autism in Ohio Research Initiative, Phase II Request for Proposals  Proposal submission deadline: March 7, 2014 Award notification: March 12, 2014 Project Completion Date: May 23, 2014 Overview Research question: How can the Ohio Arts Council, a state agency, better support access to the arts for students and young people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? The Arts & Autism in Ohio Initiative began in the fall of 2012 and its first phase was implemented in spring/summer 2013. The Ohio Arts Council (OAC) commissioned VSA Ohio (VSAO) to conduct a research project to answer the above question. VSAO used three primary data collection methods: an online survey, focus groups, and a review of the literature. Research yielded rich information, themes and ideas to continue moving the Initiative further. However, limits to the data existed and additional information is sought to better answer the research question. The current Phase II of this project includes collecting information from Ohioans about their perceptions, needs and ideas for how the OAC can better support people living with ASD. A particular emphasis shall be placed on collecting information from geographic areas beyond the three major urban centers in Ohio and to a broad range of constituents. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking initiative. To date, the researchers have not identified a similar research initiative anywhere in the country. There are innumerable institutions, programs, and individuals who are working to make the arts accessible to people with autism Spectrum Disorder. However, no other statewide initiatives or leaders are pursuing this question of arts-access-autism with similarly broad perspectives and/or goals. The project has received recognition and attention from national partners such as VSA, The Kennedy Center, and National Endowment for the Arts. Process Interested consultants are asked to submit proposals that include the following information: A narrative outlining how the consultant will approach this project, including a timeline. A budget not to exceed $10,000. Proposals are permitted to include budgets with various optional components. Current resume or vita of key personnel. Summary of experience on projects of a similar scope/nature. A sample work product from a project of a similar scope/nature. A list of two professional references, at least one of which are from projects of a similar scope/nature including current contact information. Primary Responsibilities of the Consultant 1. Utilize the Arts & Autism in Ohio Initiative Phase I Report, provided by VSA Ohio upon selection, to assist with project design and implementation. 2. Identify and articulate the appropriate research methodologies for gathering data aimed at answering the research question. 3. Identify, articulate, and implement the methodology by which the data will be collected. 4. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the research question. 5. Identify costs and benefits unanticipated by the Ohio Arts Council and VSA Ohio. Deliverables should include but not be limited to the following: Final report including introduction that includes background, history, and context, methodology, results, analysis, and conclusion. Costs All travel, administrative and operational costs would be the responsibility of the consultant. Payment will be made at the conclusion of the project when all responsibilities have been met and deliverables received by VSA Ohio. Assumptions and Agreements The following assumptions shall apply to the final contract: The expected budget for the project is not more than $10,000. Work must be completed by Friday, May 23, 2014. All written, electronic, or multimedia documents, presentations, reports, studies, or other types of documentation are the exclusive property of VSA Ohio and Ohio Arts Council. The consultant will ensure cultural competence, relevance and inclusiveness in all methods, actions and communications. The consultant will take all steps possible to protect the confidentiality, anonymity, privacy, safety and reputations of all informants and participants. How to Apply Proposals should include a cover sheet identifying the consultant and all pertinent contact information. The narrative will clearly identify the approaches and methodologies that will be employed to develop the feasibility study, a tentative project timeline, brief bios of key personnel, and what experience the consultant is able to bring to the project. A separate sheet should be included for the budget overview. Applicants should also include information on their company and/or relevant past work and clients. Proposals may be sent by email to ehoppe@vsao.org or by regular mail to: Erin Hoppe, Executive Director VSA Ohio 77 South Front Street, 2nd Floor Columbus, Ohio 43215-6108 All proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. March 7, 2014. Additional Information If you have any questions concerning this project, please contact Erin Hoppe at 614.241.5325 or email at ehoppe@vsao.org. Funding This project is commissioned by the Ohio Arts Council, a state agency, with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and VSA Ohio.

N.E.A. Funds Benefit Both Rich and Poor, Study Finds Ever since the late 1980s, when the performance artist Karen Finley started playing around with yams and chocolate, the National Endowment for the Arts has come under fire from some conservative lawmakers. Back then the agency was castigated for giving grants to provocative artists like Ms. Finley, whom some critics called obscene. Now House Republicans charge that the endowment supports programming primarily attended by the rich, causing “a wealth transfer from poorer to wealthier citizens.” A new study to be released on Wednesday challenges that assertion, however, and concludes that federally supported arts programs attract people across the income spectrum; the wealthy, yes, but also many below the poverty line. The study, by the National Center for Arts Research at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, was specifically intended to test lawmakers’ propositions about arts funding. Last year the House Budget Committee, led by Representative Paul D. Ryan, Republican of Wisconsin, issued a proposed budget for the 2014 fiscal year, which eliminated all funding for the arts endowment as well as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It stated that these agencies’ activities were “generally enjoyed by people of higher-income levels, making them a wealth transfer from poorer to wealthier citizens.” To assess that statement, university researchers first looked at income differences in places that receive arts grants and those that don’t. They discovered that the bigger and more economically diverse the community, the more likely it was to receive a grant. These areas have a greater proportion of both poor and rich households, researchers said. In addition, they found that arts grants led poorer people to attend an event just as much as those in higher tax brackets. “There is not a disproportionate benefit to wealthy individuals,” said Zannie Giraud Voss, the director of the arts research center at Southern Methodist. “The poor are as likely to benefit as the wealthy.” (The center receives no federal funding, although it relies on the endowment agency for some of the data is uses in its research.) William Allison, the press secretary for the House committee, said, “We’ll let the statement in our budget blueprint speak for itself.” The National Endowment for the Arts has long been targeted by many conservative members of Congress. They were outraged, for example, that the agency had awarded grants to Ms. Finley, who smeared chocolate and yams over her naked body; a grant to support a touring exhibition of work by Robert Mapplethorpe, known for his homoerotic and sexually explicit photographs; and to Andres Serrano, an artist who immersed a crucifix in a jar of urine. In the mid-1990s Congress slashed the agency’s funding by 40 percent. In the years that followed, the endowment all but halted its grants to individual artists and focused instead on financing cultural organizations and programs that offer increased access to the arts. Meanwhile, endowment chiefs took pains to cultivate support from the left and the right. Over the years, financing slowly inched its way toward pre-1990s levels. The 2014 appropriation is $146 million, said Victoria Hutter, an endowment spokeswoman. The agency has also been without a permanent chairman for more than a year. Source: New York Times

Obama to nominate Jane Chu to chair National Endowment for the Arts President Obama announced that he plans to nominate Jane Chu as chair of the National Endowment for the Arts – a position that has remained vacant for more than a year. Since 2006, Chu has been president of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City where she oversaw completion of the sprawling center a $326 million project finished in 2011 using private funds. “Jane’s lifelong passion for the arts and her background in philanthropy have made her a powerful advocate for artists and arts education in Kansas City,” Obama said in a statement. “She knows firsthand how art can open minds, transform lives and revitalize communities, and believes deeply in the importance of the arts to our national culture.” Source: Washington Post

Ohio Citizens for the Arts’ Board of Directors Officers: Marc Folk, President; Tim Greenwood, Immediate Past President; Bill Hilyard,Vice President; Mary Gimpel, Vice President; Barbara Hunzicker, Vice President; Richard Swanson, Treasurer; and Dave McElwee, Secretary                                   Term Directors: MJ Albacete, Hunt Brawley, Pat Bridgman, Bill Conner, Heather Densmore, Trey Devey, Christine Dodd, Julius Dorsey, Jr., Gary Hanson, David Harmon, Cheri Mitchell, Tom Johnson, Peter Lawson Jones, Joy Padgett, Stephen Pleasnick, Emily Prince, Katerina Ruedi Ray, Michael Roediger, James Sanders, III, David Seyer, Press Southworth, III, Jeff Strayer, Kristy Szemetylo, Paul Vincent,  Carla Walker, and Cindy Wood President’s Advisory Council and Statewide Arts Service Organization Representatives: Faye Heston, Canton; Jane D’Angelo, OhioDance; Erin Hoppe, VSA Ohio; Jarrod Hartzler, Ohio Alliance for Arts Education Staff: Donna S. Collins, Executive Director; William P. Blair, Legislative Counsel; and Janelle Hallett, Member Services Coordinator

Ohio Citizens for the Arts Announces the New William R. Joseph Ohio Arts Advocacy Medal

Nominations Are Open!

Ohio Citizens for the Arts will celebrate the life and legacy of arts advocacy to honorour founder William R. Joseph through an annual award beginning in 2014.

The William R. Joseph Ohio Arts Advocacy Medal will be given annually as part of the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon. Ohio Citizens for the Arts’ members (individuals and organizational members) may make nominations now through February 28, 2014.

Nominations will be accepted by US mail at: Ohio Citizens for the Arts, 77 South High Street, 2nd floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6108, or by email at:donnacollins@OhioCitizensForTheArts.org All nominations must be postmarked no later than February 28.

A nomination includes the completed items listed below:

• Award Nomination Form
• Letter of Recommendation documenting the nominees’ high-level of strategic engagement as an advocate for governmental support of the arts.
• Image/photo of the nominee

Nominations are accepted only from Ohio Citizens for the Arts’ members (individual or organization). Download the nomination form here.

Questions may be answered by calling the Ohio Citizens for the Arts office at 614.221.4064.