What's New
The Alliance Announces Living Culture Grants Program Grantees
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Members of Chaksam-Pa Tibetan Dance and Opera Company.
From left, Tsering Dolma, Sonam Pelmo, and Tsering Wangmo.
Photo courtesy of Chaksam-Pa Tibetan Dance and Opera Company |
Last month, the Alliance for California Traditional Arts welcomed 46 grantees
to its Living Cultures Grants Program. The Alliance’s Living Cultures Grants Program
funds nonprofit organizations to support exemplary projects in the traditional
arts in California, with grant awards up to $7,500. This year’s grantees
represent the largest geographic reach of this program since its inception
four years ago. Forty-six grants totaling $279,555 were made to nonprofit
organizations implementing projects that include a wide range of artistic
genres, including Japanese gardening, Native Californian storytelling,
Tibetan opera, and Garifuna music, dance, and language, among many others.
The projects range in scope from cultural festivals, purchases, retreats
and workshops with master artists, to endangered language and traditional
knowledge retention. In future issues of The New Moon, details regarding
attending public components of some of these projects will be included
in the calendar section.
The Alliance’s Living Cultures Grants Program is supported by the
Walter & Elise Haas Fund, the
William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the
James Irvine Foundation.
Read more about this year’s Living Cultures Grants Program awardees on
the Alliance’s website.
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23 Teams of Master Artists and Apprentices Begin Intensive Learning Cycle
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Master artist Christine Hamilton (left) and apprentice
and niece Melody Williams, holding Pomo coil baskets that they have made.
Photo: Buffy Schmidt |
Last month, the Alliance for California Traditional Arts welcomed
23 master artist-apprentice teams to its Apprenticeship
Program. Entering its ninth cycle, the Alliance for California Traditional
Arts Apprenticeship Program encourages the continuation of the state’s
traditional arts and cultures by contracting exemplary master artists to
offer intensive training to qualified apprentices. Each contract will
support a period of concentrated learning for individuals who have shown
a commitment to and a talent for a specific artistic tradition. Contracts
of $3,000 are made with California-based master artists to cover master
artist’s fees, supplies, and travel.
This year’s participants represent a wide range of geographic and artistic
diversity. Artistic genres include Garifuna Wanaragua traditions, African-American
hambone (body percussion), Kawaiisu basketry, traditional Kumeyaay plant
use, and Uzbek doira drumming, among many others.
The Alliance’s Apprenticeship Program is supported by the
Columbia Foundation, the
Fresno Arts Council, the
Walter & Elise Haas Fund, the
James Irvine Foundation, and the National
Endowment for the Arts.
Read more about this year’s Apprenticeship Program participants on the
Alliance’s website.
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Advocacy
Petition for a Secretary of the Arts
Quincy Jones has started a petition to
ask President Obama to appoint a Secretary of the Arts. While many
other countries have had Ministers of Art or Culture for centuries, the
United States has never created such a position. We in the arts need
this and the country needs the arts – now more than ever. Please
take a moment to sign
this important petition and then pass it on to your friends and colleagues.
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Funding
The Alliance's Traditional Arts Development Program
Deadline: Ongoing
The Alliance’s
Traditional Arts Development Program makes contracts up to $1,500 to support consultancies, mentorships, and travel opportunities that foster a new level of growth for individual folk & traditional artists and organizations engaged in this field in California. Requested services may be focused on organizational, program, and/or artistic development goals. Individual artists and cultural practitioners, as well as organizations, whether incorporated or not, may apply.
A sampling of past contracts include:
Artistic Mentorships
Gen Taiko (San Francisco), an organization dedicated to promoting,
preserving and presenting Japanese traditional arts including taiko (traditional
Japanese drumming), traditional folk dance, and folk song forms. Its artistic
director, Melody Takata, was trained by National Heritage Fellow Madame Fujima
Kansuma to learn the Nihon Buyo (Japanese classical) dance called Kojo No Tsuki
(Moonlit Castle Ruins). Ms. Takata taught the dance to four of her students
and performed it at Gen Taiko’s 10th Anniversary Concert in November
2005.
Organizational Consultancies:
Kwashi Amevuvor (Los Angeles), a master drummer from Ghana, West
Africa, worked with consultant Janet Planet, who assisted him with marketing
and web design to develop professional promotional materials to publicize the
work of the artist and the traditional cultural arts of Ghana. In addition,
Ms. Planet’s consultancy supported Mr. Amevuvor’s efforts in organizing
a cultural study tour of Ghana.
Travel Opportunities
The Eszterlánc Hungarian Folk Ensemble (Foster City) traveled
to Southern California to perform for an audience of over two thousand at the
annual Magyar Sajtónap (Hungarian Press Day) hosted by the newspaper
California Hungarians. At this event Eszterlanc dancers had the opportunity
to perform with members of the Karpatok Folk Ensemble of Southern California,
which is led by Istvan Szabo.
Requests for organizational consultancies, artistic mentoring, and
travel support may be submitted to the Alliance at any time. Download
the application and application instructions from the Alliance’s website or
call (559) 237-9812 to request a copy be mailed to you.
The Alliance’s Traditional Arts Development Program is supported
by grants from the California
Arts Council, the Walter
and Elise Haas Fund, and the National
Endowment for the Arts.
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Native Arts @ NEFA
The National Native Artists Exchange
New England Foundation for the Arts
Deadline – Ongoing
The Native Artist Exchange, a program of the New England Foundation for the
Arts (NEFA), provides support for Native artists residing in any of the 50
United States to travel to different regions of the country so that they may
exchange artistic knowledge and skills. This fund is designed to encourage
and assist American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian artists, and
provides an opportunity for Native artists to teach, learn, and collaborate
in traditional and/or contemporary Native art forms through travel from one
region to another across the nation.
For more information, including guidelines and application materials, visit
the New England Foundation for the Arts’ website.
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The Guitar Center Music Foundation
Deadline – Ongoing
The Guitar Center Music Foundation’s mission is to aid nonprofit music
programs across America that offer music instruction so that more people
can experience the joys of making music.
The Guitar Center Music Foundation accepts grant applications throughout
the year from 501(c)(3) organizations that offer music instruction
programs to participants of any age. The applicant program must successfully
enhance the state of music education in the United States. The Grant
Committee reviews all applications three times yearly, and grant awards
range from $500 to $5,000.
For more information visit
the Guitar Center Music Foundation’s website.
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ARTOGRAPHY: Arts in a Changing America
Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC)
Deadline: January 30, 2009
This unique program offers mid-sized arts organizations the opportunity
to engage in a national dialogue about what it means to function at
the intersection of evolving cultures and artistic expression. ARTOGRAPHY
offers general operating grants and other funding opportunities to
qualified applicants.
LINC is now accepting preliminary proposals online.
Please visit the web site for complete guidelines and to learn more
about the program.
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San Francisco Arts Commission Cultural Equity Initiatives
Organizational Project Grants
Restricted to San Francisco
Deadline: January 30, 2009
Grants of up to $15,000 to arts organizations for the support of art projects
whose presentation benefits or interests the community at large or specific
segments of the San Francisco community. All art forms will be considered.
Projects must take place in San Francisco and be accessible to the public.
Application workshops held at the San Francisco Arts Commission, 25 Van Ness
Avenue, Suite 70, San Francisco:
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 – 3:00 to 5:00 pm
Friday, January 9, 2009 – Noon to 2:00 pm
For more information please visit
the San Francisco Arts Commission’s website.
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Artists Resource for Completion
Durfee Foundation
Restricted to Los Angeles County
Deadline: February 3, 2009
The Artists' Resource for Completion (ARC) grants provide rapid, short-term
assistance to individual artists in Los Angeles County who wish to enhance
work for a specific, imminent opportunity that may significantly benefit their
careers. Artists in any discipline are eligible to apply. The applicant must
already have secured an invitation from an established arts organization to
present the proposed work. The work must be scheduled for presentation within
six months of the application deadline. (The February 3, 2009, deadline is
for presentation start dates between March 16, 2009, and August 3, 2009.)
For more information visit
the Durfee Foundation’s website.
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Master Musician Fellowships
Durfee Foundation
Restricted to Los Angeles County
Deadline: February 12, 2009
The Durfee Master Musician Fellowship program supports master musicians in
Los Angeles County to teach their craft to advanced students. The purpose
of the program is to support the passing of musical skills to a next generation
of artists through intensive apprenticeships.
Priority will be given to artists whose musical traditions are not widely
taught at established institutions; jazz and new music are unlikely to be funded.
Candidates must have an accomplished record of performance, as well as demonstrated
teaching experience. Grant recipients will be expected to devote a significant
portion of their time to teaching for the duration of the two-year grant period.
In addition to the cash award, the program provides significant technical assistance
toward building the musicians' careers during the Fellowship.
For more information visit
the Durfee Foundation’s website.
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Creative Connections Fund
James Irvine Foundation
Deadline: March 6, 2009
The Creative Connections Fund supports creativity and the expansion of diverse,
relevant cultural offerings in local communities across California and primarily
outside San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The Fund offers
project grants of up to $50,000, over a maximum of 24 months, through an open,
competitive review process.
The Creative Connections Fund aims to support small and midsize arts organizations
with a diversity of projects and ideas. Our rationale is two-fold.
To view a list of the most recent Creative Connections Fund grantees, visit
the James Irvine Foundation's website.
For more information, including guidelines and application process, visit
the James Irvine Foundation’s website.
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Common Ground Initiative
First Nations Composer Initiative
Deadline: April 1, 2009
The First Nations Composer Initiative, a program of the American
Composers Forum, is dedicated to serving the needs of American Indian,
Alaska Native, First Nations, and Indigenous makers of new music throughout
Indian Country.
The Common Ground Initiative seeks applications from indigenous makers of
new music (composers, performers, groups, sound artists, songwriters, etc.)
from the United States and Canada to support creation, performance, and audience/community
building activities involving native musical artists.
The goals of Common Ground are to support activities that boost traditional
and contemporary indigenous creative musicians through commissions, residencies,
performance and production, travel/study, and outreach.
Individual awards will range from $500 to $7,500. Grants are designed to
give an immediate financial boost to makers of new music at a time when this
help would have a significant career-enhancing effect.
For more information visit the First Nations
Composers Initiative’s website.
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Opportunities & Resources
Proposal Writing Basics for Arts Organizations / How to Apply to the James
Irvine Foundation’s Creative Connections Fund
Learn valuable proposal writing skills and hear insider tips on how to apply
to the James Irvine Foundation’s Creative Connections Fund at this two-part
program offered by the Foundation Center. Thanks to sponsorship from the James
Irvine Foundation, this program is offered free of charge, and all attendees
will receive a free copy of The Foundation Center’s Guide to Winning Proposals
and The Foundation Center’s Guide to Proposal Writing.
San Luis Obispo
Thursday, January 29, 2009 – 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Community Room, San Luis Obispo City/County Library
995 Palm Street -
San Luis Obispo
Merced
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Multicultural Arts Center
645 W. Main Street -
Merced, California
Napa
Friday, February 6, 2009 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Napa Valley Community Foundation
3299 Claremont Way, Suite 2 -
Napa, California
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California Cultural Data Project
Training Sessions
Since the January 4, 2008 launch of the California Cultural Data Project,
more
than 1,700 organizations have started using the CDP statewide! The California
Cultural Data Project (California CDP) is the most ambitious and comprehensive
effort ever to gather and analyze information about the contributions of the
cultural sector to California’s economy and quality of life. During the coming
year, applicants to many California grant programs will be asked to participate
in the California CDP.
The California CDP will host free new user training sessions throughout California
in February:
Humboldt
February 20, 2009 – 10:00 am
Humboldt Area Foundation Community Center
Santa Rosa
February 23, 2009 – 10:00 am
TBD
Fresno
February 24, 2009 – 11:30 am
University of California, Merced Fresno Center
Berkeley
February 25, 2009 – 10:00 am
Berkeley Repertory School of Theatre, Berkeley Space
San Francisco
February 26, 2009 – 10:00 am
Bank of America, Atrium Room
Additional upcoming training sessions will also be offered in Los Angeles
County, Orange County, and the Central Valley. For more information, and updated
training session schedules, please visit
the California Cultural Data Project’s website.
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Disaster Relief Assistance
Craft Emergency Relief Fund
The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), a national organization supporting
craft artists, would like to make sure that any professional craft artists
who may have been affected by California’s wildfires is aware of the disaster
relief assistance available from CERF.
CERF’s programs include:
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Grants up to $1,500
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Loans up to $8,000
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Booth fee waivers at craft shows
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Discounts on materials and equipment from craft suppliers
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Assistance with business development
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Disaster forums to facilitate
craft community disaster preparedness and recovery
For more information visit
CERF’s website.
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Americans for the Arts Archived Webinars
Americans for the Arts produces a series of webinars presented by field experts;
topics range from leadership succession in the arts to arts in rural communities
to the election’s impact on the arts. Americans for the Arts has recorded
and archived each webinar produced from September to December 2008 and has
made them available for purchase and download.
The webinars are flexible enough to meeting demanding schedules and affordable
enough for multiple use. Each webinar is $85 for members and $125 for non-members.
For more information visit
Americans for the Arts’ Webinars website.
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Health Insurance for Artists: Information and Resources
According to the Urban Institute's 2003 study, Investing
in Creativity: A Study of the Support Structure for U.S. Artists, access to quality,
affordable healthcare is one of the most difficult challenges facing
artists today in the U.S. Indeed, it is one of the most difficult
challenges facing many Americans. Artists in the workforce, in particular,
exhibit a clear need for better information about healthcare and
health insurance options, and about how to improve access to resources
locally.
In an effort to deliver information and resources to artists, organizations,
and communities on options for affordable, local healthcare and health
insurance, The Artists Health Insurance
Resource Center (AHIRC) and Leveraging
Investments in Creativity (LINC), both in partnership with the
Actors Fund, have compiled extensive information regarding health
insurance and healthcare for artists. The information is available
to everyone without charge.
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Online Training Courses to Master Proposal Writing
The Foundation Center hosts several online training courses
in proposal writing. The Statement of Need helps novice
or inexperienced grantseekers master a critical component of proposal
writing – preparing a statement of need. The Project Description is
an in-depth look into the preparation and writing of the project
description section of a proposal. The Budget demystifies
the preparation of the project budget included in funding proposals. The
Comprehensive Course is a thorough, step-by-step guide to preparing
an effective proposal for foundation support, covering every section
of the proposal. The courses include interactive exercises and
assignments, case studies, a final exam, and a printable certificate
of completion. Lessons can be taken at any pace, and can be reviewed
often. For more information visit
the Foundation Center’s website.
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FEATURES
What's New
Advocacy
Funding
Events
Opportunities & Resources
ABOUT ACTA
The Alliance for California Traditional Arts strives to "ensure
California's future holds California's past" by providing programs
and services to support the state's diverse living cultural heritage.
The Alliance cultivates the growth of traditional arts and culture through
Stewardship, Services to Artists, and Connection-Making.
Support ACTA
CONTACT ACTA
Website:
http://www.actaonline.org Staff:
Amy Kitchener, Executive
Director
akitch@actaonline.org
559.237.9813
Sherwood Chen, Associate Director
sherwood@actaonline.org
415.346.3800
Lily Kharrazi, Living Cultures Grants Program Manager
lilyk@actaonline.org
415.346.5200
Suzanne Hildebrand, Administrative Coordinator
The New Moon Editor
stoler@actaonline.org
559.237.9812
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Melanie Beene
Executive Director, Community Initiative Funds
San Francisco Foundation
San Francisco, CA
Emmett Castro, V.P. of Finance and Administration
Certified Public Accountant, Castro Accountancy Corporation
Fresno, CA
Jo Farb Hernandez, Secretary
Director, Natalie
and James Thompson Art Gallery, School of Art and Design, San Jose
State University
Director, SPACES
Principal, Curatorial and Museum Management Services
Watsonville, CA
Joel Jacinto,
Executive Director, Search
to Involve Pilipino Americans
Los Angeles, CA
Sojin Kim, Ph.D.
Curator,History Department, Natural
History Museum of Los Angeles County
Los Angeles, CA
Amy Kitchener (ex officio)
Executive Director, ACTA
Fresno, CA
Frank LaPena
Professor Emeritus, American Indian Studies, CSU Sacramento;
Traditional Maidu dance master; Visual Visual Artist
Sacramento, CA
Malcolm Margolin
Founder and Publisher, Heyday
Books
Executive Director, Heyday
Institute
Berkeley , CA
Libby Maynard
Co-founder and Executive Director, Ink
People Center for the Arts
Eureka, CA
Chike Nwoffiah, V.P. of External Development
Executive Director, Oriki
Theatre
Mountain View, CA
Peter Pennekamp, Executive Director
Humboldt Area
Foundation
Bayside, CA
Amy Rouillard
Senior Programs Manager, California Council for the Humanities
San Diego, California
Charlie Seemann, Board President
Executive Director, Western
Folklife Center
Elko, NV
Daniel Sheehy, Ph.D.
V.P. of Governance
CEO, Smithsonian
Folkways Recordings
Washington, D.C.
Deborah Wong, Ph.D.
Professor of Music
University of California, Riverside
Honorary
Bess Lomax Hawes
Retired Former Director, Folk & Traditional Arts Program, National Endowment for the Arts
Woodland Hills, CA
FUNDERS
THE COLUMBIA FOUNDATION
EAST BAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
EVENTS
The
Shape of Things: Paper Traditions and Transformations
American Quilts: Two Hundred Years
of Tradition
Shibui – The Subtle Beauty of
Japanese Craft
Hula
for Kupuna
Kumeyaay:
Indigenous People of Southern California
Filipino American Library Children’s
Reading Program
8th Annual Lantern Festival
Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade
Lunar New Year Celebration
Dance Music & Poetry of the Silk
Road
Bukharan Jewish Folk Ensemble
San Francisco Tamburitza Festival
Losar: Tibetan New Year
129th Bok Kai Festival
Wikikmal: Cahuilla Bird Songs of Native Southern California
Flamenco Dance Workshops
A Traves de Ti
Los Farruco: First Family of Gypsy Flamenco
Collage des Cultures Africaines
Namad Ensemble Presents: Ossyan (Rebellion)
Get your personalized plate.
Proceeds from the plate sales will benefit the California Arts Council (CAC).
To subscribe to the weekly CAC Update, please visit
their website. |
