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Message from the Executive Director
Election Outcome will have Deep Impact on the Arts
Dear Friends,
The rapidly approaching General Election poses mind-numbing leadership challenges for Arizona. However, the bottom line is that we are facing some very tough issues at the Legislature and across Arizona.
That is all the more reason we should take some time to assess which candidates best represent the things we care about. For Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts, it is how much our elected officials value the contribution the arts make to our economy, our quality of life and the education of our children.
That is why Arizona Action for the Arts, with the help of our volunteer advocates, has compiled information of interest to arts voters for the Arizona Legislature, the Congressional races and local school district elections. Before you vote, please visit our website, www.azcitizensforthearts.org , for an up-to-date summary of information you need to know before you vote.
Regardless of the outcomes, we are poised, together with our advocates and supporters across the state, to mount a serious, aggressive campaign to protect public funding for the Arizona Commission on the Arts in 2011 and to strengthen arts education.
At the same time, we're also undergoing our own leadership changes. As you know, Brenda Sperduti, our executive director the past three years, has decided to pursue new professional opportunities, but will continue to be a passionate advocate on our behalf.
As a member of the Citizens/Action board since 2004, it is my pleasure to take over Brenda's responsibilities on an interim basis. With exciting plans afoot for the annual Arts Congress and the 30th Annual Governor's Arts Awards, you can be sure that we remain focused on advocating and building awareness for the importance of arts and arts education to all of Arizona. We look forward to our ongoing collaboration and partnership with you - our members and our advocates.
Catherine "Rusty" Foley
Interim Executive Director
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Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts Membership Drive is on!
Your Membership Makes a Difference
|  As we look ahead to next year's session - when the fight for state funding will be fierce - building the base of arts advocates through Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts is more critical than ever before. During the coming weeks and months, you will see and hear about the Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts membership drive. The voices of arts advocates are loud, clear and heard by members of the Arizona Legislature, but we need many more voices in that chorus. The cost to join as an individual member ranges from $10 for full-time students to $50 for individual memberships to $1,000 for a one-time lifetime membership. The payoff is exponential in ensuring the future of arts and culture in Arizona. Please join today, and tell your friends.
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| Celebrating Senator Carolyn Allen
Thank you for your service to our community
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Senator Carolyn Allen, a long-time Scottsdale Legislator and the strongest arts advocate in the Arizona State Legislature, is retiring in December to serve our community in other ways. We will truly miss her staunch support of the state arts budget, as well as her thoughtfulness and sharp wit. Please help honor our great friend from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 27, in the Dorrance Hall at the Desert Botanical Garden. All funds raised will go to setting up a collaborative fund at the Arizona Community Foundation to help Sen. Allen continue to support the causes so close to her heart.
To RSVP, visit www.celebratecarolyn.com
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| Recognize the Best in Arizona Arts
Governor's Arts Awards 2011
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Nominations are open for the 30th Annual Governor's Arts Awards. You may nominate candidates in the categories of Artist, Arts in Education (individual and school), Community, Business and Individual.
Since 1981, Arizona Citizens for the Arts in partnership with the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Office of the Governor has recognized 138 Arizona artists, individuals, arts and cultural organizations, educators and businesses with the coveted Governor's Arts Award for their outstanding contribution and passion in supporting the arts in our schools, our communities and our everyday lives. This year, six new honorees will be selected from nominees by a distinguished panel of Arizona artists, arts advocates and community leaders.
Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. December, 3, 2010. Click here for more information and to submit nominations.
Honorees will be announced at a gala event on April 12th, 2011. Watch for an announcement soon about our new venue and our exciting plans to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Governor's Arts Award.
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Arizona Citizens for the Arts Gets Pro Bono Ad Space from Program for the Arts
Thank you Program for the Arts
|  If you've been to the ballet, opera or symphony at Symphony Hall or a play at the Herberger Theater, you're no doubt familiar with Program for the Arts. For the upcoming season, the publishers of Program for the Arts have provided pro bono ad space to help build awareness of Arizona Citizens for the Arts. Ads of varying sizes will run throughout the year highlighting the organization and our membership drive. "We believe in what the organization does and how important it is for arts and culture in Arizona," said On Media President Richard Blankley. "Advocacy is always critical, but never more than in today's very difficult economic environment."
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| Faces of AfterSchool
Exhibits blend art and education
|  Two large exhibits in Phoenix and Tucson will feature 200 self portraits that capture the likenesses and personalities of children and youth from 5-17 years of age who participated in 55 summer programs in Flagstaff, Chandler, Corona, Morristown, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson. The Faces of Afterschool will be on display at the Children's Museum of Phoenix through Nov. 29, and in Tucson beginning Oct. 18 at the Tucson Mall (in partnership with the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance) and at the Tucson Children's Museum to raise awareness of afterschool programs in Arizona. "There are two goals for "Faces of Afterschool." The first is to encourage children and youth to develop skills in a particular artistic medium to express their individuality and identity through self portrait," said Melanie McClintock, Executive Director of the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence. "The second goal is to increase the visibility and the value of afterschool programs throughout the state as part of a child's overall development." For more information, visit www.azafterschool.org.
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Herberger Theater Center
Puts $16.6 Million Renovation on Display
|  The curtain has lifted on the Herberger Theater Center's summer-long $16.6 million renovation. And the changes are eye-popping! Just driving past the downtown Phoenix icon offers a view of the new 4,000 square foot patio on the southwest corner of the building with a massive glass pass-through allowing refreshments to be served on the patio and lobby from the newly redesigned bar. The interior features new flooring, paint, lighting, new seating inside the two theaters, an LED-illumunated light fixture above the lobby staircase and updated state-of-the-art technical and electrical equipment. The two-decades-old theater also showcases renovated backstage areas and dressing rooms. An upgraded entrance welcomes visitors to the black-box theater, renamed The Kax for late Valley philanthropist Kathrine "Kax" Herberger. A second-floor lounge, named after Kax's husband, G. Robert Herberger, offers donors or residents a new venue for relaxing or events. Funding for the renovations came from a 2006 voter-approved bond.
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| Award will Recognize Local School Board for Arts Education
Kennedy Center and National School Boards Association
|  The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAAEN) and the National School Boards Association (NSBA) is looking for nominations to recognize a local school board for outstanding support of the arts in education. The winning district receives a plaque at the National School Boards Association Annual Conference and $10,000 for their arts education programs. For more information and to apply, visit www.kennedy-center.org/AllianceAwards. Nominations must be received by December 1st, 2010.
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| Big Hair! Big Heat! Big Fun for the Entire Family!
Join Arizona Citizens for the Arts for a special performance of HAIRSPRAY
| Phoenix Theater has generously donated the December 7, 2010 performance of Hairspray to Arizona Citizens for the Arts.Tickets are only $30 per person and include light snacks before the show and sweet treats at intermission. This performance is open seating. All proceeds from ticket sales support Arizona Citizens for the Arts, your voice for arts advocacy. Buy your tickets today!
It's 1962, and change is in the air in Baltimore. Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only on e passion - to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show" and is transformed overnight from an outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can the trendsetting Tracy win the heart of teen-dream Link Larkin and stand up for what she believes in, despite the program's scheming stage manager? All she needs is her best friend Penny, and a toe-tappin' beat - and a little HAIRSPRAY in this exciting dance extravaganza!
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010
Time: 5:45pm-6:45pm - Reception with Light Snacks and Beverages
7:00pm Curtain Call There will be an intermission and the event should end at approximately 9:30pm
Location: Phoenix Theatre
100 E McDowell
Phoenix, Az 85004
Link for Map
Thanks to our friends at Phoenix Theatre for their partnership and generosity, and for making this fundraiser possible. |
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 | Featured Member Organization
| Sonoran Desert Chorale was founded in 1994 and is led by Music Director Jeff Harris. Since its inception, the group has become a highly regarded and sophisticated choral organization, presenting musical compositions from cultures around the globe as well as important pieces from the European and American music traditions. Concerts frequently include guest performances and collaborations with distinguished artists and organizations in the community such as the Phoenix Children's Chorus, Southwest Brass, Mesa Caledonian Pipe. In 2005, the Chorale was invited to perform with Broadway superstar Michael Crawford for the inaugural concert of the $150 million Mesa Arts Center. The Chorale frequently is engaged for a European concert tour, with performances throughout Europe, including Venice, Salzburg, and Prague. Significant support is received from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Join the Sonoran Desert Chorale in their holiday gift of seasonal music, Singing Together - A Holiday Tradition, December 12 at 7:30 pm at First United Methodist Church, Mesa and December 13 at 3:00 pm at Valley Presbyterian Church, Paradise Valley. |
 | | Advocacy Spotlight | |
Over the past several weeks you've probably heard about Tucson Pima Arts Advocacy Network and the Tucson Pima Arts Council.
TPACAAN organized an incredible show of support for TPAC to rally against proposed cuts to TPAC by the Tucson City Council. As of October 13, 2010 the Council imposed a 9.2% cut to TPAC, but the TPAC Arts Advocacy Network is already hard at work putting together a new campaign in support of TPAC.
As the designated local arts agency for the City of Tucson and Pima County, the Tucson Pima Arts Council provides arts and cultural development services through direct funding, technical assistance and commissions, and contracts to artists and arts organizations and selective special cultural project and cultural development studies.
The Council encourages neighborhood, youth and community involvement in the arts through grants, community arts development and public art programs. In addition to arts and cultural services in the City of Tucson, the Council has provided direct support to nearly 20 rural communities through its Community Arts Development Program Rural Arts Focus.
For information, visit
http://tpacartsadvocacy.ning.com/
www.tucsonpimaartscouncil.org
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| AzCA/AA Events | Hairspray Theater Night
Dec. 7 2010
Arts Congress
Feb. 7 2011
Governor's Arts Awards
April 12 2010
SAVE THE DATE
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 | | Board of Directors | |
OFFICERS
Steve Martin,
President, AzCA/AA
Brenda Bernardi,
Vice President, Arizona Citizens
Joel Hiller,
Vice President, Arizona Action
Tom Chapman,
Secretary
Dawn Brown,
Treasurer
Jeff Rich,
Member-At-Large
Jessica L. Andrews,
Past President
MEMBERS & AFFILIATIONS
Allan Affeldt,
La Posada Hotel
Jessica Andrews,
Jessica Andrews Consulting
Robert Benson,
Peoria Unified School District
Dick Bowers,
Herberger Theater Center
Eileen Brill Wagner,
Downtown Chandler Partnership
Teniqua Broughton,
Free Arts Arizona
Jennifer Burns,
Community Volunteer
Sam Campana,
Audobon Arizona
Clark Chasten,
Community Volunteer
Jae Chin,
Asian Bank
Mary Dryden,
Tucson Symphony Orchestra League
Karen Falkenstrom
Odaiko Sonora
Representative Steve Farley,
Arizona House of Representatives
Wes Gullett,
First Strategic
Joan Howell,
Phoenix Elementary School District
Phillip C. Jones,
Community Volunteer
Cathy Knapp,
Quarles & Brady LLC
Alika Kumar,
Community Volunteer
Melissa Lopez,
The Apollo Group
Kate Marquez,
Southern Arizona Arts & Culture Alliance
Rob Nichols,
Salt River Project
Joseph Perez,
City of Phoenix
Representative Michele Reagan,
Arizona House of Representatives
Julie Richard,
West Valley Arts Council
Andrea Soto,
FAME Events
John Tannous,
Flagstaff Cultural Partners
Jackie Thrasher,
Washington Elementary School District
Lynn Tuttle,
Arizona Department of Education
Roberta Ukura,
City of Yuma Park & Recreation
Cathy Weiss,
Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts
Nancy Welch,
Flinn Foundation
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| Upcoming Workshops | National Dance Education Organization Conference
Friday 10/22/10
MEGA Conference, Arizona Department of Education
Wednesday 11/17/10 |
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part of society? Do you want to know how you can be a strong voice of support for arts and arts education in Arizona?