Data Shows Impact of Public Funding on Local Arts & Culture Sector

State Historic Tax Credit Program Update  

Ohio's Historic Preservation Tax Credit program leverages significant private investment and creates new jobs. The credit is currently being revised and preservationists across the Ohio are hopeful that it will be renewed and continue to contribute to our state's economic and physical renewal.  

As residents of Northeast Ohio, and particularly Cuyahoga County, home of the largest concentration of tax credit approved applications, we think you need to be aware of what is happening in our neighboring state to the north. Michigan's Governor Rick Snyder has proposed to eliminate his state's Historic Tax Credits (HTC), a program that has worked successfully for the past 11 years. In an effort to generate business investment in the beleaguered state, the Governor wants to replace the Michigan Business Tax with a flat corporate tax, which would eliminate all tax credits. In Michigan:

• The HTC has leveraged $1.46 billion in direct rehabilitation activity and created 36,000 jobs since its enactment in 1999.
• Each $1.00 of credit issued, has leveraged $10.56 in direct economic impact
• The HTC has leveraged $251 million in Federal HTC, which means federal dollars coming back into Michigan's economy.

Like in many other states contending with this issue, there seems to be a misunderstanding between taxes that are burdensome and tax credits that provide gap financing, make new rehabilitation and construction projects feasible, and create jobs, and contribute to Heritage Tourism.  At CRS we will continue to advocate for the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit. 

OAC Testimony Heard Before Ohio House Subcommittee

On March 31, 2011 the Ohio Arts Council provided testimony to the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Finance Committee in the Ohio House of Representatives.  Julie Henahan, OAC's executive director, and Tim Greenwood, vice president of Ohio Citizens for the Arts, delivered powerful messages about the value of the arts in Ohio to our economy, jobs, education, and cultural heritage.  Both Julie and Tim spoke of the need to maintain the current (FY10-11) budget of $13,188,580 for FY2012-2013. Higher Education Subcommittee members are Randy Gardner, Chair (R - Bowling Green); Robert Mecklenborg (R - Cincinnati); Lynn Slaby (R - Copley); Nancy Garland (D - New Albany); and Kathleen Clyde (D - Kent). Chairman Gardner spoke eloquently about his support of the arts and the good work of the OAC, including the agency's long and successful history. Rep. Gardner's comments were echoed by Rep. Garland, who added her appreciation for the economic activity generated by the arts and noted the many public-private partnerships.  Rep. Mecklenborg talked about the thank you letters he has received from grantees and the importance of small grants to distressed areas of the state. You can show how important funding Ohio's arts and culture organizations (like the Cleveland Restoration Society!) is to you, by urging your representative to express his or her support with the members of Higher Education Subcommittee for maintenance funding for the Ohio Arts Council in the FY2012-2013 budget. Click here right now and share your own message about the value of arts in Ohio.

CRS Receives Victorian Society Award 

CRS is pleased to announce that the Victorian Society in America has honored CRS with an award for our years of preserving Victorian era housing stock in Greater Cleveland's communities. The award was presented on Sunday, March 29, in Portland, Oregon at the Society's annual meeting. Pat Eldredge, CRS Honorary Life Trustee, accepted the award on CRS's behalf. The Victorian Society in America is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to the study and interpretation of the Victorian era, from 1837 to 1917. With sixteen chapters across the country, the Society organizes symposia, operates summer schools in Newport, Rhode Island and London, England, publishes a magazine, and offers study tours and other events. CRS is delighted by this honor and thanks the Society for the recognition.

"Sleeping in Slave Cabins" Update

Joseph McGill, Jr., the National Trust for Historic Preservation staff member who gave his excellent program, "Sleeping in Slave Cabins: A Personal Journey in Discovering History" in February at Karamu House, has recently blogged about a new experience of spending time in a former slave dwelling. This time Mr. McGill spent the night on the grounds of historic Middleton Place, a National Historic Landmark located in Charleston, South Carolina.  And, he did not stay overnight alone - he was accompanied by his fourteen year old daughter, Jocelyn. Read the McGills' thoughts here.

Save the Date for the 2011 Celebration of Preservation!

Make plans now to attend this year's Celebration of Preservation, the annual awards program of the Cleveland Restoration Society and AIA Cleveland. The awards jury is hard at work reviewing nominees for the awards, which will be handed out on Thursday, May 19 at the Hanna Theatre. Tickets are $15 per person. The program starts at 5:30 p.m. with a reception from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. RSVP today.

Interested in advertising your business in the event program? There is space available at very reasonable rates. Contact CRS for more information.

AIA Cleveland 2011 Architecture + Design Month

Expanded from a week last year, April has been designated Architecture + Design Month in Cleveland. Nearly 30 events have been planned for the month by AIA Cleveland with partner organizations. While events will be taking place throughout Northeast Ohio, the main venue for many of the events is the Powerhouse at Battery Park, 7524 Father Frascati Avenue, Cleveland, in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood. Some of the events planned are a public tour of the renovation Cleveland Public Theatre; the next PechaKucha Night Cleveland; a discussion on the Cleveland Green Building Standard, which has been adopted for all new residential construction in the City of Cleveland; and the Cleveland Goes Modern exhibit "Don Hisaka: The Cleveland Years." Most events are open to the public. Go to www.aiacleveland.com for more information.

Shaker Heights Accepting Preservation Awards Nominations

The Shaker Heights Landmark Commission is currently accepting nominations for its 2011 Preservation Awards program. Since 1998, nearly 100 property owners have received recognition from the Landmark Commission for their efforts in improving their properties. Exterior projects completed within the last two years are eligible. Project categories recognized in previous years include Retention of Original Materials, Exterior Restoration, Excellence in Stewardship, Distinguished Landscape, and Architecturally Appropriate Addition. Property owners, architects, or contractors can nominate themselves and/or others. Nominations can be submitted for all residential and non-residential building types. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, April 29. The form and additional information, including a list of past award winners, is available online.

Online registration is also now open for the National Main Streets Conference, to be held May 22 - 25 in Des Moines, Iowa. Sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the theme of this annual gathering for 2011 is "Grow Your Main Street."  

Diversity Scholarship Applications Due

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Diversity Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for the 2011 National Preservation Conference. The Program provides financial assistance to community leaders from diverse social, economic, racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds to attend the annual conference, to be held in 2011 in Buffalo, New York, October 19 - 22. Through interactive sessions, presentations, informal gatherings, and tours of the host city and surrounding areas, participants will learn the necessary tools to strengthen their commitment and effectiveness in preserving historic places and revitalizing communities. Applications must be submitted electronically by Wednesday, June 1.

Lakewood Old House Fair to be Held April 16

Make plans to attend Lakewood's Old House Fair at Harding Middle School on Saturday, April 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., a one-stop shop bringing Lakewood resources together to meet the needs of Lakewood's homes and the residents that care for them. Exhibitors are primarily Lakewood community organizations and businesses that provide goods and services related to improvement, remodel, repair, beautification, and decorating of your living spaces you call home. Special emphasis will be on areas unique to older homes. Admission is free. Lunch will be for sale from local restaurants. New this year will be presentations beginning at 1:30 pm from the Cleveland Restoration Society on Painting Your Old House and Choosing Colors. Exhibitor Information is available at  www.lakewoodhardware.com. The Old House Fair is sponsored by Madison Avenue Merchant Association, Lakewood Community Recreation and Education Department, and The Lakewood Observer.

Looking Forward to National Preservation Month

May is National Preservation Month and this year the National Trust for Historic Preservation has chosen the theme of "Celebrating America's Treasures." Throughout our nation's communities there are significant places that have contributed to our American experience - whether it is a battlefield, a ship, church or house museum. Through the support of programs like Save America's Treasures, thousands of preservation projects in cities and towns from coast to coast have worked to preserve these irreplaceable and tangible reminders of our roots. By declaring National Preservation Month's theme as "Celebrating America's Treasures," the Trust  hopes that communities and organizations across the country will help spread the word that programs like Save America's Treasures not only protect the places that tell our nation's story, but also create jobs and spur economic development. CRS will host our annual Celebration of Preservation awards program with AIA Cleveland on May 19.