December 1, 2014 (Anchorage, AK) The Alaska State Council on the Arts, in partnership with the Chugach National Forest and Alaska Geographic, is looking for Alaskan Artists to design one-of-a-kind ornaments for the 2015 Capitol Christmas Tree. Selected designs will be used as templates for 5,000+ ornaments that will be created by students and community members across Alaska. Approximately 10 artists will be selected for an award of $750 each.

Designs should include youth-friendly templates that schools can use to encourage their students to create ornaments that utilize recycled, sustainable, and natural materials. The designs should have a focus on key elements from Alaska and/or key regional elements. Ornaments will be judged on creativity, durability, and reproducibility. The full prospectus can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/ornamentcall

Once all 5,000 ornaments are collected, they will decorate the 2015 People's Tree provided by the Chugach National Forest and various smaller trees in offices throughout the Capitol building and other buildings in Washington D.C. Selected artists may also have the opportunity to serve as ambassadors for this project�����, both in Alaska and in Washington, D.C.

Artists can find more information about this opportunity and submit their application through the CaFE online system. More information and the application form can be found at: http://bit.ly/ornamentcall. The deadline for applications is 9:59 p.m. on Monday, December 22, 2014. 

Calypso Farm and Ecology Center Farmer Training Program Workshop: Spoon Carving from local wood. Photo courtesy Calypso Farm and Ecology Center.

We want to provide you with an ongoing update on Art+Agriculture initiatives that may be of interest to you and other Alaskans. Many Alaska Art+Ag initiatives are happening right now. Did you know that Calypso Farm and Ecology Center in Ester, Alaska is working toward the long-term integration of arts programming on their educational

Wormfarm Institute FarmArt DTour Culture Stand built by artist Homer Daehn. Photo credit Wormfarm Institute.

We can look to our southern Art+Ag collaborators for inspiration too. The Wormfarm Institute www.wormfarminstitute.org is "an evolving laboratory of the arts and ecology." They organize celebrated projects like a Farm/Art DTour http://wormfarminstitute.org/events/ , a drivable route punctuated by "Field Notes" and large scale pop-up art through Wisconsin farm country. They host farm-based artist residencies and initiated the development of Culture Stands http://wormfarminstitute.org/culturestands/ and a Fermentation Fest www.fermentationfest.com. Their work "explores the links between urban and rural communities within and beyond the food chain, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and fertile ground for creative work." Alaskan's have all the resources required to emulate these efforts - all of which are proven to bolster our creative economy and improve our quality of life! 

 In May 2013, the Alaska State Council on the Arts' Percent for Art Program and the University of Alaska Anchorage, released a call for Alaska photographers for images of Alaskan plant life, botanical, aquatic and archaeological specimens, and images connected to the study of nature and culture from all regions of the state to be displayed in the newly renovated Beatrice McDonald Hall.  

Sundew Dinner by Carl Battreall

The UAA Art Committee selected the following six photographers and curated a total of fourteen photos to create a captivating display by Alaska photographers:

• Carl Battreall, Anchorage
• Wayde Carroll, Anchorage
• Ashley DuRoss, Petersburg
• Frank Flavin, Anchorage
• Mary Virginia Stroud, Barrow
• Mary VanderJack, Juneau

Selected photographers worked with UAA Project Manager / Designer, Patricia Baum, to fabricate artwork in translucent resin in coordination with 3 Form http://www.3-form.com/. Original digital images were infused to 4'x4' LED back lit wall boxes using high resolution files. In this format, the images maintain consistent illumination regardless of light levels due to the LED back lighting.

This collection of vibrant photos is a key element in the revitalization of this two story building constructed in 1970 on the University of Alaska campus. Clusters of comfortable furniture allow students to interact in small groups around the artwork in the new gathering area. The influence of the new space radiates out into the rest of the building by means of bright accent colors and more inviting materials in the main corridors.

BEFORE: Students' space in Beatrice McDonald Hall before renovation.

AFTER: Photos by Frank Flavin, Mary Virginia Stroud and Wayde Carroll in the new gathering area at Beatrice McDonald Hall.

Harper Arts Presenting and Touring Fund Grants are available on a rolling deadline. Contact Laura Forbes for more information.  

Rasmuson Foundation Cultural Collaborations Project Grants for FY15 | Round II Deadline - December 1, 2014 | Visit http://education.alaska.gov/aksca/ccp.html for information or contact Laura Forbes    

ASCA Quarterly Grants for FY15 | 4th Quarter Deadline - March 1, 2014 | Community Arts Development, Workshop, Career Opportunity, and Master Artist and Apprentice Grants, Walker Grants Closed for FY15. 

Go to www.facebook.com/ArtsAlaska to find out about ASCA opportunities, events and intriguing arts-related articles from across the web.

Artist in Schools Grant Panel Teleconference  - December 5, 2014  

ASCA 3rd Quarter Teleconference - December 19, noon - 1:30 PM

2015 Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities - January 29, 2015, Juneau AK

Cultural Heritage for Youth Survey

This survey is being conducted to help the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA), in partnership with the Rasmuson Foundation, develop a new grant program to support cultural heritage for youth. The Rasmuson Foundation established funding for this program with the goal of supporting strategies that connect Alaska's youth with their cultural heritage. The program will ultimately provide funding support for youth-focused cultural heritage programs.

The intended goals of this program are to:

* Strengthen Alaska youth's cultural knowledge and self-awareness
* Engage citizens around cultural heritage
* Bridge culture and communities
* Create greater cross-cultural understanding and empathy

With this survey we are looking to learn what is being done across the state, and what gaps in programs or services currently exist. Your response will help us design a program that offers high-impact cultural heritage programs in Alaska.  

Please take the survey at http://bit.ly/ASCA_culturalheritage_survey. Also, if you are interested in keeping up-to-date on the program's development, please visit and like the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AKyouthculture.  

Bethel Public Art Call

Budget: $150,000

Deadline for Entries: Received by December 19, 2014 9:59 pm Alaska Time.

The Alaska State Council on the Arts on behalf of the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is requesting qualifications from artists for interior artwork to be commissioned for the new Bethel Youth Facility (BYF) in Bethel, Alaska.

This RFQ is open to all professional visual artists residing in the United States. Applications will be accepted online only through CaF� at www.callforentry.org.

Alaska artists in the Bethel region are encouraged to apply. Alaska artists not already registered on www.callforentry.org may request assistance from the Alaska State Council on the Arts 1-888-278-7424 or 907-269-6601. Artists must have photos of their work to apply.

The City of Cordova | Request for Proposals

Budget: $50,000

Deadline for Proposals: December 30, 2014, 4:30 pm

Notification By: January 15, 2015

The City of Cordova is requesting proposals for art work to be installed in the Cordova Center for the purpose of recognizing project donors. This multi-use facility is currently under construction, with completion anticipated during the summer of 2015. Click  here for complete RFP.

Artists interested in being considered for selection shall submit a letter of interest with the following information:

• Letter of interest and rough sketch. This may be in any medium of the artist's determination which best illustrates the project intention. Maximum size for submitted material shall be 8.5" x 14" to facilitate committee review.
• Professional resume, three references and digital images of previous work (up to 10 under 2 MB each). Image sheet must state: Title of work, media, and year created.
• An estimated cost for this type of project and/or a budget range.

For more information, contact Cathy Sherman, Project Leader, 907-424-6665, acm@cityofcordova.net  

Applications Open for American Music Abroad: Promoting Cultural Diplomacy Through Music

Deadline: January 9, 2015

American Music Abroad (AMA)'s application round for the 2014-15 season in now open! Bands and ensembles are encouraged to apply at http://amvoices.org/ama/apply.  The deadline for applications is January 9, 2015.

American Music Abroad is designed to communicate America's rich musical contributions and diverse culture to the global music scene. Each year, approximately ten ensembles are selected to embark on month-long, multi-country tours, where they will engage with international audiences through public concerts, interactive performances with local musicians, lecture demonstrations, workshops, jam sessions and media interviews. 

Ensembles from any characteristically American musical genres, including, but not limited to Blues, Bluegrass, Cajun, Country, Folk, Latin, Native American, Gospel, Hip Hop/Urban, Indie Rock, Jazz, Punk, R&B and Zydeco are welcome to apply. Ensembles will be selected for artistic quality, a strong education and interactive component, and a dedication to cultural engagement.

Previous American Music Abroad ensembles have reached audiences in more than 75 countries who had little or no access to live American music. To learn more about AMA visit americanvoices.org/ama.

The International Wildlife Film Festival

Deadline: January 9, 2015

The International Wildlife Film festival is now accepting submissions for the 2015 film festival, happening in Missoula, MT, April 18-25 at the historic Roxy Theater. All films about the natural world are welcomed. The event will include workshops, field trips, technology sessions, seminars, parties, and networking events. The festival celebrates upcoming artists and features discussions on wildlife issues and using media.  

2015 Left Coast Annual Call for Entries

April 10 - May 17, 2015

Deadline: Tues Feb 10, 2015, 11 pm PST 

Open to All California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska artists | All Fine Arts Visual Media

Awards: Two artists will receive $250 and a 2016 exhibition, two artists will receive $250

Enter Online: Artists may enter online through the CaFE entry system.  CaFE provides artists with an easy-to-use system to create a profile with contact information, upload digital images of your artwork, and apply to a number of open calls for entry at one time.  There is no cost to register your profile, and you can update it at anytime.  Visit our Call for Entries prospectus now and obtain complete entry information by clicking here. Sanchez Art Center, 1220 Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica, California 94044 ph.650-355-1894

Call for Submission: "Fusion" National Juried Exhibition 2015

Deadline: February 22nd, 2015

Categories: sculpture, painting, drawing, photo, printmaking, ceramics, assemblage, collage, mixed media, fiber art, artist book.

Click here for complete prospectus. Go to ARC's website for more information.

Arc Gallery, 1246 Folsom St, San Francisco 94103   

Arctic Comfort Design Competition

Deadline: Feb. 28

National Endowment for the Humanities: Scholarly Editions and Translations Grants

Deadline: December 9, 2014

Scholarly Editions and Translations grants support the preparation of editions and translations of pre-existing texts and documents of value to the humanities that are currently inaccessible or available in inadequate editions. Typically, the texts and documents are significant literary, philosophical, and historical materials; but other types of work, such as musical notation, are also eligible. Projects must be undertaken by a team of at least one editor or translator and one other staff member. These grants support full-time or part-time activities for periods of one to three years. For complete information, click here.   

Southern Exposure: Performing Arts of Latin America

Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation | Program Design and Funding Opportunity

Southern Exposure is a national initiative that brings exemplary contemporary and traditional performing artists from Latin America to audiences across the United States. The design of the program has been revised from previous funding rounds. Fee support will now be available to nonprofit presenters based anywhere in the United States and its territories that book artists from a curated roster that will change annually. The program will no longer accept applications from presenters for support of engagements by artists they have self-identified for engagements.

Help Select the 2015-2016 Artist Roster
The artist roster for the next funding cycle is currently in formation. For information on the candidates under consideration, click here. To indicate your preferences for the artists to be included on the 2015-2016 artist roster, take a brief (less than five minutes) survey by clicking here. The survey will close on Friday, December 5, 2014. Only presenters based in the United States and its territories are eligible to take the survey.  

The 2015-2016 artist roster will be announced in December 2014. Funding will be available for roster engagements taking place between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016. Instructions on booking artists and receiving funding will be made available when the roster is announced. 

The National Endowment for the Our Town grant application and Exploring Our Town online resource is now available

Deadline: December 15, 2014

Art works to support creative, economically-competitive, healthy, resilient, and opportunity-rich communities. Excellent art is an essential part of building a strong community, as important as land-use, transportation, education, housing, infrastructure, and public safety.  Artists and community development practitioners across our nation --sometimes one and the same, sometimes working together -- are striving to make places more livable with enhanced quality of life, increased creative activity, a distinct sense of place, and vibrant local economies that together capitalize on their existing assets. The NEA defines these efforts as Creative Placemaking.

Through Our Town, subject to the availability of funding, the National Endowment for the Arts will provide a limited number of grants for creative placemaking projects that contribute towards the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core. Our Town prioritizes partnerships between arts organizations and government, private, and nonprofit organizations to achieve livability goals for communities.

Our Town offers support for projects in two areas:

• Arts Engagement, Cultural Planning, and Design Projects that represent the distinct character and quality of their communities
• Projects that Build Knowledge About Creative Placemaking

Through Our Town projects, the NEA intends to achieve the following outcome: Livability: American communities are strengthened through the arts. Go to our new  Exploring Our Town online resource, which includes case studies of more than 60 Our Town grants with an insights section of lessons learned.

The next deadline for Our Town applications is December 15th, 2014.  Visit the website for complete information and application.   

Open Call for Proposals: Robert Rauschenberg Foundation

For the first time in its history, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation has announced an open call for grant proposals. Currently, the foundation has calls open in its Art + Environment (Climate Change Solutions Fund) and Artist as Activist programs. Letters of interest for the Climate Change Solution Fund are due by December 22, while full proposals are due on March 5th; Artist as Activist proposals are due on March 15th.Click here for more information. 

National Association for Business Economics (NABE) Foundation Announces  

Americans for the Arts Scholarship

Deadline: January 16, 2015

Classics for Kids Foundation - Stringed Instrument Grants

Deadline: Quarterly

Studies show that kids who play a stringed instrument:

• Score higher on standardized tests
• Enjoy more parental involvement at school
• Develop better self-discipline

Despite this, school music programs, especially strings programs, remain vulnerable to budget cuts. Classics for Kids Foundation aims to bridge the funding gap and enhance school music programs by providing matching grants for beautiful new stringed instruments.

Quality Stringed Instruments

CFKF provides grants for high quality instruments because of these attributes:

• They're easier to tune and play
• They contribute to a better and more effective classroom
• They're tonally superior
• Better durability and longevity
• They inspire kids to practice and stay involved with their program

Visit the website for more details about the kinds of instruments we offer support toward the purchase of, visit Quality Stringed Instruments 

National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards Applications Now Open

Deadline: February 2, 2015

The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is accepting applications for the

The twelve award-winning programs this year will each receive $10,000 and an invitation to accept their award from the President's Committee's Honorary Chairman, First Lady Michelle Obama, at a ceremony at the White House.

After-school and out-of-school time arts and humanities programs are encouraged to apply. Please click the following link to access the online National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards Application: http://www.nahyp.org/how-to-apply/ 

Letters About Literature

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress 22nd Annual Writing Contest for Young Readers

Theme: How did an author's work change your view of the world or of yourself?

One national award of $1000 for each level

One national honor award of $200 for each level

Deadlines:

December 15, 2014 - Level 3 (Grades 9-12)

January 15, 2015 - Level 2 (Grades 7-8)

January 15, 2015 - Level 1 (Grades 1-6)

Click here for detailed information and entry form. Mail entries with entry form to:  

Letters About Literature Competition

Level _______ (indicate level 1, 2 or 3)

P.O. Box 5308

Woodbridge, VA 22194

NAEA Lesson Design Challenge

NAEA invites art educators to share their outstanding art education lesson designs through the NAEA's Lesson Design Challenge Pinterest Board.   

Here's how you can participate in the NAEA Lesson Design Challenge:
* Sign up by completing a quick survey.
* Download a Lesson Design Challenge Template: Choose 8.5 x 11 or GO BIG with 11 x 17.
* Complete the template as creatively as possible: Draw, collage, digitize it...The sky's the limit!
* Take a photograph of your completed template and save the image as a .jpg, .png, or a .gif with the following information in the title: firstname_lastname_school.jpg.
* Pin it on the NAEA Lesson Design Challenge Pinterest Board.

Lesson Design Challenge Templates pinned to the NAEA Lesson Design Challenge Board become eligible for peer review and possible inclusion in the curated NAEA Instructional Resources Gallery.

The Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Awards

Deadline: December 14, 2014 

• Receive a one year complimentary EdTA professional membership 
• Receive a complimentary registration to the event at which you present
• Share the transformative experience of theatre with others
• Increase your experience and exposure as a teaching artist on the national level
• Network and gain connections
• Most teaching artists at EdTA events are eligible for a presenter's stipend

For more information and to submit proposals visit the website. 

Out of a Jam Solutions and

Facility/Maintenance Operation Assistant

This position works under the direct supervision of the Museum Deputy Director of Facilities and Operations and is responsible for coordinating, completing and ensuring the overall cleanliness of the Anchorage Museum. Incumbent is responsible for daily site inspections and performing routine and specialized cleaning services. Routine services to be performed include floor maintenance, detail cleaning, specialized exhibit cleaning, collecting recycling and coordination of contracted cleaning services.

Public Relations and Digital Engagement Manager

This position provides a broad range of creative services and strategic leadership to the management of the museum brand's creative expression, supports audience engagement strategies through effective message-driven, multi-channel content development, and demonstrates keen insight into the interrelationship between museum's mission, vision and program and the global community and develops imaginative and innovative approaches to reach and engage audiences.

Chief Financial Officer

This position has the primary responsibility to establish and direct the day-to-day financial operations, and related programs and services of the organization, as well as the operational activities associated with museum expansion. This position also assists the Museum Director/CEO in the development and implementation of the organization's mission, vision, strategic plans and goals.