PA Arts & Economic Prosperity IV Report Released

Pennsylvania's nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $2.55 billion in economic activity and supports over 81,000 full-time equivalent jobs and generating $360 million in state and local government revenues, according to the Arts & Economic Prosperity IV national economic impact study.  The most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States by Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education.  The Arts & Economic Prosperity IV  study was supported by Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania.  The full text of the statewide study is available here.   

Arts & Culture Caucus in the PA General Assembly 

On October 16 at a press conference promoting the findings of the Arts & Economic Prosperity IV report, State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) announced that he is helping to form a bipartisan, bicameral Arts and Culture Caucus in the General Assembly along with State Senate Majority Whip Pat Browne (R-Lehigh).  This coalition was suggested in AEI's March 2012 policy report and has been actively supported by leadership at the Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania.  The purpose of the caucus will be to provide research, education, policy development, and draft and pass legislation that advances the arts and culture in the Commonwealth, as well as  support the arts throughout the budget process.   

Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network
Accepting Nominations for Outstanding School Boards 

Since 1989, the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAAEN) and the National School Boards Association (NSBA) have provided an annual award to a school board(s) that has demonstrated support for and commitment to high-quality arts education in its school district. This national award recognizes districts that have included all four major artistic disciplines - visual arts, music, theater and dance - in their programs.  The award program involves one school board per state that comprises the maximum national pool of nominees. Final selection is made by a national panel of arts educators and arts administrators including representatives of the KCAAEN and NSBA. The national award is presented every year at the annual national conference of the NSBA.  Nominations are due by December 3, 2012.  

Webinar : Understanding Parents' Role in Education  

Americans for the Arts is hosting a seven part webinar series as part of The Arts Education Field Guide toolkit that will illuminate ways to navigate the complex web of citizens, policy-makers, government entities, and organizations that influence arts education from the school house to the White House, and from the living room to the board room.  On November 15 at 3 p.m. Doug Israel, Director of Research and Policy at The Center for Arts Education will present a session on how parents can support arts education as local advocates by levying expectations onto school boards, principals, and teachers to create a better environment for arts education.  Register here to join the webinar. 

Support Newly Elected or Re-Elected Public Officials  

Votes have been cast and counted and a new season of policy making is rapidly approaching.  Americans for the Arts' State Arts Action Network's Jay Dick offers a great timeline in this post for making sure you get your organization and  priorities on your elected officials' radars early in the new term.  He suggests that by making use of the time between Election Day and when the new legislative session starts, new elected officials can become familiar (and supportive) of you, your organization and your issues.  

Nominations Accepted for PA Museum Awards  

Nominations are open for PA Museums' Special Achievement Awards.  Each year, PA Museums recognizes the special achievements of museums and historical organizations in Pennsylvania.  Please submit a nomination for a project, process, or individual that should be celebrated.  Nominations are accepted through November 15, 2012.

Contribute to the PA State Historical Marker Program 

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) invites individuals, public agencies and private organizations to nominate historic properties, people or events possessing statewide or national significance for PHMC's State Historical Marker Program.  The State Historical Marker Program helps communities throughout Pennsylvania recognize, preserve and promote their history.  The postmark deadline for nominations is December 1, 2012.