The Arts Council of New Orleans today announces the 2010 Community Arts Awards recipients. Since 1977, the Community Arts Awards have recognized living individuals, organizations and corporations which have made outstanding contributions to the arts in New Orleans. The 2010 award recipients continue in this tradition; each selected for their artistic excellence, sustained contributions, unique achievements, perseverance, and a deep commitment to the arts and local community.

This year’s award recipients represent a diverse group of individuals and organizations impacting a broad scope of the New Orleans community. Individual honorees include glass artist and studio entrepreneur Mitchell Gaudet , philanthropist and Azby Fund Vice President Stewart Farnet and New Orleans public schools drama, music and dance teacher Diana Bolyston. Organizations to receive the award this year include the Anthony Bean Community Theatre & Acting School established in 2000 to work with New Orleans residents interested in learning and participating in dramatic art, Komenka Ethnic Dance and Music Ensemble whose purpose is portraying international folk cultures through dance and music and Newcomb Art Gallery dedicated to the enrichment of the cultural and intellectual life of Tulane University and New Orleans community. The prestigious Chairman’s Award will be presented to Lionel Ferbos, New Orleans oldest living jazz musician still performing in New Orleans today. He can be heard at the Palm Court and at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

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Please join the Arts Council in congratulating the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra , along with NOJO Founder and Artistic Director and Arts Council Board Member Irvin Mayfield for their win at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. NOJO's debut CD, Book One was judged the best large jazz ensemble album of 2009.

Congratulations again to NOJO and all the winners from Louisiana and beyond! 

As more and more customers for your artwork, tickets, CD's, or donations are looking to pay with credit and debit cards, many artists are wondering what's involved. On Tuesday, March 2nd at 6:00 p.m., the Arts Council will present "What to Expect If Accepting Credit Cards", featuring Tony Viloria of First National Merchant Solutions. Items that will be covered include:

• Is your arts business have the volume to accept credit cards?
• How do the fees work?
• What's the right plan for you?
• What about outdoor markets and wireless?
• What you need to know before signing a contract.

What to Expect if Accepting Credit Cards
Tuesday, March 2, at 6:00 p.m.
University of New Orleans
Biology Building, Room 101
Click here for map. It's Building 5.

This workshop is free, but please RSVP to 504-218-8869 or via email Funding for this event is provided in part by a grant from the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation and the Joan Mitchell Foundation.  

The Arts Council of New Orleans, on behalf of the City of New Orleans’ Percent For Art Program, is pleased to announce the selection of a new sculpture to be created specifically for Coliseum Square. The proposal: Birth of a Muse, by local sculptor Kim Bernadas, was selected by a panel of neighborhood representatives, an artist, architect, landscape designer and public art expert.

The new sculpture will be a cast bronze figure representing one of the nine muses who are the namesakes of the Lower Garden District neighborhood. When the piece is installed on Terpsichore St. it will create another entrance point to the park guarded by a strong female figure; like Margaret Haughery at the Clio St. entrance, and Sophie Wright at the Uptown end of the park system.

The budget for the new sculpture is $30,000.  

Deadline March 1, 2010

Funding Opportunities for Organizations

Stabilization Operating support for cultural organizations that create, present, and preserve Louisianans unique cultural resources. Applicants can apply in the categories of (1) Institution, (2) Advancement, and (3) Entry. This program is open to 501 (c) 3 cultural organizations.
Click here for details on applying for Stabilization Grants.

Capacity Building This grant helps strengthen managerial and financial capacity, marketing strategy, community outreach, development of artistic products, technology, professional development, fund development and communications. Organizations looking to pilot, create, or evaluate existing programming; plan/develop organizational assessment; or implement and existing plan should apply in this program. Applicants can apply in the categories of (1) Planning or (2) Implementation. This program is open to 501 (c) 3 Cultural Organizations, Public or Private Educational Institutions, Public or Private Colleges or Universities, Other Nonprofits with Cultural Programming, and Governmental Agencies.
Click here for details on applying for Capacity Building Grants.

Artist-in-Residence This program places artists in education settings to teach the elements of their disciplines to students and teachers and to relate their art forms to curriculum areas. This program is open to 501 (c) 3 Cultural Organizations, Public or Private Educational Institutions, Public or Private Colleges or Universities, Other Nonprofits with cultural programming, and Governmental Agencies.
Click here for details on applying for Artist-in-Residence Grants.

For more information, please visit www.crt.state.la.us/arts  

Deadline March 1, 2010

Individuals with social security numbers 18 years or older, who are domiciled in Louisiana, and have been Louisiana residents for two years are eligible for the following categories. Absences from Louisiana of six or more months during the two years prior to the application deadline disqualify the applicant. Individuals must live in Louisiana during the grant cycle. Individuals who apply may not be in a degree granting program that is related to the application.

Individuals may submit two grant requests: (1) Artist Fellowship and (2) Career Advancement. If both are funded, the applicant can only accept one grant per fiscal year.

Artist Fellowship
Grant awards in recognition of individual artistic excellence in the following categories: Dance, Design Arts, Folklife, Literature, Media, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts and Crafts.

Career Advancement A program designed to assist individuals with specific development and skill building opportunities that advance their work and careers. This program supports career advancement in two areas: (1) creative support and (2) entrepreneurial support. This workforce development program is open to: Artists, Teachers, School Administrators, Traditional Culture Bearers, Cultural Researchers, and Cultural Organization Staff Members.

For more information on LDOA Funding, please click here.  

Spurred by the Creative Alliance of New Orleans, with assistance from the Arts Council, a coalition of more than 60 local arts and culture organizations announced a platform Wednesday for developing the city's cultural economy.

The Short Program consists of

1.Create a City agency or Office to develop and coordinate cultural policy, planning, programming and budgeting. Create an advisory commission or committee to provide policy input.

2. Develop a dedicated funding source for cultural programming and cultural economic development.

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To Preserve the City’s Culture with Government as a Partner

Study after study has proven that at least 85% of artists are active in their community and VOTE! The Arts Council of New Orleans represents our unique community of artists. The cultural economy is the 2nd largest employer in Louisiana, and the culture of New Orleans is known worldwide.

The Arts Council of New Orleans encourages the creation of a Cultural Policy for the City of New Orleans to preserve, encourage, support and promote the cultural traditions of New Orleans. The Cultural Policy should provide culture stature and credibility, and act as a guide for city officials, artists of all mediums and for the public at large. The Arts Council recommends that the new Mayor and City administration acknowledge and undertake the following:

More information below, or to download this as a PDF, please click here.

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The National Arts Index is a highly-distilled annual measure of the health and vitality of arts in the U.S. using 76 national-level indicators of arts and culture activity. This report covers an 11-year period, from 1998 to 2008. This National Arts Index encompasses one of the largest collections of data on arts and culture in the U.S. ever assembled. The information has been gathered from reputable government and private sector sources and covering multiple industries--nonprofit and for-profit arts organizations, artists, funding and investment, employment, attendance and personal creation, and much more. Click here to download the pdf. 

The Craft Emergency Relief Fund has just released its artist designed and tested toolkit to help artists become disaster ready and disaster resilient. The Studio Protector is a comprehensive digest of general, medium-specific and disaster-specific information that guides the user through all aspects of emergency management plus interviews with artists and experts.

The Arts Council is happy to announce that we will be providing all artist members, whether you are joining now, or have become or renewed your Arts Council membership in the last three monthsone Studio Protector for free as a membership premium. You can also purchase one at cost from the Arts Council for $16 plus shipping.

To purchase your Studio Protector, or to request one as a membership premium if you joined in the last three months, please email Gene Meneray.

To view a video of the Studio Protector in action, please click here.