Creative Work Fund Seminars to be Held in Contra Costa County

The Creative Work Fund invites letters of inquiry for projects in which artists and nonprofit organizations collaborate to create new works. Grants range from $10,000-$40,000. In 2008, projects featuring literary artists or performing artists are eligible to apply. Collaborating artists must reside and organizations must be based in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, or Sonoma. The receipt deadline for letters is 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2008. For detailed guidelines and a full schedule of informational seminars, visit www.creativeworkfund.org.

Two seminars for applicants are scheduled in Contra Costa County:

• Friday, January 25, 10 a.m.-noon, Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street, Concord (co-hosted by the Arts & Culture Commission of Contra Costa County)

• Saturday, January 26, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Main Hall, Richmond Recreation Center, 3230 MacDonald Avenue, Richmond (co-hosted by the Arts and Culture Division, City of Richmond)

Applicants are not required to attend a seminar, but are encouraged to do so-especially if they are unfamiliar with the Fund-and seminars fill quickly. Call 415-402-2794 to reserve a seat at least two work days before the event.

The Creative Work Fund is a program of the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, also supported by generous grants from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and The James Irvine Foundation.

AC5 is partnering with the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts to bring the Poetry Out Loud poetry recitation competition (see www.poetryoutloud.org) to Contra Costa County.

To date, six county high schools have signed on and will be sending their school champions on to AC5's county wide competition which will take place on Saturday, February 23 at 8 p.m. at the School House Cultural Center, 2050 Oak Park Blvd., in Pleasant Hill. There will be prizes at the county, state, and national levels. The county champion will compete in Sacramento in the state competition on March 14. The California state champion will be sent to Washington, DC, all expenses paid, for participation in the national competition in April. The national winner will receive a $20,000 scholarship.

If you know high schoolers who would enjoy participating, have them tell their English teacher. If you know an English or Drama teacher, have them contact us at ac5@ac5.org.

Teen Artists, Writers and Performers Sought For Twenty-Second Session of the California State Summer School for the Arts (InnerSpark)

The California State Summer School for the Arts (InnerSpark) is seeking the most talented high school-aged visual, literary, media and performing artists in California. The teenagers who are selected will be designated California Arts Scholars, and will attend one of the country's premier summer arts institutes on the campus of the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia from July 12 through August 8, 2008.

Posters are now being distributed to local high schools, libraries and arts councils. Application forms, instructions and program information can be obtained from the web at www.innerspark.us. The application deadline is February 29, 2008.

For the 520 students accepted, InnerSpark represents a unique opportunity to spend four weeks studying and working with professional artists, writers and performers of national stature. The program provides an educational link to institutions of higher learning, major performing and fine arts organizations, and the film, television and recording industries for students considering careers in the arts. The talented teenagers who successfully complete the program will receive three units of California State University course credit.

Final Federal Budget Provides $20.3 Million Increase to NEA

The FY 2008 Omnibus appropriations bill allocates $144.7 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts-a $20.3 million increase over last year's funding. This 16 percent increase is the single largest increase for the agency in 30 years and reflects years of advocacy to restore the NEA to the funding levels it once had in the mid-90s.

Our cause on Capitol Hill, led by Congressional Arts Caucus co-chairs Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Chris Shays (R-CT), was championed earlier this year by House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA) as he held, on Arts Advocacy Day, the first hearing on arts funding in twelve years. Americans for the Arts was called on by Chairman Dicks to organize the hearing and present a panel of witnesses that included Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert Lynch, jazz musician Wynton Marsalis and a number of other arts leaders. The hearing focused on the role of creativity and innovation in the arts and highlighted research outlining the tremendous impact that federal investment in the arts can have.

In June, Congresswoman Slaughter led the U.S. House to reject three amendments specifically designed to cut funding for the NEA, and instead approve a giant leap forward in NEA funding. During the floor consideration, Americans for the Arts advocates from 50 states sent over 26,000 messages to their Members calling on them to support an increase for the NEA!

ARTS OPPORTUNITIES

Public Artists Sought

The Jack London Square Public Art Program in Oakland, CA is excited to announce an Open Call to local artists for public art opportunities in multiple buildings currently under construction. Open to all media. Deadline: February 8, 2008.

For the RFQ or additional information contact Winifred Day, JLS Public Art Project Consultant at fineartbyday@comcast.net or FAX questions to 510. 533.8871.

Opening for Performer/Educators

Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre Program, which provides health education to students in grades K-12 through award-winning live theatre programs, is seeking performer/educators. These positions are full-time and include medical and dental benefits, 401K, paid time off, and extensive training. Auditions will be held at the end of April. For more information, call 510.987.4089 or go to http://kp.org/etp.

AC5 is partially funded by: