Louisiana Partnership for the Arts


December, 2004 January/February 2005			Vol 1. No. 3

Features: Lobbyist's Report LDOA Updates Xmas at Biedenharn NOCCA Deadlines Anthony Kearns residency	LA Alliance for Dance JPAS Beauty & Beast Shakespeare Festival Calendar Tatman Group
Homework for the New Year by Charlie Smith, Arts Lobbyist Things have been quiet while the Budget Committees gather the facts and projections necessary to determine how much the state will have to spend in fiscal 2005-2006. In the past, items such as public art support would have been on the big chopping block but because of our mutual efforts, we have avoided that fate. Nonetheless, we should make a positive push now to at least reach our previous budget of $5.2 million. This will not happen unless the following things occur: 1. Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu needs to submit a budget request for the DOA in that amount in his capacity as head of Culture Recreation and Tourism. 2. Governor Kathleen Blanco and her number one administrator, Commissioner of Administration Jerry Luke LeBlanc, must agree to the proposal and submit this figure in House Bill 1 to the House Appropriations Committee when the legislature convenes. 3. We must keep in touch with the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee to ensure that this figure is accepted. I would suggest that we send personal letters to Blanco's office endorsing the $5.2 million and pointing out why more money for the arts is needed and how the arts aid the state's overall economy. We all have access to the same figures regarding the arts impact on the overall state fisc. Eighteen thousand families making a living through the nonprofit arts alone and the ninety-thousand volunteers and patrons on our boards and support groups make for a powerful political argument--IF THE GRASS ROOTS ARE MOTIVATED TO TAKE ACTION. An estimated impact of some $900 million makes a persuasive financial argument. A plethora of articles and reports on the positive impact the arts have on education should also have an impact as almost everyone agrees that the key to a steady growth economy is an improved educational system. Kathy Ridlinger, the award-winning principal of Lusher Middle School in New Orleans, said it best. She said, "Some people ask how we can spend so much time on the arts when everyone else is spending all their time trying to teach to the LEAP test. My answer is, How can we not?" Admittedly, Lusher is a Magnet school and attracts good students to start with but Ms. Ridlinger believes the arts are a vital and necessary part of a curriculum that aids cognitive development and aids the student in all other subjects. There are many examples in other schools where the arts have been used to inspire students who would otherwise remain bored and disinterested. We need to find those examples: financial, political, and educational and include them with our letters to Blanco. Last year, we were able to prevent a cut in the arts budget by pointing out that the Governor had pledged not to cut us and do everything she could to improve it. While we realize that the state has problems, we firmly believe and will continue to assert that the arts increase the state’s budget by returning more in profit than we expend in state funds. These need to be individual missives, as trite repeats do not have a lasting effect. For those of you who have forgotten, here is Blanco’s reply to our pre-election questionnaire: THE LPA SURVEY – KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO 1. Louisianans are increasingly seeking arts activities. Estimates put annual audiences statewide at well over 2 million residents. Hundreds of non-profit groups offer diverse arts programming in every parish in the state, thanks to decentralized arts funding. Would you support arts funding in Louisiana for at least the national average of $1.42 per capita? We will have severe budgetary problems in 2004 so I cannot promise a large increase. However, I will work for an increase as I always did in my capacity as Lieutenant Governor. I will pledge not to let your funding fall below the five million dollar level and will make an increase a priority if funds are available. 2. Arts education helps students: a. Develop problem solving and reasoning skills b. Improve communications abilities c. Expand creativity d. Build work force skills These are all-important abilities for young people as they prepare for their futures. Louisiana now includes the arts as a part of basic education, essential content standards to be taught and assessed. Would your administration support fully implementing Louisiana’s arts education mandates? Explain. I do understand the importance of the arts in education and believe it to be an under utilized tool. I will urge BESE and the legislature to use the arts as a teaching aid since it appears that schools which do that make better scores on LEAP and other tests. 3. The arts are a proven mechanism for economic development. In a 2001 economic study, the non-profit arts industry in Louisiana was found to have a direct impact totaling $202 million and an estimated total economic impact of $934 million. Will your administration incorporate the arts into the state’s economic development plan? How? There are three basic legs in economic development: Education, Quality of Life, and a business friendly atmosphere. The arts are certainly a quality of life factor the first ingredient in making our lives more wholesome and fulfilling and will attract companies to Louisiana. I will certainly incorporate the arts into my overall plan. 4. Louisiana wants to attract corporations with high paying jobs, persuade retirees to relocate here and improve the quality of life for our citizens. These people expect cultural activities. Do you agree that life-long education and exposure to arts and culture are vital components to quality of life? Certainly. And, I might add, I have been saying that for a long time. I have a proven record of support for arts funding. As Lt. Governor, I fought for every budget request and when cuts were demanded of my office, I did the best I could to ensure that the arts had as small a cut as possible. In the past eight years, I have made many friends in the arts community. As governor, I will continue to promote the arts. —Kathleen Babineaux Blanco The Legislative website is www.legis.state.la.us. You can get local and state email and snail mail addresses for the legislature from this site. PS – If you want me to check out your letter before you send it or discuss any aspect of our grass roots effort, I’ll be happy to oblige. Remember, in addition to being your superb and not so humble lobbyist, I am a writer and poet. LOL. Charlie Smith American Poet and Advocate for the Arts Back to Newsletter Top			Charlie Smith
Louisiana Division of the Arts Updates We have several items for this newsletter from the Louisiana Division of the Arts: *Louisiana's First Annual Cultural Economy Initiative, Summit and Showcase* The Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism hosted Louisiana's First Annual Cultural Economy Initiative, Summit and Showcase at the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 9th and 10th. The Conference and showcase brought in over 1100 people from across the state, nationally and internationally in arts and culture, business, economic development, workforce development, and academia to discuss strategies that will build a business infrastructure to support the arts and cultural industries in Louisiana. All the major industries came together to discuss needs and barriers in 10 major areas, including Cultural Institutions, Museums, Galleries; Design (architecture, interior & landscape design); Folk & Traditional Art forms; Literature and Publishing; Film, Digital Media & Graphics Design; Music; Preservation, Main Street, Archeology; Theater & Dance; and Visual Arts, Crafts, Jewelry, Fashion. The Initiative, started in September, 2004, includes a National Endowment for the Arts-funded study that will quantify the state's cultural sector and host focus group meetings to get input and ideas from arts and cultural stakeholders. The study is led by Michael Kane and Beth Siegel, principals in the national consulting firm, Mt. Auburn Associates. The company has led similar efforts in New England, New York and Great Britain, but none which included arts AND culture. A full report is expected in June, 2005. Additionally, the Cultural Economy website will be enhanced to provide information and updates on the progress of the study, shine the light on Louisiana's native talent in arts and culture, summarize the conference, present the workgroup findings and feature a photo gallery. Every registered conference attendee will receive a full report of the Cultural Economy Conference on CD sometime in January, 2005. Conference attendees can also visit our website www.crt.state.la.us/culturaleconomy for updates and information. The Louisiana Division of the Arts Announces 2005 Annual Arts Funding Workshops Sick of the same old PowerPoint on Division of the Arts Grants? Ready to start networking with colleagues and staff at the Division? Ready to find out how to get $5000 (more or less)? The 2005 Annual Arts Funding workshops will begin in early January and will take a new format this year. The workshop will benefit any organization interested in applying to the Division for public programming and individual artists interested in grant opportunities and listings in artist rosters. The workshop will cover such topics as how important artist selection and project design is for public programming and how important samples of work and professional development are for artists in applying for a Division of the Arts Grant. You can also sign up to be a panelist and experience a mock panel. Lastly, the basics of writing the grant and completing the grant application will be covered. We recommend contacting the Division of the Arts to schedule one-on-one meetings with Division of the Arts staff members before and after workshop times. Opportunities to network and dialogue will also be available. For more information, contact the Louisiana Division of the Arts at 225.342.8180. 2005 Annual Arts Funding Workshop Dates January 10th, Houma, Bayou Waterlife Museum, 7910 Park Avenue, 4:30 -6:30 pm January 12th, New Orleans, TBD, 10-12 pm January 18th, Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge State Museum, 660 N. 4th Street, Downtown, 10 am - 12 pm January 20th, West Monroe, West Monroe City Hall, 2305 N. 7th Street, 10 am - 12 pm January 25th, Shreveport, Shreveport Regional Arts Council, 800 Snow Street, 10am - 12 pm January 27th, Lafayette, University Art Museum, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 710 East St. Mary Boulevard, 4:30-6:30 pm February 1st, Alexandria, Rapides Foundation Building, 1101 Fourth Street, 2nd Floor 4:30-6:30 pm February 13th, Lake Charles, Central School Arts & Humanities Center, 809 Kirby Street, Room 108, 4:30-6:30 pm *2005 Governor's Arts Awards Nomination Forms Available* The Louisiana Division of the Arts is accepting nominations for the 2005 Governor's Arts Awards. Awards are presented to individuals or organizations for excellence in Arts Education, Small and Large Arts Organizations, Business/Corporate Support, Folk Artist, Lifetime Achievement, Patron, Professional Artist and Promotion of the Arts. Previous winners include such names as the Cox Family, Fats Domino, Sarah Albritton, Allen Tousaint, Phillip Gould, the Hackberry Ramblers, and Ernest Gaines. Applications forms can be requested from the Division of the Arts by contacting the office at 225.342.8180 or arts@crt.state.la.us. The deadline to submit nominations is February 18, 2005. Back to Newsletter Top
Christmas at Biedenharn Biedenharn Museum and Gardens presents "Christmas at the Biedenharn", December 1 through 31, 2004. This year's theme, "Coming Home for Christmas", celebrates the reopening of the Biedenharn Home after almost a year of renovations, decorated for the season by the Monroe Garden Study League. Walk through the Garden, see the plants dressed for Christmas, and remember to visit the family photo area for holiday snapshots. Throughout December, during regular visiting hours. Visit after dark from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 for Christmas Open House. Enjoy music in the Home, white lights in the Garden, a family photo area, holiday plant displays and refreshments in the Conservatory. Biedenharn Museum & Gardens is located at 2006 Riverside Drive in Monroe. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m., and admission is free. The Biedenharn Home and Elsong Garden are closed on November December 24 and 25, and on January 1. The Bible Museum is closed for fire recovery. Parking is available on Riverside Drive and in Forsythe Park. For more information, call the Museum at 318-387-5281, or visit our website at www.bmuseum.org. Back to Newsletter Top
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Riverfront Announces Application Deadline for Summer & Fall Sessions New Orleans Center for Creative Arts\|Riverfront, Louisiana’s premier arts training center for high school students, is currently looking for talented high school students for the 2005 Summer and 2005-06 Fall Sessions. The Center provides tuition-free, professional instruction in creative writing, dance, media arts, music, theatre arts and visual arts to Louisiana high school students who successfully audition. Students who are interested in participating in the programs offered at the NOCCA\|Riverfront must first forward a complete application to the Center by Friday, January 21, 2005. Applications are available on-line at www.nocca.com or from a high school guidance counselor. Auditions will be prescheduled from the pool of students who meet requirements by the application deadline. Auditions will take place in the spring 2005 in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport. NOCCA\|Riverfront classes are available in the morning, afternoon, after-school, on Saturdays and during the summer (June 6-24, 2005). Students earn high school credit for NOCCA\|Riverfront coursework. Tuition is free and financial aid is available for the residential component of the 2005 Summer Session. Interested students should visit www.nocca.com to find out more about specific art disciplines and audition requirements. You may also call 800.201.4836 for more information. Back to Newsletter Top
Internationally-Known Tenor Anthony Kearns brings his lilting Irish voice to "Our Own Back Yard!" by Jackie Tucker October 12 was a particularly inspiring day for many art patrons in Northeast Louisiana. Irish tenor Anthony Kearns, who will be performing with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra on March 5, flew into the city for a luncheon with the combined boards of the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, the Monroe Symphony Orchestra, and the Monroe Symphony League at the Bayou DeSiard Country Club. The lovely day, the serene setting, and the presence of this always-smiling young Irishman made for a very special afternoon. According to Kearns, this visit was only the second occasion in his career when he has had the opportunity for a pre-concert meeting with the people of a community in which he will be performing. "It makes life easier," he explained (with a smile, of course). "When I return, the audience won't be strangers. It will be like seeing old friends." Interviewing Kearns and his accompanist, pianist Patrick Healey, was particularly interesting and stimulating for me but nothing compared to the experience audiences will enjoy in the spring concert at the Monroe Civic Center Theatre. Tommy Usrey, President and CEO of the Arts Council, says this project is the most exciting he has ever worked on. Area businesses and art organizations have been very generous in their support of the forthcoming performance (see the list of sponsors in the accompanying sidebar). Michael Echols, the current president of the MSO, praises the sponsors and maintains that "the fact that our area can bring in artists from abroad shows how committed our organizations and patrons are to keeping the quality of life in our region at its highest level." While Kearns is best known as one of "The Irish Tenors," who rose to fame after they performed together on a PBS concert special in 1999, he seems always to have loved music. He displayed this interest as a youngster, learning the accordion on his own and beginning to sing when he was about age 10. He also joined his secondary school's orchestra, playing trombone; it was difficult for his family to provide for this activity, but Anthony remembers, "I didn't care; I wanted it. You have to be passionate." And passionate he remained, entering and winning various singing competitions throughout Ireland during the next few years. The "luck of the Irish" seemed especially to be with Anthony when he won a competition sponsored by the Bank of Ireland to promote a new ten pound note, "a tenner." Unable to travel to the audition location, he simply called and sang "Danny Boy" over the phone. Not only did he make the next round, he eventually won the competition. I asked Kearns if he weren't nervous doing such an unorthodox audition. "Ignorance is bliss!" he laughed. The passion he mentioned apparently sparked enough adrenaline to keep him searching for opportunities to sing. Patrick Healey said he met Anthony when the young singer was a student of musical opera. "He had a beautiful voice and an easiness about him that was very unusual. He just seemed to have a musical instinct," Healey remembers. The two have been performing together for about 12 years now. The years have been rather hectic in the meantime. "We're on the road for about 7 months of the year," Kearns explained. "The traveling is difficult, but I wouldn't miss it. We usually come in on a weekend, give the performance, and then collapse after we take off the 'tails.'" For the immediate future, however, concerts are a must since opportunities to sing come only as long as people want to hear the singer. Currently, Kearns tries to do at least one opera per year (although he admits he would like to do more), he continues to record and perform with “The Irish Tenors,” and he does solo tours as well. His personal life is on hold for the moment: "Everything revolves around the music," he admitted. He also explained that he enjoys the recognition and the fame, but they are not his primary concern: "Applause is not the object; fame just happened. As long as I'm singing, I'm happy." Next March, Monroe audiences can expect an enchanting evening from a charming musician. Carolyn Seegers, the current president of the Monroe Symphony League, met Kearns at the Country Club luncheon; she "found Anthony a delightful and charming person who will certainly have a wide appeal to people of all ages." His musical program should be just as appealing since it will include music for every taste—traditional Irish selections, operatic arias, and Broadway show tunes—all delivered in the voice of a "true lyric tenor." According to Usrey, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people in our area. We've never before had anyone of Anthony's caliber," and as Tommy always likes to add, "—right in our own back yard!" We hope all Northeast Louisiana music lovers will join the MSO to show Kearns and his accompanying artists just what a Southern welcome can be! Back to Newsletter Top			Anthony Kearns shares a laugh with Deirdre McGlinchey Moffett of the McGlinchey-Stafford law firm, one of the corporate sponsors. Anthony Kearns and Patrick Healey
Louisiana Alliance for Dance Members of the Dance Community form Statewide Alliance: Louisiana Alliance for Dance. For an interview with Susan Dorner, Board President, call (504) 849-3194. Following three years of planning and organizing, utilizing templates provided by other statewide dance organizations, The Louisiana Alliance for Dance (LAD) announces its incorporation. Founding members from throughout the Louisiana dance community have joined together to form an organization to serve, support, and promote dance in Louisiana. In particular, the Alliance will facilitate the creation, performance, teaching and administration of culturally diverse dance and related arts in Louisiana and will encourage communication in the field. The first project for the alliance is to encourage and establish annual membership. The Louisiana Alliance for Dance is currently beginning its membership drive. All dancers and educators, both organizations and individuals from around the state, are invited to join. LAD seeks to enhance the opportunities and resources available to its members, in order to strengthen the Louisiana dance community. One of LAD's first projects will be a statewide festival of dance to take place in the summer of 2005. Members will be able to attend the festival at a discounted rate and receive admittance into special networking sessions. "Under the encouragement of Dee Davit Hamilton with the Louisiana Division of the Arts," we started organizing the alliance about three years ago. Tom Thielen, Director for the Florida Dance Association, met with us in Lake Charles during the turn of the Century and shared with us how Florida's organization had been so successful. We believe that we can offer the same benefits to dancers in Louisiana and are very excited to be moving forward with our membership drive and the first festival. We look forward to connecting the dance community statewide," said Susan Dorner, Board President. Current members of the board of directors include: • Susan Dorner, President (Metairie Country Day School, Dance Educator, Liaison to the LA Alliance for Arts Education; LAHPERD 2004 Dance Educator of the Year) • Grace Hamilton Mayfield, Vice-President (Private studio teacher and Zydeco dancer) • Nalini Raghavan, Secretary (East Indian dancer and teacher, Liaison to the Louisiana Folklife Program) • LaDonna McKnight, Treasurer (Lake Charles Civic Ballet, Treasurer) • Carol Anglin (Louisiana Dance Foundation, Artistic Director) • Jessica Martin Arceneaux (Dance Educator, Public School System) • Virgie Pradia Broussard (Grambling University-Former Dance Department Head; Iberia Parish School, Teacher) • Kris Cangelosi (Cangelosi Dance Project, Artistic Director) • Becky Coxe (Children's Moving Company, Director; Master Teacher for Arts Council of GBR) • Linda Ford (Twin City Ballet, Artistic Director; Governor's Arts Lifetime Achievement Award) • Jenny Hamilton (New Orleans Ballet Association, Executive Director) • Angela Hammerli (Louisiana State Arts Council, Nicholls State University, Dance Coordinator) • Jeanne Jaubert (Happensdance, Artistic Director) • Susan Perlis (Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre, Associate Artistic Director) • Garland Goodwin Wilson (Of Moving Colors Productions, Artistic Director; Dance Fellow, LA Division of the Arts) Further information about the Louisiana Alliance for Dance and application for membership can be obtained by contacting LAD by phone at 225-336-9941 or by email at louisianadance@att.net. Back to Newsletter Top
Jefferson Performing Arts Society's Production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast Our recent production was magnificently received. Opening night played to more than 1,000 enthusiastic patrons while Sunday was 96% sold out! Join us at the Grand Casino in Biloxi. Shows start December 17. For more information call 1-228-436-2804; to purchase tickets by phone call Ticket Master at 1-228-385-2600. Please call 504-885-2000 or visit us at www.jpas.org. Back to Newsletter Top
The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane continues to offer its acclaimed educational touring program Shakespeare on the Road to schools throughout the region. Two different shows are available for booking: Shakespeare and the Language that Shaped a World (SLAW) and Shakespeare Shorts: Romeo & Juliet (R&J). SLAW is a live performance, which contains excerpts from many of Shakespeare's plays and includes scenes, stage combat, action, and humor. Students gain literary and historical perspective and an understanding of and appreciation for the power of language. R&J contains all the key scenes from Romeo & Juliet, linked with a rich narrative, pivotal to enhancing the students' understanding of the text. For more information on either program, visit www.NewOrleansShakespeare.com or contact Brad Robbert, SFT Operations Director at (504) 865-5105 x 7 or by e-mail at brobbert@tulane.edu. Back to Newsletter Top			Gary Rucker and Gavin Mahlie perform a scene from Shakespeare and the Language that Shaped a World at a New Orleans school (photo by Paula Burch)
Calendar of Upcoming Events Monday, January 10, 2005 Executive Committee Meeting 4:00 pm Best Western Richmond Suites Baton Rouge Tuesday, January 11, 2005 Partnership Meeting 10:00 am Bankers Center Baton Rouge Monday, March 21, 2005 Executive Committee Meeting 4:00 pm Best Western Richmond Suites Baton Rouge Tuesday, March 22, 2005 Partnership Meeting 10:00 am The Bankers Center Tuesday, May 17, 2005 Executive Committee Meeting 9:00 am Location to be Announced Tuesday, May 17, 2005 Partnership Meeting 1:00 pm Location to be Announced Tuesday, May 17, 2005 Legislative Event 5:30 pm Location to be Announced Wednesday, May 18, 2005 Louisiana Arts Conference 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location to be Announced Wednesday, May 18, 2005 Governor's Arts Awards 5:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception 6:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony Location to be Announced Back to Newsletter Top
The Tatman Group The Tatman Group is here to meet your association’s needs. Please contact Paula Laird, your association management specialist, with any questions or suggestions you may have to better serve you. Our contact information is below:
The Tatman Group 10889 Perkins Road, Suite C Baton Rouge, LA 70809 P.O. Box 82531 Baton Rouge, LA 70884 Phone: (225) 767-7640 Fax: (225) 767-7648	DavidTatman david@tatmangroup.com Ashley Mendoza ashley@tatmangroup.com Paula Laird paula@tatmangroup.com Keli Ourso keli@tatmangroup.com Jessica Seals jessica@tatmangroup.com
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