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| May/June 2005 | Vol 1. No. 5 | ||
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Features: Message from the Chair Lobbyist's report Art Gallery Tax Relief Feminine Side |
Postcard-sized art wanted Two one-acts Tatman Group |
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A Message From the Chair of LPA, Kip HollowayThe next few weeks could prove to be very pivotal in the LPA's relationship with the legislature and the administration. On May 17th, we will host a reception for legislators at the home of Randy Haynie "Longview" as we have for the past several years. This is an opportunity to show our legislators that we appreciate the work they have done on our behalf in the past, but is also an opportunity to encourage continued support. Numbers, as in attendees, will either show strength or weakness. We not only need your presence, but we need the presence of your friends, board members, and others who think the arts are important to Louisiana's quality of life. Now is the time to make your reservations and send in your $40 payment per ticket. It is also our time to show support for the Division of the Arts via our attendance at the Governor's Arts Awards, the evening of May 18th at 5:30 pm. In between the LPA Legislative Event & the Governor's Arts Awards, you will have an opportunity to attend the unveiling of the Percent for Art central art piece in the Claiborne Building, attend the LPA meeting where new officers will be elected, hear a presentation by Ben Cameron with Theatre Communications Group, and attend a workshop on strategic planning conducted by Bruce Thibodeaux with Arts Consulting Group, Inc. of Los Angeles, California. In all cases, attendance is important and I encourage you to be there. We encourage all members to contact their legislators and ask them to attend the Legislative Event on May 17th. Sincerely, Kip Back to Newsletter Top |
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Meanwhile, Back at the Capitolby Charlie SmithAs per usual, there is an air of wait and see in Baton Rouge. Our budget is in fair although not great shape as we have a slight cut in a year of large cuts. The fact is that our budget is not large enough to solve any of the fiscal problems but is still a target by those who still don’t get it. Our argument for increased funding has not changed. If we were part of a clean burning fuel for the state’s economic engine when the Governor was Lt. Governor, we are still providing that assist to the economy. There is, of course, so much more. Art is a vital part of the state’s tourism industry but it is also a force that brings communities, schools and families together. Once again, the mantra I am preaching is that: 1. The arts are economic development. Every dollar the state spends on art is returned many times over. 2. With over 18,000 citizens employed in the non-profit arts alone, we are a major industry in and of ourselves. 3. The development of our Decentralized Funding aids every citizen in every parish which makes us a national leader in spreading the gospel of art. 4. Art is an under funded and underutilized education aid. If the major problem in public education is parental involvement, art could and should be used as an aid to student and parental involvement. Parents are much more likely to attend a play, art show or recital than they are to sit in on a trigonometry test. Once they are part of the system, they are more likely to support the system. It is true that the better performing schools attract better students which makes the arts programs part of a chicken and egg scenario but even schools which serve the underprivileged do better when art is made an integral part of the curriculum. That’s our song and we will continue to sing it. Someday, everyone will get it. In the meantime, keep talking to your legislators to let them know we are a part of the state’s economic, educational and community picture. ON THE ARTS LEGISLATIVE EVENT This week – and especially next weekend – we need to contact as many legislators as we can to attend our function at Randy’s. There are, as is always the case, other events and we need attendance. Contact your local legislator and tell them you'll see them at the event. Legislators are in the business of making and keeping constituents happy. The day of the event, it would be good to physically stop in at the Capitol in the afternoon – probably between one and three p.m. and call them back to re-invite them personally. Both houses have notepads and pages so you can send your legislator a note. Let them know we don’t intend to keep them for a whole evening but we want them to come by, talk with their constituents, hear our message and get their gift. As always, I am available 24/7 to answer questions or make suggestions. We’ve come a long way baby BUT there’s still a long way to go. Your not so humble servant, Charlie Smith Poet and Arts Advocate Back to Newsletter Top | |||
Arts Gallery Tax Reliefe Passes Committees in Both Houses
Senator Diane Bajoie’s SB 200 has passed the Senate Committee and the Senate
Floor on unanimous votes. Rep. Karen Carter’s HB 419 passed unanimously out
of House Ways and Means Committee, was assigned to Civil Law (required of
Constitutional Amendments), and will be amended on the floor to conform with
Sen. Bajoie’s Senate bill. Assessor Darren Mire of New Orleans testified for
the bill., pointing out that as long as the inventory tax is on the books,
he must enforce it. We sincerely appreciate his honesty. | |||
Feminine Side Plays Festival, Plans to Tour
Cite des Arts recently hosted the world premiere run of Lafayette playwright
Cody Daigle’s comic one-man show Feminine Side as one of the special events
of Festival International. The show played to sold-out houses during
Festival, and audiences gave the show a warm reception. The show produced
big laughs for all its audiences, and even in its short Festival run, the
production had repeat visitors. |
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CALL FOR ARTISTS RAIN EVENT 2005: ARTISTS INVITED TO DONATE POSTCARD-SIZED
ARTWORKS FOR CAC FUNDRAISER
The Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans invites all artists to create
and submit original works to be exhibited at The RAIN Event: Postcards to
the CAC, a benefit, sponsored by RAIN Vodka, that takes place on Friday,
June 24th. |
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GRACELAND / ASLEEP ON THE WINDTwo One-Act Plays by Ellen ByronCite des Arts is proud to announce the upcoming run of GRACELAND and ALSEEP ON THE WIND, two one-act plays by Ellen Byron. The production is the second entry in Cite des Arts 2005 Theatre Season. GRACELAND takes place at the front entrance of Graceland, the late Elvis Presley’s Memphis mansion, three days before the estate is to be opened to the public. Two ardent Presley fans, Bev and Rootie, are camped out before the gates, each determined to be the first to enter the sacred precincts. Their conversation brings these two different women together. ASLEEP ON THE WIND takes place ten years before the time of GRACELAND in a small clearing in Bayou Teche, Louisiana. This is where Rootie and her favorite brother, Beau, a handsome, sensitive and restless young man of thirty, come to talk in private, and to escape her other brothers, two high-spirited hot rodders who seem to delight in pestering their shy, reclusive sister. The play explores their very tender relationship and sheds light on the young woman Rootie will become. At turns funny and touching, GRACELAND and ASLEEP ON THE WIND explore the many faces of devotion – to families, friends, and idols – and affirm the power of song to underscore our daily lives. The plays are suitable for all audiences. The production boasts performances by three local actors – Patricia Rockwell, Collin Gaylean and Jarin Schexnider. The production is directed by William Moody (Graceland) and Ruth Diaz (Asleep on the Wind). Contributing scenic design is Duncan Thistlethwaite. The production runs May 12-28, 2005, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. For more information about the show or for reservations, please call Cite des Arts at 291-1122. Back to Newsletter Top |
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The Tatman GroupThe 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: |
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The Tatman Group 4707 Bluebonnet Blvd., Suite B Baton Rouge, LA 70809 P.O. Box 82531 Baton Rouge, LA 70884 Phone: (225) 767-7640 Fax: (225) 767-7648 |
DavidTatman david@tatmangroup.com Nicole Hidalgo nicole@tatmangroup.com Keli Ourso keli@tatmangroup.com Randi Viloria randi@tatmangroup.com Debbie Bliek debbie@tatmangroup.com |
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