Congratulations to this year's Perry F. Kendig Award recipients! Roanoke College was our host as we celebrated the 25th anniversary and asked everyone to wear something silver, which they did! The evening was glittering and sparkling with silver and talent!
This year's recipients are incredibly gifted, are passionate about the work they provide to our community and very giving of their time and talents.
We celebrate and thank them for being the creative forces that make the Blue Ridge Region rich, diverse and artistically excellent!
http://theartscouncil.org/events/kendig.html
Friday, June 11, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The VCA Prevails Thanks to Arts Advocates!
Folks sometimes ask me what advocacy means and why it's important. Here's a perfect example of what advocacy can do!
Virginians for the Arts - Legislative Action Center
I've heard from my mentor at the Nevada Arts Council (Nevada's state arts agency - like the Virginia Commission for the Arts) and other states are not fairing as well as VA and NV.
We must continue to send invitations to our representatives AND thank them each and every time we receive funds from the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Oh, and we should send them letters about the other great things the VCA does: ArtWorks Conference, Grant Writing Workshops, and Technical Assistance (every time you call them and ask a question - which they respond to right away/pronto!) There are TONS of things they do for us, but you get the idea.
Virginians for the Arts - Legislative Action Center
I've heard from my mentor at the Nevada Arts Council (Nevada's state arts agency - like the Virginia Commission for the Arts) and other states are not fairing as well as VA and NV.
We must continue to send invitations to our representatives AND thank them each and every time we receive funds from the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Oh, and we should send them letters about the other great things the VCA does: ArtWorks Conference, Grant Writing Workshops, and Technical Assistance (every time you call them and ask a question - which they respond to right away/pronto!) There are TONS of things they do for us, but you get the idea.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Joan Vannorsdall's Editorial in The Roanoke Times - A Must Read!!!
Check this out. Joan provides specific examples of how the Virginia Commission for the Arts helped her as an individual literary artist and other important facts.
http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/commentary/wb/239293
http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/commentary/wb/239293
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Making Sure Everyone Has Access to the Arts
Funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts (remember - the feds provide matching funds to the Virginia Commission for the Arts)enable arts organizations to offer many FREE programs and/or activities at a reduced cost so individuals within our community can participate.
Example: Jefferson Center's Sisters of the Circle is a FREE program for young immigrant women to learn self-esteem and language skills through the arts alongside professional artist Toni Blackman.
The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra provides opportunities for area school children to experience a live performance with a full orchestra. The reduced cost to participating schools is provided, in part, by support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Keep the Virginia Commission for the Arts alive so all citizens in the Commonwealth have access to dance, theatre, literary & visual arts, music and filmmaking. The arts should be for ALL and not just a select few who can afford it.
Example: Jefferson Center's Sisters of the Circle is a FREE program for young immigrant women to learn self-esteem and language skills through the arts alongside professional artist Toni Blackman.
The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra provides opportunities for area school children to experience a live performance with a full orchestra. The reduced cost to participating schools is provided, in part, by support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Keep the Virginia Commission for the Arts alive so all citizens in the Commonwealth have access to dance, theatre, literary & visual arts, music and filmmaking. The arts should be for ALL and not just a select few who can afford it.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Let Your Voice Be Heard! We Need the Choir More than Ever!!!
The fight for The Virginia Commission is not over!!! I had someone say to me last week, “Sorry to hear about the arts.” I jumped to my feet and said, “It’s not OVER!! Call, write, fax right now!”
It looks like a 50% cut remains a possibility so please continue your efforts.
Also, if the VCA receives these cuts, this will impact the funds they receive from the National Endowment for the Arts (through their State Partnership Grant). Someone told me last week that they (VCA) would still receive NEA funds even if the VCA wasn’t around. NOT TRUE!!! If the VCA isn’t there to submit their grant to the NEA, they (VCA) won’t receive the funds. (They’ll also receive fewer funds if they receive these cuts. Think about how you submit your grant applications and if you don’t have enough matching funds, you can’t apply for as much money! It’s the same process except on a statewide/national level!) Keep in mind that the VCA applies for grants just like we do!
If you already called, that’s okay. Call/write again! Laura
Go here for names/addresses http://www.vaforarts.org/Content/Documents/Document.ashx?DocId=114087
It looks like a 50% cut remains a possibility so please continue your efforts.
Also, if the VCA receives these cuts, this will impact the funds they receive from the National Endowment for the Arts (through their State Partnership Grant). Someone told me last week that they (VCA) would still receive NEA funds even if the VCA wasn’t around. NOT TRUE!!! If the VCA isn’t there to submit their grant to the NEA, they (VCA) won’t receive the funds. (They’ll also receive fewer funds if they receive these cuts. Think about how you submit your grant applications and if you don’t have enough matching funds, you can’t apply for as much money! It’s the same process except on a statewide/national level!) Keep in mind that the VCA applies for grants just like we do!
If you already called, that’s okay. Call/write again! Laura
Go here for names/addresses http://www.vaforarts.org/Content/Documents/Document.ashx?DocId=114087
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Movie Magic
Although I came down with the flu over the holidays, I accomplished one very important item on my list: watch Gone with the Wind with my mom. The movie celebrated its 70th anniversary this month and I wanted to see it again (and all the great special DVD features, which did not disappoint!).
This was the first time I'd seen the movie since moving back east with my family. I had a completely different experience this time around; partly because I now recognize some of the places they mention (Bull Run, Gettysburg - where I went with my husband several years ago - when we lived in Manassas, and of course Virginia). Also, my mom shared new stories with me and her grandfather who watched the soldiers marching through Virginia (Yes, I grew up LA but my mom's family lived in Clifton Forge.)
The special features included interviews with individuals charged with digitizing the Technicolor film and in most ways, improving the quality of the film. (Right down to patterns of lace in Scarlette's white dress in the opening sequence.)
I was taken with these new types of "artists" working tirelessly to painstakingly preserve and protect this incredible treasure. I feel indebted to them for their skills, time and talent to ensure that this film and all its splendor, remains for generations to come.
This was the first time I'd seen the movie since moving back east with my family. I had a completely different experience this time around; partly because I now recognize some of the places they mention (Bull Run, Gettysburg - where I went with my husband several years ago - when we lived in Manassas, and of course Virginia). Also, my mom shared new stories with me and her grandfather who watched the soldiers marching through Virginia (Yes, I grew up LA but my mom's family lived in Clifton Forge.)
The special features included interviews with individuals charged with digitizing the Technicolor film and in most ways, improving the quality of the film. (Right down to patterns of lace in Scarlette's white dress in the opening sequence.)
I was taken with these new types of "artists" working tirelessly to painstakingly preserve and protect this incredible treasure. I feel indebted to them for their skills, time and talent to ensure that this film and all its splendor, remains for generations to come.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Engaging New Audiences
I have this new habit. An overactive mind will do that to you.
I look at people while I'm out and about and wonder if they go to Opera Roanoke, Gallery 108, Jacksonville Center or Attic Productions.
I drive down Williamson Rd on my way into the office each day and the Roanoke Civic Center's marque says, "If you build it they will come." How can we increase the likelihood that new audiences (or existing audiences might venture to the "other side" and attend a play if they currently go to the opera) will attend an arts activity?
How do we engage audiences into our arts world? If we "build it" will they "come" not once or twice, but for years to come?
It's an age-old question and arts organizations have pondered it for years. It shows that we must continue to "build it so they will come" but must also ask the community what they want to see. (And also nudging them to step outside their comfort level.) I recently attended a meeting where the need for a cultural plan was discussed. Perhaps, as we ponder this, we can also include a community arts survey to determine the arts market (if you will). Are we "building it" but forgetting to engage the "home owners" in the project?
Let me know what you think.
I look at people while I'm out and about and wonder if they go to Opera Roanoke, Gallery 108, Jacksonville Center or Attic Productions.
I drive down Williamson Rd on my way into the office each day and the Roanoke Civic Center's marque says, "If you build it they will come." How can we increase the likelihood that new audiences (or existing audiences might venture to the "other side" and attend a play if they currently go to the opera) will attend an arts activity?
How do we engage audiences into our arts world? If we "build it" will they "come" not once or twice, but for years to come?
It's an age-old question and arts organizations have pondered it for years. It shows that we must continue to "build it so they will come" but must also ask the community what they want to see. (And also nudging them to step outside their comfort level.) I recently attended a meeting where the need for a cultural plan was discussed. Perhaps, as we ponder this, we can also include a community arts survey to determine the arts market (if you will). Are we "building it" but forgetting to engage the "home owners" in the project?
Let me know what you think.
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