Thank you to the Canadian Conference of the Arts for their valuable analysis of the 2011 federal budget as it impacts arts & culture.  You can always comment on the CCA's BLOG or friend them on Facebook to be kept in the loop on issues related to the arts and the Federal Government (and more).

I have really fond memories of my last trip to Williamsburg 10 years ago.  The vibe was one that only a strong grass roots artist run culture can create.  Unfortunately, New York, like many cities does not have a strong track record of preserving the artistic core of its neighbourhoods, think Soho and the Village.  So I was prepared to experience a very different Williamsburg if I ever was to return. 

This article in today's New York Times was heartening.  It tells the story of one Williamsburg Landowner and his appreciation of the value that artists have brought to the nieghbourhood and the need to preserve artist space in order to preserve what it is that is making that small New York suburb so vibrant. 

At Calgary Arts Development we often get asked about the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a non-profit organization.  We are always happy to chat about it at any time, but for those self-service oriented folks out there, here is the best resource I have ever come across for the steps and process in becoming and working as a non-profit. https://www.1stcalgary.com/Business/PlanningAndAdvice/StagesInYourBusiness/CreatingANonProfit/ 

Thanks to the wonderful people at First Calgary Savings for providing this invaluable resource.  This site contains such information as Registering The Non-Profit Organization, Selecting the Board of Directors, Developing a Vision, Liability and Directorship and Fundraising. 

This annual survey from the CCVO is a valuable tool to guage the current state of Alberta's non-profit sector, including the arts.  Please contribute your voice, it takes about 10-15 minutes.

Alberta’s Nonprofits & Charities:

The Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (CCVO) is once again working together with other partners across the province to take a quick “temperature check” on the state of the nonprofit and voluntary sector. Please take some time to complete Alberta's Nonprofits & Charities and the Economic Climate - Spring 2010 Survey.

Your responses to this survey are critical to obtain the broad picture of the sector in Alberta. The results of the 2009 surveys were widely used by media, government and the sector.  As we continue with ongoing monitoring of the sector, this survey helps to build understanding and awareness of Alberta’s nonprofit and voluntary sector.

Results of CCVO’s latest survey will be reported back to the voluntary sector, government, media and the public. Watch for the report in June. Information and analysis contained in the report can be a useful tool for your organization’s efforts in planning, promotion and engagement with community, government and media.

TAKE THE SURVEY NOW!

The survey closes May 14.

Thank you to everyone that has journeyed into the great form abyss that is our Operating Grant Program and made it through the other end.  We are excited about all that financial and statistical data that you have provided us with, (we're weird that way).  Now our job begins, to compile and share these stats back to all the organizations that have put the effort into providing them.  We are looking forward to using this information to tell compelling stories of the impact that our arts organizations have on our City and the lives of Calgarians. 

In the mean time, Lauren is diligently digging herself out from under a mountain of grants and support material and will be in touch with organizations that may still owe us bits of information.  We look forward to reading the operating grant applications and reports and continuing to be inspired be the amazing vision and skill of Calgary's artists and arts organizations!

This letter from the Collective Arts Think Tank in New York should be addressed and sent to every arts funder.    It examines what's working and what's not working in strategies to supporting artists and the creation of work.  Scan the highlights below, but be sure to read the whole letter (linked above) to get to the depth of the issues that work for the success or detriment to artists and organizations.What's working:

1. Artists that make work on the work's schedule
2. Tailor-made management strategies for projects or artists
3. Knowing the real costs
4. Generosity among colleagues
5. Multi-year funding and presenting
6. Subsidized rentals

What's not working: Read more »

For anyone that is moved by art, history and a belief in change.  The incredible contribution of some of the world's best artists were front and centre at today's inauguration of Barack Obama, showing the power of art in our lives and the role that it plays in our combined histories.   Here is the performance of Air and Simple Gifts by John Williams, performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill and Gabriela Montero.

Provisions

What should we have taken
with us? We never could decide
on that; or what to wear
or at what time of
year we should make the journey

So here we are in thin
raincoats and rubber boots

On the disastrous ice, the wind rising

Nothing in our pockets

But a pencil stub, two oranges
Four Toronto streetcar tickets

and an elastic band holding a bundle
of small white filing cards
printed with important facts.

- Margaret Atwood

Thanks to Art Journal, I just read an article in Sunday's London Times about the resurgence of popularity of choirs in the UK.  Calgary is a hot bed of choirs, Calgary Arts Development funds 16 choirs which involve over 500 Calgarians.  Many of these choirs tour throughout the country and are winning national recognition.  Maybe CTV will start a Canadian version of Last Choir Standing.

The language around granting is loaded. Even the word 'grant' as defined on dictionary.com speaks to the hierarchy and entitlement that is implied by the word and potentially the action.

something granted, as a privilege or right, a sum of money, or a tract of land. Read more »