4/29/04

1. Sen. Neuville Proposes Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment to Arts, Culture and Environment Bill

2. URGENT: Contact Sen. Neuville today! This could kill our bill.

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1. Sen. Neuville Proposes Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment to Arts, Culture and Environment Bill

The Minnesota Senate Finance Committee met Tuesday and again today to hear the “Outdoor Heritage” bill in lengthy hearings. The good news happened on Tuesday, when Sen. Sams, the author, himself offered an amendment that included the arts and culture among the beneficiaries of his bill. So - we are officially part of the bill and working in coalition with the outdoors heritage folks! At that hearing, MCA Board Chair Rebecca Petersen (Fergus Falls) testified on behalf of the arts.

Today was another story. Sen. Neuville said he wanted to “make the bill stronger” and offered two separate amendments that would have divided our coalition with the environmental groups and cut arts money two ways from the bill. (Both attempts failed, with the unanimous votes of all of the Democrats on the committee along with Republican Dennis Frederickson on our side).

Then, Sen. Neuville moved to add a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Sen. Sams immediately and dramatically withdrew his entire bill from the committee before any vote on the gay marriage amendment could occur, and the hearing was adjourned. So, our bill was not passed today.

Does Sen. Neuville’s move kill the bill in the Senate?
Whether or not the bill moves forward now rests entirely on Sen. Neuville retracting his motion to add the anti-gay marriage issue to the bill.

2. URGENT: Contact Sen. Neuville today!

Sen. Neuville made several speeches about how he supports the arts, but his amendments cut arts funding two ways from the bill. Then he made speeches about how how he wanted to “strengthen” the outdoor portions of the bill, but then moved to add an anti-gay marriage amendment to the bill, which killed it. Trying to put one of the most controversial issues of our day onto the bill is in no way the action of a friend trying to strengthen the bill.

We need to send Sen. Neuville two messages:

1. Don’t reduce the arts funding that’s being proposed in Senate File 401.

2. Stop trying to kill the bill with an anti-gay marriage amendment. Our bill should not be held hostage to completely unrelated issues.

PLEASE CONTACT SEN. NEUVILLE BY THE END OF THE DAY MONDAY!

EVERYONE - both Sen. Neuville’s constituents
and anyone else in Minnesota who cares about the arts should contact him
through our DESKTOP LOBBYIST by the end of the day, Monday, May 3, 2004.
CLICK HERE. Or call Sen. Neuville’s office at (651) 296-1279 with the above messages. Thank you!

4/22/04

1. First Hearing Scheduled for Arts and Culture Amendment

2. The Outdoors and Us

3. Online Advocacy Center

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1. First Hearing Scheduled for Arts and Culture Amendment

After several delays, Senate File 401 has been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee. The hearing will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in room 123 of the State Capitol Building, on Tuesday, April 27. It is a public hearing.

The politics of this effort are extremely complicated and therefore somewhat unpredictable. We believe, through our tremendous grassroots efforts and the work of the cultural lobbyists led by MCA lobbyists Larry Redmond and Brian Halloran, that we have the votes in this committee to get the Arts and Culture Amendment onto the bill. The larger question, still unanswered, is whether or not the bill itself has the votes it needs to pass.

This bill could more than double arts funding for the next twenty years. I can’t tell you how interesting and exciting it has been to work on this effort. We’ll let you know after the hearing what happened, and what happens next. For more detailed information on the Arts and Culture Amendment, check out MCA’s Website http://www.mtn.org/mca.

-Sheila Smith

Now is our chance to help the arts. It’s easy! E-mail your legislators this week through MCA’s DESKTOP LOBBYIST

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2. The Outdoors and Us

Joining the arts together with outdoor interests is a new tactic for gaining arts support in Minnesota. However, it is not much of a stretch to find parallels between Minnesota’s love for the outdoors and our love for the arts. What does it mean to be a Minnesotan? It means taking our kids into a beautiful forest to explore the natural wonders within. It means taking our kids to their first cultural performance and watching their world expand.

The bill we are considering would dedicate a small portion of state sales tax revenue to environmental items that have not received the focus and attention they have deserved for many years. An amendment to the bill would dedicate a small additional amount to arts and cultural items important to Minnesota. Neither the bill nor the amendment would raise taxes.

A recent editorial in the Star Tribune decried the 15% budget cut to the DNR, affecting our ability to care for our environmental heritage. Unfortunately, the arts received an even bigger cut; 32% in the last session alone. This is on top of cuts made in the previous session. Some cultural groups faced even worse - the Humanities Commission was completely eliminated from the state budget.

Because the arts, like the environment, are only a small fraction of the total state budget, the 32% cut contributed very little to solving the deficit. While the cuts had little impact on solving the budget problem, there was a devastating impact to our quality of life. In the arts community alone, these deep cuts have reduced access to the arts.

In a recent study we identified 150 jobs lost, with 66% of arts organizations reporting reductions in staff hours, frozen salaries, and other negative staff changes. Because of employment reductions, fewer people are working to provide the services that state residents want. Cuts to environmental and outdoor efforts have had a similar impact.

The amended bill would restore funding to both the arts and the outdoors. The funds would ensure the existence of programs that define our state as a good place to live, programs that contribute to the economy, provide jobs and drive tourism yet often fall victim to neglect in favor of “hotter” issues at the capitol. Every citizen would benefit from shoring up our outdoors and cultural heritage. It is a way to make sure that these things don’t fall off the budget page while we focus on the core issues of the state of Minnesota, such as transportation, health and human services, and education.

It is easy to find precedents for this type of dedication. The gas tax is dedicated to transportation, for example, and lottery proceeds are dedicated, in part, to the Environmental Trust Fund. This idea isn’t new and the citizens have enthusiastically voted for similar proposals in the past. The legislature should pass this bill and give Minnesotans an opportunity to vote for the quality of life which make Minnesota a state we want to live in. The citizens of Minnesota deserve better care and attention paid to both our environmental and cultural heritage.

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3. Online Advocacy Center

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts has signed on to a national partnership through American for the Arts that enables us to launch the most cutting-edge electronic message delivery service in the country. We call it our Desktop Lobbyist.

In a flash you can send electronic messages to your elected officials: Local, State and Federal. You can support the Arts and Culture Amendment at the state legislature by clicking here. The process is fast and easy allowing you the opportunity to play an active role in arts advocacy. Through the new state-of-the-art online advocacy center we provide you with access to timely legislative issues and the legislators who make the decisions.

You may also browse your legislators’ biographies, view the voting records of your Congressional delegation as it affects the arts, AND access a complete guide to every print and broadcast media outlet in your local area and the state. Additionally, as a member of our email Arts Alert network, you will continue to be notified when issues of interest to the Minnesota arts community arise. Therein, we’ll provide you with a quick and easy way to send messages to your state and local elected officials, and members of Congress. You can accomplish this in less than two minutes.

The impact of a grassroots effort is powerful. Through our online advocacy center, we have made it simple to generate huge numbers of email letters to legislators. Visit the advocacy center today. Play a role in the future of the cultural community. You can help raise the visibility of the arts statewide and on the national level with your participation.

Now is our chance to help the arts. It’s easy! E-mail your legislators this week through MCA’s DESKTOP LOBBYIST

3/31/04

1. Ask Congress to Support President Bush’s Arts Funding Increase. Today is National Arts Advocacy Day.
2. HELP PASS THE “ARTS AND CULTURE AMENDMENT” in the Minnesota Legislature. Volunteer!
3. It’s easy to be an advocate. E-mail your legislators this week through MCA’s DESKTOP LOBBYIST.

1. Bush Proposes NEA Arts Funding Increase

First Lady Laura Bush announced a few weeks ago that the President would be proposing an $18 million increase for the arts on the federal level. $15 million of the increase would be dedicated to support a new NEA initiative, “American Masterpieces”, a three year program combining arts presentation, touring and education programming in a variety of disciplines. 40% of the $15 million is to be provided directly to the states. This means that money will be coming directly to Minnesota from the NEA through the Minnesota State Arts Board, in addition to direct grants made to Minnesota arts organizations and projects.

Today is National Arts Advocacy Day in Washing ton D.C.: A group of Minnesotans is meeting with our congressional delegation today to ask them to support the increase in funding to the NEA, as well as asking for support of a variety of other issues important to Minnesota’s arts community. Led by Team Leader Sheila Smith, Executive Director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, the Minnesota group includes Rebecca Petersen, Chair of the MCA Board and Executive Director of A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls, Kathleen Maloney, MCA Executive Committee Member and Executive Director of the Minnesota Alliance for Arts in Education, Jeff Prauer, Executive Director of COMPAS, and Bob Booker, Executive Director of the MSAB. Ask Your Congressperson to support the increased NEA funding today using MCA’s DESKTOP LOBBYIST.

2. Lend a Hand in the Fight for the Arts! Help Pass the “Arts and Culture Amendment” in the Minnesota Legislature.

We need your help. Can you volunteer in the next two weeks? Volunteer Opportunities are all from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the MCA Offices at 2233 University Ave.W. #355 in St. Paul:

Wednesday, March 31
Thursday, April 1
Monday, April 5
Tuesday, April 6
Wednesday, April 7
Thursday, April 8

Call Geri at 651-251-0868 to sign up, or send her an email at mca@mtn.org. If you live in Greater Minnesota and would like to volunteer, give us a call or email and we’ll connect you to other volunteers in your area. Thanks!

3. Ask your legislators to pass the “ARTS AND CULTURE AMENDMENT”

There is a bill moving swiftly through the legislature (SF401 Sams/HF1166 Hackbarth) that would dedicate a small percentage (one quarter of one percent) of state sales tax revenue to hunting and fishing conservation, parks and environmental items, including the Minnesota Zoo. The dedication would be done through a constitutional amendment that, if it passes the legislature, would go to the voters this November.

Our friends at the legislature want to amend the bill to dedicate a small additional percentage of sales tax receipts to the arts, including the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils, the Minnesota Historical Society, Public Television and Public Radio, the Science Museum, the Humanities Commission, the Minnesota Film Board, and the Minnesota Children’s Museum and the Duluth Children’s Museum. This would not take anything away from the environmental issues, but would be a small add-on.

The arts and culture, like the environment, make Minnesota an attractive place to live. Both provide fuel to Minnesota’s economic engine. In addition, the arts also contribute to the education of Minnesota’s children. All of these activities contribute to our quality of life. Now is our chance to help the arts. It’s easy! E-mail your legislators this week through MCA’s DESKTOP LOBBYIST.

3/22/04

URGENT: ASK YOUR LEGISLATORS TO “SUPPORT THE ARTS AND CULTURE AMENDMENT”

Call or email your legislators this week through MCA’s DESKTOP LOBBYIST

BACKGROUND
There is a bill moving swiftly through the legislature (SF401 Sams/HF1166 Hackbarth) that would dedicate a small percentage (one quarter of one percent) of state sales tax revenue to hunting and fishing conservation, parks and environmental items, including the Minnesota Zoo. The dedication would be done through a constitutional amendment that, if it passes the legislature, would go to the voters this November.

Our friends at the legislature want to amend the bill to dedicate a small additional percentage of sales tax receipts to the arts, including the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils, the Minnesota Historical Society, Public Television and Public Radio, the Science Museum, the Humanities Commission, the Minnesota Film Board, and the Minnesota Children’s Museum and the Duluth Children’s Museum. This would not take anything away from the environmental issues, but would be a small add-on.

Why this is a good idea
You may recall that last session state funding for the arts was reduced by 32%, despite a recent survey that showed that 94% of Minnesotans believe that “the arts and cultural activities make Minnesota an attractive place to live and work,” and 67% of Twin Cities residents in another survey said they supported government funding for the arts. In a recent survey of nonprofits that have been impacted by government budget cuts, 66% of arts organizations responded that they had reduced staff in the last year, and 50% had laid off staff. State funding cuts were the most commonly cited reason for the staffing reductions. Programs and services in the arts are being cut back in all parts of the state.

Arts and Culture took bigger hits last session than almost anything else in the state budget.

This bill could restore and increase funding for the arts and culture. While it would be a historic step forward for us, the new money would be a tiny fraction of the total state budget (.0014).

If passed by the voters, the bill would increase arts funding and lock it in for the next 20 years.

The arts and culture, like the environment, make Minnesota an attractive place to live. Both provide fuel to Minnesota’s economic engine. In addition, the arts also contribute to the education of Minnesota’s children. All of these activities contribute to our quality of life.

Now is our chance to help the arts. Contact your legislators this week! Write to your legislators through MCA’s DESKTOP LOBBYIST. For more detailed information visit our Arts and Culture Amendment page.

3/6/04

Governor Pawlenty released yesterday a proposal to solve the state’s new $165 million deficit. We are happy to report that the proposal does not include any more arts cuts. Unfortunately, the proposal also does not restore any of the arts funding cut last year.

You may recall that last session state funding for the arts was reduced by 32%, despite a recent survey that showed that 94% of Minnesotans believe that “the arts and cultural activities make Minnesota an attractive place to live and work,” and 67% of Twin Cities residents in another survey said they supported government funding for the arts. In a recent survey of nonprofits that have been impacted by government budget cuts, 66% of arts organizations responded that they had reduced staff in the last year, and 50% had laid off staff. State funding cuts were the most commonly cited reason for the staffing reductions. Programs and services in the arts are being cut back in all parts of the state.

At Arts Advocacy Day, hundreds of Minnesotans met with legislators asking them to “Plan now to restore arts funding.” While we are glad that no more cuts are proposed, we look forward to the day that legislators will find a way to restore funding for the arts. If you could not attend MCA’s Arts Advocacy Day last week, please send your legislator a note through our new DESKTOP LOBBYIST.

2/26/04

1. Arts Jobs Lost to State Funding Cuts
2. 450 Arts Advocates Ask Legislators to Restore Arts Funding
3. Data Shows Twin Citians Support Government Funding for the Performing Arts

1. Arts Jobs Lost to State Funding Cuts

From December 2003 to January 2004, the Minnesota Council of Non-Profits and Minnesota Citizens for the Arts conducted a survey of non-profit arts organizations in Minnesota. 83 arts organizations participated in the survey, 40% of which were from outside the seven county metro area.

Responses to the survey reflect a nonprofit arts sector severely impacted by economic conditions and state funding cuts. 66% of arts organizations found it necessary to reduce staffing in the past year. The most frequently cited cause of staff reductions was state funding cuts.

50% of arts organizations reported layoffs in the past year.
49% reported instituting a salary freeze.
41% reported instituting a hiring freeze.
35% reported reducing staff hours.
18% reported leaving positions unfilled.
People laid off: 130
Positions left unfilled: 38
Staff whose hours were reduced: 90
Total staffing changes: 258

Average Wage of Lost Jobs: These changes touch every area of nonprofit operations, including accountants, administrative staff, advocates, development staff, executive directors, human resource staff, program directors, etc. Furthermore, many of these positions pay good wages. The average wage from a laid off non-profit arts worker in the survey was $15.78. The average wage for an open position in an arts organization $13.60. The average wage for reduced hours employee at an arts organization $13.56.

In addition to staff changes, non-profit arts organizations have also reported a variety of other cost-savings measures including mergers, reduced employee benefits, increasing employee share of health insurance premiums, salary reductions, voluntary unpaid leave, cutting back on general expenses, increasing fees, and reducing programs and services in their communities.

Nonprofit employees make up 9.5% of the stateÕs total workforce. However, difficult economic conditions have had a negative impact on nonprofit employment. Some have described it as the “perfect storm” as government funding, individual donations, and private foundation support have all declined simultaneously even as demand has increased for many nonprofit services. For further information on the results of this survey, contact Christina Macklin, Minnesota Council of Non-Profits, 651-642-1904.

2. 450 Arts Advocates Ask Legislators to Restore Arts Funding

On Feb. 24, 2004, Arts Advocacy Day brought 450 people from every corner of the state to the Capitol. Arts Advocates asked their legislators to “Plan Now to Restore Arts Funding.” Advocates met with most legislators, some of whom enthusiastically agreed that arts funding should be restored, and others who said it would be tough until the economy improves.

Last year, Governor Pawlenty proposed cutting 40% of state arts funding, but the hard work and grassroots advocacy of the arts community reduced the cut to 32%. The 32% cut has resulted in job losses and a reduction in access to the arts across the state (see other stories in this alert).

This year is not an appropriations year for the state, but the legislature will have to figure out how to resolve another smaller deficit, which will be announced on Friday and could amount to $300-$500 million. We are preparing now for the next appropriations session in 2005.

THANK YOU to all of the wonderful people who took time out of their busy day to connect with legislators on behalf of the arts! If you could not attend, please send your legislator a note through our new DESKTOP LOBBYIST .

3. Data Shows Twin Citians Support Government Funding for the Performing ArtsÊ

From October 2002 to February 2003, residents of the Twin Cities seven-county area responded to a telephone household survey designed by the Urban Institute in collaboration with the Performing Arts Research Coalition (”PARC”) and conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates.

A new finding, released this week, found that two thirds (67%) of Twin Citians believe government support for the performing arts is “very important” or “somewhat important.”

For further information about this project you may visit the PARC website at www.OperaAmerica.org/parc or in the Twin Cities you can call John Munger, Director of Research for Dance/USA at 651-646-8076.

Join Our Arts Advocacy Family

MCA is funded entirely by the dues of its members. Do you appreciate receiving up to the minute news on the fate of the arts in the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress? We could not provide Arts Alerts if it werenÕt for the wonderful and committed arts advocates who show their commitment by joining MCA. You can join by printing out the membership form.ÊIndividual dues are just $30, and a household membership is just $40. Thank you!

2/20/04

Arts Advocacy Day is Next Week. Can’t Come? We’ve got a new way for you to advocate.

Dear Arts Advocate,

We have important news for you!

We’re making it easier than ever for you to play an active role in arts advocacy efforts at the state, local and federal levels. Minnesota Citizens for the Arts is pleased to announce its partnership with Americans for the Arts and arts advocacy organizations in 15 other states to provide citizens across the country with state-of-the-art online access to timely legislative issues and the legislators who make the decisions.

Grassroots advocacy is the foundation of our democratic system of government - elected officials respect and respond to the input of their constituents more than any other group. E-advocacy is the easiest, timeliest, and most efficient way to communicate your views to legislators at all levels of government. This is one-stop shopping for arts advocates!

Our new online service through Capwiz offers you extensive opportunities to:

Explore current issues and legislation impacting the arts (at the time of this writing only federal legislation is extensively covered. We will work to expand the state level content over the next year);
Send timely messages to your elected officials at the state, local and federal levels of government;
Browse your legislators’ biographies, committee assignments, staff directories, and even the list of contributions made to them by political action committees;
View the arts voting records of your federal representatives;
Access a complete media guide to every newspaper, television and radio outlet in your area or state;
Find complete, up-to-the-minute election and candidate information on state, congressional and presidential races including candidate biographies and position statements; and
Download voter registration forms and stay abreast of key dates for primary and general elections.
Most importantly, as a member of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, you are automatically added to our Capwiz Action E-list. When issues of interest to our arts community arise in the state legislature or in Congress, you will be the first to be sent electronic alerts and updates that will explain the issues and provide sample messages for you to customize and send to your legislators with a few simple mouse-clicks. (If you prefer not to receive these alerts or updates, you will be provided the opportunity to opt-out of the Capwiz Action E-list.)

Over the past few years, some states have attempted to slash their arts budgets in the wake of mounting deficits. However, successful advocacy efforts have defeated most of these proposals! More than ever, grassroots advocacy is the best way to protect public support of the arts.

To date, the following states are participating in this integrated online advocacy effort (and more will be joining this year):

Arizona
Florida
Illinois
Kentucky
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
New Jersey
New York
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

As you can see, our state is among the first to participate in this innovative grassroots initiative that integrates arts advocacy efforts at federal, state and local levels. Join thousands of your colleagues from across the state and nation to make your voice heard. Take action today.

Sincerely,

Sheila Smith
Executive Director
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts

2/3/04

1. PARC Study Provides Important Data for Advocacy
2. President Bush Recommends Significant Increase for NEA

1. PARC Study Provides Important Data for Advocacy

On Friday, the results of a random household survey of the seven county Twin Cities Metro area were released. Some of the data provided wonderful surprises, particularly that there is a high level of support by the public for the performing arts. The Performing Arts Research Coalition (PARC) Community Report was funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts and involved 21 arts organizations in the seven county St. Paul-Minneapolis metro area. The random household surveys compiled in the report were conducted in 2002.

Here are some highlights of the data:

1. This is a scientific, random household survey of the public, not of just arts attendees. It shows extraordinary support for the performing arts among the general public. The data challenges the media and policy makers to take the arts as seriously as the public does.

82% agree that the performing arts contribute to the economy of the Greater Twin Cities Area. (pg. 36 of report)
85% agree strongly or somewhat that the performing arts improve the quality of life in the greater Twin Cities area, and
86% agree strongly or somewhat that the performing arts are a source of pride for those in the greater Twin Cities area. (pg. 36)
92% agree strongly or somewhat that the performing arts contribute to the education and development of children, and
87% agree that the performing arts contribute to lifelong learning for adults. (pg. 36)
Even a substantial minority of people who don’t attend the performing arts think they are good for the community. (Pg. 41)
Not just the performing arts, but other art forms are also frequently attended:

67% of the public goes to a museum or art gallery,
81% attend a community festival or parade, etc.
2. The data was full of surprises:

There was little correlation between age and attendance. This goes completely against the “common wisdom” that arts audiences are aging. (Pg. 22)
Arts attendees are voters: 87% of attendees and 95% of frequent arts attendees vote always or most of the time. (Pg. 26).
Even though performing arts draw more attendance than professional sports, the data shows that people who frequently attend one also frequently attend the other; people are either participators or non participators. (Pg. 25, summary text)
Almost 60% of low income people are attendees or frequent attendees, dislodging the idea that only wealthy people attend performing arts. (pg. 21)
3. The process has challenged the arts community to continue to work together and to continue to make the case for the arts with a unified and factually documented voice.

4. The data showing a high correlation between arts attendees and frequent voters shows that arts interested people have a high level of civic engagement in their communities, and should be highly desirable people for policy makers to pay attention to. Another study also released last week by the Center for Research at the U of M asked “Do you believe that arts and cultural activities help to make Minnesota an attractive place to live and work?” A resounding 94 percent of survey respondents said “yes.” In the breakdown of data that accompanied the survey, they found that 95.8 percent of Democrats, 94.1 percent of Independents, and 91.6 percent of Republicans all answered “yes” to this question.

2. President Bush Recommends Significant Increase for NEA

President Bush released his Administration’s FY2005 budget with a recommended total increase of $55 million to the nation’s cultural agencies-the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This budget marks the first time that the Bush Administration has proposed a substantial increase for all three federal agencies in the same fiscal year. If approved by Congress, the NEA’s budget would increase by $18 million, for a total of $139 million.

FY04 Approved Proposed Increase Proposed FY05 Funding
National Endowment for the Arts $121 million $18 million $139 million
National Endowment for the Humanities $135 million $27 million $162 million
Office of Museum Services (IMLS) $31 million $10 million $41 million
Information provided by Americans for the Arts: www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

1/20/04

1. Opportunity for Artists and Arts Organizations: MN State Capitol 100th Birthday Party

2. Sign Up for Arts Advocacy Day!

3. Help Make the Case: Take Our Survey

4. The Arts Matter, and We Can Prove It.

1. Opportunity for Artists and Arts Organizations: MN State Capitol 100th Birthday Party

Minnesota’s state capitol, designed by Cass Gilbert, is one of the most beautiful works of public architecture in the country and has set the standards for other states. Governor Pawlenty has appointed a commission to organize the 100th birthday celebration of Minnesota’s own state capitol. (See the St. Paul Pioneer Press story about the celebration at http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/7610517.htm ).

Cay Shea Hellervik, chair of the Celebration Committee, said that they intend to organize many special events to celebrate the capitol’s birthday throughout 2005. “We welcome the arts community to join us in putting on the greatest celebration the people of the State of Minnesota have ever seen. The Capitol building is the peoples’ house and we need to appreciate and celebrate the huge impact the building and the state have had on our nation.”

There will be at least three large events over the birthday year. The year of celebration will begin with three days of events in the first weekend of January, 2005. On Flag Day, June 14, 2005, many events will be organized around a parade from the old state capitol site in downtown St. Paul up to the current capitol, with events on the capitol lawn. There may also be closing events scheduled in the fall of 2005.

“We are interested in your ideas and fundraising thoughts. We want to feature Minnesota artists in as many ways as possible during the year of celebration.”

It’s a good idea to have a strong presence of the arts community at such an event. Please send your ideas to Cay Hellervik at personneldecisions.com by Jan. 30, 2004.

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2. Sign Up for Arts Advocacy Day!

A sign up sheet for Arts Advocacy Day is now available on MCA’s web site at http:/www.mtn.org/mca.

You are invited to Arts Advocacy Day 2004, Feb. 24, at the Minnesota History Center and State Capitol in St. Paul. The arts need you! Arts advocates must mobilize to make sure legislators understand the impact of last year’s cuts.

At MCA’s Arts Advocacy Day, representatives of all parts of Minnesota’s extraordinary arts community come together for one day to talk about the arts, make new friends, and educate our legislators about the importance of the arts to Minnesota.

There will be artists, rural choirs, suburban community theaters, presenters, big organizations, museums, art centers of all sizes, painters, tenors, dancers, cellists, arts administrators, arts lovers and everyone else you can think of joining together for this big day.

Join us! Stand up for the Arts!

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3. Help Make the Case: Take Our Survey

As we get ready to start a new legislative session, it will be important for us to be able to talk about the affect of cuts to arts funding. MCA is working with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to quantify the impact of the cuts. This will be VERY IMPORTANT to our work over the next year. It only took me ten minutes to do them:

A. ORGANIZATIONS
If you work with an arts organization, please take the time to complete the following two brief surveys. These two surveys will give us a complete picture of the impact of the cuts to arts organizations.

1. Survey to quantify staff lay-offs and other employment changes (such as positions left open, reduced hours, etc.) at non-profit organizations: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=42579305319or download the PDF version at http://www.mncn.org/doc/layoffs.pdf.

2. Survey assessing the impact of budget cuts and other economic pressures on nonprofit delivered programs: http://www.mncn.org/survey.htm. You can choose to do the on-line version, or download the PDF version.

B. INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
What has been the impact on individual artists and arts education programs? Please send any information you have or stories on the arts cuts impacts to: she-mca@mtn.org. The Minnesota Alliance for Arts in Education will be conducting a separate survey about the impact of No Child Left Behind, the implementation of Minnesota’s new standards, and local financial problems on arts education in the state. They will start distributing their survey next week. For more information, contact Kathleen Maloney at kathleen@allarts4allkids.org.

With your help, we will build a strong case to get back the arts funding we lost last session, and start moving forward again.

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4. The Arts Matter, and We Can Prove It.

On January 30th, 2004 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., there will be a meeting at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to release the results of the PARC Study. PARC stands for the “Performing Arts Research Coalition.”

Come find out the answers to these intriguing questions:

Does the public agree that government spending on the arts is important?
Are arts attendees frequent voters?
Is the arts audience really aging?
What percentage of low income people are attendees?
In 2002, the Twin Cities was invited to join the second round of a national research initiative, the goal of which is to strengthen the ability of performing arts organizations to collectively gather, analyze, and apply research about their impact, activities and importance. A large number of Twin Cities organizations participated in the research. To RSVP for the data release event, call 612-872-5199 or email to nsouvenir@childrenstheatre.org

1/7/04

1. Help Make the Case Against Arts Cuts: Take Our Survey
2. The Arts Matter, and We Can Prove It.
3. Opportunity for Artists and Arts Organizations: MN State Capitol 100th Birthday Party
4. Save the Date: Arts Advocacy Day will be Feb. 24, 2004
5. Instant Economic Impact Studies

1. Help Make the Case Against Arts Cuts: Take Our Survey

As we get ready to start a new legislative session, it will be important for us to be able to talk about the impact of recent cuts to the arts. MCA is working with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to quantify the impact of the cuts. This will be VERY IMPORTANT to our work over the next year.

A. ORGANIZATIONS
If you work with an arts organization, please take the time to complete the following two brief surveys (please do both!). These two surveys will give us a complete picture of the impact of cuts to arts organizations:

Survey to quantify staff lay-offs and other employment changes (such as positions left open, reduced hours, etc.) at non-profit organizations: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=42579305319 or download the PDF version at http://www.mncn.org/doc/layoffs.pdf.
Survey assessing the impact of budget cuts and other economic pressures on nonprofit delivered programs: http://www.mncn.org/survey.htm. You can choose to do the on-line version, or download the PDF version.
B. INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
What has been the impact of cuts on individual artists and arts education programs? Please send any information you have or stories on the arts cuts impacts to: she-mca@mtn.org. With your help, we will build a strong case to get back the arts funding we lost last session, and start moving forward again. ———————————————————

2. The Arts Matter, and We Can Prove It.

On January 30th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., there will be a meeting at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to release the results of the PARC Study. PARC stands for the “Performing Arts Research Coalition.” Come find out the answers to these intriguing questions:

Does the public agree that government spending on the arts is important?
Are arts attendees frequent voters?
Is the arts audience really aging?
What percentage of low income people are attendees?
In 2002, the Twin Cities was invited to join the second round of a national research initiative, the goal of which is to strengthen the ability of performing arts organizations to collectively gather, analyze, and apply research about their impact, activities and importance. A large number of Twin Cities organizations participated in the research. To RSVP for the data release event, call 612-872-5199 or email to nsouvenir@childrenstheatre.org

3. Opportunity for Artists and Arts Organizations

MN State Capitol 100th Birthday Party Minnesota’s state capitol, designed by Cass Gilbert, is one of the most beautiful works of public architecture in the country and has set the standards for other states. Governor Pawlenty has appointed a commission to organize the 100th birthday celebration of Minnesota’s own state capitol. (See the St. Paul Pioneer Press story about the celebration at http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/7610517.htm).

Cay Shea Hellervik, chair of the Celebration Committee, said that they intend to organize many special events to celebrate the capitol’s birthday throughout 2005. “We welcome the arts community to join us in putting on the greatest celebration the people of the State of Minnesota have ever seen. The Capitol building is the peopleâs house and we need to appreciate and celebrate the huge impact the building and the state have had on our nation.”

There will be at least three large events over the birthday year. The year of celebration will begin with three days of events in the first weekend of January, 2005. On Flag Day, June 14, 2005, many events will be organized around a parade from the old state capitol site in downtown St. Paul up to the current capitol, with events on the capitol lawn. There may also be closing events scheduled in the fall of 2005. “We are interested in your ideas and fundraising thoughts. We want to feature Minnesota artists in as many ways as possible during the year of celebration.” Itâs a good idea to have a strong presence of the arts community at such an event. Please send your ideas to Cay Hellervik at personneldecisions.com by Jan. 30, 2004.

4. Save the Date: Arts Advocacy Day will be Feb. 24, 2004

Save the Date! You are invited to Arts Advocacy Day 2004 at the Minnesota History Center and State Capitol in St. Paul. The arts need you! Arts advocates must mobilize to make sure legislators understand the impact of last year’s cuts. At MCAâs Arts Advocacy Day, representatives of all parts of Minnesotaâs extraordinary arts community come together for one day to: talk about the arts, make new friends, and educate our legislators about the importance of the arts to Minnesota. There will be artists, rural choirs, suburban community theaters, presenters, big organizations, museums, art centers of all sizes, painters, tenors, dancers, cellists, arts administrators, arts lovers and everyone else you can think of joining together for this big day.

5. Instant Economic Impact Studies

Americans for the Arts has put on the web an “instant economic impact” calculator for use by cities, towns, and arts organizations to calculate your economic impact. At www.artsusa.org/economicimpact/calculator.asp you will find the Arts & Economic Prosperity Calculator, a free and simple tool that makes it possible for you to estimate the economic impact of your nonprofit arts organization÷or even your entire nonprofit arts community÷on your local economy. These analyses are based on research findings from the 91 communities that were part of Arts & Economic Prosperity, Americans for the Arts’ national economic impact study of nonprofit arts organizations and their audiences. (Minneapolis and St. Cloud were a part of that study). Arts & Economic Prosperity: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts Organizations and Their Audiences, released in 2002, reveals that America’s nonprofit arts industry generates $134 billion in economic activity every year, including $24.4 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues. The $134 billion total includes $53.2 billion in spending by arts organizations and $80.8 billion in event-related spending by arts audiences.