March 30-31, 2009
22nd Annual NATIONAL ARTS ADVOCACY DAY
The National Arts Action Summit — Washington, DC
Bringing together a broad cross section of America’s cultural and civic organizations and hundreds of grassroots advocates to underscore the importance of developing strong public policies and appropriating increased funding for the arts:
- Let your voice be heard when you visit your members of congress to make the case for the arts and arts education.
- Take advantage of opportunities to network with colleagues from your state and across the country.
- Increase your knowledge of how to advocate and influence decision makers. Take advantage of Lobbying 101. For more advanced folks, learn the legislative status of the most important arts issues. Be sure to get the facts at the “making your case” session all on Monday, March 30.
- Attend the Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy on March 30 (see details below)
- Tuesday Is Hill Day—Begin with the Congressional Arts Breakfast and then make sure you have scheduled time to meet your members of Congress.
Check the schedule and find information on housing and travel online.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Americans for the Arts invites you to the 22nd Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy
Lecture by Wynton Marsalis
Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center
with Special Performance by Wynton Marsalis and Members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Concert Hall
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
Reserve Your Free Tickets Now — Seating is limited and the deadline for ticket requests is March 16, 2009
To reserve your tickets and get more information about the Nancy Hanks Lecture, visit The Americans for the Arts website. |
New York Folklore Society
P.O. Box 764
Schenectady, NY 12301
518/346-7008
Fax 518/346-6617
nyfs@nyfolklore.org
|
|
|
|
Advocacy
News and Action Updates
ADVOCACY | Advocacy and Communications Tips
| News & Action Updates | You Gotta Have Art!
From NYS ARTS: The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations
STATE ARTS BUDGET NEWS
April 1, 2009
The State Arts budget looks pretty good. I think we probably fared better than we might have expected a month ago.
The legislature added to the Governor’s proposed budget:
$38.9 million... proposed by the Governor
3.5 million... added by Legislature
250 thousand... also added for stabilization (this fund was 500k, so it is a 50% cut)
TOTAL $42.650 million for aid to localities (grants to the field)
The Administration budget is $5.482 million.
$42.650 million represents an 8.79% cut from the beginning of FY 2008-09. Not bad!!! And it is obviously MORE than we had in 2008-09 after the 2 mid-year cuts which reduced the NYSCA budget to $38.9 million. Or you can say that we had a small increase of 9% from 2008-09.
This is a testament to the power of grass roots advocacy and the great work of so many people. NYS ARTS convened TWO Arts Days in Albany. We spoke at hearings. We trekked to Albany (Almost 500 people). We generated more than 36,000 emails to the Governor and legislators about the budget. We all did a great job.
BUT, it is not over.
The total State budget is $131 Billion. We continue to hear that the State faces a growing deficit....of $16 to 17 billion. So, it is likely there will be mid-year cuts. We cannot be complacent. Continue to be in touch with your legislators at home. Remember that Arts Day is every day.
Now we do need to SAY THANK YOU. So, please start calling and sending thank you notes to your legislators.
Dear Colleagues,
This is an abstract of the recently released information from the NEA regarding support:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, recently passed by Congress
and the White House, includes funding to the National Endowment for the
Arts to provide grants to preserve jobs in the arts.
Organizations may apply to the NEA for these one-time grants for
projects that 1) support salaries for positions that are essential to an
organization's artistic mission and are in jeopardy as a result of the
current economic climate; and/or 2) provide fees for previously engaged
artists and/or contractual personnel.
The application deadline is April 2, 2009.
Please see the NEA's website for additional information on
eligibility requirements and instructions.
Best,
Ellen McHale
New York Folklore Society |
From NYS ARTS: The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations
RESTORE THE NYSCA BUDGET TO $48.5 MILLION
February 27, 2009
Now is the time to let our legislators know that we want them to restore the NYSCA budget to $48.5 million. This fiscal year began with $48.5 million and we saw cultural organizations decimated by two mid-year “deficit reductions,” which reduced the NYSCA budget to $38.9 million.
Urge Governor Paterson and your legislators to restore jobs and funding to the cultural sector. In 2008 there were 342,000 ARTS JOBS from 51,000 ARTS BUSINESSES in New York State. Since cultural organizations spend more than 60% of their budgets on JOBS, cuts have already eroded employment and reduced full time jobs to part time.
Organizations large and small are reducing staff, benefits, programs, hours, and services to their communities at a time when the arts have had a $26 billion economic impact to the economy.
From NYS ARTS: The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations
REJECT TICKET TAX
February 27, 2009
Tell your legislators to reject the 4% TICKET TAX on theaters around the State.
This onerous tax could be doubled at the local level and will destroy the local support cultural organizations raise to keep tickets affordable and accessible in communities across the State.
Send your letter NOW!
From NYS ARTS: The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations
FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS FOR THE ARTS IN NY STATE
February 27, 2009
Word has it that NYS will receive $24.6 billion in federal stimulus funds.
Ask your legislator to put aside one-half of 1% from the federal stimulus public works program for public art to compliment the capital projects funded through the stimulus package.
Send your letter NOW!
From Americans for the Arts
Yes, We Can! Victory for the Arts in the Economic Recovery Bill
February 13, 2009
Just moments ago, the U.S. House of Representatives approved their final version of the Economic Recovery bill by a vote of 246-183. We can now confirm that the package DOES include $50 million in direct support for arts jobs through National Endowment for the Arts grants. We are also happy to report that the exclusionary Coburn Amendment language banning certain arts groups from receiving any other economic recovery funds has also been successfully removed. Tonight the Senate is scheduled to have their final vote, and President Obama plans to sign the bill on Monday — President’s Day. [President Obama will sign the bill on Tuesday in Denver].
A United Voice
This is an important victory for all of you as arts advocates. More than 85,000 letters were sent to Congress, thousands of calls were made, and hundreds of op-eds, letters to the editor, news stories, and blog entries were generated in print and online media about the role of the arts in the economy. Artists, business leaders, mayors, governors, and a full range of national, state, and local arts groups all united together on this advocacy issue. This outcome marks a stunning turnaround of events and exemplifies the power of grassroots arts advocacy.
We would like to also thank some key leaders on Capitol Hill who really carried our voices into the conference negotiation room and throughout the halls of Congress: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Appropriations Chairman Dave Obey (D-WI), House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA), and Congressional Arts Caucus Co-Chair Louise Slaughter (D-NY). We also want to publicly thank President Obama for taking the early lead in recognizing the role of the arts in economic development. These leaders were able to convincingly make the case that protecting jobs in the creative sector is integral to the U.S. economy.
What’s Next
As we wrap up our work on the Economic Recovery legislation, we wanted to share with you other upcoming legislative action that we are tracking:
- Finalization by early March of the FY 2009 appropriations, which has been operating under a continuing resolution for the last five months.
- Release of President Obama’s first federal budget for FY 2010 is expected in late March/early April.
- Hearings in the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee on the FY 2010 budget.
- Hearings in the House Education & Labor Committee on arts in the workforce and arts education
- The 22nd Annual National Arts Advocacy Day conference on Capitol Hill on March 30-31, 2009.
From NYS ARTS: The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations
NEA is IN! Coburn Arts Restrictions are OUT!
February 13, 2009
The Senate and House of Representatives are set to vote on final passage of the economic stimulus legislation — H.R.1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — which includes $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts.
The compromise version of the bill with tax breaks and spending totaling $789 billion stipulates that the arts funding goes for grants to activities and projects “which preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn”, with 40 percent of the amount going to state arts agencies and regional arts organizations (“in a manner similar to the agency’s current practice“) and the remainder going out in competitive grants from the NEA. Matching requirements are waived.
House and Senate negotiators on the bill dropped the language prohibiting stimulus funds from going to museums, theatres, and arts centers which was included in the version of the bill passed by the Senate. However, the legislation still excludes support from going to fund projects at zoos and aquariums along with casinos, golf courses and swimming pools.
Congratulations and appreciation to all of you who contacted your legislators in Washington urging their support for the arts funding in the stimulus package. The House allocated the money for the NEA from the beginning of the process, but the Senate did not include the arts funding in its draft of the stimulus bill. Your advocacy and the insistence of our champions in the House and Senate made the difference.
January 26, 2009
New York Folklore Society Challenge
Dear Friends of the New York Folklore Society,
Many of you have received a number of emails and letters recently regarding Governor Paterson’s proposed cut to the 2008-09 New York State Council on the Arts budget, and its potentially devastating effect on over 500 organizations in New York that have pending applications for support.
The Folklore Society is one of those organizations; hence, we have not received any general operating funds for 2009. We are taking every measure possible to trim expenses, including reducing staff hours significantly. Our need is real and immediate, and will affect our programs in 2009 if the budget cut is not overturned.
We are fortunate to have a dedicated staff and board who are willing to persevere through very difficult times, as well as expending extra efforts to advocate strongly in Albany for our cause. Members are also showing strong support with early renewals, renewing at higher levels, and are responding with letters and calls to our legislators. (Advocacy letter templates and addresses are available here.) For all of these efforts, thank you.
I would like to add a further incentive to encourage your additional support. In honor of my grandparents and the irreplaceable family traditions they passed on to me, I am offering a Board President’s Challenge Appeal to all friends and members of the Society. For every $2 donated to this Appeal, I will donate $1, up to $5,000. This will apply to all donations received in 2009; just indicate “Challenge Appeal” on your check or donation form.
I have had the honor of working in a State that I believe has best support of traditional arts anywhere, exemplified by more than sixty years of leadership by the Folklore Society, enriched by the support of the New York State Council on the Arts’ Folk Arts Program, and enlivened daily by folklore colleagues, traditional artists, and avid supporters. I thank you for joining me in maintaining this living legacy.
Karen Canning
Traditional Arts Program Director
Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!)
201 East Main St.
Batavia, NY 14020
|
Message from Kate Koperski, Director, Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University
“It was great to see the folk arts community come out in force on Arts Day! Following the joint meeting of the Senate and Assembly Arts Committees, over 128 people attended a Folk Arts reception sponsored by the New York Folklore Society and co-hosted by Senator Hugh Farley (44th Senate District, Republican) and Assemblyman John McEneny (104th Assembly District, Democrat).
Every corner of New York State was represented at the reception, with attendees coming from as far away as Niagara Falls, Long Island, and Canton. Many came bearing food from small producers in their home communities. Apple cider, Upstate cheddar cheese, baklava, ruchelach, and biscotti provided a sampling of the flavors of New York State.
Several artists donated their time and talent with Pete Rushefsky and Madeline Solomon performing on the cymbalon and flute, and Andre and Pamela Badila presenting the drumming traditions of the Congo. The reception, without doubt one of the most welcoming events of the day, was attended by folklorists and other arts professionals, legislators and their staffs, and friends of Folk Arts.
Many thanks to Ellen McHale, Director of the New York Folklore Society, and all of the organizers.”
January 21, 2009
Dear New York Folklore Society Member:
The New York Folklore Society is facing an unprecedented moment in its history.
Governor David Paterson has recommended a $7 million cut to the 08/09 budget of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). Unless the state legislature overturns this recommenda?tion, this cut will remain. This means that the New York Folklore Society, along with over 500 other arts organizations from throughout New York State, will receive no funding for 2009.
With the general operating and program support which the New York Folklore Society receives from NYSCA we are able to accomplish most of our key programs. These include:
- Voices: The Journal of New York Folklore
- Folk arts mentoring for folklorists, folk artists, and community scholars
- Professional development activities such as the Community Scholar Field School, forums, and technical workshops
- Artists’ development activities such as the Haudenosaunee Marketing Project
Without general support from the New York State Council on the Arts, these programs will not be possible in 2009. Your support is needed NOW more than ever! You can help us in the following ways:
- Please join the New York Folklore Society now, at the highest membership level you can manage. Your early membership renewal will save us a postage stamp. Even more, however, your membership will supply us with those much needed operating
funds.
- Write a letter (templates and addresses provided below), adding information about your own organization, and mail or fax copies to the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate, and your own state legislators — as well as a copy to Ellen at the NY Folklore Society (this last step is crucial).
And, please try to generate letters from other people as well — from the artists and audience members you serve, board members, friends and neighbors. We’ve heard many times that legislators actually measure the letters from advocates on their desk. Letters are more effective than e-mails.
- Please follow up your letter with a call to your state assemblyperson and state senator. It would also be extremely helpful to meet with your assemblyperson and state senator in their district office. If you know someone who knows the legislator, bring them along to the meeting, and you might also consider bringing board members and artists if you think they would help make the case for restoring NYSCA funding.
Thank you for your help and support of the New York Folklore Society and all arts in New York.
Karen Canning, President
Board of Directors
New York Folklore Society
Ellen McHale, Executive Director
New York Folklore Society
|
ACTION ALERT
URGENT ACTION IS NEEDED! Support the New York State Council on the Arts
UPDATE January 21, 2009
Dear NYS Colleagues:
Thank you for all those who have written or visited their representatives in their home offices or on January 13 in Albany. It is important to continue to talk to our legislators on both the local, statewide, and national levels.
Advocacy is continuing and I want to draw your attention to 3 items/events which demand your attention at this time.
- An open letter to the Governor will be mailed by the end of the week. This letter from the folk arts community is asking him to keep the arts infrastructure of the state intact and not decimate NYSCA by cutting $7 million in 08/09. At this point we only have 20 signatories on the letter. If you have not responded to the email asking for you to sign on to this letter to Governor Paterson regarding the restoration of funding for the arts in 08/09, please send me an email at emchale@nyfolklore.org to make sure that you are included!
- Through the generosity of Senator Hugh Farley’s office, we once again have a folk arts site for an Arts Day event on February 3 to take place within the Legislative Office Building. In the past we offered food and folk arts performances as a supplement to the Arts Day events planned by the Alliance. Because of budget cuts, this event has to be at no cost to the New York Folklore Society. If you can provide a regional/ethnic food and/or you will be able to bring a performer or crafts person with you for demonstration or performance, please let me or Dan Ward dward@cspot.org know ASAP. In addition, if you’d like to serve on a small steering committee to plan this, please also contact me at emchale@nyfolklore.org. It is critical that we make a strong statement for the importance of arts funding to the communities and constituents that we serve!
- Please see the following message from the National Council for Traditional Arts.
Subject: [PUBLORE] CALL TO THE FIELD FOR INFORMATION THAT WILL INFORM THE
EFFORTS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ARTS TRANSITION TEAM
CALL TO THE FIELD FOR INFORMATION THAT WILL INFORM THE EFFORTS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ARTS TRANSITION TEAM: Impact of the economic downturn on artists, organizations, agencies, projects, events and other related activities in the folk and traditional arts.
In a meeting on January 15, 2009 with key arts service organizations, Bill Ivey, Chair of the Presidential Arts Transition Team, strongly encouraged each arts discipline to gather information on the effects of economic downturn in its respective field.
The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) is coordinating a field-wide information gathering effort to assess the effects of the economic downturn on the folk and traditional arts. This information will be used to create an overview of the current state of affairs in our field. When added to data collected from other disciplines, it will strengthen the case for the inclusion of the arts in economic stimulus and recovery programs, as well as inform future arts policies, programs and initiatives. It is critical that the severity of the situation in our field be better understood.
It is important is that we as a field respond promptly. While Bill described the efforts of the Arts Transition Team as an “ongoing process,” events are moving quickly.
We request only a summary paragraph that addresses questions such as the following:
What is your current funding situation? What are your projections for 2009 and 2010? Has your organization already cut staff, budgets and/or projects? Are you anticipating such actions within the coming year? Please respond using percentages whenever appropriate. Is the existence of your organization, agency, project, event, livelihood threatened? What is happening in your state or region? Please include any other information you deem relevant. All information provided will be treated as confidential unless you indicate otherwise.
Our field includes a diverse group of individuals, organizations, agencies, programs and events. There is no comprehensive list that allows us to easily reach all concerned parties. You can help by passing along this request via other listservs and email groups with which you are familiar, or any other method you choose.
Please email responses to: info@ncta.net
Subject line (required): Hard Times/Traditional Arts
Thanks,
Julia
Julia Olin
Executive Director
National Council for the Traditional Arts
1320 Fenwick Lane, Suite 200
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-565-0654
julia@ncta.net
Thank you!
Ellen McHale
New York Folklore Society
Return to the top of page
HOME | ABOUT NYFS | PROGRAMS & SERVICES | MUSIC | PUBLICATIONS | RESOURCES | CALENDAR | WHAT’S FOLKLORE? | MEMBERSHIP | GALLERY | SHOP | SEARCH | CONTACT US
© 2009, 2008, 2007-1998 New York Folklore Society
|
