TCG Bulletin

July 2006, Volume 29, Issue 7

Also online this month:

FIELD LETTER

Ben Cameron's final Field Letter includes two of his speeches from last month's TCG National Conference in Atlanta.

• Click here to view the July 2006 Field Letter

CENTERPIECE: Focus on Education
The Rise of Standards and the Need for Assessment Models in the Arts

This two-part Centerpiece introduces the impetus for TCG's new education project and highlights the results of the 2005 Education Survey. Robert A. Southworth, Jr., leader of TCG's Theatre Education Assessment Models (TEAM) Working Group, reviews the latest arts education research and demonstrates that many of the studies identify a need for assessment models, which the TEAM Working Group will endeavor to develop over the next two years. Along with the 2005 Education Survey results portrayed within, customized reports are available online to all TCG members.

• Click here to download the July 2006 Centerpiece (PDF)

TCG NEWS

Gigi Bolt Named Interim Executive Director

TCG is pleased to announce that Gigi Bolt has been named interim executive director for the organization. Ms. Bolt had served as the director of theatre and music theatre at the NEA since 1995 until her recent departure from that post this past March. She will join TCG in mid-July and steer the organization until a new executive director is hired and in place at TCG.

Action: Visit the American Theatre section of the website to read an article on Gigi Bolt featured in the recent July/August issue of American Theatre magazine.

Joan Channick Accepts New Post

Following a successful seven-year stint with TCG, Joan Channick has announced that she will depart at the end of July to become managing director of Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT.

Action: Read Joan's letter to TCG's membership announcing her move, or visit the Long Wharf Theatre website to read a press release announcing her new position there.

Theatre Facts 2005 Now Available!

For over 30 years, TCG has provided the field with Theatre Facts, which uses responses to the annual TCG Fiscal Survey to offer an analysis of the field's attendance, performance and fiscal health. Theatre Facts is the only document analyzing the national not-for-profit theatre field and is a vital advocacy and policy tool for trustees, foundation and corporate executives, policy makers and the national press.

Theatre Facts 2005 contains information for the fiscal year that theatres completed any time between September 30, 2004, and August 31, 2005. In general, 2005 proved to be a period of growth for the field's health. Despite the distressing news that ticket sales and attendance were both down in 2005, the report demonstrates that the trend toward fiscal stability that emerged in 2004 has continued, with both earned and contributed income growth outpacing expense growth for the first time in the new millennium.

Action: Visit the Tools & Research section of the website to download Theatre Facts 2005. (PDF)

TCG Theatre Membership Renewal Deadline has passed!

TCG theatre membership renewal materials were mailed out to all member theatres at the end of February. We hope that you will once again choose to join the national theatre field in a spectrum of programs and conferences designed to further our collective artistic and management skills, advance internal field communication and position the field more effectively in our local and national communities.

As a TCG member, you belong to an increasingly vibrant community of more than 430 theatres and make a stand for artistry, effectiveness and advocacy. We hope that we can count you as part of the TCG family in the coming year.

Action: The deadline for theatre membership renewal was June 1. To avoid suspension of your membership and to ensure your listing in the 2006-2007 Theatre Directory, please contact Jen Cleary.

2006 New Artistic Leader Institute Postponed

The New Artistic Leader Institute (NALI), originally scheduled for August 10–13 in the San Diego area, has been postponed because of insufficient registration by member theatres. TCG has offered Leadership for Artistic Directors, another management workshop for artistic leaders, three times during the past year: as a pre-conference to the June 2005 TCG National Conference in Seattle, as a post-conference to the November 2005 Fall Forum in New York City, and at the June 2006 Dance/USA conference in Portland, Oregon. Our sense is that most new artistic leaders of TCG theatres attended one of these workshops, leaving less demand than usual for NALI, which is focused on the specific needs of new artistic leaders. In light of the low enrollment, we have decided to postpone NALI while we reconsider the timing and sequence of our programs for artistic leaders. New dates for NALI will be announced in the near future.

Action: If you have any questions about the New Artistic Leader Institute, contact Sheela Kangal.

Save the Date! 2006 TCG Fall Forum: November 10–12

TCG's annual Fall Forum brings together teams of artistic and management leaders and trustees to provide an opportunity for in-depth discussion on governance issues. The Forum gives theatre leaders the chance to hear some of the most provocative thinkers in the field and to engage with their peers in an intimate and informal setting. The 2006 Fall Forum will take place in New York City from November 10–12, 2006. Registration materials will be sent to all member theatres in late summer.

Action: Check the Events section of the website for details on the Forum later this summer.

NEA/TCG Theatre Residency for Playwrights

TCG is excited to announce that the NEA and Ford Foundation have renewed their support of the NEA/TCG Theatre Residency Program for Playwrights. Jointly developed by TCG and the NEA, the program affords playwrights the opportunity to create new plays in residence at a host theatre and to become an integral part of the theatre's artistic life and community activities. Eleven playwrights will receive $25,000 each in support of the residencies. Each playwright will also be eligible to receive up to $1,000 to support ongoing life needs (health insurance, child care and/or elder care). In addition, eleven host theatres will be provided with $4,000 each to enhance their ability to support the work of the resident playwright.

Action: The deadline for online intent to apply (required) is July 7. The application postmark deadline is July 31. Visit the Grants section of the website for more information or to submit your intent to apply online.

TCG Bulletin Notification Expands to Staff

TCG is now sending email notification of the TCG Bulletin and Field Letter directly to general managers, education directors, business managers, marketing directors, PR directors, literary managers, dramaturgs, development directors and associate artistic directors at TCG member theatres.

TCG is undertaking this effort in order to keep staff informed of the activities and developments of the not-for-profit theatre field, to deepen staff knowledge of TCG and to increase participation in our programs. Many of these senior staff already participate in TCG programs and have sent TCG their email addresses. However, we are far from a complete list. We strongly encourage you to send us email contacts for the aforementioned staff at your theatre.

Action: To receive notification of the TCG Bulletin and Field Letter by email, contact Cindy Lee.

TCG Requests Production Posters

TCG is requesting posters from your theatre's current season. We prominently display members' posters in our office, which not only creates a lively and attractive work environment but also helps us showcase the full diversity of our membership to the artists, funders, government leaders, theatre administrators and board members who visit TCG. We also remind you to send posters to your federal, state and local legislators. They often like to display their constituents' posters in their offices.

Action: Mail posters to Demosthenes Chrysan, TCG, 520 Eighth Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10018-4156, as well as your legislators.

TCG Trustee Leadership Network

All trustees of TCG member theatres are eligible to join the TCG Trustee Leadership Network. For $75 annually, the network affords trustees the following benefits: American Theatre magazine; annual TCG Theatre Directory; and notification of management publications including the TCG Bulletin, Field Letter and Centerpiece. Please encourage your board members to join.

Action: Visit the Membership section of the website to download a registration form or for more information.

TCG and League of American Theatres and Producers Collaborate on Quarterly Information Alerts to Commercial Producers

As part of ACT II's ongoing dialogue between not-for-profit theatres and commercial producers, TCG and the League of American Theatres and Producers have instituted quarterly alerts to commercial producers about upcoming workshops, staged readings and new productions of plays and musicals of particular interest.

If your theatre is developing a new work or production that you feel has commercial potential, it will be suitable for the alert. You will need to provide the following information: name of new work; author(s); theatre; a one-line description; dates and location of workshop, reading or production; and contact name, phone and email at the theatre. Entries will be distributed quarterly to League members.

Action: Submissions for the September 1 issue are due by August 15. To participate, email your details to Ben Pesner, League of American Theatres and Producers.

TCG Seeks Interns

TCG's Internship Program is looking for highly motivated individuals with good organizational, communication and computer skills. Learn about contemporary American theatre through contact with the artists and professionals who work in our over 430 member theatres, as well as constant interaction with the TCG staff and its unique resources. Internships are offered year-round in the following areas: Artistic Programs, Fundraising, Communications/Public Relations, Management Programs & Advocacy/Education Programs, American Theatre magazine/Publications, Graphic Design, Business Administration and Website. Spring, Summer and Fall 2006 internships are available.

Action: For more detailed information, please visit the About TCG section of the website. To apply, email your résumé and a cover letter indicating primary area of interest to Jen Cleary.

Club Quarters: A Benefit for TCG Member Theatres, Affiliates and Individual Members

Club Quarters are private, full service hotels exclusively for member organizations; they offer unique, user-friendly services designed for both business and leisure. Club Quarters have rooms of various sizes for long or short stays and each location has a restaurant and bar, club room, fitness facility and meeting space accommodating up to 250 people.

TCG is a member of Club Quarters, and TCG member theatres, affiliates and individual members can pay low rates for quality hotel rooms in eleven prime urban locations, such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston and London.

Action: Visit the Club Quarters website or call Club Quarters Member Services at 212-575-0006 to make reservations or for more information. Your password is TCG.

ADVOCACY NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN ARTS ALLIANCE AND TCG

Senate Supports Artist Visa Improvements!

In late May, the arts community achieved a major milestone in the five-year quest to improve the visa process for foreign guest artists. As part of their comprehensive immigration bill, the Senate approved a provision that will require U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to speed up visa processing for artists. If included in the final immigration reform measure still to be worked out by Congress and the White House, this provision would improve opportunities for U.S. audiences to experience international artistry and significantly reduce the anxiety, uncertainty and financial costs currently suffered by not-for-profit arts organizations pursuing artist visas.

In response to the extreme visa challenges endured since June of 2001, the arts community called for an amendment that would significantly improve the reliability of the artist visa process. The provision would reduce the current processing times for O and P not-for-profit arts-related visa petitions to a maximum of 45 days by requiring USCIS to treat as a Premium Processing case (15-day turn-around), free of additional charge, any not-for-profit arts-related O and P visa petition that it fails to adjudicate within 30 days.

The artist visa provision was filed by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), and was included in a larger package of amendments to the Senate immigration bill (so there is no up-or-down voting record on the specific artist provision). This relief for artist visas found overwhelming bi-partisan support, and several Senators (noted below) provided crucial leadership that led to success. Key support was provided by Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA), Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Edward Kennedy (D-MA).

While Congress has much more work to do before the contentious immigration reform bill is signed into law, this support from the Senate demonstrates the urgent need for artist visa improvements. Clearly, the debate surrounding comprehensive immigration reform is extremely complicated and the arts community does not take a position on the overall immigration reform measure. However, we are hopeful that the artist visa provision will remain in the final immigration bill that is crafted during House and Senate negotiations this summer.

Action: If your Senator is listed here, please be in touch to express your thanks: John Kerry (D-MA); Arlen Specter (R-PA); Edward Kennedy (D-MA); Patrick Leahy (D-VT); Sam Brownback (R-KS); John Cornyn (R-TX); Mike DeWine (R-OH); Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Orrin Hatch (R-UT); Mel Martinez (R-FL); Charles Schumer (D-NY). Please stay tuned—we will keep you posted about future advocacy opportunities.

Charitable Giving Incentives: Senate Vote to Repeal the Estate Tax Fails

On June 8, a motion to bring a bill to fully repeal the estate tax to the Senate floor for debate failed, 57-41, three votes short of the 60 needed. The 57 votes in favor of full repeal puts the Senate closer than the last time the Senate voted on the issue, in 2002. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) is leaving open the possibility of scheduling a vote on one of the numerous compromise proposals.

Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) has proposed an option that would allow a $5 million per spouse exemption amount and an estate tax rate of 15 percent, currently the maximum tax rate on capital gains. Independent Sector (I.S.) says this would greatly reduce the number of estates subject to the tax and would eliminate a significant incentive for charitable giving. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says the Kyl plan would cost the Treasury more than $600 billion. It is also possible that Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Max Baucus (D-MT) will offer a proposal for graduated tax rates of 15, 25, and 35 percent, determined by an estate's size.

I.S. opposes both full repeal and proposals that significantly reduce the top tax rate (currently 47 percent) because studies have shown that the most significant incentive for charitable contributions from estates is the top tax rate. I.S. has sent several letters to key Senators urging them to oppose permanent repeal or irresponsible reform, and instead to support estate tax reform that preserves incentives for charitable giving and retains significant revenue for the federal treasury. The American Arts Alliance has sent one letter to key Senators and mobilized members to send letters to Senators last fall.

Action: None

ARTS EDUCATION

Arts Education Gets Zeroed Out in House Mark-Up of Labor-HHS Appropriations

On Wednesday, June 7, the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education marked up the Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill which contains funding for the Arts in Education program at the Department of Education. As expected, the Arts in Education program received zero funding. And on Tuesday, June 13, the House Full Appropriations Committee approved the cuts made by the Subcommittee. The arts education program was funded at $35.6 million in FY 2006 and over the past five years has made 122 grants to school districts and local arts education partners around the country. These investments in arts education and research have produced model programs that help schools improve achievement across the board. Without any funding in FY 2007, these model grants will come to a complete stop.

Action: In the next few weeks, the full House of Representatives will consider the Labor, HHS, Education spending on the Floor. Please write to your Members of Congress and urge them to restore this important funding!

DEVELOPMENT

Experiment Suggests That Bigger Matching Gifts Don't Produce More Donors

A new report by two economics professors from Yale University and the University of Chicago reveals an interesting trend that could have implications for the way not-for-profit organizations conduct fundraising campaigns. Based on a field experiment, the report confirms that fundraising campaigns featuring matching contributions from foundations or other donors are consistently more successful than those that don't (both in terms of revenue per solicitation and the probability that an individual donates). However, it also suggests that larger match ratios (i.e., $3:$1 or $2:$1) have no additional impact over a simple dollar-for-dollar match. In light of this new data, not-for-profit organizations may want to reconsider the amount of time and resources they spend pursuing higher-ratio matching agreements. According to the report, doing so won't elicit any more individual contributions than a dollar-for-dollar match.

Action: Visit the Yale University website to view the full report.
Source: Chronicle of Philanthropy, June 15, 2006

Signature Theatre Gets $1 Million for New Musical Program

Signature Theatre (Arlington, VA) received a $1 million grant from the Shen Family Foundation. The company will use the grant to launch the American Musical Voices Project, a two-pronged program consisting of Musical Theatre Composer Grants and Musical Theatre Leadership Awards. In recognition of the gift, the Project and its constituent programs will be named for the Foundation.

Action: Visit the Signature Theatre website to view a press release on the grant and the American Musical Voices Project.
Source: Chronicle of Philanthropy, May 18, 2006

Childsplay Receives $500,000

Childsplay (Tempe, AZ) received a $500,000 grant (over three years) from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust in support of its campaign to build a new arts center and to consolidate operations.

Action: None
Source: Chronicle of Philanthropy, June 15, 2006

San Jose Rep Receives $150,000

San Jose Repertory Theatre (San Jose, CA) was given a $150,000 general support grant by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Action: None
Source: Chronicle of Philanthropy, June 15, 2006

Dell'Arte Receives $100,000 Grant for Festival

Dell'Arte International (Blue Lake, CA) received a $100,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to support its weeklong National Ensemble Theater Festival.

Action: None
Source: Chronicle of Philanthropy, June 15, 2006

INTERNATIONAL NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES

14th International Schillertage Festival in Mannheim, Germany in June 2007

The organizers of the 14th International Schillertage Festival in Mannheim, Germany are searching for theatres or groups who are currently performing or plan to perform in the near future any plays by German classical playwright Friedrich Schiller. The Festival will take place from June 15–23, 2007. Its aim is to demonstrate the variety and vividness of Schiller´s work by presenting an extensive program of contemporary productions through its guest performance program. National and international ensembles are invited to present to an extensive audience individual points of view of Schiller´s life and work.

Action: The deadline for submitting the participant questionnaire is July 15. If you are interested in presenting one of Schiller's plays at the Festival, download and complete the questionnaire. Submission instructions are included on the questionnaire. If you have any questions, email project assistant Yasemin Retter.

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