TCG Bulletin

May 2006, Volume 29, Issue 5

Also online this month:

FIELD LETTER

In the May Field Letter, Cameron contemplates questions he is being asked with increasing frequency, including whether or not the 501(c)(3) model is broken. "I for one refuse to believe that we will be strengthened as a nation by allowing the market to be the ultimate arbiter of value or that we really collectively believe the central premises underlying the not-for-profit model are flawed. The 501(c)(3), for me, may be ailing in some ways—we may be collectively cutting off its air supply, metaphorically speaking—but that is not tantamount to saying it is broken—yet. And some of the means for improving it may still lie within our grasp."

• Click here to view the May 2006 Field Letter

CENTERPIECE: Focus on International Programs
International Programming in American Theatres: Findings From a National Survey

This report summarizes and analyzes the results of an online survey conducted in June 2005, in which 106 TCG member theatres answered questions about international issues and how they are emerging in the theatres' future plans.

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

TCG NEWS

TCG Theatre Membership Renewal Deadline June 1!

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. Especially in these times, our collective strength depends on our ability to find a place to join together and to share and learn from one another. We hope that TCG will provide you with such an opportunity for learning and sharing.

Please join us again as we tackle the issues affecting the theatre field this year. 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 look forward to counting you as part of the TCG family in the coming year.

Action: The deadline for theatre membership renewal is June 1. Contact Jen Cleary for more information or to obtain duplicate copies of renewal materials.

TCG National Conference: Deadline May 1!

Register now for the TCG National Conference, Building Future Audience! Invitations have been sent to all TCG member theatres. The conference, which will be hosted by the Atlanta theatre community, will be held at the Woodruff Arts Center, home of the Alliance Theatre, from June 8–10. This year's conference speakers include Anne Bogart, Guy Garcia, Colin Greer, Kevin McCarthy, Wendy Puriefoy and more. Member theatres may also nominate individual or international artists to attend the conference—email conference@tcg.org for more information. On June 8, Blue Ocean Strategy, this year's pre-conference, will focus on strategic planning in a time of change. Space is limited, so register now to avoid disappointment! We'll see you in Atlanta in June!

Action: The registration deadline is May 1. Visit the Events section of the website for more information or to register, and check back frequently for updates.

Expanding the Theatre Manager's Repertoire: Registration Deadline May 19!

For the ninth consecutive year, TCG is offering the unique and successful training program Expanding the Theatre Manager's Repertoire, continuing our relationship with Target Corporation. Building on Target's own human resources training methods, which exemplify the best practices in the corporate sector, this program is specifically tailored for theatre professionals who manage staff. The 2006 program will take place in Detroit on August 7–8. Invitation emails were sent to managing leaders and other senior staff members (if TCG had an email address for them—see story below]) in mid-April. This program consistently reaches capacity, so register early!

Action: The registration deadline is May 19. Visit the Events section of the website for more information or to download the registration form.

New Artistic Leader Institute

TCG is pleased to announce the 2006 New Artistic Leader Institute, a program supported with funds from the NEA and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. 2006 will mark the fourth Institute, which will be held from August 8–11 in the San Diego area. Its goal is to orient new and prospective artistic directors to the non-artistic aspects of leading a theatre company. While there are numerous professional and academic programs focusing on theatre management, there are few available that introduce artists to the responsibilities which will, in all likelihood, extend beyond their prior experiences. Artistic leaders who have been at their theatres since 2004 are eligible to apply for the Institute. Resident directors, associate artistic directors and freelance artists are also eligible to apply. The registration fee of $300 includes materials as well as continental breakfasts and lunches. Limited scholarship funding will be available.

A task force of artistic leaders will meet in the coming weeks to help shape the curriculum, which could include partnerships between artistic and management leaders, strategic planning, audience development, financial management and working with a board of directors.

Action: For more information on the New Artistic Leader Institute and a link to the online application, email Sheela Kangal.

Free Night of Theater to Expand to Fifteen Communities in 2006

Based on the overwhelming success of 2005's much heralded pilot program to attract new audiences to live theatre, TCG is pleased to announce that it is now developing the 2006 Free Night of Theater campaign. The 2006 campaign will include the expansion to fifteen communities across the country, with the ultimate goal of a truly national event in 2007.

Free Night of Theater 2006 will open simultaneously on Thursday, October 19, 2006, in Atlanta (GA), Austin (TX), Boston (MA), Cleveland (OH), Detroit (MI), Eugene (OR), Los Angeles (CA), New Haven (CT), Philadelphia (PA), San Francisco (CA), Seattle (WA), Washington (DC) and statewide in New Jersey, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

Action: Visit the Events section of the website for more details on the 2006 campaign, or email Phillip Matthews.

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. The NEA/TCG Theatre Residency Program for Playwrights, jointly developed by TCG and the NEA, 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/ITI Travel Grants Deadline Announced for Fall 2006

TCG/ITI Travel Grants, funded by the Trust for Mutual Understanding, are designed to foster cultural exchange and artistic partnerships between theatre professionals in the United States and their counterparts in Russia and Eastern and Central Europe. These $2,500 grants support travel in either direction between theatre artists, administrators and educators, enabling them to share ideas, gain exposure to each other's cultural traditions and communicate contemporary theatre techniques. Recipients may be either a U.S. not-for-profit theatre applying on behalf of a theatre professional or an individual theatre professional who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.

Action: The postmark deadline for fall 2006 TCG/ITI Travel Grant applications is October 27, 2006. Visit the Grants section of the website for application guidelines and more information.

TCG Bulletin Notification Expands to Staff

TCG has begun to send 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, Ben Cameron's 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 June 1 issue are due by May 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

Congressional Arts Caucus Circulates Letter in Support of NEA

The co-chairs of the Congressional Arts Caucus, Representatives Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) have circulated a Dear Colleague letter among their congressional colleagues, asking them to support an increase in funding for the NEA. The letter was sent to the Chair of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Representative Charles Taylor (R-NC) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Representative Norm Dicks (D-WA) and included 122 Congressional signatures.

Action: Visit the Arts Action Fund website to view the letter and the list of Members of Congress who signed it. This is only the beginning of the appropriations cycle for FY07. Please stay tuned for timely Action Alerts from the American Arts Alliance when your voice is needed—and please participate when the calls go out for action!

Economic Impact of the Arts Reports

Not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations in North Texas are projected to add more than $828.5 million to the region's economy in 2006 according to a study by North Texas Business for Culture and the Arts (NTBCA) and Deloitte released on March 28.

Another study on the role of the cultural sector in the Austin economy was recently completed by local economic analysis and public policy consulting firm, TXP Inc. The report completes one piece of the Austin Community Cultural Plan process currently under way in the City of Austin Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office. TXP Inc. has determined the cultural sector annually contributes more than $2.2 billion to the local economy and $48 million to the City's tax revenues and represents nearly 44,000 jobs.

Action: Visit the NTBCA website to download the complete North Texas study as a Microsoft Word document. Visit the Austin City Connection website to view the full Austin report as an Adobe PDF.

ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES

Discovering Justice Through A.R.T. Playwriting Contest

Discovering Justice and the American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) are seeking original dramas (at least forty-five minutes but no longer than one hour) that deal with historically relevant moments in United States constitutional history that have modern echoes such as the conflict between individual rights and national security in times of war. The winning entry will be an historical, educational theatre piece to be acted by professional actors using courtrooms as theatres and suitable for students in grades 8–12, but with interest for adult audiences as well. The winning playwright will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a staged reading of the play in 2006/7 at the A.R.T.'s Zero Arrow Theatre in Cambridge, MA. If the play is deemed to be of appropriate quality, then a fully staged version of the play will be produced at the Zero Arrow Theatre in Cambridge, MA, and then go into residence in the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse or the John Adams Courthouse (home of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court), both in Boston, as part of Discovering Justice's theatre program which uses the performing arts in the civic realm to educate children about American Constitutional history, justice and democracy. Before any winning play is produced, Discovering Justice and the A.R.T. would enter into an exclusive rights agreement with the winning playwright.

Action: The deadline for submissions is September 1. Visit the Discovering Justice website to view a PDF with more information and complete submission guidelines.

ARTS EDUCATION

Center on Education Policy Report on No Child Left Behind

A recent report from the Center on Education Policy titled From the Capital to the Classroom: Year 4 of the No Child Left Behind Act cites gains in achievement but a narrowing of the curriculum. According to the report, 71 percent of districts have reduced instructional time in at least one other subject to make more time for reading and mathematics, the topics tested for NCLB purposes. It was further reported that one-third (33 percent) of school districts reported reducing time for social studies "somewhat or to a great extent" to make time for reading and math, while 29 percent said they had reduced time for science and 22 percent for art and music.

Action: Visit the Center on Educational Policy website to view the full report.

Statement on Arts Education Issued at UNESCO Conference

The first ever declaration of the worldwide arts education organizations was issued in March at the first-ever UNESCO worldwide arts education conference in Lisbon. This is a landmark statement of beliefs across disciplines and around the world. It was hashed out just before the conference. While it was presented at the UNESCO conference, it was not officially a UNESCO initiative. UNESCO also produced a "roadmap" of emerging ideas which will be available on the web soon.

Arts education consultant Eric Booth attended and spoke at the conference, and reports that almost all country delegations feel the same educational pressure toward literacy and numeracy and that they mostly found this pressure to be reductive and damaging to arts education. He found a clear sense that the worldwide advocacy argument is "Literacy. Numeracy. Creativity." That trio of priorities captured the wide range of aspirations of how to position arts learning, and how to prioritize the professional development we do within arts learning to make sure we effectively develop creative skills.

Action: Visit the International Society for Education through Art website to view the arts education declaration. For more information on the UNESCO conference, visit the UNESCO Links to Education and Art website.

CONFERENCES & SEMINARS

Development Directors Conference in Los Angeles

The second annual conference for theatre development directors and their staff is being hosted this year in Los Angeles by Center Theatre Group and the Geffen Theatre. The conference is scheduled for July 20–July 22. The conference will focus on fundraising in a deficit environment and include panels, break-out sessions, keynote speakers and more on all areas of development.

Action: The registration deadline for this conference is May 31. For more information on the conference, please contact Erica Lotzer (special events coordinator, Center Theatre Group) at 213-972-7564.

14th Annual Last Frontier Theatre Conference (Valdez, Alaska)

The Last Frontier Theatre Conference is a chance for people who write plays to become playwrights and for writers, actors and others involved in theatre production to network. There will be more classes this year, with an emphasis on practical elements of playwriting craft and business, in addition to more classes for actors. The 2006 Conference will take place June 17–24 at Prince William Sound Community College in Valdez, Alaska.

Action: The deadline to register (without paying a higher fee) is May 30. Visit the Prince William Sound Community College website for more information or to download the registration form.

DEVELOPMENT

Report on Foundation Growth and Giving Estimates Available Online

Giving by the nation's 68,000 grantmaking foundations grew to $33.6 billion in 2005, according to Foundation Growth and Giving Estimates: Current Outlook, a new report from the New York City-based Foundation Center, which is available as a free PDF download. This estimated 5.5 percent increase was consistent with the 5.1 percent gain recorded in 2004. Continued, albeit slower stock market growth, higher levels of new gifts into corporate and community foundations, and the giving of newly established foundations were the primary factors in 2005 growth. Exceptional grantmaking in response to the South Asian tsunami and Gulf Coast hurricanes also helped to raise the overall level of giving.

The steady but unremarkable growth in foundation giving was reflected in funders' grantmaking strategies. According to the Foundation Center's 2006 "Foundation Giving Forecast Survey," roughly 32 percent of foundations increased the number of grants they made in 2005—nearly unchanged from 2004. Similarly, the 28 percent share of respondents that increased the number of not-for-profit organizations they supported was also consistent with the prior year. In a period of more substantial asset growth, these shares would undoubtedly be larger.

Action: Visit the Foundation Center website to download the report as a PDF.

Old Globe Receives $39 Million in Recent Gifts

The Old Globe in San Diego, CA, has received several substantial recent gifts, totaling $39 million, in response to its $75 million capital campaign. The most significant gift of $20 million (the largest gift in the theatre's history) came from Donald and Darlene Shiley, for endowment and artistic expenses. Ms. Shiley is a former member of the theatre's board. While the Old Globe plans to name its stage for the couple, the Shileys stipulated that the entire theatre continue to operate under its current name as long as it exists.

Another major gift of $10 million was given by Conrad Prebys. Another $5 million, for education programs and facilities, was given by Donald and Karen Cohn (Ms. Cohn is a former theatre board chair). The theatre also received a $3 million gift from its current board chair, Kathryn Hattox, and a $1 million gift from Harvey and Cheryl White.

Action: None
Source: PNNOnline, March 24, 2006
Source: Chronicle of Philanthropy, April 6, 2006

Guthrie Theater Receives $300,000 Grant

The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN, received $300,000 in general support from the Minneapolis-based McKnight Foundation.

Action: None
Source: Chronicle of Philanthropy, April 6, 2006

INTERNATIONAL NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES

U.S-Japan Creative Artists' Program: Deadline June 26

The U.S.-Japan Creative Artists' Program provides five-month residencies in Japan for individual creative artists in any discipline. While in Japan, artists work on an individual project that may include the creation of new work or pursuit of other artistic goals. When planning the stay abroad, artists should consider how exposure to Japan's contemporary or traditional cultures can influence their creative work. Five awards are made annually. This program is administered jointly by the NEA and the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission.

Action: The application deadline is June 26. Visit the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission website for application guidelines and more information on the program.

MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH

New Report on Not-For-Profit Executive Leadership Available Online

CompassPoint has released Daring to Lead 2006, a comprehensive national study of executive leadership at community-based not-for-profits. (TCG executive director Ben Cameron references the study in his May Field Letter.) Based on nearly 2,000 surveys from 8 metropolitan areas, the report provides current data on executive turnover, compensation, career plans and retirement. It also explores leading causes of executive burnout—in particular, widespread frustration with boards of directors and funders. The report concludes with recommendations to executives, boards, funders and capacity builders.

Action: Visit the CompassPoint website to view the report as a PDF.

RESOURCES

New Website Features Database of Performing Arts Festivals

KadmusArts has launched the most comprehensive website for and about performing arts festivals all over the world. With a current database of over 4,500 festivals, KadmusArts.com serves as a resource and social network for festivals, audiences, artists and cultural tourists. KadmusArts.com has created a central location where users can find practical information for planning as well as more in-depth content such as background articles, biographies, interviews, books, photos and artist websites.

Action: Visit the KadmusArts website to check out the new performing arts festival database.

Website Allows Users to Print Postage Without Special Equipment

Stamps.com is an internet-based company approved by the U.S. Postal Service that allows users to print postage from any Windows-based computer and printer. Users utilize Stamps.com's software to purchase postage that resides in their account and is automatically deducted as they print postage. Accounts can be replenished at any time using a credit card.

The software allows users to print their own postage stamps in any denomination, and for the exact amount of postage needed. Postage can be printed on any standard laser or dot matrix printer capable of 300 dpi output, and can be printed on envelopes or special postage labels available from Stamps.com or in many office supply stores. There is a monthly charge of $15.95 for using the service. Stamps.com frequently runs specials that supply a digital postage scale for very little cost, or even free. This service could possibly save time and money for theatres that do not have a postage meter in their offices.

Action: Visit the Stamps.com website for more information or to sign up for a free trial.

TCG DEADLINES

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Information appearing in the TCG Bulletin may not be reprinted without permission.