TCG Bulletin

November 2006, Volume 29, Issue 11

Also online this month:

FIELD LETTER

In the November Field Letter, Gigi celebrates, among other things, the successful execution of TCG's second annual Free Night of Theater and the long-sought availability of disaster relief from FEMA for performing arts organizations. She also highlights new and upcoming TCG events and publications (including Susan-Lori Parks' 365 Days/365 Plays), and addresses other happenings and developments from the field: "Recent discussions involve the possibility of lobbying the government to change legislation to allow phone blockers to be used in theatres. The Communications Act of 1934 makes it illegal to interfere with radio communications, which includes cell phone signals, though the technical issues may be more complex—involving a distinction between active and passive blocking. Could this be a movement in the making?"

• Click here to view the November 2006 Field Letter.

TCG NEWS

Salary Survey 2007 Deadline Extended

Have you submitted your 2007 Salary Survey yet? If not, make sure you do! The results of this invaluable online survey are only available to TCG Member Theatres that participate each year. The new deadline is Friday, November 17.

Not sure what this survey can do for you? The Salary Survey reports the salary range and average for more than 60 job titles that are common among not-for-profit theatres, from artistic director to box office manager. The survey also tracks average fees paid to guest artists and average weekly salaries for both union and non-union actors and stage managers. Participants receive a full summary results report, as well as the opportunity to request custom reports throughout the year. Data can be broken down by budget group and a range of other criteria for easy comparison. Remember, surveys are confidential and only managing leaders from participating TCG organizations are entitled to receive the results.

Action: The extended deadline is Friday, November 17. An email was sent to managing leaders at TCG member theatres last month with a link to the survey, or you can visit the Tools & Research section of the website for a link to the online survey form. You will need your username and password to access the survey.

Fiscal Survey 2006

It's that time of year once again—the Fiscal Survey is coming to you online! Later this month, TCG will send managing leaders an email with a link to our interactive Fiscal Survey 2006. You will need your TCG username and password in order to complete the survey. If you do not have your username and password, email customer service. For easier workflow, we recommend printing the survey worksheet and completing the survey offline and then entering the results on our website. Advantages of the online survey include:

While we recognize that the survey can be a burden on your time and energy, please let us urge you to complete it. Theatre Facts, the annual in-depth report drawn from this data, is the only document analyzing the national not-for-profit theatre field and is a vital advocacy and policy tool for trustees, foundation and corporation executives, policymakers and the national press. Also, only participating theatres will have online access to the full survey results. We will not be able to accept surveys after the survey is closed! Remember, in order to apply for any TCG grant program, completion of the Fiscal Survey is required.

Action: TCG will send an email alert with a link to the survey to managing leaders later this month.

Fall Forum 2006 is Just Weeks Away!

The TCG Fall Forum 2006, Backstage with the Board: A Look at Art-Making (November 10–12) is designed to enhance board effectiveness and performance. While historically Fall Forums have dealt with management structure and financial issues, last year we focused on the artistic process, with a special emphasis on playwriting. This year, we continue the conversation on art-making with an emphasis on adaptation and design. We will seek to explore the links between financial planning, governance and artistic mission/aspiration. How can board members best support and contribute to the artistic mission of the theatre? How can board members think about artistic success beyond critical reviews and box office receipts? What is the role of creativity in true leadership?

The focus on art-making at Fall Forum 2006 will be expanded upon with continued discussion of American theatre in the new century at the 2007 TCG National Conference, to be held at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis next June. We look forward to engaging board members and theatre leaders in this important discussion, both at the Fall Forum and next year in Minneapolis.

Action: The registration deadline has passed and the Forum is almost sold out, but late registration (subject to a higher fee) may be available. Contact Chris Shuff if you wish to late register. Visit the Events section of the website for more information.

Seminar for Artistic and Managing Director Pairs Coming February 2007

Responding to the need to address the issues around dual leadership, TCG and Dance/USA, in association with the Institute for Cultural Policy and Practice at Virginia Tech, present a unique opportunity for artistic and managing director pairs from theatre and dance companies to build their understanding of the unique challenges to developing sustainable and effective dual leadership structures. This highly engaging seminar will focus on the competencies and practices required to build strong team-based leadership models that support the artistic vision and institutional sustainability necessary for successful long-term impact.

Action: The seminar will take place in Philadelphia from February 25–27, 2007. An email will be sent in November to artistic and managing leaders with more information and registration materials. Check the Events section of the website in the coming weeks for more detailed program descriptions and faculty.

2007 National Conference

Get out your calendars—the 2007 National Conference is coming to Minneapolis and St. Paul! TCG will hold its annual National Conference next year in the Twin Cities from June 7–9. On June 6, we'll start things off with a Pre-Conference for Member Theatres' education staff: Theatre Educators Training: Building a National TEAM (Theatre Education Assessment Models). Hosted by the Guthrie Theater in their new theatre complex, next year's conference is sure to be thought-provoking and inspiring.

Action: Registration packets will be mailed to member theatres in December 2006. Continue to check the Events section of the website for inside information and updates.

Free Night of Theater Opens from Coast to Coast

TCG is pleased to announce that the 2006 Free Night of Theater campaign, its national program to attract new audiences to live theatre, debuted across the country on Thursday, October 19.

Free Night of Theater 2006 offered 35,583 tickets to 522 performances at 387 participating theatres from coast to coast. Interest in the program generated an unprecedented response for tickets with entire ticket inventories in many communities gone within hours of the program's launch. As a result of the demand for tickets, local theatre companies responded by offering an additional 7,791 tickets to the program.

Action: Visit the About TCG section of the website to read the TCG national press release. For more information on our regional managing partners, as well as a complete listing of participating theatres, visit the Free Night of Theater website.

TCG Board of Directors Nominations

We are currently soliciting nominations for the TCG Board of Directors to fill the positions left open by the Board members whose terms are expiring at the end of the 2006–2007 year. The Board is comprised of artistic and managing leaders, trustees, individual artists, funders and others representing the full spectrum of our field. We invite you to express your interest in serving by submitting a self-nomination or by nominating a colleague. To find out more about the current TCG Board make-up and the nomination process, please see this month's Field Letter.

Action:The deadline for nominations is Friday, December 8. To submit a nomination, please download fill out the nomination form and, along with the requested supplemental material, mail it back to TCG. If you have any questions, please contact Jen Cleary.

2007 Observership Program Grants: Deadline November 1

Recipients of the Observership Program, TCG's oldest grant program, are given travel stipends of up to $2,000 to travel across the country and internationally. The program provides opportunities for key staff at TCG member theatres to observe the administrative and artistic work of other theatres and to meet with colleagues.

Action: The postmark deadline for the 2007 Observership Program is November 1. Visit the Grants section of the website for more information or contact Casey Baltes.

Call for Nominations: 2007 Alan Schneider Director Award

Beginning in mid-November, we will be accepting nominations from artistic directors for the 2007 Alan Schneider Director Award, given in honor of Alan Schneider's significant contribution to the American theatre and his lifelong concern for the development of career opportunities for freelance directors. The $10,000 award has been designed to identify and assist exceptionally talented mid-career freelance directors whose talent has been demonstrated through work in specific regions, but who are not known nationally. It may be used for travel, research or other activities specifically focused on the development of the directing craft or on career opportunities. The award will be presented at the TCG National Conference in Minneapolis, where the recipient will receive valuable exposure. Previous award winners are Mark Brokaw, Peter C. Brosius, Kyle Donnelly, Michael John Garcés, Henry Godinez, Nancy Keystone, Roberta Levitow, Charles Newell, Roman Paska, Mary Robinson, David Saint and Darko Tresnjak.

Action: Visit the Grants section of the website for more information on the award. The nomination deadline will be January 12, 2007. Nomination forms will be made available later this month.

2007 Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowships

Next year, we will be accepting applications for a second round of the Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowships. Six fellowships will be awarded to support an individual actor's professional and artistic development and underwrite a four-month residency at a TCG member theatre. Actors will receive up to $25,000. Host theatres will receive grants of $5,000 in support of the residency. The fellowship must occur between October 2007 and March 2011.

Action: The deadline for the online Intent to Apply form is January 16, 2007. Visit the Grants section of the website for more information or to download application materials.

NEA/TCG Career Development Programs for Theatre Directors and Designers

TCG is pleased to announce the 2007 deadlines for the NEA/TCG Career Development Programs for Theatre Directors and Designers. The programs provide $22,500 each to seven early-career directors and seven designers who are exceptionally talented and seek a career in America's not-for-profit professional theatre. Early-career directors, as well as scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers spend six months within a two-year period developing their creative skills and expanding their knowledge of the field. The earliest start date for recipients is October 1, 2007. All program activity must conclude by September 30, 2009.

Action: The postmark deadline for applying to the 2007 Designers Program is February 5, 2007. The postmark deadline for applying to the 2007 Directors Program is February 12, 2007. Please pass this information to appropriate candidates. Visit the Grants section of the website for more information on the Career Development Programs.

New Generations Program: Future Collaborations—TCG/ITI International Fellowships

The Future Collaborations objective of the New Generations Program provides grants for theatre professionals to travel internationally, enabling them to share ideas and techniques and/or collaborate. In round 7 of the program, $3,000 grants will be awarded for unrestricted international travel.

Action: The deadline to complete the the online intent to apply form is February 23, 2007. Visit the Grants section of the website for more information.

2006-2007 TCG Theatre Directory

Next month, TCG Member Theatres will receive a complimentary copy of the 2006-2007 TCG Theatre Directory. Please consider ordering additional copies for your staff. TCG's annual guide to theatres and related organizations contains personnel information from over 425 theatres nationwide, including addresses, email and websites. Also included are notes about theatres' special interests and an index to theatre and service organization personnel.

Action: Individual copies are $14.95 each and shipping is $5.00 for the first copy and $.50 for each additional copy. TCG Member Theatres save 15% ($12.70) when ordering one additional copy and save 30% ($10.45) when ordering two to four copies. Order five copies or more and save 50% ($7.45 each). For additional information contact customer service at (212) 609-5900.

Wanted: Electronic Human Resources Documents for TCG's Topical Files

As a service for member theatres, TCG maintains electronic resource files for inquiries about performance reviews, job descriptions, organizational structure, trustee evaluation, software packages and more. Some of our most useful and most requested files contain employee handbooks, reviews, job descriptions and contracts that are submitted by member theatres to be used as a resource by other member theatres.

All member theatres are encouraged to send us any electronic human resources-related documents they utilize for inclusion in these files. We can remove any language that identifies your theatre, if you wish to contribute anonymously. In particular, we are looking to expand our collection of employment contracts for full-time and management-level staff, but we gladly welcome any and all submissions. Also, if you have worked with a consultant that you particularly would recommend, please forward their information as well.

Action: If you have any documents that you would like to contribute to our files, please email them as an attachment (Microsoft Word preferred) to Jason Schroeder.

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 Jessica Schnall.

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 December 1 issue are due by November 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 445 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 internships are available.

Action: Visit the About TCG section of the website for more information. 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. A brand new Club Quarters was recently opened at Rockefeller Center in New York.

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

Help Increase NEA Funding

The House of Representatives has approved an increase in funding for the NEA for FY07 while the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved level funding. It is likely that NEA funding will be rolled into a giant package of funding measures that Congress will consider in November.

Action: To ensure that the NEA is not overlooked, please ask your Senators to sign the Senate "Dear Colleague" letter in support of a $5–$10 million increase for the NEA. Visit the American Arts Alliance website for more background and a sample email you can quickly send to your Senators.

NEA Chairman Dana Gioia Nominated for Reappointment

President Bush has nominated Dana Gioia to be reappointed as the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Action: Visit the White House website to see the official nomination.

FEMA Support for Performing Arts Approved!

Congress has recognized the public value of performing arts organizations by addressing a significant inequity in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster relief policy. One of only a handful of bills completed in early October before Congress left for the mid-term elections, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill includes a provision adding not-for-profit performing arts facilities to the list of organizations eligible for future FEMA disaster relief.

Under current FEMA policy, the definition of an eligible "private nonprofit facility" specifically excludes performing arts organizations. TCG and our partners in the American Arts Alliance appealed to Congress to ensure that performing arts facilities affected by future disasters will have improved access to federal relief. The arts provision was originally sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and approved in June by the Senate committee charged with FEMA reform. When it became clear that overall FEMA reform would not be completed this year, Congress deemed the performing arts provision important enough to lift from the reform bill and add to the must-pass DHS funding bill, along with several other FEMA reform provisions.

FEMA eligibility enables organizations that are located in a Presidentially-declared disaster area and own their facilities to seek reimbursement for the costs to repair facilities to their pre-disaster condition, as well as for costs associated with debris removal and emergency protective measures. Each FEMA application is considered on a case-by-case basis. While the new performing arts eligibility does not guarantee that each future application will be approved, it allows requests to be fairly considered.

Action: Please stay tuned—we are working with FEMA to learn more about future eligibility requirements. We would like to thank theatres affected by the 2001 tropical storm Allison and last year's Gulf Coast hurricanes for documenting their experiences and helping to convey them to Congress. These stories compellingly illustrated both the gaps in FEMA support and the power of theatres to respond to the needs of their community when disaster strikes.

Understanding the New IRA Charitable Rollover Provision

As was reported in the October TCG Bulletin, the newly passed IRA Rollover provision allows donors aged 59½ and older to transfer IRA funds directly to a charity without incurring income tax on the transfer. The final IRA provision signed into law provides new incentives for IRA distributions to charities, but imposes the following limitations:

Tax experts speculate that, given these limitations, seniors who do not itemize their tax returns may be the largest group of donors to view the IRA rollover as a strong incentive to charitable giving. IRA administrators are wrestling with the finer implications of this new giving incentive, and regulations that will clarify the rules for making contributions and acknowledging these gifts are currently in the works. In the meantime, donors should consult with a tax professional to determine whether an IRA distribution will qualify as tax-free, particularly keeping in mind that state tax laws may impact the individual tax benefit of the IRA rollover.

New Requirements and Reforms

New rules aimed at improving not-for-profit accountability include, but are not limited to, the following:

Action: Visit the IRS website to stay current on the latest developments and to find additional information about the complete range of new charitable giving incentives and reforms. TCG is interested to know if our members know about and are using the IRA Rollover as a giving incentive and if it has increased giving. If you have comments, please contact Laurie Baskin.

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Releases Economic Impact Study

The regional not-for-profit cultural sector earned $573 million in annual revenue, according to the 2006 Portfolio, a report recently released by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. Also according to the report, 218 participating organizations generate 12 million visits annually and sustain 14,000 jobs and 17,000 volunteer positions.

Action: Visit the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance website to download the report as a PDF.

ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES

4th Annual Summer Play Festival: Submission Deadline Extended!

The 4th Annual Summer Play Festival will take place in New York City in July 2007, and is now accepting submissions from playwrights in the following categories: plays, musicals and children's theatre. Applications are submitted electronically via the festival's website.

Action: The deadline for submissions has been extended to November 21. Visit the Summer Play Festival website for more information, including eligibility requirements and submission guidelines, or to submit your application online.

Call for Submissions: Scripts About Science and Technology

The Professional Artists Lab and the California NanoSystems Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara continue their collaboration with the second Scientists, Technologists and Artists Generating Exploration (STAGE) International Script Competition, open to plays about science and technology.

The winning script will receive $10,000; a staged reading with a cast of professional actors and simultaneous participation in an awards event with distinguished professionals from the worlds of theatre, film, science and technology; and the opportunity to go through the Professional Artists Lab's development process, which includes access to advice and guidance from professional theatre and film artists as well as experts in the fields of science, engineering and technology. Submitted plays must explore scientific and/or technological stories, themes, issues or events. The competition is not open to plays written in the genre of science fiction.

Action: All entries must be postmarked by January 15, 2007. Visit the STAGE website for more information and submission guidelines.

PBS Series Seeks Seeks Photos & Videotape of 3 Productions

The PBS series, Character Studies, is preparing for its upcoming season and still images and/or video footage of productions of Our Town, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or The Music Man. Images that are used will have the producing theatre's name, city and state shown on-screen at the same time as the image is shown. There is no payment for using the images, and theatres are responsible for securing all legal permissions.

Action: Theatres wishing to be considered can send their information to execproducer@characterstudies.net, and they will be contacted. In your email, include a contact person's name, phone number and email address, such as a marketing or artistic director. Visit the Character Studies website for more information on the series.

ARTS EDUCATION

Speak Up for Theatre Education

A group of national education associations have joined ranks with the arts community to ask for better arts education opportunities in our nation's schools. The messages outlined in Arts Education: Creating Student Success in School, Work, and Life will directly communicate the benefits of arts education to policymakers as they begin to re-write the No Child Left Behind Act in 2007. As this unified statement-in-progress demonstrates, there is strength in numbers and value in partnering with common stakeholders. Consider mining this statement for talking points your theatre can use immediately in local advocacy that supports arts education in your schools. Also, review the list of national signatories and consider their local members as potential partners in your education advocacy efforts.

Action: Download Arts Education: Creating Student Success in School, Work, and Life as a PDF.

CONFERENCES & SEMINARS

Arts Reach National Arts Marketing Conference This Month—TCG Member Discount!

TCG members are entitled to steep registration discounts to the Arts Reach National Arts Marketing Conference 2006, scheduled for November 17–19 in New York City. The theme of this year's conference, which will be held at New York University's Kimmel Center, is Building Your Organization Through Strategic Marketing. It is being presented in collaboration with INTIX, The International Ticketing Association.

Managing leaders and board members, as well as marketing, public relations, membership and development professionals from all cultural and science education disciplines will attend. Conference highlights include "The Great Debate: Subscriptions vs. Single Tickets;" "The Mission, Branding and Research Loop: A 21st Century Imperative;" "Developing Creative Partnerships: Leveraging Corporate Sponsorships Beyond Just the Cash;" and "Marketing to Generation X and Y on Their Terms."

Action: Visit the Arts Reach website to view all of the conference offerings or to register online. Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't forget to register as a TCG member and receive the association discount!

Under the Radar Festival: January 16–28 in New York

Under the Radar is an annual festival that highlights contemporary, adventurous and independent theatre from around the world. Now in its third year, the festival features 11 full scale performances at The Public Theater and 4 off-site performances from the U.S., U.K., Canada and Bolivia. Under the Radar will also sponsor a series of talks with the festival artists open to the general public. The festival is arranged so that audiences can see most of the presentations within a 3 day period.

In addition to regular festival activities, the Under the Radar Festival Symposium will take place January 18–19 and features a chance to see full productions of the festival shows as well as keynote speakers and expert panel discussions addressing the issues of producing and presenting theatre in America. Attendance to the symposium is limited to professionals in the field and 225 attendees.

Under The Radar 2007 is a program of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Annual Members Conference, with major funding by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Ford Foundation. The festival is produced by The Public Theater and Mark Russell.

Action: Visit the Under the Radar website for more information on the symposium and the festival, or contact Meiyin Wang with questions.

DEVELOPMENT

New Development Technology Newsletter

The NonProfit Times recently created NPT's TechnoBuzz, a free electronic newsletter that will cover the technology involved with fundraising, including software, copiers, hardware, tips on how to "do things on the cheap" and more. The newsletter could be a helpful resource for information technology or development directors and their staff.

Action: Visit the NonProfit Times website to sign up for this free newsletter.

Great Lakes Theater Festival Receives Education Funding

The George Gund Foundation recently granted $100,000 to the Great Lakes Theater Festival (Cleveland, OH) to support its education programs.

Action: None
Source:Chronicle of Philanthropy, September 28, 2006

INTERNATIONAL NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES

State Department Launches New "Global Cultural Initiative"

On September 25, First Lady Laura Bush announced the "Global Cultural Initiative," a major new initiative of the U.S. Department of State to coordinate, enhance and expand America's cultural diplomacy efforts. In partnership with public and private cultural entities, the Department will build upon the vital work of government agencies and the broader cultural arts community to emphasize the importance of the arts as a platform for international engagement and dialogue.

The State Department will leverage a broad range of resources for a multi-faceted series of projects designed to connect foreign audiences with American artists and art forms, share American expertise in arts management and performance and educate young people and adults in the United States and abroad about the arts and cultures of other countries. Among the four initial partnerships announced in September is a cooperative initiative with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts that will allow overseas institutions to tap into U.S. expertise in arts management and performing arts training. The partnership will place special emphasis on inclusiveness and will promote programs that feature the work of disabled artists.

Action: Visit the U.S. Department of State website to read a press release describing the Initiative and its four initial partnerships in detail.

MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH

New Report: Critical Issues Facing the Arts in California

The James Irvine Foundation and AEA Consulting have published a new "working paper" titled Critical Issues Facing the Arts in California. The document identifies the major challenges facing the arts and cultural sector in California. Based on interviews with arts leaders and a review of the relevant literature, the paper describes five key themes that, if not addressed, may threaten the health and well-being of the sector going forward. The themes are: Access, Cultural Policy, Arts Education, the Not-for-Profit Business Model, and Preparing the Next Generation of Artists and Arts Managers. The paper is the first phase of a project to engage arts leaders and others in a discussion on how to ensure a more sustainable future for the arts in California.

Action: Visit the James Irvine Foundation website to download the report as a PDF.
Source:Americans for the Arts Monthly Wire, September 2006

Two New Reports on Arts Participation

Two new reports about arts participation and consumer spending on the performing arts have been recently released. Arts, Culture, and the Social Health of the Nation 2005 was released by the Institute for Innovation in Social Policy at Vassar College. This project was designed to monitor the artistic and cultural experiences of Americans by looking at changes in arts participation since 2002. Consumer Spending on Performing Arts 2005 was released by the NEA. According to the report, 2005 saw gains in U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and personal consumption spending, but such growth eluded consumer spending on live arts events. Consumer expenditures on arts performances reached $12.7 billion, but when adjusted for inflation, year-over-year spending remained steady.

Action: Visit the Institute for Innovation in Social Policy website to view Arts, Culture, and the Social Health of the Nation 2005 as a PDF. Visit the NEA website to view Consumer Spending on Performing Arts 2005 as a PDF.

Case Study on George Street Playhouse Marketing Campaign

ArtsMarketing.org has released a case study on the "Cure for Stress" premium packages that George Street Playhouse (New Brunswick, NJ) is offering potential audience members. The study, written by the theatre's marketing team, outlines the details of the new packages and the theatre's history with premium packages, their plans for expansion and their expectations for the new campaign.

Action: Visit the ArtsMarketing.org website to download the case study as a Microsoft Word document.

NEW TCG MEMBERS

Bickford Theatre

6 Normandy Heights Rd
Morristown, NJ 07960
tel (973) 971-3706
fax (973) 538-7945
info@bickfordtheatre.org
www.bickfordtheatre.org
Eric Hafen, Artistic Director
Steve Miller, Executive Director
Mary Chandor, Board President

Hedgerow Theatre

146 W Rose Valley Rd
Wallingford, PA 19086
tel (610) 566-4034
fax (610) 565-1672
hedgerowtheatre@comcast.net
www.hedgerowtheatre.org
Penelope Reed, Producing Artistic Director
Dean Michelson, Managing Director
Sheila Kuther, Board President

Reprise! Broadway's Best

1640 5th St, Suite 206
Santa Monica, CA 90401-3309
tel (310) 319-1111
fax (310) 319-1107
info@reprise.org
www.reprise.org
Jim Gardia, Producing Director
William Resnick, Board President

Sonoma County Repertory Theater

104 N Main St
Sebastopol, CA 95472
tel (707) 823-0177
fax (707) 824-1719
theater@the-rep.com
www.the-rep.com
Jennifer King, Co-Artistic & Executive Director
Scott Phillips, Co-Artistic Director
Mark Matthews, Board President

TCG DEADLINES

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