TCG Bulletin

October 2006, Volume 29, Issue 10

Also online this month:

FIELD LETTER

In the October Field Letter, Gigi Bolt shares her thoughts on recent field gatherings, events and discussions she has participated in—several of which portend exciting possibilities for the future. She also discusses upcoming TCG Events like Free Night of Theater and the 2006 Fall Forum, and comments on two recent publications of interest, The Long Tail and Applebee's America. Finally, Gigi closes the letter with a reflection on the recent passing of two individuals who will be sorely missed by the field: Nancy Roche and Patrick Quinn.

• Click here to view the October 2006 Field Letter.

TCG NEWS

Salary Survey 2007 is Coming!

It's almost time for the annual TCG Salary Survey! The survey, which is now administered online, will be launched in mid-October. Once launched, an email with a link to the survey will be sent to managing leaders. You will need your username and password to access the survey.

Not sure what this survey can do for you? The Salary Survey reports the salary range and average for over 60 job titles that are common among not-for-profit theatres, from artistic director to box office manager. The survey results also track average fees paid to guest artists and average weekly salaries for both union and non-union actors and stage managers. All data is broken down by budget group, so you don't have to compare your theatre's data with that of theatres half or twice your size. After you have received the Salary Survey results, you are free to ask for special reports tailored specifically to your theatre's needs. Remember, surveys are confidential and only managing leaders from participating organizations are entitled to receive the results.

Action: An email will be sent to managing leaders at TCG member theatres later this month with a link to the survey, or check the Tools & Research section of the website for a link to the online survey when it launches.

Fall Forum 2006: Registration Deadline Extended to September 29!

The TCG Fall Forum 2006, Backstage with the Board: A Look at Art-Making 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.

Invitations and registration materials were sent to TCG member theatres in late August. The Fall Forum is one of TCG's most heavily-attended events, and spaces are limited, so register early to ensure that you can join us in New York for what is sure to be an illuminating weekend!

Action: The extended registration deadline is September 29. Any late registrations are subject to a higher fee. Visit the Events section of the website for more information or to download a registration form.

TCG/ITI Travel Grants Deadline October 27!

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. Visit the Grants section of the website for application guidelines and more information.

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: The nomination deadline is January 12, 2007.Visit the Grants section of the website for more information on the award. Nomination forms will be made available in mid-November.

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. Application materials will be available later this month.

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. Applications will be available online later this month.

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.

2006 National Conference Transcripts Now Available Online

Did you miss the 2006 TCG National Conference in Atlanta? Or maybe you want to experience it all again? The transcripts from the plenary speeches are now available online!

Action: Visit the Events section of the website to view or print transcripts from the 2006 National Conference.

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 for more information or to download the registration form.

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

Congress Approves Tax Law—Mixed News for Arts Organizations

Before leaving for its August recess, Congress approved a package of charity-related measures as part of a larger tax bill. On the positive side, the bill includes the IRA Rollover which will allow older donors to "roll over" up to $100,000 from their IRA accounts to charities without first paying income tax. However, the bill does not include the long-sought "artist deduction" language that would have allowed artists to claim a fair-market value tax deduction when they donate their own works to collecting or educational institutions. Also missing is the non-itemizer deduction that would have granted a tax deduction for gifts made by people who do not "itemize" their taxes. Finally, the bill does include a new provision, fiercely opposed by art museums, which will greatly restrict a practice known as fractional or partial giving—allowing donors the ability to stretch out gifts of art over several years—which is very important for gifts of major art works.

Action:None
Source: Americans for the Arts Monthly Wire, August 2006

ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES

Call for Submissions: 4th Annual Summer Play Festival

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 is November 1. Visit the Summer Play Festival website for more information, including eligibility requirements and submission guidelines, or to submit your application online.

Tony Randall Grant for NYC Area Theatre Companies

Applications for the 2007 Tony Randall Grant are now being accepted. The Tony Randall Grant is a $100,000 award given annually to a Tri-State area, not-for-profit Equity theatre company for the production of a classic play, an adaptation of a classic play or a work inspired by the classics. In its inaugural year, the Tony Randall Grant was awarded to New York Theatre Workshop for its upcoming production of Martha Clarke's KAOS, which will be seen by attendees at TCG's 2006 Fall Forum. The 2007 award will be presented to the winner in April; the top ten finalists will be notified by January 31. A committee of renowned theatre artists will make the final selection.

Action: The deadline for applications is November 30. Visit the Tony Randall Theatrical Fund website for more information including eligibility requirements and submission guidelines, or to submit your application online.

ARTS EDUCATION

U.S. Department of Education Model Grants Announced

The U.S. Department of Education has announced thirty-four new awards for FY 2006. These grants support the further development, implementation and expansion of standards-based arts education programs and the integration of arts instruction into the core curriculum. Grants were awarded to both local educational agencies (LEAs) and state and local not-for-profit arts organizations that work in partnership with LEAs. Included among the grants is one to TCG Member Theatre Childsplay (Tempe, AZ).

Action: Visit the U.S. Department of Education website to read the announcement of the awards.

Education Commission of the States Publishes Arts Education Report

With the leadership of its 2004 chairman, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, The Education Commission of the States (ECS) has published a paper to conclude a two-year initiative on arts education. This report offers a summary of state arts education policies; examines policymakers' perspectives on arts in education and the tools they need to promote arts in education; reviews existing research on the benefits of learning in and through the arts; and identifies areas in which additional research is needed. The report closes with suggestions for future action on the part of ECS.

Action: Visit the Education Commission of the States website to view the entire report as a PDF.
Source:Americans for the Arts Monthly Wire, August 2006

CONFERENCES & SEMINARS

Direct Marketing Association Annual Conference

The Direct Marketing Association will hold its annual conference and exposition at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco from October 14–19.

Action: Visit the Direct Marketing Association website for more details or to register for the conference.

Independent Sector Annual Conference

Independent Sector will hold its annual conference in Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN, from October 22–24. From the Independent Sector website: "A unique forum for the open exchange of ideas and solutions, the conference will allow us to discover common ground, shape the future of our sector, and engage in a collaborative effort to improve the quality of life both here in America and around the globe."

Action: Visit the Independent Sector website for more details or to register for the conference.

Arts Reach National Arts Marketing Conference in November—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!

DEVELOPMENT

Actors Theatre of Phoenix Receives $250,000

Actors Theatre of Phoenix (Phoenix, AZ) received a $250,000 grant (over 2 years) from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust to implement a new fund-raising strategy.

Action: None
Source: Chronicle of Philanthropy, August 3, 2006

La MaMa E.T.C. Receives Grant for Archive

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club (New York, NY) was the recipient of a $250,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to support making the theatre's archive documenting experimental theatre in American available to the public.

Action: None
Source: Chronicle of Philanthropy, July 20, 2006

INTERNATIONAL NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES

UNESCO 2007 Young Professionals Program

The United Nation's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Young Professionals Program, which takes place each year, is a great opportunity to infuse new talent into the UNESCO Secretariat in Paris and to help increase the number of American citizens working for UNESCO. The U.S. is classified as an under-represented member state at UNESCO and is thus eligible to submit forward for consideration twelve applications of Americans for consideration by UNESCO for a two-year fellowship. The program is extremely competitive and only ten young professionals are selected by UNESCO worldwide. Many are granted the opportunity to stay on for further employment with the United Nations system.

Applications must be under 30 years old as of May 1, 2006. UNESCO is headquartered in Paris and an excellent knowledge of English or French is a requirement. UNESCO considers knowledge of both working languages as an asset. The most competitive candidates will be conversant in at least two of the six UN languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).

Specifically, UNESCO has expressed an interested in candidates that have a university or advanced degree in the following fields:

The U.S. National Commission for UNESCO will serve as the coordinating body for the applications of U.S. citizens. Only U.S. citizens should apply to the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO; other nationals should apply through their respective countries. The National Commission will recommend twelve American candidates whom they feel should be sent forward to UNESCO for further consideration.

Action:Application materials must be received by the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO by 11:59 PM on Sunday, November 5. Visit the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO website for more information, application guidelines or to download the application form.

RESOURCES

New Report—The Arts and State Governments: At Arm's Length or Arm in Arm?

RAND has published a new report, the second in a multiyear study commissioned by The Wallace Foundation, titled The Arts and State Governments: At Arms Length or Arm in Arm? The study suggests state arts agency strategies that reach out to the public and to government officials can be effective in positioning the arts higher on the list of governmental priorities. The document includes case studies of two state arts agencies and offers insights about how agency leaders can close the gap between the arts world and elected officials.

Action: Visit the RAND website for free PDF downloads of the full report or a summary. Hard copies are also available for purchase.

Field Guide to Emergency Response

Heritage Preservation has recently published the Field Guide to Emergency Response, a new disaster resource for cultural institutions and historic sites. Whether burst pipes or hurricanes, emergencies can result in serious losses if they are not dealt with effectively. The Field Guide is a practical on-site tool that can help everyone, from curators to volunteers, respond successfully to emergencies. The handbook outlines step-by-step advice on what staff members are likely to encounter and what they need to do in an emergency. It also features a companion DVD that illustrates typical problems and demonstrates basic salvage techniques.

Action: Visit the Heritage Preservation website to purchase a copy of the Field Guide to Emergency Response.

NEW TCG MEMBERS

ART Station Theatre

PO Box 1998
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
tel (770) 469-1105
fax (770) 469-0355
info@artstation.org
www.artstation.org
David Thomas, President/Artistic Director
Michael Hidalgo, Associate Producer
Rusty McKeller, Board Chair

TCG DEADLINES

Looking for a list of TCG Staff?

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