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 Contents Great Grants 
Upcoming May 21, 2008 May 23, 2008 June 24, 2008 Apply Anytime Fast Facts Over the years the average grant size of an Arts Fund grant has nearly doubled from $33,500 in 1993 to $62,500 in 2007. Join Our List If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend, you will need to join our mailing list to get the next one. We will only send you emails like this quarterly newsletter and announcements about special events. Join here. Photo Credits Header (left to right): Outdoor art exhibit, The Cost of War at The New Arts Exchange (2007 Toolbox) Atlanta Shakespeare Company's production of The Taming of the Shrew (2006 grant) A field trip at the Gwinnett Council for the Arts's Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts (2008 Toolbox) Hope Mirlis in Synchroncity Performance Group's production of Women and War (2006 grant, 2004 Toolbox) Photo: Joel Silverman In articles (top to bottom): “The Old Witch” by Donald Locke, in an exhibition at Spruill Center for the Arts (2008 Toolbox, 2007 grant) Singers from the Atlanta Boy Choir perform at the 2006 Arts Fund luncheon (2005 grant, 2004 Toolbox) |
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The annual review of applications to the Arts Fund’s stabilization grants defines “springtime in Atlanta” for our work. This is when our advisory board and staff have deep conversations with the leadership of arts organizations that are competing for Arts Fund grants. We learn firsthand about the proudest successes and current challenges of arts organizations. We hear common themes being addressed by different arts organizations in different artistic disciplines from all over the region. And we meet board members from all areas of the community who are giving their time, expertise, and support to organizations they care passionately about. It is at this time of year, more than ever, when I am moved by the gifts given by the artists and arts organizations to our communities. And, as we make the difficult decisions about which initiatives to fund, I am inspired to build the Arts Fund endowment so that we can say “yes” to more of the excellent and worthy applicants we review each year. Best wishes, Arts Fund Annual Luncheon on May 21. Register Now!
This year, grant awards totaling $500,000 will be announced at the Arts Fund’s annual luncheon on Wednesday, May 21st in the new Georgia Ballroom at the Georgia World Congress Center (which will be back in operation after the tornado!). Unique…entertaining…inspiring…the must-attend event of the year -- these are all words we’ve heard that describe the Arts Fund’s annual luncheon. In addition to the grant announcements, the Arts Fund is planning a program titled Arts Fund The Musical! -- it is sure to be one of the most entertaining, informative and inspiring luncheon events you’ll go to all year. And not only will you have a great time, you’ll be supporting the Arts Fund’s critical grantmaking programs. General tickets are $100 ($40 for nonprofit employees or artists); Patron tickets, which include premier seating, invitations to the VIP reception prior to the luncheon, invitations to a reception with the grantees, and special recognition in the program, are $250. Register today! Atlanta Artists Affected by Atlanta Tornado When artists lose their homes, they are, in many cases, losing their works of art (often their key asset), their art-making materials (many of which have been assembled over a lifetime), the place where they make their art or their studio where they make their living, and their ability to continue to make art. The City of Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs has organized the Atlanta Artist Relief Program to offer opportunities and services for Atlanta artists, many of whom live in Cabbagetown, affected by the tornado. Download the flyer (pdf) here. Five Organizations Receive Toolbox Awards 
The Arts Stabilization Toolbox Award program accepts applications three times annually from arts organizations that apply with a specific organizational challenge. Recipients are matched with a management consultant and work with the Georgia Center for Nonprofits to complete their project. In January, five organizations were selected to receive Toolbox awards: Arts Clayton will create a fund development plan to assist in purchasing its building; Gwinnett Council for the Arts will receive a Toolbox for board development; IMAGE Film & Video will complete a strategic plan; The Georgia Ballet will receive marketing tools; and the Spruill Center for the Arts will receive board training in fundraising. Additional Toolbox awards will be granted after the May 23, 2008 deadline. A full list of Toolbox recipients is available on the Arts Fund website. In The Field: Milestones For Our Grantees 
Adisa Nickerson, formerly at the Metro Atlanta Arts and Culture Coalition, joined the Atlanta Boy Choir as executive director (2005 grant, 2004 Toolbox). Out of Hand Theater promoted Kathleen Donahoe to Managing Director (2006 grant, 2006 Toolbox). Teresa Osborn became Interim Executive Director of Gwinnett Council for the Arts (2008 Toolbox, 1998 grant). Kate Warner, Artistic Director of Dad's Garage, served on Theatre Communication Group's strategic planning committee as a member of its board of directors (2006 Toolbox, 2004 grant). The Georgia Ballet promoted Shannon Candler to Development Director and hired Kelly Poor as Office Manager and Arts in Education Coordinator (2008 Toolbox, 2006 grant). This space is for announcements of our recent grant or Toolbox recipients. Please submit items to jphillipson@atlcf.org. In memorium: Paula Vaughn 1947 - 2008 From 1998 to 2004, Paula Vaughn served as an active member of the Arts Fund advisory board. Paula brought to the board an important voice for arts in Atlanta’s suburban and exurban communities. Paula dedicated her time to many arts initiatives in Atlanta and around the state including Georgia Council for the Arts, Georgia Assembly of Community Arts Agencies, and, near to her home, the Conyers-Rockdale Council for the Arts (CRCA). Sue Chappell, executive director of CRCA remembers Paula’s vision for the importance of the arts and the different ways it could impact our lives: “She had a vision for a number of arts projects … we’re still working on a ‘to do list’ from Paula.” |
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Conyers-Rockdale Council for the Arts seeks to make the arts an integral part of community development through accessibility to, advocacy for, and promotion of the arts and artists. Grants: Photo: The theatre in the Center Street Arts building in downtown Conyers 770-922-3143 |
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Conyers-Rockdale Council for the Arts 
In 2007, Conyers-Rockdale Council for the Arts was in the midst of a campaign to renovate its main performance space, Center Street Arts. The space, located in the heart of downtown Conyers, was not presenting the image of a professional arts organization … and it was beginning to hurt business. Following the strong support from the local business community, city and county governments, and local patrons, the Arts Fund made a grant of $75,000 in 2007 to finish improvements to the space – renovating the office space and backstage and replacing the antiquated theatre lighting. Executive Director Sue Chappell said, "We had great support but were doing it piecemeal.” The Arts Fund grant allowed the work to be completed last summer and Chappell has seen the impact already. “I get calls every week asking to use the space – performing arts groups are contacting us now,” she said. “We can connect more people to the arts in the community.” But Chappell said the impact is not limited to increased opportunities for programming. The grant was a validation of the mission of the organization itself. She said, “It provided important visibility to corporations and others in a professional, business way, in a language they understand.” She sees an Arts Fund grant as a “credibility stamp that validates prior support and encourages future funding.” “The community is more aware of our organization,” Chappell said, and she emphasizes, “They are proud of it.” |
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