VOTE FOR OUR CHANCE TO WIN THE PEPSI REFRESH GRANT! We'd be able to offer year-round arts activities & scholarships for kids under age 18!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Arts Council "Happenings"
We have a great many things happening at the Arts Council of Chester County! We are currently selecting artists to participate in our 2nd Annual Southern Porch & Garden Party to be held on April 30th on historic York Street in downtown Chester.
We are also preparing for our very first 3-day Arts Festival co-sponsored by the Humanities Council SC on June 3-5. We have a surprise concert and a very special surprise dedication to go along with arts classes and a walking tour of Chester -- and more! It will be a Southern Arts Jubilee!
Our next event is a Floor Cloth class taught by fun folk artist Christy Buchanan on Saturday, March 27 from 10-2. Cost is $98 per person, all materials included.
If you have not already, feel free to sign up for our weekly newsletter via Constant Contact on our website www.artschester.com. This will keep you in the know of all our "happenings"!
We are also preparing for our very first 3-day Arts Festival co-sponsored by the Humanities Council SC on June 3-5. We have a surprise concert and a very special surprise dedication to go along with arts classes and a walking tour of Chester -- and more! It will be a Southern Arts Jubilee!
Our next event is a Floor Cloth class taught by fun folk artist Christy Buchanan on Saturday, March 27 from 10-2. Cost is $98 per person, all materials included.
If you have not already, feel free to sign up for our weekly newsletter via Constant Contact on our website www.artschester.com. This will keep you in the know of all our "happenings"!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
State Budget re Arts Funding from SC Arts Alliance
Here's some important news from the SC Arts Alliance:
2010 Arts Advocacy Day has come and gone! But our work has only begun in support of state arts funding!
NEXT STEP IN OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS: Our next step or “call to action” is to remind you that if you have not contacted the four House Ways & Means (HWM) Subcommittee members who will make their decision on the Arts Commission’s budget request, please do so prior to February 16th. The House is officially on furlough this week, however there will still be some House committee meetings and staff addressing budget provisos and budget requests from various state agencies. The full HWM Committee will meet the week of February 16th and possibly making important budget decisions on that day. You will find contact information below for Representatives Limehouse, Merrill, Neilson and Barfield and plenty of facts and talking points. Now is your chance to make a difference!
Many House members are back home in their districts during this furlough week. You can also ask your legislators to contact these HWM Subcommittee members in support of the Arts Commission’s budget request. If you don’t know who your legislator is, please go to this link: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/cgi-bin/zipcodesearch.exe. By providing your zip code, you can obtain this information or go to the CapWiz Legislative Action Center at the SCAA web site: www.scartsalliance.net. The SCAA’s 2010 Arts Advocacy Handbook is now at our web site and has a full contact list of the General Assembly.
THE ASK REGARDING THE ARTS COMMISSION’S BUDGET:
(1) Hold the line on base budget reductions for the South Carolina Arts Commission;
(2) Continue $500,000 from year-two stimulus funds for the Arts Commission’s grantmaking program in FY 2011.
The loss of these stimulus funds would be devastating – equal to almost 50% of current operating support grants – and would undermine 42 years of work in building and supporting a network of arts providers in communities and schools through the state.
CALL TO ACTION: Prior to February 16th, contact members of the House Ways & Means Subcommittee that will make the first recommendation on the Arts Commission budget request – in support of the Arts Commission budget requests. Those members are Rep. Chip Limehouse, Chair (Charleston, Berkeley) @ chiplimehouse@schouse.gov ; 803-734-2977: Home address: 8 Cumberland Street, Charleston, 29401; Rep. Jim Merrill (Berkeley, Charleston) jimmerrill@schouse.gov ; 803-734-3072; Home address: 174 Etiwan Park Street, Daniels Island, 29492; Rep. Denny Neilson (Chesterfield, Darlington) @ dennyneilson@schouse.gov ; 803-734-3097; Home address: 109 Carol Drive, Darlington, 29532; and Rep. Liston Barfield (Horry) @ listonbarfield@schouse.gov ; 803-734-2968; Home address: P. O. Box 1734, Conway, 29528. The mailing address for House members is: South Carolina House of Representatives, P. O. Box 11867, SC 29211. The FAX # at the HWM is: 803-734-2826.
SOME FACTS & TALKING POINTS REGARDING THE ARTS COMMISSION’S BUDGET REQUEST:
Compelling stories about jobs saved because of these stimulus dollars -- programs and services that will be lost -- without year-two the stimulus dollars -- are important to share with your legislators. The economic impact of the arts in your community is also an important story to tell as it translates to revenue for our state.
Arts Commission’s Budget Request for FY 2011: The Arts Commission’s current budget request is to hold the line on their base budget, which has already been reduced by 31% since the beginning of FY 2009; and to ask the General Assembly to allocate $500,000 in year 2 stimulus funds for the Commission’s grantmaking program.
State Arts Funding Reductions: Just before the holidays, state agencies received a 5% across-the-board budget cut – in addition to a 4.04% cut earlier in this fiscal year. The Arts Commission was able to absorb the entire 4.04% cut and a portion of the 5% cut internally by identifying more than $200,000 in savings to prepare for anticipated cuts. They accomplished this by eliminating staff positions, holding vacancies, implementing a 10-day furlough for all staff and cutting operating costs. However, even with these adjustments, the Arts Commission can no longer absorb additional reductions without passing some of the cut on to grantees and has notified its grantees of a 5% cut to their total grant awards.
Background on Arts Commission’s Budget Request: The General Assembly allocated $500,000 in federal stimulus funds to the Arts Commission’s grantmaking program for the current year. These funds essentially replaced the $585,000 in one-time funds that had been appropriated for grants during the previous 3 fiscal years. These funds make up 22% of their total grantmaking budget, which supports arts education and arts in communities, including efforts to grow the arts economy throughout our state through cultural tourism, art career development, and other initiatives.
It’s About Jobs: In keeping with the intent of the federal stimulus funds through the General Assembly to retain jobs, the $500,000 was concentrated in the Commission’s general operating support grants, which helped fund the operations, including salaries and professional fees, of 146 arts organizations statewide. The direct impact of these funds during the first two quarters of this fiscal year has been the retention of an estimated 32 full-time equivalent, professional jobs in the state’s arts industry. However its full impact is much greater: Every grant dollar that the Arts Commission awards is matched, on average, by $30 at the local level. That means that the leveraged impact of these funds is $15,000,000 or more – a portion of which the Commission says will support even more jobs.
South Carolina’s Economic Impact: The Arts Industry generates revenue for our state - $2.4 Billion in economic output; more than 31,000 jobs and $766 Million in salaries. State grant dollars are matched $30 to $1. The leveraged impact of all Arts Commission grant dollars is $66 Million.
Feel free to share this email with your friends and colleagues! Thank you!
"Celebrating 30 Years of Service to the Arts"
Betty Plumb, Executive Director
South Carolina Arts Alliance
P. O. Box 2442
Rock Hill, SC 29732-4442
PH 803-325-2435; FX 803-325-2463
Betty.Plumb@scArtsAlliance.net
www.scArtsAlliance.net
2010 Arts Advocacy Day has come and gone! But our work has only begun in support of state arts funding!
NEXT STEP IN OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS: Our next step or “call to action” is to remind you that if you have not contacted the four House Ways & Means (HWM) Subcommittee members who will make their decision on the Arts Commission’s budget request, please do so prior to February 16th. The House is officially on furlough this week, however there will still be some House committee meetings and staff addressing budget provisos and budget requests from various state agencies. The full HWM Committee will meet the week of February 16th and possibly making important budget decisions on that day. You will find contact information below for Representatives Limehouse, Merrill, Neilson and Barfield and plenty of facts and talking points. Now is your chance to make a difference!
Many House members are back home in their districts during this furlough week. You can also ask your legislators to contact these HWM Subcommittee members in support of the Arts Commission’s budget request. If you don’t know who your legislator is, please go to this link: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/cgi-bin/zipcodesearch.exe. By providing your zip code, you can obtain this information or go to the CapWiz Legislative Action Center at the SCAA web site: www.scartsalliance.net. The SCAA’s 2010 Arts Advocacy Handbook is now at our web site and has a full contact list of the General Assembly.
THE ASK REGARDING THE ARTS COMMISSION’S BUDGET:
(1) Hold the line on base budget reductions for the South Carolina Arts Commission;
(2) Continue $500,000 from year-two stimulus funds for the Arts Commission’s grantmaking program in FY 2011.
The loss of these stimulus funds would be devastating – equal to almost 50% of current operating support grants – and would undermine 42 years of work in building and supporting a network of arts providers in communities and schools through the state.
CALL TO ACTION: Prior to February 16th, contact members of the House Ways & Means Subcommittee that will make the first recommendation on the Arts Commission budget request – in support of the Arts Commission budget requests. Those members are Rep. Chip Limehouse, Chair (Charleston, Berkeley) @ chiplimehouse@schouse.gov ; 803-734-2977: Home address: 8 Cumberland Street, Charleston, 29401; Rep. Jim Merrill (Berkeley, Charleston) jimmerrill@schouse.gov ; 803-734-3072; Home address: 174 Etiwan Park Street, Daniels Island, 29492; Rep. Denny Neilson (Chesterfield, Darlington) @ dennyneilson@schouse.gov ; 803-734-3097; Home address: 109 Carol Drive, Darlington, 29532; and Rep. Liston Barfield (Horry) @ listonbarfield@schouse.gov ; 803-734-2968; Home address: P. O. Box 1734, Conway, 29528. The mailing address for House members is: South Carolina House of Representatives, P. O. Box 11867, SC 29211. The FAX # at the HWM is: 803-734-2826.
SOME FACTS & TALKING POINTS REGARDING THE ARTS COMMISSION’S BUDGET REQUEST:
Compelling stories about jobs saved because of these stimulus dollars -- programs and services that will be lost -- without year-two the stimulus dollars -- are important to share with your legislators. The economic impact of the arts in your community is also an important story to tell as it translates to revenue for our state.
Arts Commission’s Budget Request for FY 2011: The Arts Commission’s current budget request is to hold the line on their base budget, which has already been reduced by 31% since the beginning of FY 2009; and to ask the General Assembly to allocate $500,000 in year 2 stimulus funds for the Commission’s grantmaking program.
State Arts Funding Reductions: Just before the holidays, state agencies received a 5% across-the-board budget cut – in addition to a 4.04% cut earlier in this fiscal year. The Arts Commission was able to absorb the entire 4.04% cut and a portion of the 5% cut internally by identifying more than $200,000 in savings to prepare for anticipated cuts. They accomplished this by eliminating staff positions, holding vacancies, implementing a 10-day furlough for all staff and cutting operating costs. However, even with these adjustments, the Arts Commission can no longer absorb additional reductions without passing some of the cut on to grantees and has notified its grantees of a 5% cut to their total grant awards.
Background on Arts Commission’s Budget Request: The General Assembly allocated $500,000 in federal stimulus funds to the Arts Commission’s grantmaking program for the current year. These funds essentially replaced the $585,000 in one-time funds that had been appropriated for grants during the previous 3 fiscal years. These funds make up 22% of their total grantmaking budget, which supports arts education and arts in communities, including efforts to grow the arts economy throughout our state through cultural tourism, art career development, and other initiatives.
It’s About Jobs: In keeping with the intent of the federal stimulus funds through the General Assembly to retain jobs, the $500,000 was concentrated in the Commission’s general operating support grants, which helped fund the operations, including salaries and professional fees, of 146 arts organizations statewide. The direct impact of these funds during the first two quarters of this fiscal year has been the retention of an estimated 32 full-time equivalent, professional jobs in the state’s arts industry. However its full impact is much greater: Every grant dollar that the Arts Commission awards is matched, on average, by $30 at the local level. That means that the leveraged impact of these funds is $15,000,000 or more – a portion of which the Commission says will support even more jobs.
South Carolina’s Economic Impact: The Arts Industry generates revenue for our state - $2.4 Billion in economic output; more than 31,000 jobs and $766 Million in salaries. State grant dollars are matched $30 to $1. The leveraged impact of all Arts Commission grant dollars is $66 Million.
Feel free to share this email with your friends and colleagues! Thank you!
"Celebrating 30 Years of Service to the Arts"
Betty Plumb, Executive Director
South Carolina Arts Alliance
P. O. Box 2442
Rock Hill, SC 29732-4442
PH 803-325-2435; FX 803-325-2463
Betty.Plumb@scArtsAlliance.net
www.scArtsAlliance.net
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
4th Annual Oyster Roast & Auction
Join the Arts Council of Chester County for our 4th Annual Oyster Roast & Auction at the Armory (1025 Armory Road -off Old York Road) on Saturday, February 27, 2010. This our biggest fundraiser of the year. Your support helps us continue our daily operations.
The event features delicious food - steamed oysters, lowcountry boil, and more - plus a silent auction, a live auction with R. O. Atkinson, and Live Music with local favorite Donnie Murray.
Tickets are $25 per ACCC Member, and $30 per non-member. (2010 Memberships are available for purchase.) Beer & Wine are $2 each. Reserve a table for just $300 -- includes 8 tickets and preferred seating.
DOORS OPEN AT 5:45 PM. Food is served 6-7 PM. Live music and the silent & live auctions are 6-9 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the ACCC, at the Armory on Feb. 27 only, or you can reserve your tickets by emailing artschester@truvista.net or calling Lauren at 803-581-2030. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUESTED.
The event features delicious food - steamed oysters, lowcountry boil, and more - plus a silent auction, a live auction with R. O. Atkinson, and Live Music with local favorite Donnie Murray.
Tickets are $25 per ACCC Member, and $30 per non-member. (2010 Memberships are available for purchase.) Beer & Wine are $2 each. Reserve a table for just $300 -- includes 8 tickets and preferred seating.
DOORS OPEN AT 5:45 PM. Food is served 6-7 PM. Live music and the silent & live auctions are 6-9 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the ACCC, at the Armory on Feb. 27 only, or you can reserve your tickets by emailing artschester@truvista.net or calling Lauren at 803-581-2030. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUESTED.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Welcome
Welcome to the Arts Council of Chester County's new blog. We will use this blog as a tool to inform you of upcoming events, what is going on in the Gallery, and to post any pertinent articles. Enjoy!
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