Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund awards $690,870 in grants

Interpretive program at the Vore Buffalo Jump in Crook County. The Vore Buffalo Jump Foundation received a $24,282 grant from the WCTF for interpretive and educational materials. 

As many as 36 Wyoming cultural and heritage projects and sponsoring organizations will benefit from $690,870 in grant awards from the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund (WCTF).

The grant awards, approved by the five-member Cultural Trust Fund board at a recent meeting in Sundance, came from 50 total applications from 19 communities in 18 counties. The requests totaled more than $1.435 million, with requests capped at a maximum of $50,000. Applicants in this year’s grant pool anticipate generating over $10 in matching local support for every $1 received from the Cultural Trust Fund.

These requests were for a variety of projects including the preservation and rehabilitiaton of historic buildings and sites, museum equipment and exhibition development, arts education programs, endowment campaigns, and organizational infrastructure needs including staff and planning processes.

In 1988, the Wyoming Legislature, recognizing that Wyoming and its people possess a unique cultural heritage, created the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund Act. The mission of the WCTF board is to serve the citizens of Wyoming by supporting the state’s cultural heritage through grant funding of innovative projects for the enjoyment, appreciation, promotion, preservation and protection of the arts and cultural historic resources.

For more information about the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, please contact Renee Bovee, administrator, at 307-777-6312.

Albany County
Laramie Plains Civic Center, $25,000, Theater Fly System Restoration
U.W. American Indian Studies Program, $10,000, Comprehensive Plan for U.W. American Indian Center
U.W. Art Museum, $40,000, Master Teacher Endowment Challenge

Campbell County
American Legion Post 42 of Gillette, $5,000, Bricks for Vets: United We Stand Monument

Converse County
Independent Order of Odd Fellows c/o City of Douglas, $3,158, Camp Douglas Officers Club Restoration

Crook County
Vore Buffalo Jump Foundation, $24,282, Interpretive and Educational Materials

Fremont County
Lander Art Center, $10,500, Native American Emerging Artists Training and Exhibition

Johnson County
Hoofprints of the Past Museum, $20,000, Museum Building Addition

Laramie County
Cheyenne Depot Museum, $3,250, Collection Display
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, $20,000, Museum Acquisition of the C.B. Irwin Collection
Cheyenne Little Theater Players, Inc., $42,500, Mary Godfrey Playhouse Equipment Upgrades
City of Cheyenne Historic Preservation Board, $8,907, Lakeview Cemetery Historic Holding Vault Restoration
LightsOn!, $25,000, International Mentor Artist-in-Residence/Exhibit Planning and Development

Natrona County
Casper Children’s Theater, $7,900, Destination Drama Program Expansion
Elks Lodge 1353, $42,000, Elks Lodge Library Windows Restoration
Fort Caspar Museum Association, $6,867, Collection Storage Upgrades
Nicolaysen Art Museum, $25,000, Educational Program Revitalization
Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, $22,500, Capacity Building through Staff Development
Wyoming Veterans’ Memorial Museum, $25,000, Collection Curation

Platte County
Chugwater Historical Unity Group, $6,298, Digital Storage of Museum Photos and Documents

Sheridan County
WYO Theater, Inc., $8.000, Technical Support

Sublette County
Pinedale Fine Arts Council, $3,500, Mapping Opportunities/Visual Arts Symposium
Sublette County Historical Society, $40,000, New Fort River Crossing Historical Park

Teton County
Art Association of Jackson Hole, $10,000, Artspace Gallery
Center for the Arts, $25,000, Endowment Campaign Infrastructure and Preparation
Cultural Council of Jackson Hole, $10,600, Jackson Hole Public Art Initiative
Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum, $10,000, “The Coach: An American Crossroads” Documentary
pARTners, $10,000, Create and Learn through the Arts Interdisciplinary Curriculum

Uinta County
Roundhouse Restoration, Inc., $24,916, Superintendent’s Office Restoration

Washakie County
Washakie Museum and Cultural Center, $20,000, Exhibition Equipment

Statewide
State Historic Preservation Office, $50,000, Interpreting Culture and History on the Wind River Reservation Planning
Wyoming Arts Alliance, $14,200, Capacity Building
Wyoming Center for the Book, Inc., $5,000, Wyoming Book Festival Roadshow
Wyoming Music Educators Association, $12,000, Executive Director Compensation
Wyoming State Historical Society, $25,270, WyoHistory.org
Wyoming Women’s Business Center, $49,762, Works of Wyoming Arts and Business Online Education, Outreach and Seminars

In Minot, the show will go on once flood waters recede

Photo by Eloise Ogden, Minot Daily News

Have to hand it to Cheyenne's unofficial sister city, Minot, N.D. (Minot has missiles too).

The rain and decidedly un-summerlike weather has put a serious crimp in the Arts in the Parks summer concert series, but organizers hope to resume the Oak Park performances as soon as is practical. 

Read about it at Arts in the Parks on hold from MinotDailyNews.com

The show must go on, and it will, as soon as the Souris River recedes and patrons don't need boats to attend concerts.

There are many ways to support Minot's hardy people and its lively arts scene. There is the very active Minot Area Council of the Arts. Many of the city's arts venues will need restoration. That takes money, which always is in short supply in the non-profit arts world. Also see the complete list of community and government resources at http://www.minotdailynews.com/. Donations to the American Red Cross can be designated for a particular need. Go here. 

Voices of Freedom/Faces of Freedom features community portraits at July 4's Music in the Hole

Roseneide G, Providencia, Brazil

Tedx Jackson Hole has joined the global art project initiated by TEDPrize winner, the French street artist and photographer JR, and you are invited to be part of the fun! In partnership with the Grand Teton Music Festival and the Wyoming Humanities Council we have launched Voices of Freedom/Faces of Freedom.

There are three elements:

1. During GTMF’s Music in the Hole Celebration on the Fourth of July, personal statements about the meaning of Freedom will be incorporated into one of the pieces of music

2. A large photo installation featuring poster-size portraits of the will be exhibited (location TBD) outside as a public art installation during July

3. Photos and personal statements will be uploaded as part of TED Prize-winner JR’s Global “Inside Out” art project. Check out www.insideoutproject.net to browse what has already been uploaded and see for yourself what we have in mind!

You can participate in any and all of this. We would like at least 100 and would welcome 1,000! Here is what you would need to do:

Answer the question “What does Freedom mean to you?” Define it any way you wish—it is a big notion—and send it to us. We will arrange to take your portrait and will take care of the rest. We will have a photo booth at Music in the Hole in partnership with the Wyoming Humanities Council’s “Rumination Wheel,” as well.

Please pass this on to anyone you think might be interested. If you are involved with a group or organization that would like to participate en masse, that is welcomed, too!

FMI: lisa@jacksonholefilmfest.org,juliekling@gmail.com, shelly@gtmf.org, or emydigrappa@gmail.com

Big West Arts Festival celebrates sixth year

http://www.bigwestartsfestival.com

The Big West Arts Festival celebrates its sixth year as a large cultural event on the front lawn of the Sheridan College campus in Sheridan, Wyoming.  Its site is nestled in the valley with the dramatic Big Horn Mountains to the west and the spacious, wide-open plains to the east.  Sheridan lies midway between the Black Hills of South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park.

Sheridan College is sponsoring and hosting the festival on its beautiful campus.  Northern Wyoming Community College District (NWCCD) is one of the seven community colleges in Wyoming that includes Sheridan College and Gillette College.  Sheridan College is known for its strong academics, arts, and variety of technical programs.  For more information about Sheridan College, visit www.sheridan.edu.

For demographics, cultural activities and services, call the Sheridan Chamber of Commerce at (800) 453-3650, or visit www.sheridanwyomingchamber.com.

NEAT exhibit opens July 1 at Lander Art Center

"Black Coal" by Colleen Friday

The Native Emerging Artist Training (NEAT) exhibition is scheduled to open July 1, 2011 and run through August 6 at the Lander Art Center in downtown Lander.

The NEAT program began in 2009 to help train Native artists from the Wind River Reservation how to enter juried exhibitions and how to market their artwork.

This year, the show consists of young artists from Wyoming Indian Middle School as well as skillful adult artists.

Help wanted: Lander Art Center

The Lander Art Center is looking for a part-time art teacher for Fall 2011 through Spring 2012 youth classes, 2 to 4 days/classes per week, times vary. Applicants must be motivated, flexible, and have a background or previous experience in the arts. Mail cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Lander Art Center 224 Main St. Lander, WY 82520 by July 10. Pay varies with experience.

Donkey Creek Festival June 24-26 at Gillette College

The Donkey Creek Festival takes place June 24-June 26 with music, vendors, film and food.

The Donkey Creek Festival kicks off on the evening of June 24, with an Avenues of Art Reception at the Gillette College Tech Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The night concludes with a free outdoor film on the lawn of Gillette Campus featuring the animated hit Megamind.

On June 25, the day begins with a 5K walk/run at the Gillette College Tech Center hosted by the Campbell County Parks and Recreation Department. Then, the Boy Scouts of America hosts an all-you-can-eat pancake feed at the Gillette College Health Sciences Building beginning at 8 a.m. The Classic Car Show runs for five hours beginning at 10 a.m. at the Gillette College Tech Center parking lot.

Both Saturday and Sunday is filled with 12 hours of live music from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. A beer garden is available from noon-9 p.m. Saturday, and from noon-7 p.m. on Sunday.

Altogether, the Avenues of Art Reception, musical performances, outdoor film, and the classic car show are all free and open to the public.

Buffalo Bill Boycott rides into Cheyenne July 10

Join us at the Historic Governor's Mansion on Sunday, July 10, 1:30-3:30 p.m. for a performance by Lander's Buffalo Bill Boycott, a Wyoming and western entertainer (and a member of the Wyoming Arts Council's artist roster). A free family event. Location: 300 E. 21st Street., Cheyenne. 307-777-7878. FMI: http://buffalobillboycott.com

Musicians supporting artists -- and vice versa

Wyomingarts is seeing more organizations in the Mountain West that are finding new and interesting ways to support artists and the arts. The above poster by Randy Pijoan promotes the June 22 performance by Widespread Panic at the Taos (N.M.) Solar Music Festival. All proceeds from poster sales will go to the Ventero Open Press non-profit organization in San Luis, Colo., which provides arts education, scholarships, art supplies and exhibition opportunities for both emerging and established artists. Check it out. Buy a poster.

Sarah Dahlberg leaving WOW to be elementary art teacher in Laramie schools

Sarah Dahlberg

News from Sarah Dahlberg, coordinator of Works of Wyoming in Laramie:

At the end of the month, I will be leaving WOW to take a position as an elementary art teacher here in Laramie. I would like to thank all who have been so supportive of me and WOW since I begun working here in November of 2009. It has been a wonderful experience meeting and collaborating with artists and organizations to bring quality shows, workshops and events to the community. Thank you!

Wyomingarts hates to see you go, Sarah. But best wishes in the classroom. The Wyoming Arts Council worked with WOW in May for a series of professional development workshops for visual artists. WAC hopes for more of these types of collaborative ventures in the future.

WOW's "Rated M for Mature Artists" show opens June 30

Potential Energy by Cat Martin.

Beginning June 30, Works of Wyoming in Laramie will feature work by Crystal Lawrence, Shirlee Dahlberg, Dennis Fonfara, Jon & Ginnie Madsen, Joy Keown, Win Ratz, Dianna & Anthony James, Cat Martin, Jerry Glass, Mary Jo Atherton, Cathi Carr-Lunfeldt, David Larsen, and Jeanie Schlump. The show's title is "Rated M for Mature Artists."

The gallery opening and Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be Friday, June 30 from 5:30-7:30 pm with entertainment, snacks, and a raffle. The show will remain up until July 29.  

SNAAP study: Performing and visual arts alumni take many paths to meet career objectives

This report on a study by the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project comes to us via NASAA Notes from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies:

The Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) at Indiana University's Center for Postsecondary Research addresses the previously unanswered question of what happens to alumni of performing and visual arts in its report Forks in the Road: The Many Paths of Arts Alumni. 

Stereotypes and misconceptions abounded about what these graduates were doing, with one of the most common being that they are unable to find work in their desired field and therefore are forced to take jobs outside of their desired field. After receiving 13,581 responses, SNAAP was able to dispel that myth and provide a clearer picture of the activities of these graduates. 

At the time of the survey in December 2010, only 6% of arts alumni were unemployed and looking for work, compared to 9.6% of the national work force. However, this number is slightly higher than the unemployment rate of 4.8% for those with at least a bachelor's degree.* 41% of graduates are currently working as professional artists, and 17% who previously worked as professional artists are employed in other fields. Among professional artists, satisfaction with their work varies widely among occupation, but satisfaction with income is low across occupations. 

Arts alumni are generally happy with their education, with more than 90% responding that their experience was good or excellent and 76% responding that they would attend the same institution again. More than half of those currently working outside the arts found their arts training relevant to their job. The survey results suggest that career counseling at performing arts schools could be improved. More than half of undergraduates were dissatisfied with their institutions' career advising, and a similar percentage thought their institution did not help them acquire financial and business skills. 

The SNAAP website has more information about the study and six very cool interactive infographics. There is also information for institutions to sign up to participate in future SNAAP surveys. If you would like to speak to a NASAA staff person about this study, contact Henry Clapp.

—Henry Clapp, NASAA Research Associate

Functional meets fanciful at "Upcycling 101" in Casper

Wyomingarts had a chance to meet with Casper artist and performer Betsy Bower on Sunday. Betsy's mom, writer Cindy Bower, arranged the meeting as she was wrapping up the annual Wyoming Writers, Inc., conference at Ramada Riverside.

Everyone in Casper was out and about this weekend, no doubt because it was the first good weather of the spring. Betsy had participated Saturday in "Upcycling 101" at the Winter Methodist Church and the adjacent James Reeb Memorial Community Playground in north Casper. When she wasn't demonstrating how to upcycle old wine bottles into drinking glasses using a portable forge, she was peddling her blendercycle. Here's a description of the contraption from an article by Tom Morton in Sunday's Casper Star-Tribune:

Bower had on display a creation that wasn’t particularly useful, definitely not beautiful, but certainly fun. 

She enhanced a child’s bicycle by mounting a blender on a wooden platform on the rear bumper and running a vertical axle from the blender to the top of the rear tire, which would drive the axle to power the blender. Sort of margaritas on the go. 

Forget the margaritas. Betsy spent at least part of the day pedaling smoothies into an eco-friendly froth. Anne MacKinnon's Little Hands organization had several work stations for children and adults at the event. The organization, funded by the Wyoming Arts Council, the Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board and AmeriCorps, operates free programs for children 6 and under who, with their parents, learn art. 

She, a few children and a couple of others involved with Little Hands played and created art by smearing thinset mortar — used in laying tile — on a sheet of plastic covering a worn metal patio table. They chose stones, discarded jewelry, lids and other items from a box, then placed them at random in the thinset to create a tabletop.

You can call it upcycling or recycling or reusing. Or just creativity.

Shotgun Orange headlines Soundcheck 4 in Pinedale

Shotgun Orange

The Pinedale Fine Arts Council will be presenting the fourth annual Soundcheck mini-music fest on June 25 in the American Legion Park (5 p.m., free) in Pinedale. Sound Check was first conceived four years ago following PFAC's purchase of a new sound system via grant monies from the Wyoming Cultural Trust. The inaugural event was a hit so it became an annual festival with attendance growing each year. This is sure to be the music event of the summer so mark the date on the calendar, dust off your cooler and camp chairs and come listen to some great music. More info at http://www.pinedalefinearts.com/Soundcheck_4/index.html

"Painting with Nancy" starts June 9 at AVA Center

Amazing Arthur on stage June 25 at NIC Fest

Self-proclaimed “professional showoff” and “comedy superhero” Arthur Fratelli – who’s also known as The Amazing Arthur – will be one of the featured Family Area performers for NIC Fest 2011. On Saturday, June 25, Arthur will be showing off his talents at the Natrona County Public Library at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. He will take to the NIC Fest Family Area Stage on Sunday, June 25, at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. As a professional family entertainer, Fratelli travels the country performing a unique blend of magic, juggling, yoyo tricks and comedy.  Fratelli has more than 12 years of full-time stage experience, and is constantly refining his act. He is also a former elementary school teacher and a past student in the prestigious Second City comedy school in Chicago. For more information about The Amazing Arthur, visit www.theamazingarthur.com.

"Jentel Presents" June 7 at Sagebrush Community Art Center in Sheridan

Photo:  L to R: Rochelle Hurt, Robyn Moore, Jeff Eisenberg, Susannah Israel, Annie Varnot, Charlotte Rodenberg

Jentel Artist Residency Program is pleased to present this month’s residents in an event open to the public.  “Jentel Presents” will take place Tuesday, June 7, 2011 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Sagebrush Community Art Center at the Historic Train Depot on 5^th and Broadway, across from The Sheridan Inn.   This month’s presenters include a painter, a poet, a contemporary ceramic critic, photographer, a mixed media artist, and a sculptor. “Jentel Presents” is a community outreach program that features visual presentations and readings by the visual artists and writers at the residency.

Presenters include: Jeff Eisenberg, San Francisco, CA; A painter/drawer, Jeff has been fortunate to have had a lot of different travel adventures. He has discovered he is most excited when he really gets a sense of the place he is visiting, its’ own rhythms and culture. Rochelle Hurt, Youngstown, OH; A poet, Rochelle was forged from iron ore in the steel mills of Ohio. She has since moved to North Carolina to explore the South. Susannah Israel, Oakland, CA; A contemporary ceramic critic, Susannah was raised by a writer, historian and biologist. She learned very early how important written communication can be. It links us across time and space. Robyn Moore, Cleveland, MS; A photographer/filmmaker, Robyn is originally from Virginia. She returned from Peru with many adventures to share. Charlotte Rodenberg, Portland, OR; A mixed media artist, Charlotte loves her dog, rabbit and guinea pigs. Someday outside of her studio practice, she aspires to have a rabbit refuge and a political puppet theater. Annie Varnot, Brooklyn, NY; A sculptor, Annie has run the San Francisco marathon, is currently training for the NYC marathon and has just completed a 3 week hike on the Pacific Coast Trail. This activity inspires her work.

For anyone looking for a stimulating evening, come join the crowd at the Sagebrush Community Art Center at the Historic Train Depot, 5^th and Broadway.  There is no admission charge for “Jentel Presents” and refreshments are available.

The Jentel Foundation offers dedicated individuals a supportive environment in which to further their creative development. While at Jentel, visual artists and writers have the opportunity to experience unfettered time to allow for thoughtful reflection and meditation on the creative process in a setting that preserves the agricultural and historical integrity of the land.

The Jentel Artist Residency Program accepts applications twice a year from visual artists in all media and writers in all genres for a one-month residency. A residency includes a comfortable accommodation; common living, dining and recreation areas; a private workspace and a stipend to help defray expenses during the program.  For more information please visit www.jentelarts.org or call Jentel at (307)737-2311. 

Blue Star Museums in Wyoming and across the U.S. offer free summer admission to military families

On the steps of the San Diego Museum of Art, from L-R: Rocco Landesman, Lt. Gen. R.G. Milstead, Kathy Roth-Douquet, and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. Photo by Sandy Huffaker

On May 23, NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman and Blue Star Families Chairman Kathy Roth-Douquet announced the second annual launch of Blue Star Museums, a partnership with more than 1,300 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2011. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. See the complete list of participating museums. Wyoming museums are:

Campbell County Rockpile Museum

Gillette

Fort Caspar Museum
Casper

Grand Encampment Museum
Encampment

Hot Springs County Museum & Cultural Center
Thermopolis

National Bighorn Sheep Center

National Bighorn Sheep Center
Dubois

National Museum of Wildlife Art
Jackson

Wyoming State Museum
Cheyenne

The launch of the program was announced today at a press event on the steps of the San Diego Museum of Art hosted by San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. Mr. Landesman and Ms. Roth-Douquet were joined by Lt Gen R.E. Milstead, Jr., Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, United States Marine Corps; Vicki Reed, Chair of the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture; and representatives from San Diego's more than 150,000 active duty military personnel and the 17 San Diego museums participating in Blue Star Museums.

Read full press release at http://arts.endow.gov/news/news11/BSM-Announcement.html

Cheyenne Hispanic Festival June 3-5

The Cheyenne Hispanic Festival, supported in part by a Cultural Trust Fund grant, will occur in the Cheyenne Depot Plaza June 3 -5, 2011. The festival will include mariachis, jalapeno contest, Aztec dancers, food and craft vendors, live entertainment and more. The Festival will include educational and cultural exhibits. This event provides the opportunity to celebrate the various Hispanic cultures throughout our communities. The event is free to the public. For more information, visit the website. Photo courtesy Cheyenne Hispanic Festival, 2010. 

Michigan researchers find that cuts in arts funding hamper economic recovery

This comes from a story posted yesterday on www.physorg.com

Michigan is hurting its chances at economic recovery by slashing funding for the arts, according to a study by Michigan State University researchers. 

 The study found that arts and crafts activities – such as painting, dancing and filmmaking – are closely related to success of the scientists, engineers and other innovators who create new companies and inventions that stimulate the economy.  

Yet during the past decade Michigan has cut funding for the arts by some 90 percent – from about $25 million in 2002 to $2.3 million this year. In Detroit, officials attempting to balance the budget have proposed large cuts to the city’s arts and cultural institutions. 

 "Politicians often strip funding for arts and cultural assets, assuming they are expendable ‘extras,’ but this may be a serious policy error based on false assumptions,” said Rex LaMore, lead researcher on the project and director of MSU’s Center of Community and Economic Development.