Received via a non-profit arts organization:
TCA Legislative Update
On Friday June 17th, Governor Rick Perry signed the General Appropriations bill for the next two years. He did not veto the funding for the Texas Commission on the Arts. The agency will have a budget of $3.7 million for each of the next two years, which reflects a 50 percent reduction to the grants budget and a 30 percent reduction in staff.
Just received via a non-profit arts organization:
(illustration provided by AustinLiveTheatre.com):
March 8, 2011
TCA Legislative Update
The 82nd Texas Legislature continues in Austin and the Texas Commission on the Arts has been involved in several meetings of interest to constituents.
On February 24th, TCA went before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government. TCA thanked the Subcommittee for the support demonstrated for the agency in HB1, the House Appropriations Bill. HB1 is the House version of the Texas state budget.
TCA also requested the Subcommittee reinstate several items to the proposed budget. These include:
- Restoration of funding for TCA’s contract for systems programming services which supports TCA’s online grants system.
- Restoration of five Full Time Employees and their salaries. Positions include 2 Program Administrators, 1 Program Assistant, Webmaster, and Director of Communications.
- An additional $2 million for the Arts Create grant category.
On Monday, February 28th, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government met to discuss their recommendations to the full House Appropriations Committee. TCA’s request for the restoration of items into the budget was not included and no changes were made to the original recommendations in HB1.
HB1 recommendations remain as originally reported:
- Budget reduction of approximately 50% as compared to the last biennium (this includes the grants budget)
- Reduction of 30% of TCA staff (a loss of 5 staff positions)
- Elimination of funding for advertising, promotion and cultural tourism
- Elimination of the contract for TCA's online grant system
- Reduction of 40% to TCA's travel budget
On Monday, March 7th, TCA went before the Senate Finance Committee. SB1, the Senate version of the appropriations bill, matches the recommendations in HB1 (see above). TCA again requested reinstatement of the grants system contract and the 5 Full Time Employee positions, as well as $2 million for Arts Create grants.
Public testimony was provided by representatives of Texans for the Arts, the Texas Cultural Trust, and the Texas Travel Industry Association.
TCA will continue to provide updates on the legislative process. In the meantime, questions should be directed to Gary Gibbs, TCA executive director, at ggibbs@arts.state.tx.us or Gaye Greever McElwain, TCA director of communications at gaye@arts.state.tx.us.
Knowledge and networking for almost no money . . .
The City's Cultural Arts Division has just e-mailed news for any arts organizations or arts buffs two days of workshops, discussions, entertainment and networking put together by the Texas Commission on the Arts and others. This Monday-Tuesday event January 31 - February 1 offers a rich program. Funded by the government and foundations, itt takes place right here in Austin and you can participate for the astonishingly inexpensive conference fee of $65.
Here's the word:
Register now for this new, annual statewide conference January 31 - February 1, 2011 at the Austin Omni Hotel! Please join us for a chance to interact with your peers from across the state and discuss important issues facing the creative industries. This conference is aimed at art administrators, arts education providers, cultural institution staff, board members and trustees of art organizations, and interested others.
View the conference agenda online! Sessions will address the state of the creative economy in Texas and present strategies for marketing, branding, fundraising, and more. Registration for the two-day conference is just $65. The Omni Hotel is also offering discounted room rates for conference attendees. (You must register by January 10 to receive the discount.) Visit the TCA website to register and for more information about room discounts.
State of the Arts is presented through a partnership of the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, Texas Commission on the Arts, Texas Cultural Trust Council, and Texans for the Arts Foundation. This project is made possible in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Here's the ALT summary of conference events:
MONDAY, JANUARY 31
General Session, 2 p.m.
Master Storyteller Elizabeth Ellis
Developing Your Brand
Breakout Sessions, 3:15 p.m.– 5:00 p.m.
[A] Social Media 101: Why, How and NOW!
[B] Taking Social Media to the Next Level: Tips, Tricks and Cool Ideas
[C] General Session Alternatives - One-On-One meetings with TCA Program Staff, City of Austin Cultural Contracts staff, or Mid-America Arts Alliance
Economic Development Texas Style – 6 p.m. at Ballet Austin
The Texas Cultural Trust will unveil a new economic impact study focused on the creative industries in our state.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Breakout Sessions -- first phase, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
[A] Connecting with Foundations in Texas: What’s the Best Approach?
[B] Corporate Funding for the Arts: What’s the Best Approach?
[C] Using Online Resources to Enhance Fundraising
[D] Building a Fundraising Board
[E] Important! New Americans with Disabilities Act Laws Impact Arts
Breakout Sessions - second phase, 10:15 a.m – 11:15 a.m.
(same as above, repeated)
General session, 11:30 – 12:45
Keynote panel: Surviving and Even Thriving During Trying Times
Panelists include Kevin Moriarity, Dallas Theater Center; Sean McGlynn, City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department; Sylvia Orozco, Mexic-arte Museum; and Maureen Patton, Grand 1894 Opera House. Gregory Perrin, University of Texas Libraries, will moderate
Networking lunch
Afternoon breakout sessions, 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
[A] Adding Up the Numbers: Calculating Economic Impact
[B] Collaborations and Successful New Models
[C] Engaging New Audiences and Participants
D] Building Your Audience Through Cultural Tourism
[E] Art in Rural Texas
[F] Innovation in Arts Education
General session: Flashes of Inspiration, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Fifteen presenters with five minutes each, with small group discussion afterward
-Texas Event Calendar
-Nature Tourism and the arts
-Texas Music Office
-Texas Cultural Trust’s Art & Digital Media Curriculum Project
-TCA opportunities for youth: Young Masters & Poetry Out Loud
-Groupon as an arts marketing tool
-Building a Nonprofit Village
-What about house concerts
-Mid-America Arts Alliance opportunities
-Texas Biennial exhibition expands statewide
-Family Time Rocks with Sara Hickman
-Building a local arts network
-Preparing for leadership transitions
-Creativity to Community arts nonprofit success one coffee at a time
-Is a Cultural District right for my community
General Session: Texas Music Live, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Marshall Ford Swing Band and young conjunto group Conteño
