Art in the News - 2015
Read the latest arts news
There is nothing like art to bring people together and heal, even in the face of human tragedy on a massive scale.
The Indianapolis City Council approved its own "percent for art" program with a vote of 18-9 on November 30, 2015. The newly passed ordinance will require city developers to “devote 1 percent of any city tax-increment financing incentives they receive to public art.” The new program has long been in the works—the city’s public art master plan released in 2003 called for a similar program, and City Council Vice President John Barth—sponsor of the current ordinance—introduced a percent for art program proposal in 2013.
The Pennsylvania state budget has been locked in a stalemate now for 154 days. Governor Tom Wolf (D) and the predominantly Republican General Assembly continue to disagree on a state funding stream during the budget negotiations. Senate and House Republicans have rejected both a proposed increase in the state’s personal income tax and, most recently, an increase in the state sales tax.
The newest United Arts Fund in the country, Arts Alliance Tulsa (AAT), recently announced that 39 local arts nonprofits will be the recipients of funds raised in its inaugural campaign season. As a group, the organizations serve more than 1 million people every year, and produce more than $62 million in revenue for the local economy.
Lilly Endowment announced last Tuesday a game-changing $100 million in grants that will be used to support 14 arts and cultural organizations throughout Indiana.
The grants range from $5 million to $10 million to support museums, performing arts organizations and cultural institutions. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Zoological Society each will receive $10 million.
In April 2014, New York City Comptroller Scott Springer released the report, “State of the Arts: A Plan to Boost Arts Education in New York City,” which revealed unequal access to arts education for children living in New York City’s lowest income communities. It also revealed violations of the state’s mandates for the number of middle and high school arts teachers employed in New York City schools. To help address these issues, New York’s Department of Education (DOE) received $23 million in additional funding in its 2015 budget to help support new arts teachers, programs, and facilities.
After 29 years of Army service, veteran Fred Johnson is leading efforts in a different kind of community building. Thanks to the veteran re-integration services of Where Opportunity Knox, Johnson found an exciting position as Director of Workplace Giving for Fund for The Arts. The organization, a United Arts Fund, raises money from the corporate community and elsewhere to support arts organizations in the Louisville area.
In recognition of the Arts & Business Council of New York’s 50th Anniversary and its many accomplishments over decades of service to the arts and business communities in our city, Mayor Bill DeBlasio declared November 17th "Arts & Business Council of New York Day". Arts & Business Council of New York will hold its 3rd annual Arts Volunteer Fair the same evening, continuing its commitment to fostering arts and business partnerships in New York City.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the launch of the city’s new Creative Catalyst Artist in Residence Program, facilitated by Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA). The program will place artists to work within city departments to incorporate creative thinking in Los Angeles's approach to civic issues.
In collaboration with the Maryland State Arts Council and the Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland’s First Lady Yumi Hogan opened the First Lady’s Gallery, which is located in the House of Delegates Office Building in Annapolis, the state capitol. The gallery’s inaugural show features a selection of student artwork from more than 20 Maryland school systems and will run through November 13.
