We need to adovcate for the Arts!!

Arts Advocacy -- Let's get going!

We are in a political climate that needs to get back to the grassroots.  Virginia just had a primary election and only a very small percent of the population event voted in the election.  The Washington Post had a wonderful article on why no women are running for office in Virginia!  We need to get more involved in the local elections because our local officials in Virginia go to Richmond to determine the budget for our state, what the primary issues are for our state, and which programs will be priority in the state. 
Thus, we see the importance of participating in the voting process.  Those of us in the arts, keep watch over the State's budget because we know that the elected officials who support the arts are often fighting with the officials who deem that there are more important issues and needs than the arts and culture issues.  Of course we have the Virginians For the Arts with Jim Thompson, the President, and his staff working on the arts issues.  But they cannot do it alone--they need our help.  The Cultural Alliance, in conjunction with the Virginians For the Arts, is planning an advocacy workshop in September.  We recognize that not everyone is comfortable calling and visiting elected officials; but with some training and partnering with other groups, we can all develop the skills we need to visit,www.culturalli.org talk with, write and call on our elected officials.  We need to advise them of the economic impact of the arts (of course we know the intrinsic value of the arts) but when the officials are looking at budgets and programs, they have to also look at the costs of these program and budgets! Plan now to attend this advocacy workshop with your peers and fellow arts co-workers.  Let's get the skills and information we need so that we can become more involved in the political advocacy process to keep the arts alive in the state of Virginia and in Hampton Roads.  Visit the Cultural Alliance website to get the date and information about the upcoming September advocacy workshop, www.culturalli.org so that you can attend.
      

HONORING THE MILITARY WITH THE ARTS

Joan's Art Blog. . .

THE ARTS AND THE MILITARY

Today’s celebration of Memorial Day reminds me of the years when the entertainers used to go to the war zone and entertain the troops.  I remember Bob Hope, who for many years was the man on the frontline who took many singers and dancers with him to entertain the troops and give then a “taste of home” .  The arts community was on the forefront of being able to, for one brief night, make the soldiers forget the war, their problems and focus on some good music, skits, and dancing; they could sing along, shout, laugh and have a great moment to remember before they had to go back into the war zone!

I don’t hear much today about well known actors and performers going to the war zone, but we, as friends, relatives and neighbors of servicemen can remember to send our troops music, movies and other types of entertainment that they can enjoy when they do get a “moment” to stop and reflect. Let’s let them know that we appreciate the sacrifices they are making  to protect our country and send them something that reminds them that the arts community cares about them!   Visit the Cultural Alliance's website to learn about the many museums and events in the area that honor our military!

 www.culturalalli.org

SCORE Can Help Your Arts and Cultural Organization Grow!

Joan's Art Blog. . . . .

ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD 
USE THE SERVICES OF SCORE!

The Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads has developed the partnership with the SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) to provide assistance and support for its member arts and cultural organizations and individual artists to help their arts organizations grow and/or to start a business.
Many smaller arts and cultural organizations lack expertise in some area of business and oftimes cannot afford to hire the experts needed to help "fix" the problems and to help to grow their arts organization.  Many individual artists need assistance in marketing, in their finances, taxes, copyright issues, to name a few.  SCORE provides individual counselling for arts and cultural organizations as well as individual artists.  SCORE can assist  an arts organization in the areas of:

• Accounting
• Business advice
• Financing and loans
• Legal issues
• How to start up a business as well as how to run and grow a business
• Marketing
• Technology

Additionally, SCORE presents online webinars on business topics.  Their June 20 webinar on "Collaborative Consumption" would be great for arts and cultural organizations and for artists groups who are looking to partner with another to offer and use services.
Members of the Cultural Alliance should visit the cultural alliance's website on www.culturalli.org for more information or the SCORE website to locate the Hampton Roads SCORE office near you, www.SCORE.Org.

Press Release Announcing New Executive Director

The Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads is pleased to announce that Joan L. Rhodes-Copeland has been named the new Executive Director. Joan replaces Patricia Rublein who retired recently from this position.

Joan, a Portsmouth native, returned back to the area from Brooklyn, NY in the early 90’s and immersed herself in the local arts scene. She and her husband, Wayman, were the owners of the Art Atrium II Gallery in Portsmouth for several years. During that time, she served on several local arts boards and commissions in Portsmouth, and developed many alliances with arts groups in the area. The gallery was a showcase for authors and performing groups and through community grant, the gallery sponsored summer arts camps for local children.

Joan was the director of the outdoor art festivals held in Towne Place, Chesapeake, Va. for several summers and has authored a book, DIRECTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA, published by Hampton University Museum, Hampton, Virginia, 2001.

Joan currently serves as Chair of the Steering Committee of the Friends of African American Art, an affiliate group at the Chrysler Museum and has served on this Committee for several years.

Joan performs in a reader’s theater group, NOT JUST FOR FEBRUARY PLAYERS, writes and directs plays for her church, First Baptist Church, Bute Street in Norfolk, and sings in the choir; volunteers at the Virginia State Theater Company and continues to curate art exhibits.

Joan’s professional background is in education administration; she has been a Campus Director for several schools. She recently retired from ECPI College of Technology as an education administrator. At ECPI, she held various positions; more recently as Director of Faculty Training and Development for all the campuses. She received her B.S. from Norfolk State University, and a MA from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, NYC. Joan has authored a college textbook, SECRETARIAL PROCEDURES FOR THE ELECTRONIC OFFICE, and has published several articles. She and her husband have three children, and five grandchildren!

The Cultural Alliance believes that with Joan’s administrative experience and her passion for the arts she will be a great asset to the organization. Joan can be reached at joan@culturalli.org or 757-889.9479.

Why was the Cultural Alliance of Hampton Roads started?

In 1976, the Metropolitan Arts Congress undertook and published a study to determine cultural needs in South Hampton Roads. Funded by the Norfolk Foundation, "Blueprint For A Rainbow" recommended that major cultural planning be undertaken involving Southside cultural institutions. In 1982, Peninsula cultural organizations were invited to participate and they accepted.

This led to a seven month planning process led by nationally known arts planner Ralph Burgard and involved Peninsula and Southside cities and cultural organizations. It was supervised by a citizen's planning committee of leaders from business, culture, education, local government, and public service, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Clarence Holland, former mayor of Virginia Beach. The final result of this process was the Cultural Action Plan.

The Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads was formed in 1983 by the merger of the Peninsula Council of the Arts and the Metropolitan Arts Congress to carry out the programs and recommendations of the Greater Hampton Roads Cultural Action Plan.

There are more than 350 arts & cultural organizations in Hampton Roads: world renowned museums, a premier opera company, a classical symphony and pops orchestra, a prominent regional performance theatre, an important ballet academy, many active community theaters, orchestras, dance troupes, choral groups, visual artists, art centers, galleries and individual artists in all disciplines that all make their home in the area from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach.

With such an active cultural community, there is a need to gather information, coordinate dates, and help make people more aware of the many cultural opportunities available in the area. With a variety of programs, the Alliance functions as a Chamber of Culture for the arts and cultural organizations, directly serving these organizations and the public in the Hampton Roads area.

The Cultural Alliance has played an active role in Hampton Roads' arts and cultural community through two decades and continues to carry out its mission, even at a time when national and state funding for arts and culture continues to be cut.