CALIFORNIA ARTS COUNCIL BUDGET UPDATE
by Colleen Schenck, Executive Director, ACMC

In our last newsletter I reported that although a state budget had been approved, the exact program cuts that would be instituted by the California Arts Council were not yet known. All California Arts Council programs have been preserved but the agency budget was cut approximately 41% from last year's budget. The state arts agency will likely face a further 20% cut from this budget for the next fiscal year. As a result, the CAC will award approximately 600-700 fewer grants this year and the majority of the agency's expected 1000 grant awards will be reduced by 25% to 40%. Technical Assistance and conference scholarships in all programs will be greatly cut back. What does that mean to Mendocino arts? The county Arts Council received a 25% cut in funding, arts in education
programs received a16% cut and all organizational support grants will remain at the base of $4,000.
There has been a moritorium placed on new applications to the Artist in Residency and the Organizational Support grant programs for next year.

 

"MENDOCINO CREATES": A SHOWCASE OF COUNTY ARTISTS

"Ceramic Vase" by Jay Leahy was part of the Mendocino Creates exhibit at the County Administration Center.	Artist, Laura Fogg exhibited this quilt, "Coasta Callas" in Mendocino Creates Exhibit.

In honor of October, National Arts and Humanities Month, and October 4, California Arts Day, the Arts Council organized an exhibit at the County Administration Center on Low Gap Rd. Over 40 artists from Laytonville to Gualala exhibited paintings, drawings, prints, mosaics, quilts, ceramics and more to showcase the wealth of artistic talent in our communities. Ukiah Poet Laureate, Armand Brint read one of his poems at the reception on October 4th, Arts Day. Participants listened to poetry and viewed the art work while reflecting on the importance of the arts to the quality of life here in Mendocino County.

 

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION RECEIVES GRANT TO CREATE A COMMUNITY ARTS PLAN

The Mendocino County Community Foundation has received a major grant from the Irvine Foundation to create a cultural participation plan for the county. Building on the recently completed arts assessment completed by the Arts Council, this plan will result in strategies for building and supporting more vibrant communities by focusing on the role of the arts in bringing about "outcomes" important to people. Interviews and storytelling will be used to determine what issues are important to county residents and could include concerns about the environment; safe
communities; family success; accessible, quality health care and life long educational excellence. The Foundation seeks to involve government, education, business, civic, tribal and cultural groups in the process. The
Arts Council will work in concert with the Foundation to coordinate this process under the expert guidance of community arts consultant, Bill Moskin.

 

ARTS COUNCIL WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS!

The Arts Council of Mendocino County announced the appointment of two new board members, David Hance and Ron Verdier. David operates his own marketing business, and is also the Marketing Manager for the Mendocino County Alliance. David lives in Ukiah, and is active in the arts. Most recently David performed in the Mendocino College production of "Tartuffe" and he is currently rehearsing for the Tin Pan Alley produced Richard Rodgers revue "A Grand Night for Singing". Ron Verdier is the owner and principal architect for Verdier Architectural Studio in Boonville. He has over ten years of experience working in residential, theatrical and commercial architectural design and consulting, Ron is also a visual artist working in the medium of collage. ACMC is very excited to bring the talents and experience of these two men, to our Board of Directors.

 

NEW CD FROM CLARELYNN ROSE

Mendocino musician, Clarelynn Rose has a new CD of solo acoustic guitar music. Titled "Elegant Tern", the tunes are a mellow yet lively blend of Celtic, Folk and New Age. All the music is original or original arrangements of traditional tunes, including " Monk's Gate", "I Saw Three Ships", and a Buddhist chant. It will be available at the Mendocino Book Company in Ukiah and the Gallery Bookshop in Mendocino for $15. Copies can be ordered from the website, www.heartwoodmusic.com for $12.99.

 

GRACE HUDSON MUSEUM AWARDED GRANTS

Through the efforts of Sun House Guild past president Nancy Teeling Baltins, The Grace Hudson Museum recently received a $250,000 grant award which was included in the Department of Interior 2002 Appropriations Bill.
Allocated over three years the award will fund the preservation, cataloguing and exhibition of the Museum's Pomo Indian basketry collection in its new long term J. Ralph and Lois Stone gallery. The money will also be used to produce public educational programs on Pomo Indian history and culture, utilizing resources from the Museum's
collection. This award will enable the Museum to provide free quality programs and information to regional schools either at the school itself, or onsite at the Museum. A third component will fund the design and preliminary work for a native plant garden to be part of a new Museum Courtyard. Baltins noted "This will include an educational guide
showcasing plants used in creating Pomo artifacts." The Museum learned that it was also awarded a $48,000 two-year general operating support grant from Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal grantmaking agency that fosters leadership and innovation in museums and libraries. Funds from the grant will be used for collections care, exhibition support, and equipment upgrades. Dr. Robert S. Martin, Director of IMLS, commented, "General Operating Support grants are only given to museums that have the highest approval rating of their peers. A museum must excel in every aspect of its operations, from collections' care to public outreach. " The Grace Hudson Museum was one of only 14 California museums so honored.