Artists' Pipeline #19 - December 21, 2000

Joy Mincey Powell, an actor formerly from Minnesota, made her primetime sitcom debut on UPN's "THE PARKERS" on Monday night, Dec. 11. USA TODAY also ran a story on her and the episode the day of the show. Using her wheelchair, she played the role of Lacy. If you would like to advocate for "seeing more cool, hip characters with cool, hip disabilities on TV," address an email to President and CEO of UPN, Dean Valentine, and President of Programming, Tom Nunan, and send to Senior Vice President of Publicity, Paul McGuire, paul_mcguire@upn.com

Weekly Arts Newsletter: Here's a sample of just two items from several dozen included in the Dec. 4-10 e-mailing of "The Daily Digest of Arts & Cultural Journalism from more than 200 Publications"

More Than Live: "We all know that what makes theater irreplaceable (and, on dream nights, irresistible) is that it combines live performance and fakery in ways no other form of art or entertainment can match. Call it the unities of the primal, the artificial and the mythic." New York Times.

The Cat Swings Back: The "Seussical" cast has written a "Cat in the Hat"-like review of critics in verse: "I do not like reviews that pan, I do not like them, actor I am. Could I, would I like to see Clive Barnes swinging from a tree? Could I, should I, hope in vain To see them writhing in such pain? I could, I would, oh what the heck, Make them go through four months of tech." New York Post.

The postings include items related to Special Interest, Dance Media, Music, People, Publishing, Theatre, Visual Arts, Issues, For Fun. To receive the Arts Journal newsletter list, send an e-mail to artsbeat@artsjournal.com and write "subscribe" plus your e-mail address in the subject line.

The Loft Literary Center is offering rental of writers' studios at its new home in the Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis. Each studio is a room with a door and two windows looking toward downtown Minneapolis and the Metrodome. Each has a beautiful wooden writing table with a keyboard tray, a work chair, heating and air conditioning, a second chair for reading/resting/thinking, overhead and desk lighting, a large posting wall with thumbtacks, and a connection for a computer and modem. The second floor studios share a small lounge area with a refrigerator, coffee maker, tea kettle and lockers. Each studio user has access to a locker for personal belongings. No smoking is allowed. The entire Open Book building is accessible to people using wheelchairs, and furniture accommodates the special height needs of individuals using wheelchairs. Each regular user will have the right to BOTH: Scheduled time (6 hours each week, in 3-hour blocks), and Unscheduled time (24 hours a day, 7 days a week access on a first come first served basis to the unscheduled studios). The cost, in addition to a Loft membership, is $60 a month for a three-month commitment ($180 paid in advance) or $75 on a month-to-month basis. Writers who may just need a studio for a week at a time, or on some other kind of schedule, can write a brief proposal to the Loft describing your studio need (time period, time of day, etc.), your writing project and what you propose as payment. Parking is available in the Open Book's lot, behind and next to the building, or at 4-hour meters or in lots nearby (inexpensive except during Vikings' home games). Buslines stopping nearby are the 7, 16 and 20, and some express and university buses. Call Metro Transit at 612-373-3333 or go to Metro Transit (www.metrocouncil.org/transit).

To apply, send your name, address, phone, e-mail address, name & number of a person to contact in case of emergency, and choice of preferred Scheduled time (which days and 3-hour time periods starting at 7:30 or 10:30 a.m. or 1:30, 4:30 or 7:30 p.m. State which month you would like to begin your studio use, your method and amount of payment (credit cards OK), and mail to the Loft Writers' Studios, Suite 200, Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415. For more information, call 612-215-2575, fax 612-215-2576; e-mail: loft@loft.org; web: Loft Writers' Studios (www.loft.org).

The following communities will host Artist's Residency Days during the 2000-01 school year:

Elementary students from surrounding communities will be able to work on a variety of art forms (poetry, theater, sculpture, puppetry, visual arts, music, etc,) with Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) Roster Artists. Educators will be able to observe students and artists in "mini-residency lessons." The residency days will also include performances by an MSAB rostered organization. For more information, call the following school contacts or MSAB Artist in Education Associate Denese Sanders, 651-215-1612 or 800-866-2787.

Glencoe, Saturday, February 3, 2001, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Glencoe-Silver Lake Middle School, Carrie Knott, 320-864-2659 · Maplewood, Friday, February 16, 2001, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tri-District Elementary School, Metro ECSU Donna Pfeilsticker, 612-706-0801.

A Guide to Making Literary Events Accessible to Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Audiences by Morgan Grayce Willow illustrates how ASL interpretation opens new channels of understanding, discovers unforeseen layers of artistic meaning, and facilitates communication among diverse communities. The guidebook's step-by-step process covers such issues as interpretation vs. translation, determining a qualified interpreter, working with an ASL coach, including deaf performers, and accommodating the spontaneity of open mic performances. Building confidence as it teaches, inspiring programmers to embrace the spirit of accessibility, the guide is an invitation to organizations to begin building and crossing their own bridges." (Morgan will be leading a workshop on Planning for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Artists & Audiences on Monday, Feb. 12 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. at PATH, 2324 University Ave. W., Room 120, St. Paul. Cost of $55 covers two people per organization and includes a copy of Crossing that Bridge. To register, contact Resources & Counseling for the Arts, 651-292-4381.)
Crossing That Bridge is available for $10 at Amazon Book Store Cooperative (Chicago and 45th, Minneapolis); or by mail from SASE: The Write Place, 711 W. Lake St., # 211, Minneapolis, MN 55408; 612-822-2500; SASE@mtn.org(for shipping/handling add $2, 50 cents each additional copy); or on Amazon.com, where you can add your own review to the site.

"Disabled & Proud - It's Not an Oxymoron" is a weekly radio program in the Twin Cities that discusses current issues facing people with disabilities. Coordinator Martha Hage is looking for program ideas to feature in 2001. If you have suggestions, contact KFAI-FM at 612-341-3144, ext. 817; or e-mail sam@winternet.com. The program is Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:00 pm at two places on the FM dial - at 90.3 Minneapolis, 106.7 in St. Paul.

Courage Cards is seeking art by children through age 18 with disabilities for a 2002 Child Art Calendar. Artwork should relate to the theme of community. In creating their artwork, children should consider the people, places, activities and celebrations that make up their communities, whether it is parents, friends, teachers, schools, pets, parks, seasons, parties or other special events. Artwork should be colorful and two-dimensional. Any medium may be used; however, please do not use pencils, metallic colors or glitter, as these do not reproduce well. Color photocopies or originals may be submitted. Artwork should be at least 8-1/2" x 11". Artwork must be mailed flat. Entries will not be returned. An entry form must be submitted with each entry including name, title of art and phone number. If selected, winning artists will be awarded a licensing fee of $100 and his/her artwork featured in the Courage 2002 Child Art Calendar. Artists also receive recognition nationwide through the distribution of more than 500,000 catalogs and promotional pieces. Send entries by February 15, 2001 to: COURAGE CENTER, Courage Cards Child Art Search, 3915 Golden Valley Road, Minneapolis, MN 55422. For entry form or other information, contact project coordinator Kathy Graves, 612-928-7003, or email: kathy@parenteaugraves.com.

The Mark Taper Forum's OTHER VOICES project will present "Chautauqua 2001: A Celebration of Disability Culture and Community" June 29 - July 1, 2001. This three-day play development retreat for theatre artists with disabilities will consist of readings of the participants' plays by a diverse group of actors, group responses led by the invited facilitators, cultural conversations between the artists and scholars, and lots of good food. Travel, lodging and a modest stipend will be provided for all selected participants. OTHER VOICES is seeking plays written by writers with disabilities on the topic of the disability experience. Send an unsolicited play synopsis and 10-page dialogue sample, or full script if submitted by an agent or theatre professional, postmarked by March 1, to: OTHER VOICES / Chautauqua 2001, Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012. For more information contact: John Belluso, Co-Director, OTHER VOICES, 213-972-0759.

The National Park Service offers artist residency programs that provide free housing to jury-selected artists to live and work in some of the most beautiful places in the world. Residencies may last from two weeks to two months. Three resources are designed to assist creative individuals become involved in national park artist-in-residence programs. (1) The National Park Residency Program (NPRP) Updater is a new monthly email newsletter that will provide artists with exclusive, late-breaking information on new national park residency programs, as well as reminders of approaching application deadlines. Subscribers receive a copy of the most recent edition of The List (described below --a $3 value) and 12 email issues of the NPRP Updater. To order, send $10 to Lucky Dog, Studio # 25, P.O. Box 65552, St. Paul, MN 55165. Include both your snailmail and email addresses.
(2) The Year 2001 List of the National Park Artist-in-Residence Programs is an annually updated publication that includes every artist-in-residence program operating within the National Parks. These are opportunities for visual artists, writers, composers, performers and craftspeople. The List is available by mail order for $3 (includes shipping and handling) from Lucky Dog, Studio # 25, P.O. Box 65552, St. Paul, MN 55165. (3) The 24-hour GO WILD! Info Hotline is a free service that will list new national park residency programs beginning in 2001. Call 651-776-3944.A web site for the national park residency programs is under development. Artists who would like to be added to the email list (which will announce the site as soon as it is open) may send an email to bonnief@artswire.org.

The Nancy Hauser Dance Company will offer a sample modern and creative dance class on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 4:00 to 5:30. Children ages 10-17 and adults are invited to work on the development of two new pieces to be performed with company members in May. The class is especially open to deaf or hard of hearing dancers and to sign language interpreters. An ASL interpreter will attend the class and weekly rehearsals, February through April, at 1940 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. For more information, contact Heidi Jasmin at 612-871-9077, e-mail nhdc@tcinternet.net.

Several Minnesota arts organizations are planning to present two workshops for artists who work in classrooms. One is to help artists ensure that students with disabilities can benefit from residencies. (Craig Dunn, executive director of VSA arts of Minnesota, will present on Thursday, Feb. 8.) Another will help artists adapt effectively to the learning styles of kids from different cultures, and be aware of barriers these students may face in classroom settings. That will be presented Thursday, March 15. Both workshops are from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the offices of Resources & Counseling for the Arts, 308 Prince Street, Suite 270, in St. Paul. Other presenters include Elizabeth Prielizny Barnes, D.M.A., Artistic & Education Director of Young Audiences of Minnesota; Daniel Gabriel, Writers & Artists in the Schools Director, COMPAS; and Denese Sanders, Artists in the Schools Program, Minnesota State Arts Board. Cost is $26 for one, $46 for both, or $22 for Roster Artists with Young Audiences, MSAB or WAITS. Artists who bring a teacher will receive $3 off each ticket. To register, contact Resources & Counseling for the Arts at 651-292-4381, e-mail info@rc4arts.org, or go to the web site: Springboard for the Arts (www.rc4arts.org).

The winter RCA News, published by Resources & Counseling for the Arts in St. Paul, notes the following classes for artists or arts organizations. For more details, contact RCA to get on their mailing list at 651-292-4381, fax 292-4315, tty 292-3218; e-mail: info@rc4arts.org, or go to the web site: Springboard for the Arts (www.rc4arts.org); or by mail: RCA, 308 Prince St., #270, St. Paul, MN 55101.

• Visual Artist Focus Group, cosponsored with the Minnesota State Arts Board, meets monthly in Minneapolis or St. Paul to share ideas, look at each other's work and discuss relevant topics. Free
• Feb. 1, March 1, April 5 - Visual Art Critique Sessions are the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design, 2501 Stevens Ave. S., Main Bldg., Emeritus Conference Room). Free
• Feb. 3 - Thinking of Starting an Arts Nonprofit? $40.
• Feb. 8 - Artists in Education: Involving Students with Disabilities (see above article). $26
• Feb. 12 - Planning for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Artists & Audiences. $55 for 2 people
• Feb. 20 - Artists Collaborations and Partnerships, with FORECAST Public Artworks. $25
• Feb. 24 - Career Planning for Artists. $40
• Feb. 24 - Grantwriting for Arts Nonprofits. $85 includes lunch and grant review
• March 6 - Visual Arts Critics Panel. $25
• March 8 - Capacity Building Panel Discussion. $30
• March 15 - Artists in Education: Working in Multi-Cultural Classrooms (see above article). $26
• March 20 - Building a Stronger Board of Directors. $40
• March 22 - So, You Want to Buy a Building! $25
• March 24 - Marketing and Professional Presentation for Artists. $45

Stages Theatre Company in Hopkins recently received a $75,000 grant from Target Stores to expand its First Job in the Arts program. The company works closely with high school guidance counselors to reach out to, and develop an ongoing mentoring relationship with, high school juniors and seniors who are unlikely to attend college following graduation. The program introduces participants to the possibility of pursuing arts-related careers by engaging them in the daily administrative and "behind-the-scenes" operations of a theatre. Participants work 10 to 15 hours a week at the theatre over a period of 8 to 12 months. They rotate through different jobs and at the end of the year are assisted in developing a resume and setting up informational interviews for jobs. They receive an hourly wage, high school credit and a letter grade by documenting their experiences in journals. Occasional homework assignments relate to their work, such as reading and reporting on scripts. Stages Theatre is currently accepting applications and conducting interviews for the position of Program Administrator, who should have extensive experience working with at-risk youth, and who will expand recruitment efforts by working with guidance counselors in all ten school districts of the West Metro Education Program (WMEP). For more information, contact Stages Theatre, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343; 952-979-1123, fax 952-979-1124; or Stages Theatre (www.stagestheatre.org).

• ArtsWire: ArtsWire, jobs (http://www.artswire.org/current/jobs.html).
• Resources & Counseling in the Arts: Springboard for the Arts (www.rc4arts.org), 651-292-4381.
• Minnesota Council of Nonprofits: www.mncn.org, 651-642-1904.
• Minnesota Association of Community Theatres: www.mact.net, 651-644-1187.
• American Association of Community Theatre: www.aact.org.

If you would like to share other job sites in the Pipeline, please forward to us.