ANIMATING DEMOCRACY E-NEWS
February 2005
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Animating Democracy News and Updates |
Cornerstone Theater Company announces Bridge performance in Faith-Based Theater Cyclewww.cornerstonetheater.org
Written by James Still and based on Schnitzler’s classic play La Ronde, the final show in Cornerstone Theater Company’s Faith-Based Theater Cycle, A Long Bridge Over Deep Water, will weave together multiple stories exploring the religious diversity of Los Angeles through the eyes of a series of outsiders to each tradition. This epic project will bring together representatives of every community of faith that the company has worked with during the five-year cycle to explore the question “How does faith unite and divide us?” The Faith-Based Theater Cycle was supported in part by Animating Democracy.
Center for Cultural Exchange to develop Homeland Security in collaboration with Marty Pottengerwww.centerforculturalexchange.org
Working with artist Marty Pottenger, the Center for Cultural Exchange has begun a new civic engagement project that will explore recent raids on immigrants’ communities in Portland, ME, specifically the Somali, Sudanese, Afghani, and Mexican communities, by Canadian border patrol agents. Through story circles and interviews with border officials and community members, Homeland Security will culminate in autumn 2005 with a performance piece featuring community members. Both the Center for Cultural Exchange and artist Marty Pottenger participated in projects supported by Animating Democracy.
Schirle honored at International Festival of Experimental Theatrewww.dellarte.com
Joan Schirle, founding artistic director of Dell’Arte International, was among 12 international leaders honored at the 16th Annual Cairo International Festival of Experimental Theatre in September 2004. In The Dentalium Project, supported by Animating Democracy, Schirle directed “Wild Card.”
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News from the Field |
Cornerstone Theater Company announces 2005 Summer Institute Residency Programwww.cornerstonetheater.org/institute/
Cornerstone Theater Company has announced its second Institute, July 10–August 8, 2005. For four weeks, students, faculty, and guest artists will take up residency in Grayson and Westley, CA, (combined population of 1,800) to produce a play with, about, and for the residents of this small, mostly agricultural community.
Individuals seeking to study and collaborate with professionals who are well-versed in ensemble, community-based theater are encouraged to apply. Students must be 18 or older, can be at any stage of their education or career, and may include theater artists of any discipline (performers, writers, directors, designers, administrators, etc.) as well as educators, community organizers, activists, or anyone else interested in the intersection of theater and community. Theater experience is helpful but not required; Spanish speakers are especially welcome. Applications are due by March 14, 2005.
For a full review of the 2004 experience by participant Kate Collins, visit the Community Arts Network at www.communityarts.net/readingroom/archive/67collins.php.
Sojourn Theatre announces Summer Theatre Institutewww.lclark.edu/dept/lcteach/theatre.html
“Making Theatre/Facilitating Dialogue: Physical Theatre in Educational, Professional, and Community Settings,” a six-day workshop/training opportunity, July 11–16, 2005, will offer participants an opportunity to explore the techniques and strategies Sojourn Theatre Artistic Director Michael Rohd uses in collaborative work. These include devising performance, exploring metaphor through a physical theater of action and architecture, building community, and investigating contemporary issues through arts-based dialogue. The week will include a variety of approaches to performance and facilitation, including physical/gestural theater, improvisation, documentary theater, inquiry and dialogue activities, and movement and group composition work. Register early, space is limited. For registration or more information, call 971.544.0464 or e-mail sojourntheatre@aol.com.
Documentary profiles Northern California communities fighting hatewww.kqed.org/programs/tv/niot/index.jsp.
PBS’ national campaign Not in Our Town spent five years documenting five northern California communities and their struggle to overcome and fight hate crimes. The documentary “Not in Our Town Northern California: When Hate Happens Here” reveals that hate is the same, regardless of whether the motivation is racism, anti-Semitism, gender, or sexual orientation, and that Californians are finding ways to respond when hate happens. Northern California’s KQED TV is airing the documentary on April 8, 2005, at 9:00 p.m.
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts announces engagement director positionwww.KrannertCenter.com
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois/Champaign-Urbana has announced an opening for an engagement director. Working in cooperation with the assistant director for marketing and patron services and the marketing and events teams, this position will be responsible for coordinating Krannert Center's engagement with current and potential patrons. This work will take the form of developing, planning, implementing, and evaluating outreach and educational activities, including Krannert Center's Youth Series, a professional, daytime performance series for elementary and secondary school students; and Creative Intersections activities, events that offer patrons new ways to explore the arts and to interact with the performers and genres seen on Krannert Center stages.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by March 7, 2005. Please send letter of interest, resume, and three references to Maureen V. Reagan, Assistant Director, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 or by e-mail to Search-Engagement@kcpa.uiuc.edu. The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University announces director of residential leadership positionwww.idst.vt.edu
The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University seeks an assistant/associate professor with an interdisciplinary humanities education to serve as the director of the residential leadership community and to coordinate its degree option in leadership and social change beginning in fall 2005. This nontenure track, academic-year position has a three-year renewable contract. To apply, fill out an online application (www.jobs.vt.edu) and send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation to Dr. Michael Herndon, Chair, RLC Search Committee, c/o Debbie Law, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies (0227), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Virginia Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Application deadline is March 1, 2005.
Multi-Arts Production Fund to award grants for new work in the performing artshttp://creative-capital.org
A program of Creative Capital, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, the Multi-Arts Production (MAP) Fund seeks to partner with U.S.-based arts organizations and artists to help create a thriving, widely attended live-performance culture in the United States. The MAP Fund currently seeks applications from U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that are undertaking the commissioning or creation of a new work in the live performing arts. By new work, MAP means a distinct play, performance piece, dance, musical composition, etc., that has not yet been publicly produced. The average MAP grant is $22,000, and the program awards approximately 40 grants a year. The application deadline is February 18, 2005.
Leeway Foundation announces new Art and Change Grant Program for women in Philadelphia region www.leeway.org/html/intro.html
The Leeway Foundation has announced a new grantmaking program that honors the transformative work of women artists. The Art and Change Grants provide short-term grants of up to $2,500 to women working in any art form in the five-county Philadelphia region who engage in individual or community change through their art. Grant cycles occur four times per year; the next deadline is April 11, 2005.
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Articles and Publications |
Chicago Public Art Group announces Community Public Art Guidewww.cpag.net
Chicago Public Art Group has announced the release of the Community Public Art Guide: Making Murals, Mosaics, Sculptures, and Spaces. This website represents the collective experience of dozens of dedicated community public artists working on hundreds of projects with thousands of participants and offers a comprehensive manual for making public artworks through collaboration with community.
Cultural Democracy: The Arts, Community, and the Public Purpose available in Americans for the Arts bookstorewww.AmericansForTheArts.org/bookstore/
Cultural Democracy: The Arts, Community, and the Public Purpose, a new book by Animating Democracy alum Bau Graves, is now available in the Americans for the Arts bookstore. Cultural Democracy explores the crisis of our national cultural vitality. Drawing upon a range of scholarship and illustrative anecdotes from his own experiences with cultural programs in ethnically diverse communities, Graves explains in detail the dynamics of how traditional and grassroots cultures may survive and thrive—or not—and what we can do to provide them opportunities equal to those of mainstream culture.
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Events on the Horizon |
Art, Democracy and Public Space:
The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Effect
Date: February 25, 2005
New York, NYwww.aicausa.org
Organized by the International Association of Art Critics, this symposium will offer a critical analysis of the work and impact of artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Through interactive panels and sessions, participants will explore the social, political, economic, and artistic issues of their art. Reservation information: Participants should make reservations by February 17, 2005. Tickets are $25 for the general public, $20 for students and AICA members. Checks should be made out to AICA/USA and can be sent to Carey Lovelace, AICA/USA, 105 Duane Street, Suite 40E, New York, NY 10007. Questions can be directed to board@aicausa.org. You will be e-mailed a confirmation statement, which will be your ticket.
“It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop” Conference
Date: February 26, 2005
New York, NYThis free, one-day conference aims to spread awareness about the connections between hip hop culture and youth development while empowering youth to make positive life choices. Panels and workshops will include The History of Hip Hop featuring pioneers and artists, The Educational Power of Hip Hop for Parents, Teachers & Youth Development Professionals, Careers & Entrepreneurship in Hip Hop, Images of Man/Womanhood, Hip Hop Globally, and more. After the workshops and panels there will be talent performances based on the four original elements of hip hop: Graffiti/Aerosol Art, DJin’, Breakin’/Hip Hop Dance, and Emceein’/Rappin’. For more information, contact Angelika Peacock, Youth at Union Bridges HOPE Coordinator, at 212.828.6116 or apeacock@unionsett.org. The 2005 “It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop” Conference is presented by the Fund for the City of New York, Youth Development Institute, and Union Settlement Association, Youth at Union.
Public Conversations Project announces 2005 workshop schedule www.publicconversations.org
The Power of Dialogue: Constructive Conversations on Divisive Issues
Dates: February 3–5 (San Diego); March 3–5 (Boston); November 4–6 (Dallas)
During this hands-on, three-day workshop, participants will explore ways to promote the type of meaningful dialogue that has the power to shift communication and relationships and will learn the key elements of PCP dialogues through the process of designing, facilitating, and debriefing an extended dialogue simulation.
Inquiry as Intervention: Crafting Questions with Purpose and Impact
Dates: March 23 (Boston); April 8–9 (San Diego)
Participants in this workshop will focus on the power of crafting, asking, and responding to questions and will explore the power and potential of questions for their own practice and daily lives.
Preparing for Dialogue: How Practitioners Set the Stage for Constructive Conversations
Date: April 13 (Boston)
This workshop examines the vital role the exploratory, contracting, and collaborative design phases play in influencing the course of conversations. Participants should come away with an understanding of the specific steps involved in effectively setting the stage for relationship-building conversations.
Staying Grounded When on the Spot: A Skill-Building Workshop for Facilitators
Dates: May 3–4 (Boston)
This two-day workshop includes presentations, exercises, case examples, and discussion designed to help participants develop skills for staying grounded, even in difficult moments.
Reflective Leadership in Frenzied Times
Dates: May 12–13 (Boston)
This workshop helps leaders deepen their connections to the values and intentions that brought them to their current role, develop a vision of the possibilities for their leadership, and concretize that vision in a set of leadership commitments with clear paths for daily support.
The Art of Interviewing: Transforming Stories about Conflict
Date: June 14 (Boston)
Through skill-building exercises, interviewing opportunities, presentations, and discussion, participants in this workshop will explore new ways to handle conflicts constructively in both their personal and professional lives.
Feminism and Hip Hop
Dates: April 7–9, 2005
Chicago, ILhttp://csrpc.uchicago.edu
The Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture at the University of Chicago will host a national conference on the topic of Hip Hop and feminism. The conference will provide a forum for scholars, students, artists, activists, community members, and the media interested in analyzing the relevancy of feminist agendas to the Hip Hop generation. The event will highlight the work of scholars, activists, and artists across the country who are fighting for progressive representations of women in Hip Hop culture as they reshape feminist discourse and politics.
This event is free and open to the public, but online preregistration is required. The deadline for registration is March 18, 2005.
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About Animating Democracy |
Animating Democracy is a four-year initiative of Americans for the Arts and is made possible with support from the Ford Foundation.
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Share With Us! |
Do you have news you would like to share with Animating Democracy and the broader world of art and civic engagement? Send an e-mail to adi@artsusa.org with "Animating Democracy E-News" in the subject line. Please be sure to include full contact information.
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