Starting in September, The TCG Bulletin will go on temporary hiatus as we look to refine this communications resource. In the meantime, if you have any comments or feedback on how we can improve this service, please contact Dafina McMillan at dmcmillan@tcg.org. Thank you for your patience.

Please join us in welcoming our newest member!

Premiere Stages at Kean University
Union, NJ
www.kean.edu/premierestages

Action: Visit the TCG website to learn more about becoming a TCG member.

The Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship will help fund American college/university students who express an interest in international collaboration but as of yet had not been afforded many opportunities to travel abroad. Applicants should intend to conduct brief work in a foreign country related to the mandate of UNESCO–using education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture and/or communication and information to build strong ties among nations. Following the travel, the recipient agrees to submit a report describing experiences and analyzing objectives achieved; share his/her experiences with others; and be available to make a presentation to the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO.

Action: The deadline to apply for this fellowship is now September 26. Visit the US Department of State website for more information.

The following is a sample of the arts education resources available at the NEA’s website:

RESEARCH: Arts Education in America : What the Declines Mean for Arts Participation
This report investigates the relationship between arts education and arts participation and examines long-term declines in Americans’ reported rates of arts learning.

PODCAST: Creating a Sense of Belonging
Providence, Rhode Island’s, Community MusicWorks provides instrument instruction, leadership development, and other community-based programs to the distressed neighborhood in which it is located.

PODCAST: A Sense of Hope
An interview with Bert Crenca of Providence’s AS220 explores its ties to the community and its arts education program, AS220 Youth.

NEA ARTS MAGAZINE: Designs on the Future, The Design and Architecture Senior High in Miami, Florida DASH is ranked among the premier magnet schools in the country, and produces students who go on to success in both college and careers in design and the arts.

PUBLICATION: Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America’s Future Through Creative Schools: This report represents an in-depth review of the current condition of arts education.

PUBLICATION: Imagine!

The Surdna Foundation invites arts teachers from public arts high schools to apply for funding for artistic development through its Arts Teachers Fellowship Program (SATF). Eligible schools include specialized public arts high schools, as well as arts-focused, magnet and charter high schools. The program offers teachers the opportunity to immerse themselves in their own creative work, interact with other professional artists, and stay current with new practices.

Action: The deadline to apply is November 14. For guidelines and to apply click here.

As part of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, the IRA Charitable Rollover was extended through 2011, and legislation has been introduced to make this important charitable giving incentive permanent. The Public Good IRA Rollover Act of 2011, S.557, introduced by Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and the companion House bill, H.R. 2502, introduced by Reps. Walter Herger (R-CA-2) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) will not only make the incentive permanent but expand it, lifting the $100,000 charitable gift limit and allowing for certain giving to begin as early as age 59 1/2. Continued advocacy to members of Congress can help encourage legislators to support this legislation.

Action: Visit the Performing Arts Alliance website, which provides details on this important tax provision and offers the opportunity to communicate with Members of Congress to urge them to support this charitable giving incentive.

In mid-July, TCG joined with the Performing Arts Alliance and its member organizations and signed an open letter from Independent Sector, a broad coalition of not-for-profit organizations, urging President Obama and Congressional leaders to protect the income tax deduction to 501(c)(3) organizations as they negotiated the debt limit and deficit reduction deal. The letter was delivered to the Administration and Congressional leaders and was published in Politico on July 18. Tax changes are not included in the initial phase of the debt and deficit deal but may be included in the recommendations that come from the joint committee that is charged with finding additional savings.

When members of Congress return in September, the full Congress will be focused on tax and budget matters including consideration of proposals that put at risk the income tax deduction to 501(c)(3) organizations. Charitable giving incentives are critical to the health of not-for-profit organizations, including the not-for-profit arts, and support the valuable community services provided by the full range of not-for-profit organizations.

Action: Contact your members of Congress to urge support for the charitable deduction! Click here to contact your elected officials and communicate the value of this important charitable giving incentive. Visit Independent Sector’s website for background materials, talking points and the latest information on protecting the charitable deduction.

Tickets for the California International Theatre Festival (CITfestival) are on sale now. The festival, whose mission is to offer a distinguished array of international presentations that broaden cultural understanding by means of community outreach, student training and cultural exchange through the performing arts, will be held September 8-18 in Los Angeles.

Action: Visit the CITfestival’s website for more information, a list of events and tickets and location information.

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, established in 1978, is given annually to recognize women who have written works of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre. The Prize currently distributes several awards ranging from $1000 to $35,000 annually.

Action: Deadline to submit a play is September 15 (North America) or September 20 (UK). Visit the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize website for more information.

The USArtists International Program, supported through the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, awards professional artists in the fields of dance, music and theatre who have been invited to perform at international festivals and engagements. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization or have a U.S. based fiscal sponsor.

Action: The first round of deadlines is September 6. Visit the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s website for more details.