What: Free workshop on grant opportunities, insurance, professional development for visual  artists, musicians, actors etc.

Date: May 21, 2012

Time: 1pm to 3pm

Location: Café Istanbul in the New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St. Claude Ave, New Orleans LA 70117

The Artist’s Survival Guide:

Thousands of independent artists and bands are completely unaware of the plethora of arts-business services, programs, and resources that exist to directly support their artistic efforts.  We’ll discuss fundraising programs like fiscal sponsorship, which offers a way to raise donations and the ability to apply for grants that artists may be restricted from otherwise.  We’ll talk about insurance, a necessity for most artists, which can be a burden to tackle.  We’ll identify professional development and technical assistance programs for artists, producers, and others in the business offered through local, state, and national organizations. And we’ll discuss how artists can simultaneously advance their careers and serve their arts community by being civically engaged, by networking and collaborating, and by getting involved with the organizations mentioned herein.  Attendees will walk away with a detailed list of 30+ organizations to contact for resources that will greatly benefit their artistic efforts.

Sweet Home New Orleans is a non-profit organization with the mission to enhance and expand the conditions by which musicians and Mardi Gras Indians economically benefit from their creative assets and are actively engaged in decision-making affecting the broader New Orleans’s regional cultural landscape.

To learn more about SHNO please visit the SHNO website at www.SweetHomeNewOrleans.org.

LCEF-HI in partnership with MusiCares, SMILE program and Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic, will be providing free dental services to music professionals.
Services include: Teeth cleaning, x-rays,  extractions and fillings.

This event is for Music Professionals ( musicians, music promotors, producers, sound engineers & roadies) only.
Registration and Appointment required. Music professionals will need to provide discography or 5 years in the music business verification to qualify.

Date: June 20, 2012
Time: 9am – 5pm 

To register and make an appointment call:
MusiCares 1-877-626-2748 or
LCEF-HI office 337-366-8970

A program of the Foundation for Jewish Culture, the Lynn and Jules Kroll Fund for Jewish Documentary Film provides grants for the completion of original documentary films that promote thoughtful consideration of Jewish history, life, culture, and identity. Since 1996, the fund has supported the completion of over eighty original documentaries that explore the Jewish experience in all its complexity.

The priority of the fund is to support projects in the latter stages of post-production that address significant subjects; offer fresh, challenging perspectives; engage audiences across cultural lines; and help expand understanding of the Jewish experience.

Applicants may be an individual, a nonprofit organization with federal tax-exempt status, or have a fiscal conduit that agrees to receive and administer an award on behalf of the project. Applicants must have creative, editorial, and budgetary control of the proposed project, and own the copyright of the completed film. The applicant (director or producer) must be a United States citizen or permanent resident. The film project must be in postproduction at the time of application.

In the past, grants have generally ranged in size from $15,000 to $35,000.

Visit the Kroll Fund Web site for complete program guidelines and application materials.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Ever thought about expanding your business into international markets? Are you already exporting and need additional assistance?

The Louisiana Business & Technology Center, St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation, Committee of 100, and the Louisiana Office of Community Development – Disaster Recovery Unit have joined forces to help Louisiana companies take the next step into international trade.

Topics include:

• Steps to Creating an Export Plan
• Preparing your Products/Services for International Trade
• International Marketing and Distribution
• Dealing with Exporting in the Food Industry
• Overview of LED STEP Program: Up to $5000
reimbursement for export related activities.
• Overview of SUSTA export assistance program

Located at:
Edible Enterprises
917 3rd Street
Norco, LA 70079

Speaker(s): Shannon McCormick, Business Counselor, LBTC; Dianne Sclafani, Business Counselor, New Orleans SBDC; SUSTA Representative

Fee: Free

Written by Dominick Cross

Monday, May 14, 2012

Tipitina’s Foundation & Let’s Be Totally Clear’s Smoke-Free Air Series hits Lafayette Friday in an ongoing effort to raise awareness about the foundation’s campaign for smoke-free nightclubs and like venues.

The free show is set for 9 p.m. at Artmosphere, 902 Johnston St., and features ImagineIAM, The Pits and Christine Pierce.

“It’s a matter of health safety for themselves as well as equality in the workplace between somebody who works in a restaurant versus someone who works in a bar playing music for a living. Everyone should have the right,” says Rachel Nederveld, manager of the foundation’s Lafayette Music Office Co-Op. “And Tipitina’s, as part of our mission to help musicians and help cultural economy workers, it’s definitely important to us to help with the help concerns of those we’re working with.”

Alexandria is the state’s first city to go smoke-free across the board, while Lafayette’s nightclubs voluntarily abide by the idea.

“It’s really just a matter of making the decision that’s right for that population,” Nederveld says.

Nederveld, who also tracks as a band manager, musician, and live music lover speaks from experience where smoke-free venues are concerned.

“For my own sake,” she says, “I’d love for bars and venues to be smoke free for my own health, for my own enjoyment of being there, for the right to stand where I want without having to breath in harmful chemicals from other people’s mouths.”

Nederveld says she understands the situation bars owners are in and their fear losing customers if they were to go smoke-free.

“There is that argument,” says Nederveld, speaking as a musician. “But at the same time, if everyone is smoke-free – I understand smokers, I think if you want to smoke and do that to yourself, that’s fine – but I don’t see how that is at all your right to put that upon anyone else.”

Presented by Tipitina’s Foundation, Lafayette Economic Healthcare Initiative & Lets Be Totally Clear and the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation

Through its Basic Preservation Grants program, the National Film Preservation Foundation is accepting applications for lab work to preserve culturally and historically significant film materials.

Grants are available to public and 501(c)(3) nonprofit institutions in the United States that provide public access to their collections, including those that are part of federal, state, or local government.

The grants target orphan films that were made in the U.S. or by American citizens abroad and are not protected by commercial interests. Materials originally created for television or video, including works produced with funds from broadcast or cable television entities, are not eligible.

The grant must be used to pay for lab work involving the creation of new film preservation elements (which may include sound tracks) and two new public access copies, one of which must be a film print. The grant does not fund HD transfers. The funds can be applied only to work commissioned between September 1, 2012, and November 1, 2013. Funds must be used exclusively for preservation expenses and may not be applied to staffing or operational costs.

Awards generally range from $1,000 to $15,000 in cash and/or lab services.

Visit the NFPF Web site for complete program guidelines and application instructions.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Zervigón Studios (formerly Silverman Studio)
3915 Baronne Street

Uptown near Napoleon Avenue one block from the once and future Martin’s Wine Cellar, two blocks from the St. Charles Avenue parade route. Four second-floor bright, airy individual studios with common full bath and utility sink. Early 20th Century with original wood floors and plaster walls. Unit 4 has its own utility sink. All units approximately $1 a sq. ft. per month rent.

For more information contact Carlos Zervigón:
504-442-2387
czervigon@gmail.com.

Note: Unit 1 has already been rented.

LCEF-HI in partnership with Tipitinas and Lets Be Totally Clear, will be presenting a smoke free concert with great music, food and giveaways!

Where:
Artmosphere
902 Johnston St. Lafayette

When:
May 18, 2012
9pm – 2am

Who:
Free to the General Public

A national fellowship award for American Indian artists

First Peoples Fund chooses its Community Spirit Honorees for their commitment to sustaining the cultural values of Native people. Artists are absolutely central to producing the tangible, visible forms of creation that help the people know who they are. They manifest the tools that support the spiritual practices of the people: the beadwork and clothing that prepare the dancers for the dance; the pipes for ceremony; the drums and rattles for the songs and prayers. Visioning is an important part of all native cultures, and producing art gives presence to the visions of the people.
The same Spirit that guides artists’ work also drives artists to do service in their communities. Artists convey the sacred meanings behind the materials they use. Artists honor the eagle and the grass in the crafting of the bows and arrows, the baskets, the dance regalia, the headdresses. When artists show the meaning of the beautiful things they make, it helps heal the Peoples spirits and shows how others can also give back.

The process of bringing spirit back to community is an important responsibility for artists – it is part of a sacred honor system. First Peoples Fund works strengthen that honor system by recognizing these exceptional artists for knowing themselves, honoring others, and sustaining spirit in their own communities.

Previous Year Community Spirit Award recipients are eligible to participate in our Cultural Capital Grant Program.

NOMINEES MUST BE:

• Practicing artists of demonstrated maturity in their field.
• Continually practicing artists for a minimum of 10 years.
• Documented affiliate of a United States tribe.

Note: In addition to Visual Arts, First Peoples recognizes contemporary and traditional forms of Performing Arts and Literary Arts.

FELLOWSHIPS WILL BE AWARDED TO ARTISTS WHO DEMONSTRATE:

• An artistic practice that passes on the traditions and the life ways of the people.
• A commitment to building the strength of native communities by sharing their skills and talents with others in their respective communities; and
• Deeply rooted and maintain direct ties to their tribal community.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

• Nominate online or send a postcard to include complete names and addresses of both nominee and nominator to PO Box 2977, Rapid City, SD 57709.
• Nominated candidates must be from an American Indian community.
• Applications will be mailed out after nomination deadline has passed.

SELECTION PROCESS AND EXPECTATIONS

• A national selection committee will review nominees and select awardees from those that meet the outlined qualifications.
• Fellowship recipients will receive $5,000 designed to give them the opportunity to “practice their art.”

To fill out a nomination on line and to see grants that are available to American Indian artists, visit www.firstpeoplesfund.org.

Deadline May 28, 2012

CALL TO ARTISTS for “MIXED MESSAGES.2 – Multiracial Identity Past & Present.” The NEW ORLEANS LOVING FESTIVAL is seeking original artwork and films with themes concerning the multiracial experience for a June 9th group art show at the New Orleans Healing Center.

Please follow the guidelines below for consideration:
1. Visual Art Submissions must be emailed to the attention of “Loving Festival” at info@press-street.com. Please include a bio or resume, and a high resolution photo of the artwork and a description.
2. Film Submissions must include a bio or resume, film synopsis, and screener DVD or film link. You may email film submissions to mail@charitablefilmnetwork.org or mail them to:
CHARITABLE FILM NETWORK
Post Office Box 51687
New Orleans, LA 70151
Att: Loving Festival

Deadline May 21, 2012

The City of Austin Art in Public Places program of the Cultural Arts Division, Economic Growth & Redevelopment Services Office seeks to commission an experienced public artist to participate as part of the design team for the Consolidated Rental Car Facility Art in Public Places project at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The selected artist will collaborate with the design team to create integrated artwork for the new facility and add an artistic perspective to the overall design.

Professional visual artists at least 18 years of age permanently residing and legally qualified to work in the United States, and not under contract with the AIPP program at the time of application, are eligible to apply. Artwork Fabrication/Installation Budget: $1,260,000.

For more information, please click here.