September 28, 2005
Contact: Mary Sundet Jones
Division Administrator
515.281.4641
Mary.SundetJones@iowa.gov
Hurricane Assistance: How you can help artists & arts organizations affected by the storms!
To Get Information or Get the Word Out:
1. Displaced Louisiana Artists
If you know of Louisiana artists who have been displaced, please help the Louisiana
Division of the Arts by encouraging them to complete an Artist Relocation Information
Form at www.crt.state.state.la.us/arts.
The form can be returned to the Arts Division’s office via email at arts@crt.state.la.us
or via fax at 225-342-8173.
2. Displaced Mississippi Artists
If you know of displaced Mississippi artists, or want information about
specific kinds of assistance that is both needed and being offered, visit www.carolepigott.com/help.
Carole Pigott is a Mississippi artist who is working with the Mississippi Arts
Commission to gather and disseminate new information on a weekly basis via her
Web site.
3. Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts has set up a bulletin board to gather and disseminate information.
Submit or look up news about:
• how arts organizations, cultural facilities, and artists are faring in the aftermath
of the hurricane
• initiatives to assist the arts
• how arts agencies, organizations, and artists are themselves helping to ease
the situation that is so desperate for so many
For more information visit www.AmericansfortheArts.org.
To Make a Contribution:
1. Southern Arts Federation Emergency Relief Fund
The Southern Arts Federation has established an Emergency Relief Fund to assist
arts organizations and artists residing in those Gulf Coast communities most devastated
by Hurricane Katrina. All funds collected by the Southern Arts Federation will
be distributed through the state arts agencies of the affected states.
Go to www.southarts.org.
2. Americans for the Arts Emergency Relief Fund
Americans for the Arts has established this permanent fund to provide timely financial
assistance to victims of a major disaster for the purpose of helping them rebuild
the arts in their community. One hundred percent of relief funds will be distributed
directly to local arts agencies for the purpose of assisting with their own recovery
and their provision of needed services and funding to nonprofit arts organizations
and individual artists, as well as to other cultural relief efforts. Americans
for the Arts is initiating this fund with a $100,000 contribution to immediately
help those assisting with the recovery of their local arts agency or providing
needed services and funding to local nonprofit arts groups and individual artists
affected in the Gulf Coast states. Americans for the Arts has established this
fund in response to the individuals and organizations who want to help local cultural
organizations and artists affected by Hurricane Katrina and other disasters but
do not know where to direct such donations. To make a contribution to the Emergency
Relief Fund or to learn more about how to apply for financial assistance, visit
our Web site at www.AmericansFortheArts.org/EmergencyRelief,
or call toll-free 866-471-2787 and ask for the Americans for the Arts Emergency
Relief Fund.
Specific Iowa Opportunities:
(We will add to this list as we receive additional information. Please contact Mary Sundet Jones at Mary.SundetJones@iowa.gov if you have items to include.)
1. Iowa Arts Council grants:
For the remainder of the 2005-06 fiscal year, funds obtained through IAC Mini
Grants and EZ 1-2-3 Grants may be used to hire or support the work of roster artists
or arts groups displaced by Hurricane Katrina, with no additional requirement
for work samples. This policy will be in effect until June 30, 2006. The Iowa
Arts Council is making contact with state arts agencies in Louisiana, Mississippi,
and Florida to request information about displaced artists who might already be
in or near Iowa, and will make that information available as it is received.
2. From Monica Leo at Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre:
Before the hurricane, Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre of West Liberty, IA, had already
contracted with Calliope Puppet Theatre from New Orleans to perform there in November
(see www.puppetspuppets.com/current).
Now, of course, most of their upcoming jobs are flooded out, and Eulenspiegel’s
staff is trying to help find them some more work throughout the fall. As you can
see by the description below, the topic is eerily timely! Calliope Puppet Theatre
is listed in the Louisiana Division of the Arts’ Touring Directory and its director
is listed on Louisiana’s Artist Roster.
To learn more, contact owlglass@avalon.net
or call 319-627-2487.
The Fisherman and His Wife
A Melodrama from the Coastal Wetlands
Through dynamic hand and rod puppets, colorful scenery, live music and sound effects,
and lots of singing and assistance from the audience, Calliope Puppets adapts
this familiar Brothers Grimm tale to a setting in the wetlands of south Louisiana.
Written in collaboration with Deborah Schultz, Formal Education Director, Barataria-Terrebonne
National Estuary Program, the show entertains while it educates about the impact
human decisions have had on this fragile ecosystem. After catching a magic Catfish,
the poor Fisherman struggles to keep his wife content, while she demands more
and more, not only of her husband, but of the natural environment surrounding
them. Audiences of all ages will understand some of the steps to take in accepting
responsibility for the future.
3. From Cammie Scully at the Waterloo Center for the Arts:
We have an opportunity to both assist a new Orleans artist and his family as well
as to benefit from having him in our community for 6 to 12 months. His name is
Richard Thomas. He has a significant national reputation. A few years ago we had
an exhibition of his work here at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. He has relatives
in Waterloo and is interested in relocating here for the period it will take to
rebuild his home, studio and gallery which was totally lost in the hurricane.
Richard painted all the murals in the New Orleans Airport—a huge commission/project.
He works really well with kids on public art projects and I think a public art
project involving Richard and school kids in our area would be fantastic! He needs
assistance with housing funds, has the credentials to teach and wants to do art
projects while in the area. Ideas? Assistance? Housing for a family of 4? Let
me know your ideas/resources. Go to Richard’s Web site at www.visualjazzartgallery.com
for images and information. Contact Cammie.Scully@waterloo-ia.org
for information on how you might assist.
4. From Larry Tierney, Mississippi Valley Blues Society:
Spencer Bohren, our first Blues in the Schools performer, is from New Orleans.
He has been displaced from his home and needs work. He is living in St. Louis
for the time being and can be reached at 314-963-0968. Spencer will be with us
here in the Quad Cities from Sept 26th to Oct 1st. He will present 15 workshops
and performances during his stay with us. There is much information on Spencer
at www.spencerbohren.com
and he can be emailed at spencer@spencerbohren.com.
Help for Artists:
The Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Fund, administered through the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, announces grants for musicians and music industry-related enterprises from the Greater New Orleans area. Individuals and organizations affected by Hurricane Katrina can download applications and review eligibility requirements at www.FoundationsForRecovery.org. Grants for individuals will be made up to $15,000, with priority given to professional jazz musicians. Grants up to $100,000 will be issued to nonprofit organizations, with priority given to music-related institutions. Applications are subject to deadlines. The Baton Rouge Area Foundation is a community foundation, a nonprofit organization composed of over 300 charitable funds with over $375 million in assets established by individuals, families, corporations and organizations. Since 1964, the Foundation has made grants in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Community Development, Education, Environment, Human Services, Medical/Health, Religion and Scholarships. For more information about the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, visit www.braf.org.