Fourteen Iowa students will gather in Des Moines March 8 to compete for a state championship and a trip to a national poetry recitation contest in Washington, D.C., where $50,000 in scholarships and prizes will be awarded.

Iowa’s Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines. The contest is free and open to the public and will include poetry recitations by each student competitor.

Created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, the Poetry Out Loud contest in Iowa is presented by the Iowa Arts Council. Iowa Lt. Gov. Patty Judge and NEA’s John Ostrout, director of State and Regional Partnerships, will attend the contest and make remarks.

“The Iowa Arts Council strongly supports teaching poetry in schools,” said Cyndi Pederson, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. “This program extends learning opportunities beyond the classroom and helps students develop skills they’ll need their entire lives. It also fosters a life-long appreciation and

understanding of great poetry. We are grateful to the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation for supporting this event in Iowa through the Iowa Arts Council.”

Poetry Out Loud, which began in 2005, helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage. This year, more than 200,000 students from across the nation competed at the classroom and school levels.

Iowa’s state-level winner will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Finals. The state winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The state runner-up will receive $100, with $200 for his or her school library. A total of $50,000 in scholarship prizes and school stipends will be awarded at the National Finals, with a $20,000 scholarship prize for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion.

The following Iowa students will compete Saturday, with the winner advancing to the National Finals at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., April 28-29, 2008:

· Ankeny: Shaquita Welch, Northview Middle School (teacher: Kelcy Lofgren)

· Churdan: Sarah Thompson, Paton-Churdan CSD (teacher: Melissa Johnson)

· Des Moines: Alyssa Gourd, Hoover HS (teacher: Nicholas Jackson)

· Des Moines: Ronnie McConnell, Lincoln HS (teacher: Linda Schlak)

· Des Moines: Saulaman Schlegel, North HS (teacher: Matt Rixner)

· Lake Park: Mitchell Tiedeman, Harris Lake Park CSD (teacher: Mary Brandt)

· Marcus: Hunter Heidesch, MMC HS (teacher: Karen Swinger)

· Mondamin: Jeena Gochenour, West Harrison CSD (teacher: Madylon Perley)

· Newton: Melissa Tuinstra, Newton HS (teacher: Margaret Caldwell)

· Norwalk: Alyson Browder, Norwalk HS (teacher: Martha Davis)

· Perry: Jessica Phillips, Perry HS (teacher: Wendy Bollhoefer)

· Sigourney: Felicia Mauk, Sigourney HS (teacher: Jessica Weinreich)

· Story City: Emily Mortvedt, Roland-Story HS (teacher: Denise Biechler)

· West Des Moines: Kate Vukovich, Valley HS (teacher: Karen Downing)

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New: The Economic Impact of the Arts in Iowa

A study conducted for the Iowa Arts Council by Sustainable Tourism and Environmental Program (STEP) at the University of Northern Iowa and Recreation Research & Service has released its report on the economic impact of the arts in Iowa. The numbers are impressive: More than $347 million of direct and indirect economic impact and creation of 3,480 jobs due to the arts in and around the six targeted counties of Black Hawk, Wapello, Winneshiek, Woodbury, Montgomery and Pottawattamie.

The study was designed to test and demonstrate a model for identifying the economic impacts of the arts and arts organizations in Iowa. As a test case, six counties (and 31 adjacent counties) were selected for initial study.

The Travel Industry Association of American (TIA) has documented that 81 percent of adult travelers include a cultural event while on a trip of 50 miles or more away from home. These travelers also bring the benefit of longer stays and higher average expenditures, in turn generating more revenue for the community. There is a wide range of benefits to a community that result from embracing the arts. Full- and part-time jobs are produced from the art dealer to the janitor at a theater to the vendor at an arts festival.

The 66-page study complements two previous studies completed in Iowa: the “Arts & Economic Prosperity III” study by Americans for the Arts and the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance (2007); and “The Economic Value of Arts and Cultural Organizations to the Central Iowa Economy: A Report for Bravo Greater Des Moines” (2007).

The complete study can be viewed by visiting the Iowa Arts Council Web site.

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March is Youth Art Month!

The winning entries in a statewide art competition involving Iowa school students will be on display at the State Historical Museum in Des Moines throughout the month of March.

Carlie Schaeffer, 3rd Grade

Youth Art Month (YAM) is a competition sponsored by Art Educators of Iowa that gathers works by Iowa students in grades K -12. The winning 112 entries will be on display in the State Historical Museum, while a dozen “best of show” entries will be displayed in the Governor’s Office.

YAM serves many purposes, not the least of which is to celebrate outstanding student achievement in the visual arts. Another more

fundamental purpose is to promote the importance of art education in school curriculums. Through the arts, students learn a vast amount of information, like problem solving, the value of practice and perseverance, how to work with others, the enjoyment of creation, and how to communicate about themselves and the world around them.

YAM not only celebrates student artists, but also encourages students to continue their future in education. Eric Jensen, a teacher, scholar, and member of the Society for Neuroscience and New York Academy of Science, sums up the importance of art education: “The arts should be supported not only because research supports their value but also because they are as dynamic and broad-based as more widely

Jessie Buchholtz, 3rd Grade

accepted disciplines. They contribute to the development and enhancement of multiple neurobiological systems, including cognition, emotional, immune, circulatory, and perceptual motor systems. Ultimately, the arts can help make us better people.”

The State Historical Museum is located at 600 E. Locust in Des Moines. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4:30 p.m. Call (515) 281-5111 for more information.

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Kevin Burt True to Blues Roots

Like many blues singers, Kevin “B.F.” Burt grew up listening to blues music that would eventually tie its influences into his own musical style. Born and reared in Waterloo, Burt went to college and became a social worker. When a co-worker praised his powerful voice several years ago, Kevin began attending local blues jams where he met a group of talented musicians who decided to form their own band, Kevin Burt & the Instigators, which include Burt on lead vocals, John Lane on bass, Eric Madson on drums, and Matt Panek on guitar.

This four-member band has toured the Midwest for 13 years playing songs on the funky side of the blues. They perform a

blues repertoire of old and new songs by such artists as Bill Withers, Muddy Waters and Credence Clearwater Revival to create an indigenous Iowa sound. Kevin Burt & the Instigators perform at various blues venues and festivals from small towns to major cities such as Kansas City, Chicago and St. Louis.

Burt, along with his sideman, Matt Panek, was a featured performer at the Smithsonian’s 1996 Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C. and at the Sesquicentennial Festival of Iowa Folklife, as well as at subsequent state and regional folklife festivals. He’s shared billing with B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Ellis Hooks, David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards, Robert Lockwood Jr., Little Ed, Long John Hunter, Rod Piazza, Kenny Neal, Jonny Rawls and more.

Cultural Express: History of the Blues April 12! Kevin Burt and the Instigators will present a program on African American Blues in Iowa on Saturday, April 12, from 1-3 p.m. at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines. Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, American Masterpieces Initiative, this event will be a mixture of performance, talk and jamming with audience members. It’s a free, family-oriented two-hour program with something for everyone. Make sure to come out and bring your instruments!

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Major Grant Applications Due April 1

Iowa artists, arts organizations, schools and other community groups applying for Major Grant funding from the Iowa Arts Council have until April 1 to submit applications and support materials.

Grant applications and support materials are due in the IAC offices, 600 E. Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319 by 4:30 p.m. April 1. Grant applicants must visit www.iowaartscouncil.org and use eGRANT, IAC’s online grant application and submission system. In addition, hard copies of support materials, work samples and the service contract must be received in the IAC office by 4:30 p.m. on April 1.

Projects submitted for the April 1 deadline must occur during IAC’s fiscal year 2009 that begins July 1, 2008 and ends June 30, 2009. Contact Linda Lee at linda.lee@iowa.gov or (515) 242-6194 for more information.

IAC Major Grants are designed to provide financial assistance for projects developed to bring excellence in the arts to all Iowans. The program emphasizes artistic excellence, service to Iowans, and solid project planning and implementation. Applicants may request up to $10,000 but no more than 50 percent of the project’s total expenses. Applicants must match the amount requested.

IAC Major Grants are available in the following categories:

· Artist Grants

· Artists in Schools and Communities Residency Grants

· Arts in Education Grants

· Conference, Workshop & Forum Grants

· Folk & Traditional Arts Grants

· Organization Grants

· Public Art Grants

For fiscal year 2008, requests for IAC Major Grants outpaced available funds. IAC received 144 applications requesting nearly $1.2 million in major arts and organizational grants and awarded 39 grants totaling $255,000.

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New Data Shows Iowa’s Per Capita Spending on the Arts Remains at 45th Nationally

In its Fiscal Year 2008 Legislative Appropriations Annual Survey, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies shows Iowa remains in 45th place, but the state’s per capita amount changed from $.41 in FY07 to $.42 this year.

“The one-cent increase is due to union-negotiated salary increases that were approved by the legislature for funding across all state agencies last year,” said IAC division administrator Mary Sundet Jones. “The actual appropriation for general programs was exactly equal to that of the previous year.”

Other comparative information:

National average: $1.04 per capita

Top 5 States:

1st Hawaii $5.21 per capita

2nd Maryland $2.70 per capita

3rd New Jersey $2.58 per capita

4th New York $2.54 per capita

5th Delaware $2.41 per capita

Lowest 5 States:

50th California $.11 per capita

49th Texas $.18 per capita

48th Colorado $.31 per capita

47th Arizona $.33 per capita

46th Washington $.40 per capita

Missouri made another incredible leap in FY08. They were 49th in FY06 ($.08 per capita), 33rd in FY07 ($.64 per capita), and are 12th in FY08 ($1.37 per capita).

State arts agencies showing significant increases in their state appropriations between FY07 and FY08 include Oregon (196% increase), Missouri (118.4% increase), Connecticut (50% increase), Louisiana (49.1% increase), and Nevada (44.4% increase).

State arts agencies showing significant decreases in their state appropriations between FY07 and FY08 include Florida (59.3% decrease), South Carolina (31.6% decrease) and Illinois (21% decrease)

All figures here reflect legislative appropriations to state arts agencies excluding line items (pass-through funds).

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Buyiowaart.com Blooms in Time For Spring

Buyiowaart.com is featuring an array of spring-related art by Iowa artists. Generally, we like to hope that people visit the site to purchase gifts for others. But with the dark and cold winter months dragging on, we think you should find something bright and cheery just for yourself. Something that makes you feel happy. Just because it’s there.

Buyiowaart.com...look what’s blooming!

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Make Every Day Advocacy Day

The Iowa Cultural Coalition’s Cultural Advocacy Day Feb. 18 drew a respectable crowd despite questionable weather. Representatives from about 50 arts and cultural organizations from across the state came to Des Moines to rally in support of more funding for the arts.

The annual event included advocacy training, a rally, a march to the Capitol, meetings with legislators and entertainment, and afternoon workshops.

Governor Chet Culver places a flower on the Cultural Advocacy Day mural at the State Capitol Feb. 18.

The Great Places program used the opportunity to highlight Governor Culver’s signing of Memorandums of Understanding with the communities of Appanoose County, Charles City, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Decorah, Perry and Valley Junction (West Des Moines).

That evening, a legislative reception drew more than 100 arts advocates and legislators to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks and entertainment by musician Roxi Copland, as well as musical numbers from Caucus! The Musical.

The Iowa Arts Council’s Web site has valuable information and tips on advocating for the arts in Iowa all year round. Ideas as simple as inviting your legislators to a local arts event can have a huge impact. Visit the IAC Web site for these and other advocacy ideas.

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Midwest Arts Business Workshop April 11-13

The Arts Business Institute will hold a workshop April 11-13 at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, 200 N. Main St., Fairfield. The nonprofit Arts Business Institute serves crucial, common need in the arts, craft making and gallery communities – practical business education for creative entrepreneurs.

The Midwest Arts Business Institute Workshop offers two tracks: one for galleries and one for individual artists/craftspeople. The track for galleries will target the business needs of gallery owners and will cover the topics of pricing, merchandising, promotional materials, successful promotions and expanding inventory. For individual artists/craftspeople, the workshop will target the needs of artists and will include the topics of salesmanship, wholesale 101, “How a Jury Perceives Your Slide,” “Developing Your Product Line,” “Relationships with Galleries,” and “Developing Promotional Materials.”

ABI coordinates workshops through partnership with regional arts and economic development organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada in order to maximize the perception, profitability and professionalism of artists and gallery owners. The organization offers educational workshops designed specifically for a particular region, with individual mentoring sessions, and the opportunity to ask questions and network with ABI faculty and staff as well as other artists.

Early registration is $125 for 3 days, free mentoring and complimentary lunch on Saturday. Price after March 9 is $150. The Midwest Art Business Institute Workshop is sponsored by 1st Fridays Art Walk, Fairfield Iowa Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fairfield Entrepreneurial Association, Fairfield Arts & Convention Center and the Fairfield Cultural Alliance. 1st Fridays Art Walk is funded, in part, by the Iowa Community Cultural Grant administered by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
Contact 1st Fridays Art Walk at (641) 233-8500 or visit www.FairfieldArtWalk.com for workshop registration information.

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IAC Staff Out & About

March 1: Dawn Martinez Oropeza attends Youth Art Month opening reception at State Historical Building in Des Moines

March 3: Dawn Martinez Oropeza to Lincoln High School in Des Moines for career presentation to students

March 3: Riki Saltzman to visit Fremont County in SW Iowa to document local culture

March 5: Riki Saltzman to Amana for meeting with Iowa Valley RC&D regarding documentation of folk & traditional artists

March 7: Iowa Arts Council Board meets in Des Moines, with staff participating

March 10: Sarah Ekstrand and Dawn Martinez Oropeza to Dubuque for IAC Grant Writing Workshop

March 12: Bruce Williams meets with IUB/OCA Art in State Buildings Advisory Committee in Des Moines

March 30-31: Bruce Williams and Cyndi Pederson to Mt. Pleasant for Southeast Iowa Symphony site visit

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New Poll Emphasizes Role of Imagination

The new national survey of 1,000 likely voters, with a 3.1% margin of error, identifies that 30% of American voters are not only dissatisfied with public education’s narrow focus on the ‘so-called’ basics but that they also believe developing the imagination is a critical, but missing, ingredient to student success in 21st century schools and moving students beyond average.

This from a national poll released by Lake Research partners identifying a new strand of swing voters poised to support candidates and policy that ensures building capacities of the imagination in schools.

The majority of voters surveyed believe that it is extremely important to have good public schools nationwide, but there is also concern that public education in the United States is behind what is offered to students in other parts of the world and that we devote less attention to developing the imagination, creative skills and innovation than other nations.

To read more about the poll, visit www.theimaginenation.net.

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New Research on Arts Audience Attitudes, Behavior

LaPlaca Cohen, in partnership with Discovery Communications and Antenna Audio, has released Culture Track 2007, a national study looking at attitudes and behavior of cultural audiences.

Culture Track is LaPlaca Cohen’s fourth installment of its ongoing national research study of attitudes and behaviors of cultural audiences, examining trends in attendance at visual and performing arts events and the motivators and barriers that affect participation.

Some key findings:

There has been little change in overall attendance at cultural events, but the percentage of respondents attending three or more events per month rose from 15% in 2005 to 31% in 2007.

Frequency of attendance is highly correlated with education, income and age.

When asked what they see as the value of the arts to their community, most respondents cite the role of the arts in contribution to the education of children as the #1 value.

Significant growth in the Internet is the preferred method of ticket purchase for performing and visual arts audiences, across all age segments.

The full report may be downloaded from the LaPlaca Cohen Web site.

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