"I came away from the conference with a substantially expanded framework for the way I perceive my work within my own organization and the field as a whole.”
—Matt Braun, Fleisher Art Memorial
- Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, November 11-14, 2009
- REGISTRATION
Financial Aid
Cost-Savings Opportunities from the National Guild
- Teaching Artist Registration Discount Availble! The National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts is pleased to invite teaching artists/faculty members at Minnesota-based community arts education organizations to attend the Conference for Community Arts Education in Minneapolis, November 11-14, at a special discount of up to 70% off regular registration fees. The deadline for applying is 10/23/09. Teaching Artist registrations are non-refundable, do not include meals and cannot be combined with any other discount. The number of registrations available at this rate is limited and will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis.
Click here to download the Teaching Artist Registration Form.
- Need-based Travel Assistance Is Now Available! The National Endowment for the Arts has made a grant of $15,000 to underwrite lodging expenses of Guild member organizations attending the 2009 Conference for Community Arts Education in Minneapolis, November 11-14, 2009. One representative per member organization may apply for up to two nights' complimentary stay at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. Because funds are limited, priority will be given to member organizations that would not otherwise be able to send a representative to the conference. If you are not currently a member, you can learn more about Guild membership and download an application at http://www.nationalguild.org/join_guild.htm. Applications will be reviewed weekly on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application early to ensure the best chances of funding. If you have questions, please contact Jay Samios at (212) 268-3337 ext. 12 or at jaysamios@nationalguild.org.
Click here to download the Travel Assistance Application and Guidelines.
- Financial Assistance from the National Guild: Limited need-based financial aid is available through the National Guild. Staff, faculty, trustees and other volunteers representing non-profit, community-based arts education organizations may apply for financial assistance to attend the Conference for Community Arts Education and Pre-Conference Institutes. We regret that we cannot fund travel, lodging or other expenses. Click here to download the general financial aid application. Please note: There is a separate application form for Pennsylvania residents. Pennsylvania residents please click here to download a separate financial aid application.
- Volunteer / Work Study Opportunities: The National Guild employs volunteers to staff several conference functions, and many volunteer positions qualify for work-study credit towards conference registration. To learn more, contact Jay Samios at the Guild. For volunteer job descriptions, click here.
- Discount for New Member Organizations: O rganizations that join the Guild as full members in 2009 receive a discount of 50% off of one full conference registration (we regret we cannot offer discounts on Pre-Conference Institutes, single-day registrations, or ticketed events). Learn more about Guild membership and download an application.
- Special Membership Opportunity for Organizations in the Upper Midwest: Join the Guild as full members by August 1, 2009 and receive 10% off annual dues for one year. Contact Heather Ikemire, or call (212) 268-3337 ext. 10. Community arts education organizations in IA, IL, MI, MN, ND, NE, SD, and WI are eligible.
- Group Discount for Members: $30 discount off Full (3-day) registration fee per 3rd or higher representative of a Full or Education Affiliate member organization.
- Roommate Referral Program: In order to help defray the cost of accommodations, the National Guild maintains a list of people interested in sharing a hotel room during the conference. When you complete your registration form, indicate your interest in this service and you will receive a list of registered delegates looking for a roommate. Roommate requests are gladly accepted, however, the Guild does not guarantee a match; you are responsible for contacting others on the list.
Raising Funds to Attend the Conference
- Fundraising Template: Many conference delegates have successfully raised funds to underwrite their participation in the conference. Board members and donors interested in your organization's future should be approached first. By articulating what you will learn at the conference and how you will apply your newly acquired knowledge and skills to benefit your organization, you can help these supporters understand the value of investing in your professional development. To help facilitate this effective strategy, we have provided an application template that you can download and adapt for your organization. Click here to access a Word document of the template. Don't forget to request enough funds to cover travel, hotel, and meals. Even without such funding—or with partial funding—you'll pick up cost-saving or revenue-producing ideas that will very likely pay for your trip to the Conference, and benefit your organization in the coming years.
- Technical Assistance Grants from Your State Arts Agency
Some state arts agencies that have special grant categories designed to support career development or travel. Carefully consult the grant guidelines to find out what kinds of activities are eligible and to learn how to apply. State arts agency staff can provide you with guidance and refer you to additional sources of information or support. Click here for a link to a map of State Arts Agencies. Please note that each organization has its own policies about requests for assistance. Also be sure to check your local (city, county or region) Arts Council as well.
- Alabama State Council on the Arts
Randy Shoults, Community Arts Progam Manager
Ph: (334) 242-4076 x 224
Em: randy.shoults@arts.alabama.gov
Deadline: June 1, 2009
Click for Grant Guidelines. - Alaska State Council on the Arts
Andrea Noble, Grant Administrator
Ph: (907) 269-6605
Em: andrea.noble@alaska.gov
Deadline: June 1, 2009; September 1, 2009
About: Career Opportunity Grants are designed to provide financial assistance to professional artists and professionals engaged in arts administration for travel to in-state, national, or international events, programs or seminars; and for other activities that will contribute to the strength of the applicant's professional standing or skill. Click for grant guidelines. - Arizona Commission on the Arts
Jaya Rao, Accessibility & State and Local Partnerships Coordinator
Ph: (602) 771-6532
Em: jrao@azarts.gov
Deadlines:Fiscal year 2010 Quick Turnaround Grant applications (for events or programs taking place between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010) will be processed starting July 1, 2009.
About: Professional Development Grants provide funding support for participation in professional development and skill building activities or opportunities that contribute to professional growth and further careers. Applicants may request grant support up to $750. PDGs must be matched by a minimum contribution of 25%. Click for grant guidelines. - California Arts Council
Josie Talamantez, Chief of Programs
Ph: (916) 322-6934
Em: jtalamantez@caartscouncil.com
About: Technical assistance funds are used to support development opportunities and activities that bring the Arts to the broadest constituency. Click for grant guidelines. - Colorado Arts Council
Jeanette Albert, Program Administrator
Ph: (303) 892-3838
Em: jeanette.albert@state.co.us
Deadline: Postponed, check back for more information
Click for grant guidelines. - Delaware Division of the Arts
Terry Plummer, Program Director, Community Arts Development/ Technical Assistance
Ph: 302.739.4748x183
Em: terry.plummer@state.de.us
Deadline: Postponed, check back for more information.
Click here for grant guidelines. - Florida Division of Cultural Affairs
Morgan Lewis, Arts Administrator
Ph: (850) 245-6356
Em: mblewis@dos.state.fl.us
Deadline: Postponed, check back for more information
Click here for grant guidelines. - Georgia Council for the Arts
Jhai James, Public Relations & Information Officer
Ph: (404) 685-2784
Em: jjames@gaarts.org
Click here for grant guidelines. - Idaho Commission on the Arts
Toni Oravez, Program Support Specialist
Ph: (208) 334.2119 x102
Em: toravez@arts.idaho.gov
Deadline: June 15, 2009; September 14, 2009
About: QuickFund$ Professional Development Grants are available for artists and arts administrators to receive reimbursement for attending a conference, seminar, workshop, or other form of career advancement. Traditional artists may request funds to attend gatherings where they will teach or learn from peers. Click here for grant guidelines. - Arts Council of Indianapolis
Dave Lawrence
Ph: (317) 631-3301 X 222
Em: dlawrence@indyarts.org - Kansas Arts Commission
Sarah VanLanduyt, Program Manager
Ph: (785) 368-6542
Em: sarah@arts.ks.gov
Deadline: First-come; first-served
About: The Kansas Arts Commission supports arts organization staff who wish to attend conferences. This support comes through out Arts Infrastructure Support grants. You are eligible to receive up to $2,000. Click here for grant guidelines. - Kentucky Arts Council
Tamara Coffey, Individual Artist Program Director
Ph: (502) 564-3757 x479
Em: Tamara.Coffey@ky.gov
Deadlines: May 1, 2009; August 1, 2009
About: Professional Development Grants provide funding support of up to $500 with 1:1 matching funds for activities that will help artists further their artwork and careers. Click here for grant guidelines. - Maryland State Arts Council
Pamela Dunne, Assistant Director for Grants and Programs
Ph: (410) 767-6484
Em: pdunne@msac.org
About: Technical Assistance for GFO (Grants for Organizations) available for professional consultant/consulting firms providing technical assistance services in organizational development areas such as fundraising, marketing, public relations, strategic planning or technology issues, professional development fees, i.e., conference or workshop registration fees for board and/or staff members. Click here for grant guidelines. - Mississippi Arts Commission
Judi Puliam, Director of Grants and Special Initiatives
Ph: (601) 359-6034
Em: jpulliam@arts.state.ms.us
Deadline: June 1, 2009
About: Conference Mini-grants for Organizations support registration and travel expenses for conferences and workshops that benefit an arts organization by training staff and board members. For grants to send a staff or board member to a conference or other training opportunity, your organization must submit a registration brochure with the application, along with any supplementary material that would describe topics and speakers and an explanation of how the organization will benefit from attendance by the individual(s). Click here for grant guidelines. - Missouri Arts Council
Donald Rice, Program Specialist
Ph: (314) 340.6845
Em: donald.rice@ded.mo.gov
Deadline: Tthe first Monday of each month through April 5, 2010.
About: Capacity Building Monthly Strategic Grants (formerly Technical Assistance) help nonprofit organizations develop defined administrative, artistic, and technical skills. Organizations may apply to attend conferences or seminars; to produce a conference or workshops; for consultant or contractor; or other capacity building projects, for example, services, equipment, computers, and publications. Maximum request depends upon the type of project. Multiple applications may be submitted. Click here for grant guidelines. - Montana Arts Council
Beck McLaughlin, Education & Web Services Director
Ph: (406) 444-6522
Em: bemclaughlin@mt.gov
Deadline: First come, first served, please call for more information
About: Professional Development Grants are given throughout the year to enable the council to respond to artists', organizations' or teachers' professional development needs. Click here for grant guidelines. - Nevada Arts Council
Maryjane Dorofachuk, Arts in Education Coordinator
Ph: (702) 486.3738
Em: mdorofac@clan.lib.nv.us
Deadline: August 17, 2009
About: Better Education through the Arts (BETA) Grants provide funding up to $750 for Professional Development for Individuals: encourages individuals whose work involves the planning, implementation, and/or evaluation of arts education programs including teachers, teaching artists, artists in residence, librarians, staffs of social service organizations and parks and recreation departments, arts or education administrators, etc. to broaden their skills and knowledge of the arts, arts integration or current educational strategies in arts education through participation in career enhancement activities. Click here for grant guidelines. - New Hampshire State Council on the Arts
Judy Rigmont, Coordinator of artists' services program, and mini-grants
Ph: (603) 271-2789
Em: Judy.L.Rigmont@dcr.nh.gov
Deadline: July 1, 2009
About: Offers grants for artist to develop their work and careers; or to arts administrators', or arts educators' for professional development. Click here for grant guidelines. - North Carolina Arts Council
Linda Bamford, Arts in Education Director
Ph: (919) 807-6502
Em: linda.bamford@ncmail.net
Deadline: Applications must be received six weeks before funds are needed but no later than April 1, 2010.
About: Technical Assistance grants provide funds on a limited basis for staff members to attend workshops, conferences, or short-term training programs. Click here for grant guidelines.