SEPTEMBER 2007

Arts Alliance Launches ArtsCount on Sept. 18
By Nicole Manvel
Community Relations Manager
University Musical Society making the region a wonderful combination of small town charm and big city sophistication.

On Sept. 18, the Arts Alliance will officially start counting how many artists (literary, performing, and visual) live and work in Washtenaw County.  ArtsCount is the snappy name for this undertaking and ArtsCount.org is where creative folks of all types can go to “raise their hands” and be counted.

So, why count artists?  Well, let’s turn the question around slightly and ask,”Why do artists count?”

Artists count because they are the foundation, the building blocks, the raw material of the arts and cultural community that we value in Washtenaw County.  Performing artists (actors, dancers, storytellers, etc.) delight us or move us to tears at the Purple Rose Theater and Performance Network.  Visual artists (mural painters, photographers, sculptors, etc.) enliven our streetscapes and enrich the walls of our homes. Literary artists (poets, writers, playwrights, etc.) remind us of our innermost feelings and help us to understand those of others.

We need to count artists because they’re often an invisible community and it’s impossible to judge the health of this sector without knowing who’s here. That’s important to business because artists have the skills that are desperately needed in the 21st century: the ability to think out of the box, to solve problems creatively, and to connect people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Artists create the stimulating environment that lures smart companies and the talented people who work in them to a destination.

So if you’re creative or know someone who is, visit ArtsCount.org between September 18 and October 31.  We want to count you!  For more information about the Arts Alliance and its mission to strengthen Washtenaw County’s creative community, contact Tamara Real at artsalliance@annarborchamber.org or visit www.a2artsalliance.org.

AUGUST 2007

How Many Artists Live in Washtenaw County?  Good Question.
By Nicole Manvel
Community Relations Manager
University Musical Society making the region a wonderful combination of small town charm and big city sophistication.

The short answer is that, at the moment, we don’t really know.  Which is why the always ambitious Arts Alliance is trying to try solve this mystery.  Beginning this fall, the Arts Alliance will conduct a census of artists in Washtenaw County in order to provide a clear picture of the breadth and scope of our artist community. 

There are two things that prompted the Arts Alliance embark on this project. 

1. The demise of the Technology Center and the subsequent cry that Ann Arbor was “loosing all its artists.”  There’s lots of anecdotal evidence of visual and performing artists moving to Detroit, Chicago, etc., but is there really a net loss of artists or are there newcomers entering our community that balance out the departures?  Without an understanding of who’s here, it’s difficult to know what the actual impact is.
2. An article in the Ann Arbor News last summer reported that according to the U.S. Census, there are about 346 artists in the entire State of Michigan.  Now, we all know that there are probably more artists than that in Washtenaw County alone, but again, we have no evidence to back this up.  Without numbers, it’s hard to make the argument that our artists form a sizeable community in our county.  Artists – particularly those working in the visual arts – are frequently overlooked because they often work alone and/or work in settings that aren’t  typical work environments.

Why does it matter how many artists are in Washtenaw County?  Because artists and other creative types generate the lively, edgy ambiance that gives Ann Arbor its distinctive appeal, that propels the city to the head of just about every “Top 10” list there is, and that produces a downtown where today’s young, savvy professionals want to live and work. For artists, be they painters or actors, innovative thinking and creative problem solving skills are tools of the trade – and these skills are exactly the ones that are needed by businesses seeking to succeed in our rapidly changing 21st century. Artists create an environment that is good for business.

So what defines an artist?  Criteria are not restricted to people who can sing, dance, act, or paint.  The Arts Alliance will be counting graphic designers, architects, photographers – basically anyone who is involved with a creative industry.

Ideally, this census will be repeated every two to three years in order to gain accurate insight into the arts community both economically and intrinsically.  So stay tuned for more information about the artist census.  If you are an artist yourself or know someone who is, we want to know about it!  For more information, please visit www.annarborchamber.org/community/arts.

JULY 2007

Michigan Arts Agency in National Spotlight for Taking a Risk
By Nicole Manvel
Community Relations Manager
University Musical Society

I just returned from Las Vegas, where Americans for the Arts held their annual convention, fittingly titled Risk and Reward. The three day convention was packed full of stimulating sessions for arts administrators, barely leaving enough time to play the slot machines or hit the buffets.

One session was devoted specifically to our own state arts organization, ArtServe Michigan. With the state budget crisis at the forefront for several months, you may have missed the news of two major statewide arts agencies, ArtServe Michigan and the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies, merging to form a new unified organization with a diversified mission. The new agency offers a wide array of programs that provide support and education to the arts field, as well serving as the advocacy arm for the non-profit arts sector.

Michigan’s lagging economy and state funding for the arts in jeopardy, a merger made financial sense so there could be shared expenses and staffing. But there is always the possibility that the two missions will not blend easily with one another. Americans for the Arts highlighted the merger in their spring newsletter saying that “Taking risks means taking steps toward the new, the trendsetting, the actions that ultimately turn our efforts into the pest practices of our field.”

With the type of leadership demonstrated by ArtServe Michigan, I have no doubt that the Michigan arts industry will continue to receive national recognition and that the pay off will be great. When it comes to revitalizing the state’s economy, my money is on the arts - and I’m “all in.”

If you would like more information about Americans for the Arts and ArtServe Michigan, please visit their web site at www.artsusa.org and www.artservemichigan.org.

JUNE 2007

Washtenaw County Sees Largest Show of Support in Lansing
By Nicole Manvel
Community Relations Manager
University Musical Society making the region a wonderful combination of small town charm and big city sophistication.

Artists are nice people. This may be why the arts and cultural community is realizing that they have not done a very good job of being advocates for their cause in the past.

On April 18, over 300 artists and arts-supporters gathered in Lansing for the Invest in Michigan – Invest in The Arts rally, organized by ArtServe Michigan, the statewide arts advocacy organization.  Washtenaw County had the largest showing of support by far, showing up with two full buses of advocates and a banner that read “Washtenaw County Supports Creativity.”

There has been no shortage of coverage on the budget crisis that Michigan is facing, or of the current moratorium on all state grants and how deeply this affects arts organizations.  Most organizations have already fulfilled the programs that the grants were intended to fund, and are now left to wonder how they will find the money to cover their expenses.

The message of the arts community is simple: lift the moratorium for the current year, and begin reinvesting in the arts and culture for the future of the state.  As ArtServe Michigan’s website states so well, “Continued cuts to Michigan’s arts and cultural sector are unacceptable and must be reversed if we are serious about reshaping the State’s economy.  As we struggle to reinvent our State and its economy, there is one thing we know for sure; whatever the nature of that future economy, it will be based on creativity and innovation – on human capital – on talent. Michigan needs a strong arts and cultural sector to create the quality of life that will attract that talent; the workforce, the businesses, the entrepreneurs and visitors we need to be competitive in the New Economy.”

For more information about the rally, and to take action in support of the arts, visit www.artservemichigan.org.  If you have comments or feedback on this topic, please contact the Arts Alliance at artsalliance@annarborchamber.org.

MAY 2007

Creative Connections Builds More Than Just Contacts
By Nicole Manvel
Community Relations Manager
University Musical Society

In October 2005, the Arts Alliance of the Ann Arbor Area presented the first free networking event for the arts community called Creative Connections. Over 50 representatives from the arts and cultural sector came to the Kerrytown Concert House for an evening of meeting new arts-folk in an adapted “speed dating” activity. The guests left with full stomachs, new contacts in hand, and a renewed sense of inspiration and cooperation.

Since then, the Arts Alliance has offered bi-monthly gatherings hosted by a variety of cultural venues throughout Washtenaw County. These meetings have proved to be a valuable opportunity for members of the arts community to meet one another and facilitate new collaborations. They have encouraged thought-provoking conversation and provided resources to arts organizations on topics such as advocacy and marketing.

Creative Connections is for anyone who is involved with or who cares about arts and culture in Washtenaw County and the quality of life in the Ann Arbor region.  You should attend a Creative Connections meeting if:

• you are a business that sponsors or supports local arts groups
• you sit on the board of or donate to organizations that make the arts possible
• you are interested in or concerned about the arts and arts funding
• you would like to become more involved with the arts and the community of artists that call Ann Arbor home

The next Creative Connections event is Monday, May 14 from 6-8pm at Dance Gallery Studio, located at 815 Wildt Street near downtown Ann Arbor.  To reserve your space, email artsalliance@annarborchamber.org by Friday, May 11.

For more information, visit www.annarborchamber.org/community/arts.

APRIL 2007

Ann Arbor Family Days Sure to Draw Crowds to Downtown Businesses
By Nicole Manvel
Community Relations Manager
University Musical Society

Is your business looking to broaden its appeal to a younger customer base? You may want to stay open a little later the weekend of April 21-22.  This month, 12 area arts and cultural organizations will offer an opportunity for community members and their families take advantage of a diverse offering of either free or low-cost cultural events by participating in the fourth annual Ann Arbor Family Days (AAFD).

Families will be able to partake in a wide array of activities, such as discovery projects, live animals, an instrument "petting zoo," hands-on art activities and workshops, and live music and dance performances. 

In past years, Ann Arbor arts and cultural organizations have drawn thousands of people for AAFD events.  With activities appealing to a variety of ages ranges, parents can participate in as many or as few events as their children can handle.  Most AAFD event locations are concentrated near the downtown/U-M central campus area, which means plenty or walking traffic near downtown businesses and restaurants.

Participating organizations include the Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor District Library, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Youth Chorale, Dance Gallery Studio, University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History, University of Michigan Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, University of Michigan Museum of Art, University of Michigan Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments, and University Musical Society.  For a complete listing of events and more information, visit www.annarbor.org/familydays.

MARCH 2007

Double or Nothing: A Guide to Creating a Matching Gift Program for Your Company
By Nicole Manvel
Community Relations Manager
University Musical Society

These days non-profit organizations in the arts and cultural sector need to make donations go further than ever before. Fortunately, companies and people within the Ann Arbor community are socially conscious and donate generously to causes that concern and interest them. Large companies are often in a position to sponsor non-profits through direct giving programs or their own foundations, but small to medium-sized businesses can have just as great an impact by developing a Matching Gift Program. This type of program allows employees to identify organizations they wish to support at the level they can afford. The business then matches their gift dollar for dollar, doubling the amount of the gift. Some businesses even match gifts two to one during certain times of the year.

According to the Council for Michigan Foundations, companies creating Matching Gift Programs may accomplish the following:

• Engage and connect their employees to their mission
• Have the opportunity to fund organizations they were not previously aware of
• Initiate a “virtuous cycle” in funding organizations that in turn educate their employees
• Improve employee relations, employee recruitment, and employee morale
• Foster better public relations to improve their corporate image.

Establishing a Matching Gift Program enables the generous donations of employees to go even further. The non-profit community benefits because they depend on donations in order to provide programs and services, and with the current economic climate in Michigan, many organizations are having a harder time making ends meet. 

In addition, businesses increase their visibility in the community as a corporate citizen to hundreds or potentially thousands of nonprofit organizations and their employees, board members, volunteers, and clients. The employee donations leveraged by the matching gift opportunity also increase community impact over time.

Finally, employees find such programs appealing because they are able to enhance their financial support to the causes they care about most. Studies have shown that offering this opportunity to employees makes them happier, which means they tend to be more productive because they know the company’s values are in line with their own.  In terms of attracting or retaining a talented workforce, this demonstration of community support can be a potent, intangible tool.

HEP Development, out of Leesburg, VA, suggests the following steps when considering creating your own Matching Gift Program.

1. Step One: Ask your employees - the success of your program depends on them!
2. Step Two: Work with your HR Department (or equivalent) to determine how best to administer and promote the matching gift program at your company.
3. Step Three: Determine what the policy will be. Will you match 1:1? What will the minimum and maximum match be?

Molly Motherwell, Marketing and Development Director at WEMU, has this to say about Matching Gift Programs: "Corporate matching contributions are a huge help to WEMU.  "When we get matching funds for individual donations it means we have to dedicate less time to soliciting funds on-air and can devote more air time to support for the arts through the jazz we play and media partnerships with organizations like the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, UMS, and the Michigan Theater, just to name a few.  It's a win-win for us and the arts community."

Several Ann Arbor-based companies have already set up similar programs, including TCF Bank, NSK Corporation, and Survey Sciences Group.  By letting your employees know that you are willing to support the community organizations they care about most, the opportunity becomes part of your overall benefits package while positively impacting the Ann Arbor community.

If you have questions about creating your own Matching Gift Program, you can contact the Council for Michigan Foundations, HEP Development, or the Arts Alliance of the Ann Arbor Area.

FEBRUARY 2007

Partners in Art; Two Local Arts Orgs Receive National Honors
By Nicole Manvel
Community Relations Manager
University Musical Society

By any standard, receiving nationwide recognition for a small business is a grand achievement. But imagine for a moment that the small business is a non-profit arts organization with just a handful of staff members.  Now, consider that in the same year, two small arts organizations based in Ann Arbor won national awards – and they share something else in common: their directors are husband and wife.

Russ Collins and Debra Polich are deeply connected to the Ann Arbor community, serving on Boards of Directors, advisory and planning committees, and several business associations, but 2006 brought them both national recognition for the organizations they lead.  Collins is the Executive Director of the historic Michigan Theater and last July was awarded the Outstanding Historic Theatre Award by The League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT). In turn, Polich, who is President/CEO of Artrain USA, recently returned from Washington DC where she accepted the 2006 National Awards for Museum and Library Service by the Institute of Museum and Library Services from First Lady Laura Bush.  “We benefit from the examples set by all of the outstanding arts and cultural leaders and organizations in Ann Arbor.  It’s also great fun to have a partner that shares a passion for art,” says Polich.

Companies like Ann Arbor SPARK work to attract new businesses to the area, but Ann Arbor’s award-winning artistic reputation creates a distinctive environment that people want to call home.  Living in a city where news about someone receiving an honor is an everyday happening, sometimes it’s easy to forget that this city is inhabited by artists and arts organizations that are renowned throughout the country.  For those that know Collins and Polich, and their respective organizations, they are a great example of why Ann Arbor SPARK tells potential clients, "The culture in the Ann Arbor region is rich, diverse and accessible,

JANUARY 2007

All Ann Arbor’s a Stage
By Nicole Manvel
Community Relations Manager
University Musical Society

The Power Center stage is again quiet since the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) departure in mid-November after an intense three-week residency at the University of Michigan, presented by the University Musical Society (UMS). The 2006 RSC residency was the largest and most expensive project undertaken by UMS in its 128-year history; nearly 27,000 people packed into the Royal Shakespeare Company’s temporary home for this U.S. exclusive appearance.  Many visitors came to all three plays — Antony and Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and The Tempest.  They came from at least 39 states and four countries to see these titles with Patrick Stewart, of Star Trek fame, performing leading roles in two of them.  But in addition to delighting theater-goers, the residency was also successful for our area businesses in terms of exposure and economic impact.

In fact, the potential impact of the residency was deemed great enough that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) sponsored the complete run of Julius Caesar, and organized a weekend during the residency, in partnership with UMS and the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau, for corporate executives from throughout the country to visit Ann Arbor to learn about the community's cultural, educational, and business development opportunities.  Mary Kramer, publisher of Crain’s Detroit Business, wrote in the November 13 issue that "the MEDC hit a home run with its investment in Shakespeare.”  In addition, the state's Department of History, Arts and Libraries is piloting a comprehensive study to measure the economic impact of the RSC residency.

The local business community had a vital and unique role to play in the RSC residency as hosts and hang-outs for the 73 cast and crew members of the company, as well as out-of-town guests who visited Ann Arbor to see the plays.  The Michigan Theater offered free movie admission to the company during their stay, and many restaurants and businesses offered discounts to ticket buyers and “those with British accents.”  The Campus Inn, which was home to many of the company members, offered daily Afternoon Tea in Victor’s Restaurant.  Ashley’s, Eve, Arbor Brewing Co., Grizzly Peak, The Firefly, Zanzibar, and The Blind Pig were among the favorite spots actors chose to unwind after performances.

Yet, what some might consider the greatest impact of the Royal Shakespeare Company residency transcends the financial impact. Over 3,000 students attended three dress rehearsals, and hundreds more were affected by the educational events happening in their classrooms, libraries, and theaters.  In addition, UMS was able to discount 2,500 student tickets for the regular performances, many purchased by students enrolled in the 13 U-M courses created specifically because of the RSC residency.  The 40 public educational events, the three exhibitions, and the more than 100 private educational events reached thousands of people of all ages. 

The RSC and UMS have invested in the Ann Arbor community as the community has invested in them.  If Detroit had the Super Bowl, then Ann Arbor had the Royal Shakespeare Company, and we can confidently say that in Ann Arbor, all’s well that end’s well.

With a program steeped in music, dance, and theater, UMS contributes to a vibrant cultural community by presenting approximately 60-75 performances and over 100 free educational activities each season. UMS also commissions new work, sponsors artist residencies, and organizes collaborative projects with local, national, and international partners.