Best Practices Summary: Creative Economy Arts & Humanities Associations
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Organization/Best Practice/Resource Information |
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NY Non Profit Women Crafters |
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NY Non Profit/ North Country Crafters |
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NH Non Profit Writers |
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NY Non Profit Writers |
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VT Non Profit Crafts, Audio Tapes |
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NY Arts Council |
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VT Studio |
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NH Crafts |
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Two Maine Associations Merging |
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NH Performing Arts |
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NY Part of the Saranac Lake Arts Community |
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ME Art Association |
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NH Alliance |
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VT Council |
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A project of the New England Foundation for the Arts |
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Maine Native American |
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Maine Crafts |
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Maine Partnership |
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International Council |
International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) |
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NY Cultural Center |
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Nationwide Emergency and Professional Development Organization |
NY Non Profit Women Crafters
WREN: Women's Rural Entrepreneurial Network www.wrencommunity.org
WREN is to begin with a creative source for business development opportunities for low income people. This is the beginning, but WREN provides much more for future success of the arts, art businesses and the community. WREN creates and supports markets for local artists, artisans and rural entrepreneurs and theÊarts. The organization educates, provides resources for knowledge and practicalities and supports the future generations of artists through workshopsÊfor girls. The communities are served because WREN advocates buying ''local'', assists Main Street revitalizations, pursues sustainable models for rural economic development, andÊacts as an access point for community and business networking.
Leadership: WREN initiates programs. Two of the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES are Main Street Bethlehem Revitalization and The Colonial Theatre.
Investment: An important part of WREN are the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES. These initiatives include Membership, Networking Events and the Wings of the WREN Program. Also WREN offers the WRENa$ense Peer Lending Group & Investment Groups.
Knowledge: For the success of the members and the future of arts and crafts WREN provides many resources for knowledge. In order to fulfill its "CREATING NEW MARKETS FOR RURAL BUSINESS OWNERS" WREN offers a Technology Center, other technology resources, a lending library, online resources, Equity Awards for low and moderate income women entrepreneurs and Affiliated Affinity groups.
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NY Non Profit/ North Country Crafters
Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) www.adirondack.org
ANCA is a fourteen county association in the North Country of New York. It is a strong voice for the unique qualities and hence challenges of the North Country. ANCA demonstrates its determination for economic improvement in the region through study, plans, the provision of resources, education, practical assistance and policy pursuit. The Craft Development Program is a model that assists crafts people and the economy of the area. There are several publications, most particularly for the arts is the "Arts Crafts and Foods" periodical.
Leadership: ANCA demonstrates leadership in many ways. It has an important model Craft Development Program. One sign of leadership may be that the Atlantic Provinces Regional Economic Development Association chose the ANCA region for a tour of craft businesses. ANCA links crafts people and businesses, particularly at the Annual Buyer Days. Furthermore the association collaborates with other organizations in efforts to promote the artists and the region. One example of collaboration was with Fuller Communications to develop the "Art, Crafts, and Foods" publication.
Knowledge: ANCA provides many resources for knowledge development and dissemination. It sponsors, hosts and conducts workshops. Other resources are publications, one to one craft marketing services and group technical assistance and communications. For workshops ANCA has partnered with the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Women's Enterprise Business Center.
Innovation: Under ANCA's auspices are area studio tours such as the Jay Artisans Studio Tour.
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NH Non Profit Writers
New Hampshire Writers' Project (NHWP) www.nhwritersproject.org
NHWP is the only statewide literary organization for writers in all genres and at all levels. There are more than 750 members. It serves as a resource for writers and promotes them and their works.
Leadership: The New Hampshire Writers' Project serves as a resource for writers, publishers, booksellers, literary agents, educators, librarians, and readers in and near New Hampshire. On the individual level the Project supports the development of writers. On a larger scale it encourages an audience for local literature and brings attention to writers through events and by presenting Literary Awards.
Knowledge: NHWP offers classes, publishes a bimonthly newsletter, provides online book reviews and the annual Book Sampler catalog of new books by members. It holds events such as the annual Writers' Day conference and public readings. NHWP teams with Southern New Hampshire University for the university's low-residency MFA in fiction and nonfiction program. It also profiles MFA teachers through the Art of Writing.
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NY Non Profit Writers
Adirondack Center for Writing (ACW) www.adirondackcenterforwriting.org
The Adirondack Center for Writing (ACW) is housed at Paul Smith's College and funded by the New York State Council on the Arts. The Center serves Adirondack writers as a resource and educational organization through programs, conferences and an Adirondack Writers' Resource Guide. The support ranges from creative and technical skills to knowledge for publishing and marketing. Writers of all ages, genres and situations are included. There is a program for high school writers, prison writers and more. The Center is a place for writers to meet and share information. It showcases local writers and encourages others through awards and contests. The organization is strong in partnerships which include North Country Public Radio and the National Foundation for the Arts.
Leadership: Prison Writing Workshops are a new adventure in promoting writing. Together with Federal Correctional Facility in Ray Brook, NY and funded by National Endowment for the Arts and Federal Bureau of Prisons grant, AWC now offers writing workshops to prisoners.
Knowledge: The Center offers knowledge dissemination through various means: conferences, a high school writing retreat, boot camp for first time novelists and more.
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VT Non Profit Crafts, Audio Tapes
Vermont Folklife Center (VFC) www.vermontfolklifecenter.org
The Vermont Folklife Center Heritage Shop provides a place for more than twenty five contemporary regional folk artists to offer their work to the public. The Center researches, conserves and promotes the Vermont cultural heritage in danger of being lost. And subsequently it provides the public with access to these works both as education of cultural traditions and an opportunity for buying goods. Equally important for VFC's promotion of these treasured arts are the educational opportunities such as apprenticeship grants.
Leadership: Preserving the spoken word is central to the Vermont Folklife Center.
Investment: VFC provides apprenticeship grants.
Knowledge: The Center provides many educational opportunities, including the apprenticeship grants program, exhibitions, and educational programming. The Discovery Community is a program for educators. There are online resources, a children's book series and more.
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NY Arts Council
Arts Council of the Northern Adirondacks (ACNA) www.artsnorth.org
ACNA is a resource for 140 organizations in Essex and Franklin counties and leads a network of Arts Centers and Councils in the seven county North Country region. ACNA provides grants, sponsors concert series, art shows and creates the Northern Adirondack Arts Directory. It provides access to artists' and organizations' newsletters. The Council conducts educational programs for communities.
Investment: The Developing Community Arts, Artist and Community Exchange, Special Opportunity Stipend and Cultural Assistance Program are grant opportunities for communities, organizations and individuals.
Knowledge: Under the Arts_ And _Education projects the Council encourages educational institutions and artists to produce art programs, workshops and residencies in schools. The Council co hosts the annual Art Career Day and College Day.
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VT Studio
Vermont Studio Center www.vermontstudiocenter.org
The VT Studio Center is the country's largest artist community, hosting 50 artists and writers, who participate each month in four to twelve week independent studio residencies. The residents bring a mix of media, cultures, experience and ages. The Center includes seventy five artists and writers. It is a resource for the public as well as the artists, providing fellowships, lectures and gallery shows. The highly selective programs enable the artist to work with support, a community and few distractions of day to day living.
Investment: The Center is in the midst of a $7.5 million endowment campaign
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NH Crafts
League of NH Craftsmen www.nhcrafts.org
The League is one of the oldest craft organizations in the country. The member's crafts must be approved by the League's Standards. The crafts are then presented and sold through a network of seven galleries, the Annual Craftsmen's Fair and other events. The future of the arts is promoted through scholarships and grants. There are demonstrations and traveling exhibits further promoting the arts to the community at large and classes for all ages offered at the different galleries.
Investment: The League offers nearly $30,000 in scholarships and grants for individuals pursuing arts education.
Knowledge: The League offers workshops, master classes and demonstrations at each community-based craft store. There are education programs held statewide. During the nine day Annual Craftsmen's Fair there are more educational opportunities such as panel discussions, workshops and demonstrations for all ages.
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Two Maine Associations Merging
Maine Crafts Association (MCA) & Maine Highlands Guild www.mainecrafts.org
The MCA is a non profit organization that has been around since 1983. The Maine Highlands Guild was a result of research to integrate the rich cultural Piscataquis and Penobscot counties with economic development. Merging under the name of Maine Crafts Association the two organizations with similar visions, give the new entity an increased presence to aide members in greater outlets and opportunities.
Leadership: MCA and the Highlands Guild are merging for the greater good of their members. They plan on partnering with the Maine Turnpike Authority, several communities and the Department of Tourism for promotion of the crafts of their artists.
Knowledge: The organizations provide market programs such as web, retail and wholesale sales shows and educational programs, a favorite being the Haystack Workshop Weekend.
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NH Performing Arts
St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts www.stkieranarts.org
The St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts provides a wide variety of cultural events for the enrichment of residents and tourists in the Androscoggin Valley. It is managed by an area-wide committee of community residents, who believed the area needed a cultural center. It also provided a means to keep the historic building useful. Its role is to be a venue for performing arts in northern NH.
Leadership: The Kieran Arts Center has partnered with local businesses. For example, it worked with Northway Bank and Isaac Structural Steel to bring the Robison Ballet Company's production of the Nutcracker Ballet back to the North Country.
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NY Part of the Saranac Lake Arts Community
Saranac Lake Young Arts Association (SLYAA) www.youngartsonline.org
The Saranac Lake Young Arts Association is an interesting example of an association in a community that intentionally and creatively supports the arts. It consists of interactions between teachers, students and community groups. It provides education and financial assistance to young arts students.
Investment: The Young Arts Association has financial aide available for young people interested in furthering their arts education. There is the Tim Begor Memorial Scholarship, the Higher Education Assistance Fund and others.
Knowledge: SLYAA supports and includes educational programs including a program with the Adirondack Piano Institute, vocal workshops and an Artists Mentor Program.
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ME Art Association
Common Art Collective (CAC) www.quoddyloop.com/commons
The Commons Art Collective brings artists of many different media from the fine arts to written and performing arts. Joining together, the members will be able to dialogue and collaboration with other artists. CAC serves to inform, empower and encourage the artists, art forms and the community. The members display their work at The Commons at the Fare Share Co-op. CAC is particularly interested in original and developing approaches. It serves not only the artists themselves but also the greater community. By connecting the artists and their work to the community, the public are educated and served by means of exhibitions, gallery talks, presentations, and workshops.
Leadership: The CAC falls under the Maine Arts Commission's leadership. The Fare Share Coop provides exhibit space for the members.
Knowledge: By coming together as a collective artists learn from each other, from their experiences and resources. Because of the artists joining forces the community is more readily educated through exhibitions, workshops, talks and presentations.
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NH Alliance
Arts Alliance of Northern NH www.aannh.org
The Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire (AANNH) is a not-for-profit organization of schools, businesses, artists and individuals. Governed by a board and the members AANNH is a network, serving artists and the public. The Alliance is a regional resource, offering programs such as partner programs in schools and communities, cultural guides both in print and online and assisting artists, schools, organizations and arts enthusiasts. According to the Technical Review Committee of the Coos Economic Adjustment Plan, the AANNH is " a developing model for collaborative, creative community organizations and our natural champion for Creative Economy initiatives." (Creative and Knowledge Economy Technical Review Committee Report)
Leadership: Organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the NH State Council on the Arts, Public Service of NH and the Citizens Bank Foundation recognize the value of AANNH's programs and support through funding/grants and donations. Leadership is clearly demonstrated by the nature of programs and particularly as pilots. One demonstration of AANNH's leadership in the development of the creative Economy of Coos County is the development of an inventory of current and potential Creative Space sites throughout the region as well as other adaptable facilities, including public spaces and current space being used for creative business. Local creative business owners will be questioned for their needs. The results will be to pair up existing spaces with the needs for future creative arts economic development. (The Creative and Knowledge Economy TRC Report)
Knowledge: The Pilot Partnership Program is an example of leadership on the educational front. The Program offers Professional Development for K-12 educators.
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VT Council
North East Kingdom Arts Council (NEARS) www.nekarts.org
The Northeast Kingdom Arts Council, Inc. is a non profit organization headquartered in the historic Hardwick Town House. In 2002 NeKArts received a grant from USDA Rural Development for improvements of the Hardwick House, which serves not only as a historic building but the housing for year round programming and community events such as lecture series, workshops and exhibits. The Council organizes visiting programs, capital campaigns, houses a film club and hosts a variety of exhibits, thereby supporting and encouraging the community, arts and artists.
Knowledge: NeKArts offers educational programs, workshops and lectures.
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A project of the New England Foundation for the Arts
New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) www.nefa.org
NEFA is an important resource for the New England region's arts with an annual budget of five million dollars. It is a program initiator, regional laboratory, project coordinator, developer of resources, and builder of creative partnerships among artists, arts organizations and funders. Among its many programs and projects are: Creative Economy: An New Definition, Artist Link, Cultural Count (a database), Matchbook (an online resource for artists to display portfolios) and the Mexico Exchange.
Investment: NEFA has many grant programs. The areas are dance, performing arts, and public art.
Knowledge: The Research & Learning division builds "the intellectual assets of the New England cultural community in order to inform cultural decision-making and program development and to develop public understanding of how the arts contribute to the vitality of communities"(www.nefa.org).
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Maine Native American
Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance (MIBA) www.maineindianbaskets.org
"The Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance is a non profit Native American arts service organization (www.maineindianbaskets.org)." Six dozen tribal artisans are members, representing the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes. The Alliance strives to preserve and promote the art of Native American basket making, particularly within Maine's Native American community. The Alliance is housed in the Wabanaki Arts Center, which serves as an outlet for not only the basket makers, but other Native American artisans as well. The Alliance's artists can be seen at various events such as the Common Ground Fair, the Annual Maine Indian Basketmakers Sale and Demonstration at the University of Maine, Orono and the Native American Festival at Bar Harbor.
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Maine Crafts
Main Crafts Association (MCA) www.mainecrafts.org
The Maine Crafts Association is an important resource for artists, developing artists, artwork and art enthusiasts. The Association supports the artists on many levels such as opportunities for marketing, business programs, creative/artistic programs, education, networking and branding. It conducts workshops and conferences. Regarding education, the Association offers Associate's Degrees in Craft. It is an all encompassing organization for the arts from the intangible education to sites for sales: the Center for Maine Crafts and the Kiosk at the Bangor Mall.
Leadership: The Maine Crafts Association with the Eastern Maine Community College provides courses for an Associates Degree in Traditional and Contemporary Craft.
Knowledge: MCA offers educational programming, particularly the noted courses with the Community College.
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Maine Partnership
Bethel Area Nexus www.goose-eye.org
The Bethel Area Nexus's very name means to connect. It is a partnership of community agencies in western Maine. The partnerships are the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce, The Lewin Center, the Mahoosuc Arts Council, MSAD #44 Adult & Continuing Education and the Goose-Eye Institute for Creative Economy Education. By joining their distinct characteristics and advantages the partners work together to fulfill the purpose noted in the mission/purpose cell. Arts programming, education, research, a place and a vehicle are needs filled by the distinct partners. Their contributions include courses, programming, economic planning and entertainment.
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International Council
International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) www.ifacca.org
The IFACCA is founded on its constitution, ratified in 2003 and directed by a board, whose members were elected by the Second General Assembly. The Federation is a resource of international arts and culture news, research, arts summits, policy and more. The individual countries are easily linked from the website. The Federation issues reports, provides tools for information exchange, supports events, has a Newsletter and Connectcp, a resource of "Who's who in cultural policy, planning and research"
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NY Cultural Center
North Country Cultural Center www.plattsburgharts.org
The North Country Center for the Arts works to develop the arts in collaboration with the community and in doing so strengthen the economics of the North Country. To succeed in these purposes the Center sponsors exhibits and events such as the Apple Blossom Arts Benefit. The Center is to be particularly noted for its efforts to bring the arts to "sparsely served areas." In further efforts for the underserved, it partners with the NY State Office of Children and Family Services Scholarships. It also supports the arts through grants.
Investment: The Center administers the NY State Council on the Arts' Decentralization Grant Program for not-for-profit groups and arts related programs.
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Nationwide Emergency and Professional Development Organization
Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) www.craftemergency.org
CERF is a unique organization in the United States. Centered in Montpelier VT, it is a nationwide service for craft people. The board members are representative of various craft media and located across the nation, from Boston to California. As the title suggests CERF provides financial emergency assistance to artists, but it does much more. Beyond help in emergencies, such as loss of work space to a fire and emergency preparedness, CERF is an educational resource, a research center and a policy advocate. CERF services cover many levels of the craft business, from education for health issues and insurance to business development.
Leadership: CERF is the only non profit, tax exempt organization of its kind the United States.
Investment: CERF provides financial assistance not only for emergency relief, but also for business development. The organization has provided "one million dollars in financial assistance along with approximately $250,000 in donated services such as booth fee waivers, equipment, and supplies"
Knowledge: The organization educates craft artists for emergency preparedness, health, safety, business development and concerning insurance through programs and resources.