October 2008

I asked my dad if he would take me to the airport last week if I drove to the car dealership where he works. I mentioned I needed to change my oil, which of course turned into a request for him to do it while I was gone.

He also picked me up from the airport. On the way to the dealership, he was making fun of the condition I had left my car in when I dropped it off and said “I wish I had had time to wash it for you.” He led me to the garage where it was kept. Not only had he changed the oil, he rotated my tires and had it freaking detailed! I’m afraid to get in it now because I might get it dirty. Thanks dad!

My friend Gill Holland sent this to me, and since everything he’s involved in/promotes is inevitably cool, I thought I would pass it along.

I’m at Rutgers University for a conference (”Breaking Down the Walls: Reaching Youth, Families, and the Communities Through the Arts“). The first presenters were part of a teen improv group called Reflections. It was a great kickoff to the conference. These kids did a great job illustrating to the audience how they use improvisational performances in schools to teach conflict resolution. I can definitely see how the issues they address are more effectively conveyed by teen peers. And of course, the students involved as actors with Reflections have a lot to gain from the experience.

Now speaking is New Jersey Secretary of State, Nina Mitchell-Wells. Here are a few notes I’ve jotted down from her talk (don’t hold me to exact accuracy):

• Youth involved in the arts are: 4 x to be more likely to do well in math and science
• 3 x more likely to get an award for attendance
• read for pleasure twice as often
• have improved social skills and are more tolerant individuals
• are more likely to vote
• 25% of students are left unattended from 3-6pm (and could greatly benefit from art programming)

Encouragement from my inbox:

“I’ve just returned from the Grantmakers in the Arts conference in Atlanta this past week, as well as a visit to New Orleans to check in with our four member grantees there. Since it isn’t often that one gets to sit down with 300 grantmakers, especially in the midst of such rocky financial times, I wanted to share with you how encouraged I was to hear how upbeat grantmakers are right now. There was tremendous reaffirmation of the need to continue supporting the arts, to contribute to the health and vibrancy of our society, and to give a creative voice to these uncertain times.

While several Alliance members have contacted me wondering how our economy will affect them, here are two things that happened recently: One of our members, a new residency program, held its first fundraiser auction - on the day the US government proposed a $700 Billion bailout of the financial industry. Yikes! …. And yet, people came. They bid. They had a great time. And the organization raised $250,000 that night. Rhode Island School of Design held its annual fall alumni art sale two weeks ago - 175 artists on the street in Providence. Everyone I talked to was nervous — Would people buy art? Would they still spend money on “luxuries” when the necessities are harder to come by? As I watched the sun come up (I was there volunteering at 5:30am) and the crowds grow, I was thrilled to see literally thousands of arts supporters on the street. At the end of the day, I talked with so many artists who said it was their best sale ever. Like the growing popularity of farmer’s markets and buying locally, people were thrilled for the opportunity to support art-making at the source - from the artists themselves.

I don’t think either of these experiences were due to luck (though nice weather helped!). I think it speaks to the times we are in, where investing in authenticity, creative expression, and the quality of life in our communities feels good. As the US takes a hard look at its consumerism, at its consumption of wasteful goods in our throw-away society, the arts stand out in stark contrast and give us an opportunity to invest in something that matters, something that gives back.

There’s no telling what the months and years to come will bring, though change is certain. I for one will take the time to find new ways to talk about our work, to champion the field of artists’ residencies, and to advocate for supporting today’s artists - all timeless and essential now more than ever.

Peace,

Caitlin Strokosch
Executive Director
Alliance of Artists Communities
www.artistcommunities.org“

Woohoo! I’m the October featured artist on Five0Two.

This video is a little slow at first, but I was definitely laughing out loud by the time Sarah Silverman said she was going to take her bra off under her shirt while she waited for her viewers to register to vote. Oh, and the message is of course very noteworthy. Pass it on.

I didn’t have time to get involved in this wonderful project (organized through the Kentucky Foundation for Women and funded by an anonymous donor), but I am so proud of the women/artists who did.  WFPL aired a story about the project yesterday:

Jails aren’t pretty, and their not supposed to be. But now jails have programs to help inmates turn their lives around, and in Louisville art is part of the mix.

Click here to listen to the story.  A big “Well done! ” to my artistic colleagues who shared their time and talent to bring art to the jail visitors (especially the children): Mary Yates, Terry Wunderlich, Joyce Ogden, and more.

I hate to point out the obvious, but did you notice “Visual Art, Ashley Cecil?” Woohoo!  Ticket information is here.

About every 6 months, I’ll hear a new song on the radio that hits me like a truck and I think it’s the best thing my ears have ever heard. I discovered this new Ray LaMontagne song on WFPK this week and was blown over. I immediately started day-dreaming about being the muse for the lyrical poetry (sigh, I’m such a girly-girl some days).