Call for applications: Rosemary Kennedy Internship Initiative

The 2013 Rosemary Kennedy Internship Initiative is now open and accepting applications from qualified organizations. This initiative provides funding of up to $25,000 to arts organizations, from across the country, to initiate internship and apprenticeship programs for youth with disabilities that provide pre-professional skill development in the fields of arts, arts management and arts education.

Application deadline is January 7, 2013.

FMI:  Sonja Cendak, Assistant Manager, Artist Services, VSA / Accessibility Department, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, (202) 416-8823 or http://www.kennedy-center.org/accessibility/career.cfm

Drama students from throughout Wyoming compete in Riverton Nov. 29-Dec. 1

Our Wyoming Arts Council colleague Camellia El-Antably is heading off to Riverton tomorrow for the Wyoming State Drama Competition. Here's her description of the event:

The Wyoming State Drama Competition is put on by the Wyoming Educators of Secondary Theatre (WEST) each year. It rotates between college campuses across the state. This year it is at Central Wyoming College in Riverton Nov. 29-Dec. 1.

It is one of the most complex theatre competitions nationally, because schools/students may compete in all areas of performance and tech, including:

Proscenium, Arena, Reader's Theatre, Original Scripts (3 kinds), Duets & Monologues (humorous or dramatic), Makeup, Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Publicity, Costume. The tech areas (makeup, scene, lights, publicity, costume) offer four levels with stronger criteria as the student gains experience.

 

All high schools are eligible to participate, another departure from competitions in other states, as there are no district-level competitions.

Approximately 35 high schools participate. CWC's Fine Arts Building will be overrun with students putting on makeup, rehearsing, watching performances or viewing technical entries. Students participate in critiques with professional judges. Judges are drawn from colleges and professional theatre groups in Wyoming and neighboring states.

WEST is a membership group of teachers and coaches and other interested parties from across the state. The competition is run entirely by them, with no paid staff. Anyone supportive of theatre in the schools can be a member of WEST. Find out more about WEST at: http://www.wyoest.net/

Sign up now for Wyoming Poetry Out Loud

Wyoming Poetry Out Loud champion Sara Ellingrod of Arvada-Clearmont presents "Chicago" by Carl Sandburg at the POL national finals in Washington, D.C., in May. Photo © James Kegley

The Wyoming Arts Council invites interested language arts, speech/debate and drama teachers to take part in Poetry Out Loud (POL), the national recitation and memorization contest sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Designed specifically for students in grades 9-12, the program is a fun way to teach and reinforce language arts standards about poetry.

The sign-up deadline for Wyoming Poetry Out Loud is January 11.

The program materials are available now from the Wyoming Arts Council. The school contests will take place through mid-February, 2013. The state finals will take place in Cheyenne March 4-5. Many of the program materials are also available on the web site at http://www.poetryoutloud.org/.

POL builds on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, encouraging the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. Students can work on mastering comprehension, public speaking, acting, performance, drama and English skills while building self-confidence and internalizing our rich literary heritage.

Last year, 11 schools from across Wyoming participated in the program. Sara Ellingrod of Arvada-Clearmont, a second-time school winner, won the state finals and represented Wyoming at the national finals in Washington, D.C. She became one of only 53 students in a competition that involved 1,500 high schools and 365,000 students nationwide.

If a school is interested in participating in Wyoming’s Poetry Out Loud competition, or needs further information, please contact Linda Coatney at the WAC, 307-777-6393 or Linda.coatney@wyo.gov. 

Casper College Percussion Ensemble stages "soundscapes" Nov. 15 to celebrate John Cage's centennial

As part of John Cage’s worldwide centennial celebration the Casper College Percussion Ensemble will present works by the American composer on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Aley Fine Arts Center on campus.

“The audience will have the freedom to wander through the space of the Aley Fine Arts Center and experience performances of Cage’s works in a unique and multi-layered soundscape. The works will be performed at different points during the evening, often overlapping,” said Neeraj Mehta, DMA, percussion instructor and director of the percussion ensemble.

In addition to the percussion ensemble, the event will also feature Jerome Fleg, woodwind instructor on clarinet; Kristen Lenth, vocal instructor, vocals; Holly Wendt, English instructor, spoken word; and the students of Larry Burger, sound design instructor, electronic music.

Works to be performed include “Double Music,” Living Room Music,” “A Flower,” “In a Landscape,” “Dream,” “Radio Music,” “4’33”,” “Sonata for Clarinet,” and “A Lecture on Nothing.”

The performance is free and open to the public. The Aley Fine Arts Center is located on the Casper College campus.

Art Association in Jackson invites you to Nov. 12 celebration at St. John's Living Center

Exhibition of artwork created during weekly classes with the Art Association will be shown,  followed by cake and refreshments. At St. John’s Living Center in Jackson, 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12. The event is free and open to the public. FMI: http://www.artassociation.org/

"Beyond Supplementary: Northwest College Adjunct Faculty Exhibit" opens Nov. 8

Plucked from the Northwest College online calendar: adjunct |ajˈ ungkt: a thing added to something else as a supplementary rather than an essential. Adjunct faculty of the Northwest College Art Department in Powell will be exhibiting recent works.  Participating artists / educators are: Dana Childs -- ceramics  Zak Pullen -- illustration  Steve Schrepferman -- ceramics Rebecca Weed -- painting and drawing An opening reception will be held November 8 from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm in the lobby of the Cabre Building. Free and open to the public, refreshments provided.

Contact Information: Name: Denise Kelsay Phone: 307.754.6499 Email: Denise.Kelsay@northwestcollege.edu

Donna Fisher stepping down, Casper's Painted Past Productions seeks new executive director

Donna Fisher, executive director of Painted Past Productions in Casper, is stepping down Jan. 1, 2013. She is looking for a replacement:

Painted Past Productions is looking for someone to replace the existing retiring Executive Director. The replacement person will have the following skills. To apply for this position, please contact Donna Fisher at 307-267-7243 for an application or visit the downtown office at 330 S. Center, Suite 414, 9:00-3:30 Monday-Thursday.

Background in theater, i.e. directing and acting

Non-profit Business background, i.e. running a non-profit, or profit business with experience in non-profit.

Personnel management skills

Excellent communication skills

Extensive Computer Skills with Publisher, Word, Quick Books, Excel

Skill in Attention to Detail

AACT individual member

Experience in Office Management

Major areas of responsibility typically include:

·         Coordination of long-range and annual planning in collaboration with the Board of Directors.

·         Providing leadership for and actively participating in fundraising activities, donor development, grant seeking and grant reporting.

·         Developing the annual budget, including providing monthly financial reporting and forecasting, cash flow management, capital spending and expenditures review and approval.

·         Supervising the administrative staff and directing administrative operations.

·         Acting as the representative and advocate of the theatre with government agencies, insurance companies, community and local business groups and arts organizations.

Someone in this position would be expected to:

·         Possess experience in a non-profit arts management/leadership position, with demonstrated experience in fund-raising, grant writing and marketing;

·         Possess strong budgeting and financial management skills;

·         Demonstrate capacity to lead, manage, motivate and inspire the theatre’s team.

·         Have experience in marketing, advertising and public relations activities, including driving growth in ticket sales and associated revenues;

·         Exhibit excellent interpersonal leadership, and communications (both written and oral) skills;

·         Demonstrate a strong work ethic, stamina and passion.

Latin Jam features Cheyenne's own Grupo Folklorico Sabor Latino

Call for entries: Verismo Trio/WY Music Teacher's Association commissioning project

Verismo Trio announces a commissioning project sponsored by Wyoming Music Teacher's Association.

Award
· $2000 composer’s fee
· Premiere performance at Wyoming Music Teacher Association’s Annual Conference in June 2013
 · Recording of a live performance

Guidelines
Composers of all ages and nationalities may apply.
Required instrumentation:
· Flute (may double on piccolo)
· Saxophone: either soprano, alto , or tenor (soprano or alto preferred) or multiples in any combination
· Piano Length: 10-15 minutes
Score: Each composer must submit a legible score of professional quality with individual parts for flute and saxophone. No marks identifying the composer should appear anywhere on the score. A supporting recording (CD only) is helpful but not required. MIDI realizations are acceptable.
Number of entries: Composers may submit as many entries as they like following these guidelines for each composition.
Returning materials: If you would like your score and recording returned, please enclose a self-addressed envelope with correct US postage.

Judging
All compositions will be judged by a committee comprised of Verismo Trio, the president of Wyoming Music Teacher’s Association, and one outside musician in a reading session with Verismo Trio.

Registration fee
Thanks to this generous donation from Wyoming Music Teacher’s Association, there is no registration fee.

Restrictions
You may not submit a work that has already been professionally recorded for commercial release.

Deadline for receipt of entries: postmarked by February 1, 2013. Please do not send materials registered or certified mail, or any mail service that requires a signature. They will not be returned to you.

Mail your entries to:
Verismo Trio Commissioning Project
c/o Nicole Riner
Dept. 3037
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071

For further information or questions, contact Nicole at nicole.riner@gmail.com.

You can bring the Verismo Trio to your community through the WAC Artists Across Wyoming grant category. Find the trio on the artist roster by going here. Visit the group's Facebook page here.

Annual WyAA conference features presentations by state and regional arts leaders

The Wyoming Arts Alliance holds its annual conference Oct. 5-7 in Kemmerer.

You don’t need to be an artist or a presenter to have a place at this conference -- if you are interested in preserving and promoting the Arts in Wyoming and the surrounding areas; this is where you will want to start!

Of course, it would not be a true WyAA conference without the Performing Artist Showcases and Block Booking Meeting to round everything out. Whether you’re an artist, educator, elected official, arts advocate, you belong to a school board or a nonprofit, or you’re just interested in learning more about current issues in the arts world, come and join us for a conference filled with professional development, educational, and networking opportunities as we hear from artists and leaders around the state about what’s happening, and where the future of the arts in Wyoming is headed.

FMI: http://www.wyomingarts.org

Wyoming Arts Council looking for Arts Education Program Specialist

Interested in working for the Wyoming Arts Council?

The WAC is looking for an Arts Education Program Specialist.

"The purpose of the arts education position is to develop, support, and advocate for arts education for all Wyoming citizens. Arts education for all ages is a key goal in the Arts Council's long range plan, and is part of the education and outreach criteria in the Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources strategic plan."

Get full description here.

October is National Arts & Humanities Month

FMI: Check our blog often for arts events around the state. For info on the national scene, go here. 

Casper College Osher Lifelong Learning Center offers "From Mozart to Merle Haggard" class

From a Casper College press release:

Registrations are now being taken for a fun and interesting music appreciation class through the Osher Lifelong Learning Center (OLLI) at Casper College.

“From Mozart to Merle Haggard: Music Appreciation for Fun” (OLLI 2016) is for those who “are in a rut and listen to the same genre of music all the time, but would like to explore and learn to appreciate other music genres,” said Vicki Pollock, lifelong learning specialist at Casper College.

Those taking the class will “listen to and discuss the appeal of a variety of music genres from classical to country. Students may also bring a sample of their favorite music to share and discuss with their classmates in a fun and friendly environment,” noted Pollock.

The class will be taught by Sandra Davies and will be held on Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. Sept. 19 through Oct. 24. For more information, or to register, contact Pollock at 268-2097 or Karen Arnold, lifelong learning specialist at 268-2099.

Tuvan Throat Singers return to Meeteetse

Huun Huur Tu Tuvan Throat Singers

           

                

The Park County Arts Council in Cody 

presents Huun Huur Tu Tuvan Throat

Singers on...

Thursday September 27, 2012

7:00pm

Meeteetse School  Auditorium                                    

2107 Idaho St.

Meeteetse, WY

General admission:   Limited Seating

$15 Adult  $12 Senior/Student/Children

Available on-line at

www.parkcountyartsconcil.org

Or at the Meeteetse Visitors Center

 2005 Warren St. in Meeteetse, 307-868-2454

Or Cody Country Chamber of Commerce,

836 Sheridan Ave. in Cody 307-587-2297

or Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce

111 Day St. in Powell  307-754-3494

Lodging and 2-Ticket Packages starting at $74:  Call 1-800-393-2639

Tuvans return to Meeteetse

Tuva, a central Asian republic nestled between Siberia and Mongolia is the home of the world’s original horsemen.  As musicians, Tuvans not only transform the sounds of the natural world into music through imitation, they make sonic “maps” of physical landscapes which may be expressed in texted songs, throat-singing, whistling, or other types of vocal production.  After more than 20 successful US tours and as veterans of performances in nearly every European country, Huun Huur Tu has emerged as the foremost international representative of Tuva’s remarkable musical culture.  These four talented gentlemen will transport you half way around the world, to another place and time with their incredible music and vocals.  You may notice an incredible similarity in the landscape their music reveals and that we know in Wyoming. 

“The Tuvans will ride into your brain and leave

hoofprints up and down your spine.”

                                                            -San Francisco Bay Guadian

The Park County Arts Council proudly brings the return of Huun Huur Tu to the Meeteetse School Gym for a performance on Thursday September 27^th at 7:00pm.  Tickets are $15 Adult and $12 Senior (65 and up) and Students (children or with valid Student ID).  Tickets are available on-line at www.parkcountyartscouncil.org

or at the visitors Center in Meeteetse or the Chamber of Commerces in Cody and Powell.  Seating is limited.

This group of talented musicians and throat singers performed in Meeteetse in 2007 to a record crowd.  Audience members still talk of this experience and have insisted on a return performance.  If you missed them, this is your chance to hear a music form so familiar and yet so rooted in a culture far away.  Steve Schrepferman, Director of the Park County Arts Council, says “During their stay in 2007, Huun Huur  Tu showed us pictures of Tuva that were so similar to the landscape and lifestyles of Wyoming.  Their horse culture and way of life has so many ties to our cowboy west it is surprising.  It also establishes ties to a distant place, one that you might not expect to find such similarity.”

"Terrible Beauty: Three Artists Discuss Content and Aesthetics" Aug. 30 in Jackson

Summer Solstice Celebration June 20 at UW Art Museum

University of Wyoming's "Opera in a Gym" tours Wyoming schools May 7-11

The University of Wyoming's Fine Arts Outreach, in conjunction with the UW Department of Music, is bringing the "Opera in a Gym" program to Wyoming school children the next two weeks.

"Opera in a Gym," created by Larry Hensel, UW Department of Music professor, provides a unique interactive and imaginative theatrical and musical experience for elementary school audiences, says Janelle Fletcher-Kilmer, UW Fine Arts Outreach director.

Since its inception, the program has been performed for more than 7,000 elementary school children throughout Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota.

The spring 2012 tour will feature a production of "The Tortoise and the Hare." Tour stops are scheduled in:

-- Thermopolis: Monday, May 7, Ralph Witters Elementary School, 4 p.m.

-- Meeteetse: Tuesday, May 8, Meeteetse Elementary School, 10 a.m.

-- Basin: Tuesday, May 8, Laura Irwin Elementary School, 2 p.m.

-- Shoshoni, Wednesday, May 9, Shoshoni Elementary School, 9:30 a.m.

-- Pavillion, Wednesday, May 9, Crowheart Elementary School, 2 p.m.

-- Jackson, Thursday, May 10, Moran Elementary School, 10 a.m.

-- Kelly, Thursday, May 10, Kelly Elementary School, 2 p.m.

-- Kemmerer, Friday, May 11, Kemmerer Elementary School, 1:45 p.m.

For more information, contact Fletcher-Kilmer at, (307) 766-5139 or www.uwyo.edu/finearts .

LCCC presents "Stabat Mater" concert April 29 at St. Mary's Cathedral

The Laramie County Community College Music Department presents "Stabat Mater" on Sunday, April 29, 3-4 p.m. Free; St. Mary’s Cathedral, 2107 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne.

Karl Jenkins has blended musical ideas from our Western culture with musical ideas from the Near East to create a stunning and expressive masterpiece.

Admission is free. Donations will be accepted for the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

UW Art Museum screens "Art21" PBS Series on April 16

Beet Street unveils Arts Incubator of the Rockies curriculum design at April 25 public meeting

The Wyoming Arts Council is one of the state arts agencies in the West participating in the Arts Incubator of the Rockies (AIR) project launched last year by Beet Street in Fort Collins, Colo. Here's a press release from Beet Street about the next phase of AIR:

The Arts Incubator of the Rockies (AIR) is proud to announce a public unveiling of the AIR Curriculum Design that will highlight the hard work, time, and creativity that has been put into place over the past three months of developing the core curriculum. On Wednesday, April 25th, AIR will be hosting an "Unveiling of Curriculum Design" from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Center, Canyon West room.

The Arts Incubator of the Rockies (AIR) is an ambitious initiative of Beet Street, created in partnership with the City of Fort Collins Cultural Services Department, and Colorado State University (CSU) School of the Arts. AIR is a regional arts incubator that serves 10 states and more than 280,000 artists and creatives in the Intermountain West. Based in Fort Collins, AIR is designed to serve both the local and regional cultural workforce by providing professional development classes, entrepreneurial and business training and other skills-based activities through distance learning, internships, collaborations and resource sharing. AIR serves all creative and community members who want to shift the paradigms about art, money, value, and community. 

Please RSVP online at Beet Street by April 23, 2012. Seating is limited.