ALABAMA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS ---------------{2004 Annual Report} MEMBERS Alabama State Council On the Arts BERNICE PRICE CHAIRMAN Montgomery BECKY QUINN VICE CHAIRMAN Huntsville FRANK HELDERMAN SECRETARY Florence EVELYN ALLEN Birmingham JULIE HALL FRIEDMAN Fairhope RALPH FROHSIN, JR. Alexander City DOUG GHEE Anniston ELAINE JOHNSON Dothan DORA JAMES LITTLE Auburn JUDGE VANZETTA PENN MCPHERSON Montgomery VAUGHAN MORRISSETTE Mobile DYANN ROBINSON Tuskegee JUDGE JAMES SCOTT SLEDGE Gadsden CEIL JENKINS SNOW Birmingham CAROL PREJEAN ZIPPERT Eutaw ANNUAL REPORT 2004 --------------[ mission ]-------------- The Mission of the Alabama State Council on the Arts is to enhance quality of life in Alabama culturally, economically, and educationally by supporting the state’s diverse and rich artistic resources. THE GOALS OF THE COUNCIL ARE TO COMMIT GREATER FINANCIAL TO INCORPORATE THE ARTS AS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN THE EDU- RESOURCES TO SUPPORT EXCELLENCE AND PROFESSIONALISM IN ALL CATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF ALL ALABAMIANS AND TO PROVIDE AN OP- ART FORMS SO THAT QUALITY IS THE HALLMARK OF ARTISTIC ACTIV- PORTUNITY FOR ALL TO PARTICIPATE IN AND APPRECIATE THE ARTS. ITY IN ALABAMA. ALABAMA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS 1 ------------------[ contents ]------------------ Arts-in-education Programs ......................... 7 community arts Programs............................ 9 folklife Programs ........................................ 11 literature Programs ..................................... 15 Performing Arts Programs ........................... 17 Visual Arts Programs .................................. 21 Grants ...................................................... 22 ALABAMA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS 201 Monroe Street, Suite 110, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-1800 Phone: 334-242-4076 / Fax: 334-240-3269 www.arts.state.al.us ANNUAL REPORT 2004 {Message from the Director}---------- The 2003-04 fiscal year was another period of year where budget cuts had to be absorbed, damage control adjustment and realignment of resources for the Alabama in the grants program was the “order of the day.” State Council on the Arts. The legislative appropriation for During FY 04 Governor Riley appointed four new FY 04 produced a reduction of 10% or a cut of $351,000 to members to the Council for six-year terms: Julie Hall Fried- the agency’s overall budget. This appropriation followed the man from Fairhope, Ralph Frohsin from Alexander City, Dora defeat of the Governor’s “Amendment One,” calling for a James Little from Auburn and Vaughan Morrissette from comprehensive tax increase to address pressing Mobile. Ceil Jenkins Snow was reappointed for a needs in state government. The 10% cut was in second term. James Scott Sledge of Gadsden line with other state agencies in the Education concluded a two-year term as Chairman of the Trust Fund. Council and Bernice Price of Montgomery assumed As a result of the budget situation, across the Chair’s position becoming the first African- the board cuts were made in the grants and American Chairman of the Council. administrative budget. In the program area where Within the Agency’s staff, Barbara Council goals are addressed, several initiatives Edwards, Arts in Education Program Manager for were either delayed or eliminated. An ambitious over twenty-years was promoted to the position of “Black Belt Initiative” was limited to the restruc- Deputy Director. Hank Willett, Director of the turing of existing programs to serve some Black Alabama Center of Traditional Culture, retired after Belt schools and communities in the greatest Albert B. Head twenty-one years of combined service with the Executive Director areas of need. These efforts included the Rural agency. Joey Brackner, Folk Arts Program Man- Schools Touring Program, Camp Shakespeare and special ager, became the Acting Director of the ACTC. Diana Green targeted project grants for community development. Techni- was hired as Arts in Education Program Manager, bringing a cal assistance to arts organizations in the field had to be wealth of experience to that important job. reserved to top priority needs only. Plans to expand the The resources of state government go through a Artist-in-Schools Program in rural areas were deferred series of peaks and valleys over time. The 2003-04 year was because of the reduction of state funds. a lean time and the Council made do with the funds it had to With respect to the agency’s “front-line” grants work with. The Council’s multi-year plan for growth and program where the Council responds to hundreds of applica- development of the arts in Alabama was slowed a bit but is tions from arts organizations and schools statewide, the still viable and ready for the next phases of implementation. impact of the cuts was felt in several ways. Obviously In fact, an important planning phase for an upgraded soft- competition in the discipline program areas relative to grant ware program for grants-management took place in 2003- awards was more intense than ever before. Many otherwise 04. The Black Belt Initiative is being developed and is worthy projects had to be either under-funded or rejected scheduled for activation in the future. Expanded partnerships altogether. Support for all major arts institutions had to be are being forged in design arts, folk arts, literature, dance, scaled back. Small Technical Assistance grants usually made arts education and other areas where potential is great. throughout the year, were eliminated. Start-up grants and When resources are secured, significant progress will take support for emerging groups in rural and inner-city areas place relative to Council programs and the arts in Alabama. were severely restricted. Since FY 04 was the third straight ALABAMA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS 3 --------------- 4 ALABAMA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS ANNUAL REPORT 2004 {Message from the Chair}---------- I am constantly reminded of the plethora of events audiences. We have felt the music reverberating in our and experiences that connects us to each other, serving as hearts and minds; we have seen visuals reach out and speak reminders of what it means to be truly human. I, likewise, to us; we have moved with dancers to new heights; we find awe-inspiring the significant impact of the arts in those have been led to explore and examine ideas and realities on humanizing experiences and in generating a the printed page; and, we have taken won- cultural atmosphere imbued with artistic drous journeys with theatrical performers. If expressions throughout Alabama. Two years it ago our budget was cut, necessitating cuts in were not for the interest and financial grants to arts organizations. I am, however, support of the legislature, arts organizations amazed, yet gratified, by the innovative ways could not present various artistic renderings arts organizations throughout Alabama have to the communities in Alabama. Additional used resourceful venues to strive to make the organizations have arts programs and projects arts accessible to those who might not that would benefit from funding. Sadly, our otherwise be exposed, formally or informally. current appropriations do not allow us to Not only have those organizations, despite fund them. When we have been faced with funding cuts, been successful in keeping the challenging budget cuts, the staff, managers, arts vibrant, they have been successful in deputy director, director and the Council keeping them relevant. Their successes have have responded in a concerted and positive been manifest in diverse ways: the amaze- manner. ment and wonder on the faces of children as When state and local budgets face they view art works, watch dancers, or travel tremendous cuts, often the response by imaginatively with actors; the pain, yet some is to eliminate the arts or reduce exhilaration, expressed by incarcerated boys Bernice Price funding to a bare minimum. My response is, and girls as they read excerpts from their Board Chair “We cannot afford to eliminate the arts which published works; or the excitement generated are so vitally important.” If we want to as children listen to storytellers or participate in choral enhance the quality of life, if we want singing. Visual artists, writers, dancers, musicians, and something that embraces the very essence of the human theatrical performers are portals, opening doors for their experience, we must continue to support artists and the means by which they express that essence. ALABAMA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS 5 6 ALABAMA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS ANNUAL REPORT 2004 {Arts Education}--------------- The goal of the Arts in limited number of high school seniors Schools and the Rural School Touring Education Program is to provide to continue their study of the visual Program. opportunities for Alabama students to arts. Camp Shakespeare was a experience excellence in the arts and -------------- partnership program of the Alabama develop competency in artistic expres- Alabama Students Shakespeare Festival and the Council. sion as part of their education. Students from three schools were Additionally, the goal is to support the experience excellence introduced to the works of William professional development of teachers in the arts and develop Shakespeare through a variety of and the involvement of artists and arts competency in artistic classes ranging from acting to techni- organization in this process. cal theatre. The five-day, in-school In FY 2004, the Council expression as part camp culminated with a student addressed this goal through its grants of their education.