ruah arts group

I received this via the SAF’s email newsletter:

Greetings!

The Foundation has reached a critical financial moment. We still need an additional $20,000 to cover operational costs through the balance of this year. Without it, the Foundation will be forced to cease activity and close its doors by mid-September. Yet, if each person on this mailing list offers a contribution of just $50, this financial need will be more than satisfied. The Foundation depends entirely on the generosity of its friends for the support of its programs. We urge you to consider helping us continue our vital mission to evangelize the world through art.

“In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art.” – Pope John Paul II

Contact Us!
1413 K Street NW
Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
202-898-1288
info@thesacredarts.org

Chances are that if you read my blog (both of you), you’re probably mourning the election results of this past week. Deeply. Me, too. I’ve been too depressed about the whole thing and trying to get over this nausea of my soul (turns out it’ll be with me for a while) to comment.

And perhaps I’m not commenting because there are plenty of people out there. Barbara Nicolosi of Church of the Masses and screenwriting fame, and no stranger to cutting words is hitting it hard against “Christians” for “change” whose idea of hope is a campaign slogan, not a theological virtue.  

You’ll probably want to take a break if you’ve just followed the Church of the Masses link. It’s a little heavy, and will make what I’m about to seem trivial. Comparatively so. However, for those of us whose livelihood depends on the generosity of others, it may be a little worldly hope in dark times. 

It turns out the upside of de facto socialism (besides awakening a sleeping giant) may be increased giving, says the Chronicle of Philanthropy. So, sit tight, buckle down, develop strategic relationships, because the Lord needs you more than ever.

During the spring, 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board grant review panels, panelists identified the widespread need among many of Wisconsin’s arts groups for professional development in three areas:   leadership succession planning (both staff and board), evaluation, and grant proposal writing.
 
In response to the panel’s related recommendations to us, the Wisconsin Arts Board will offer – for the first time ever – a series of workshops focused around the issues of:
 
* Leadership Succession Planning for organizations,
 * Strong Evaluation Practices 
*  Effective Grant Proposal Writing
 
The experts in writing grant proposals to the Wisconsin Arts Board (its staff) will present the grant proposal writing workshop. 
 
For the other two workshops, significant resources have been invested in order to bring you the top national leaders in the fields of arts-organization-focused  Succession Planning, and arts program Evaluation.  
 
All grant applicants to the Wisconsin Arts Board are strongly encouraged to register for the Succession Planning and Evaluation workshops in particular.  
 
Our partners in six communities around the state will host this workshop series throughout the Autumn:  
* Stevens Point  – October 20-21 (Charles M. White Memorial Library, downtown at 1001 Main St)
* Madison  – October 21-22  (location to be announced)
* Milwaukee  – October 22  (Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 123 E. State St); and
                        October 23 (UWM School of Continuing Education at the Grand Avenue Mall, 275 W. Wisconsin Avenue, 7th floor)
* Eau Claire  – December 2-3  (Eau Claire Regional Arts Center, 316 Eau Claire Street)
* Ashland  – December 3-4  (Northern Great Lakes Center, 29270 County Highway G)
* Green Bay  – December 4-5  (Harmony Cafe, 1660 W. Mason St.)
 
For a full schedule and details regarding the workshop series nearest you, please visit: www.artsboard.wisconsin.gov/static/fall_08workshops.htm
 
These workshops are underwritten by the National Endowment for the Arts through its Challenge America program.   For that reason, registrations from past grant applicants to the WI Arts Board and the WI Humanities Council will be given priority.   
 
Please note:   Space is limited for these workshops.   Please register as soon as possible (after Wednesday, September 17th when the registration form goes “live”) by submitting the registration form located on the WI Arts Board website:   www.artsboard.wisconsin.gov/static/fall_08workshops.htm
   
As is the case for all Wisconsin Arts Board meetings, each workshop location is accessible to people with disabilities.  Interpreters are available for people with hearing impairments.   We must know at least two weeks in advance of the workshop if an interpreter will be needed.
 
We look forward to seeing a representative from your organization when we come to your region of the state.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at artsboard@wisconsin.gov or 608-266-0190.