NEW ARTS RESEARCH CONFERENCE AT COLUMBIA ON MAY 5

Top arts researchers will come together to present and discuss the latest data at Measuring the Muse: Arts Research from the Frontlines, co-hosted by the National Arts Journalism Program and Alliance for the Arts, with support from The Wallace Foundation and Columbia University Arts Initiative.

Arts professionals will hear presentations of new cultural policy research, including the Rand Corporation report "Gifts of the Muse," and join a discussion with leading experts in the field. For more information, visit www.allianceforarts.org

Columbia University
Graduate School of Journalism
116th Street and Broadway
May 5, 2005
9 am-5 pm

NYCkidsARTS

The Alliance for the Arts has re-launched its Web site, NYCkidsARTS, with more content and greater functionality. The site now contains profiles on more than 300 organizations, offering education programs for school groups and families. Parents and teachers can search for specific events or organizations or explore various themes connecting many cultural groups. For more information, visit www.nyckidsarts.org

FIRST ALLIANCE PRIZE TO BETH DEWOODY AND BILL RUDIN

The first Alliance for the Arts Prize will be presented to sister and brother cultural and civic leaders--Beth Rudin DeWoody and William C. Rudin at the Alliance's spring benefit on Tuesday, May 10. For more information about the benefit, click here.

STATE ARTS SPENDING REMAINS LEVEL WHILE DECLINES SLOW

Legislative appropriations to state arts agencies remain largely unchanged in fiscal year 2005, according to a study published by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. Among the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas and Puerto Rico, 44 reported level funding or slight increases this year, while 12 reported decreases. A majority of the changes were less than 10 percent in size. Notable changes were in New Jersey, which increased its arts funding by 51.5 percent and Florida, which increased its funding by 135.7 percent. For more information, visit www.nasaa-arts.org

AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS AND THE ARTS & BUSINESS COUNCIL MERGE

Americans for the Arts and the Arts & Business Council have merged, creating the largest arts advocacy group in the country. Robert Lynch will remain president and chief executive of the joint organization. Gary Steuer, former president and CEO of the Arts & Business Council, will be vice president of private-sector affairs for Americans for the Arts and executive director of the Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts.

The Arts & Business Council's programs serving New York will be renamed the Arts & Business Council New York, which will have its own advisory board. There will not be an increase in fees for Arts & Business Council affiliates and members, although affiliates and members must join Americans for the Arts to receive professional member benefits. For more information, click here.

VLA OFFERS THEATER TICKETS

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts has launched a new program--VLA Theater to Go. Theatergoers can now purchase tickets to Broadway and Off Broadway productions at a discount and a portion of the price will be given to VLA. For more information and a list of current offerings, visit www.vlany.org

CREATIVE CAPITAL FOUNDATION GRANTS 2005-2006

Creative Capital is now accepting submissions in the fields of Performing Arts and Emerging Fields/Innovative Literature. The Guidelines and Inquiry Form must be submitted by March 14. For more information, visit www.creative-capital.org

LISTING INDIAN ARTISTS IN NYC

As a service to the community, American Indian Artists (AMERINDA) has established a new, comprehensive Web-based roster of North American Indian traditional and contemporary artists of the greater New York City area. For a listing, click here.

PEOPLE

Katherine E. Brown, former vice president for development, has been named the new executive director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Michael Clark has been named president of the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York. Mr. Clark was formerly the president of Citizens for New York.

Jenny Gersten is the new artistic director of the the Naked Angels Theater Company. Ms. Gersten was formerly the associate producer of the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

CALENDAR

ARTISTS FOR TSUNAMI RELIEF
On March 7 Phillips de Pury & Company (450 West 15th Street) will host a reception and silent auction to benefit tsunami relief. All of the auction proceeds will be donated to AmeriCares tsunami relief efforts. The auction includes works by Louise Bourgeois, Eric Fischl, Peter Halley, Ellen Harvey, Claes em Oldenburg and Cossje van Bruggen, Nancy Spero and many more. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (212) 210-1918 or e-mail orit@nydailynews.com.

DCA BUDGET HEARING MARCH 14
The City Council's Cultural Affairs, Libraries & International Intergroup Relations Committee will hold a fiscal year 2006 preliminary budget hearing on March 14 at City Hall. Those interested in testifying should call (212) 788-6921 by March 13.

ARTS ADVOCACY DAY IN WASHINGTON D.C. MARCH 14-15
Arts Advocacy Day, sponsored by Americans for the Arts, will be held on March 14-15. For more information and to register, visit www.artsusa.org.

ARTS DAY IN ALBANY MARCH 22
Arts Day in Albany will be held on March 22 in the Legislative Office Building. The event provides an opportunity for individuals to advocate for funding for the New York State Council on the Arts. To register, visit www.thealliancenys.org