Aitken is new Chair as Shriver leaves Arts Council

February 12, 2013, marked Malissa Feruzzi Shriver's last day on the California Arts Council. She retired after two 4-year terms and four years as the Council's Chair. Orange County attorney Wylie Aitken was elected Chair by the Council. Also, William Turner stepped down as Vice Chair (but will remain on the Council) and Susan Steinhauser was elected to the position. MEMBERS BIOS * PRESS RELEASE * MEETING FB PHOTO ALBUM

Give Input on CAC Strategic Plan - Feb. 20 in Santa Barbara

The California Arts Council is just starting the process of creating a new Strategic Plan in 2013. Taking advantage of our being in Santa Barbara for the California Association of Museums' (CAM) conference, we'll be holding an informal conversation with anyone interested who's in the region, attending the conference or not. No need to RSVP, just come! Many thanks to CAM for providing us space. [More events to solicit input on our Strategic Plan will be planned for coming months. Keep an eye on ArtBeat, the CAC's e-newsletter, and our home webpage for info, or follow us on Facebook.]

"Looking@Democracy" Digital Media Contest-4/30 deadline

The Illinois Humanities Council (with help from the MacArthur Foundation) is sponsoring a nationwide challenge called Looking@Democracy. The purpose is to generate short, provocative digital media content designed to spark a national conversation about how we can all come together to strengthen American democracy. A total of $100,000 in prize money in 5 categories will be awarded. SEE WEBSITE

Artists in Schools program OPEN (March 8 deadline)

The California Arts Council's "Artists in Schools" program application is now open. The AIS program supports the valuable link between community arts resources--professional teaching artists and arts organizations-- and local schools/school districts. Deadline: March 8, 2013. SEE DETAILS

League of CA Cities Award Program includes Arts in 2013

Each year the League of California Cities honors outstanding work in member cities across the state through the Helen Putnam Awards for Excellence. New for 2013: an arts category. Applications due April 11, 2013. SEE MORE

Opportunities for Talented Teens

Artistically and musically talented teens, take note: there are three great opportunties with deadlines coming up. The National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Music Institute applications are due February 8th; the California State Summer School for the Arts' applications are due on February 28th; and the GRAMMY Camp applications for musicians and music-related talent are due March 31st.

Creating Places of Vitality grant application OPEN

The Creating Places of Vitality (formerly Creating Public Value) Program is now accepting applications. Organizations based in and serving rural or underserved communities are eligible. Some criteria and requirements have changed this year - organizations must apply with a primary partner from another sector, and the program requires a place-based project that includes a public component. Deadline: March 1, 2013. SEE DETAILS

Economic impact of Pacific Standard Time: $280M

When the Getty and other backers of the regional visual-arts collaborative project "Pacific Standard Time" began, they believed it would have a positive impact on the southern California economy. The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation has confirmed that it did.

Native Californian Basketry Book Now Available

The California Arts Council worked with California State Parks five years ago to find funding to display the California Indian Heritage Center collection of Native American basketry and artifacts. Not only was the collection exhibited in three venues since then, but now there's a book for the project as well.

Otis Report on LA Creative Economy 2012

Southern Californians involved in the creative economy watch for The Otis Report that lets them know how the creative sector is doing. Apparently it showed an uptick for the entertainment field this year.

Yo-Yo Ma to deliver 2013 Nancy Hanks Lecture

Arts Now Eligible for "Distinguished School" Award

Each year the California Department of Education acknowledges exemplary schools in its "Distinguished Schools" program. This year there's a new status included: Arts Education.

Nominations sought for National Medal of Arts

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2013 National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists, arts organizations, and arts patrons in the United States. The American public may nominate artists and arts patrons for this award through the National Endowment for the Arts' website. The deadline is April 5, 2013.