Baltimore - Proposed New Regulations for Clubs

From the Baltimore City Paper -

The misguided beast that is Baltimore's City Council Bill #08-0163, aka the Live Entertainment - Licensing and Regulation bill, is once again rearing its head. Last Wednesday, March 4, the council held a formal hearing on the proposal, which would eliminate live-entertainment zoning in favor of annual live-entertainment licensing. Over the next several weeks the city will be holding a series of "community work sessions" in advance of a May 6 final vote.

A link to the rest of the article here.

From Baltimore musician/noise artist John Berndt -

There is a "work session" tomorrow where the public can express its opinion. I *strongly* recommend that anyone concerned about the future of this city's cultural scene add to the strength of numbers and attend this meeting tomorrow:

Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Morgan State, Communications Center, Room 101, 5601 Perring Parkway

Lionell Thomas - now head of PG Arts Council

Lionell Thomas has resurfaced as the new leader of the Prince George's County Arts Council. For years Lionell was on the staff at the DC Arts and Humanities Commission, eventually rising to second in command.

Congratulations Lionell!

It also looks like the PG Arts Council has made some changes to the Board. I'm sure with Lionell at the helm, we can expect some good things in the near future.

More info about the PGAC and its board and staff can be found here.

Cultural Affairs - Philadelphia

A regular look at how different state and city governments promote the arts.

From the Philadelphia Office of Arts and Culture web site -

The Philadelphia Office of Arts and Culture is the City's designated Local Arts Agency and supports the interests and concerns of the City's cultural community and advocates on its behalf. Some of the programs currently coordinated by and associated with the Office of Arts and Culture are described below.

The Art Commission
Art in City Hall
Student Exhibition Program
Calendar of Events
Arts in Education
Percent for Art Program
Sculpture Conservation and Collection Management Program
Philadelphia Festival of the Arts, Inc./Marian Anderson Award
The Philadelphia Cultural Fund

More information here.

Creative Economy Forum

The Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) and the DC Office of Planning are preparing an Action Agenda for the District's creative economy. The Action Agenda focuses on the following creative industries: design, visual and performing arts, film, media and communications, museums and heritage, and culinary arts. At the forum, they will present the results of our data collection and analysis to date, their findings from interviews and focus group discussions, and challenges and opportunities. They will also explore a targeted set of strategies and actions for strengthening the District's creative economy.

The Forum is scheduled for April 2nd.

Cultural Affairs - Minneapolis

A regular look at how different state and city governments promote the arts.

From the Minneapolis Cultural Affairs web site -

The Mission of Cultural Affairs is to encourage arts participation, arts support and arts making in the City of Minneapolis. The City of Minneapolis established Cultural Affairs in November 1999. In 2002, the Mayor and City Council moved Cultural Affairs to the Planning Division of CPED as a means to integrate arts programming into the City's overall goals and comprehensive plan.

Cultural Affairs staff work closely with the Minneapolis Arts Commission and share their goal of developing a strong and vital arts community throughout Minneapolis. This year, the Arts Commission and Cultural Affairs are launching a comprehensive cultural planning process that will result in the City of Minneapolis Plan for Arts and Culture a ten-year strategic plan that defines the role of the City of Minneapolis in supporting the arts and culture.

More information here.

DC Shared Space Initiative

The DC Shared Space Initiative, a donor-advised fund of The Community Foundation, is a joint project of Tides Shared Spaces, GreenSpaces Development, and a group of District-area philanthropist/activists. The Initiative is working to create high-quality workplaces in which diverse local, regional, and national nonprofits can collaboratively engage in their daily work.

The DC Shared Space Initiative is designed to help nonprofits in several ways:

-- controlling office/facility costs
-- creating long-term stability and efficiency
-- sharing space with other organizations that share your mission and/or values

More info here.

Cultural Affairs - New York

A regular look at how different state and city governments promote the arts.

From the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs web site -

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City's vibrant cultural life. Among our primary missions is to ensure adequate public funding for non-profit cultural organizations, both large and small, throughout the five boroughs.

DCLA also works to promote and advocate for quality arts programming and to articulate the contribution made by the cultural community to the City's economic vitality. The Department represents and serves non-profit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary and performing arts; public-oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens and historic and preservation societies; and creative artists at all skill levels who live and work within the City's five boroughs.

More info here.

Cultural Affairs - Los Angeles

A regular look at how different state and city governments promote the arts.

From the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs web site -

The goal of the Department of Cultural Affairs is to enhance the quality of life for Los Angeles' 4 million residents and 25 million annual visitors.

We accomplish this goal by generating and supporting high quality arts and cultural experiences. We ensure access to those experiences through grant making, marketing, development, communication, and building relationships with our community partners. Our challenge is to be a catalyst for the delivery of art, culture, and heritage to every neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles.

More info here.

Baltimore - Skylofts

Sky-Lofts is an artist community located in the Canton neighborhood. They have lofts available ranging from 300 SF to 3,600 SF. The building includes a 2,000 SF gallery. For more info and lots of pictures, check out their web site - skylofts.net

Hidden Petworth space - $2,000/month

The folks behind N12 Development have a recently renovated basement space available for rent - near the corner of Georgia and Upshur. Its 1,500 SF with alley access and lots of parking. Was recently used as office space.

More details here.

Cultural Affairs - San Francisco

A regular look at how different state and city governments promote the arts.

From the San Francisco Arts Commission's web site -

The San Francisco Arts Commission is the City agency that champions the arts in San Francisco. We believe that a creative cultural environment is essential to the City’s well-being. Our programs integrate the arts into all aspects of City life. The Commission was established by charter in 1932.

More info here.

Studio Space - Brentwood Art Center

The Brentwood Arts Center (BAC) is a new visual arts center located at 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood, MD. MNCPPC will have a 2500s/f gallery space and a 900sf classroom on the first floor. The remaining 1700sf of space on the first floor is available studio space. The second floor will have 5500sf of studio space for rent with a 450sf gallery that will be managed by the Gateway CDC.

Their Vision -
A vibrant arts center that not only provides visual artists with a functional and safe work space, but an Arts Center that encourages programming that engages the neighboring community and the other artists in the Gateway Arts District.

Studio rents are starting at $13s/f, plus utilities. For more information or to make an appointment to see the studios call John Paradiso at 301-864-3860 ext.3.
More info here.

Cultural Affairs - Chicago

A regular look at how different state and city governments promote the arts.

From the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs web site -

Department of Cultural Affairs Overview

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs was established as a municipal department in 1984 to promote the arts, make them accessible to the widest possible audience, and market the city’s abundant and diverse cultural resources and attractions to a worldwide audience. Under the leadership of Commissioner Lois Weisberg since 1989, the department is now widely regarded as a national model for effective municipal support of the arts and culture.

By offering hundreds of high quality free exhibitions, performances and programs each year at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and other venues throughout the city, DCA promotes the arts and makes them accessible to a remarkably wide and diverse audience. DCA visual and performing arts programs bring respected national and international artists to Chicago, presenting artistic and cultural experiences and ideas from around the world. In addition to the visual and performing arts, DCA offers culinary programs and, in 2006, added fashion events to its repertoire to reflect Chicago’s growing role in the fashion world.

The department supports artists, cultural institutions and community organizations through grants, workshops, the Chicago Artists’ Resource (CAR) website and by creating myriad opportunities to showcase their work. DCA markets Chicago as a destination for culture and entertainment through the Office of Tourism; develops global partnerships and encourages cross-cultural understanding through the Chicago Sister Cities International Program; and affirms the value of the arts to the social and economic fabric of the city.

The department consists of several divisions and venues, each charged with overseeing specific functions and programs that further the department’s mission.

More information here

Cultural Affairs - Washington

A regular look at how different state and city governments promote the arts.

From the Washington, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities web site -

Since 1968, the District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) has developed and promoted local artists, organizations and activities.

Our Mission at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities is to provide grants, programs and educational activities that encourage diverse artistic expressions and learning opportunities, so that all District of Columbia residents and visitors can experience the rich culture of our city.

DCCAH is governed by volunteers who are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council.

DCCAH provides financial support and conducts programming in three primary areas:

DC Creates Public Art - The purpose of the DC Creates Public Art Program is to provide high quality art installations and administrative support services for the public so they can benefit from an enhanced visual environment.

Arts Learning and Outreach - The purpose of the Arts Learning and Outreach Program is to provide grants, educational activities and outreach services for youth, young adults and the general public so they can gain a deeper appreciation for the arts and enhance the overall quality of their lives.

Arts Building Communities (Grants and Programs) - The purpose of the Arts Building Communities program is to provide grants, performances, exhibitions and other services to individual artists, arts organizations and neighborhood/community groups so they can express, experience and have access to the rich cultural diversity of the District.

More info here.

Baltimore - Event and Studio Space

Looking for an event space or daily studio space in Baltimore? Check out The Library in Federal Hill. Their gallery covers 1,500 SF and has 25' ceilings. Only $125 for a half day or $200 for a full day.

Small Gallery for Rent on 7th St.

Another cool space, part of Touchstone Gallery at 406 7th. Check the Craigslist ad here. Only $1,000/month!

Affordable Warehouse space - near RI Ave. Metro

Kings Ct. Management is listing a 4,000 SF space at 632 W St. NE - backing up to the train tracks, about three blocks from the Metro station. No windows, so it wouldn't work for an artist - but it could be used for a shop or for rehearsal space. Rent is $10/foot - or about $3,333/month plus utilities. For more info, send an email to mberman@his.com.