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The Arts Action Fund is at the forefront of advancing the arts in America. They are the only national arts advocacy organization dedicating 100% of their time, money, and political clout to advancing the arts in America. Their mission is to mobilize one million citizens to join in mobilizing support of the arts and arts education around the country.
As the nation’s leader in arts advocacy they:
- Stand up for every child’s right to a comprehensive, high quality arts education
- Promote public policies that provide individuals and families affordable access to all forms of the arts
- Rally national support against attacks to the arts
- Build political influence to ensure bipartisan support for the arts
The Arts Action Fund has been building bipartisan support for the arts as well as delivering a unified message to Congress. Since their founding in 2004, an extra $200 million has been appropriated to arts related funding.
The new Administration and Congress will pass their biggest legislative changes in the first 7 to 9 months of the New Year. That’s why the Arts Action Fund has developed a petition to President-elect Trump to support pro-arts policies within his Administration. Show your support by going to www.ArtsActionFund.org/TrumpPetition and signing your name. It is more important than ever for grassroots advocates to stand together to fight for the arts at all levels of government.
Arts Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization affiliated with Americans for the Arts
The last two days of each calendar year are generally the busiest days for online giving nationwide, as donors take a look at the opportunity to make the most of their year-end tax situation.
Should you consider “year-end giving?” Any day is a great day to give, but giveMN has put together a short Q&A list to help you decide whether to make a gift by the end of 2016—read the IRS charitable contribution guidelines for official in-depth language—and how a free account on GiveMN.org will keep you from searching for paper receipts!
How could year-end charitable giving help my tax situation?
At the end of the year, tax filers have a clearer picture of their individual tax situations. If you are near the cutoff between tax brackets, charitable gifts may help you lessen your tax burden when you file in early 2017. Additionally, with the amount saved in owed taxes, you can stretch your dollar farther to help your favorite cause!
What type of organizations should I donate to in order to qualify for charitable giving?
All certified 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to receive tax-exempt donations. In addition, most churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies are considered de facto eligible to receive tax-exempt donations. All organizations listed on GiveMN.org are eligible.
How may I make a donation?
By using GiveMN.org, you can search tens of thousands of Minnesota nonprofits and schools by keyword or location and make an instant donation using your credit card and receive an immediate email receipt. You may also give a cash or check donation directly to a cause you care about—just make sure you receive a receipt.
What are the benefits of using GiveMN.org for making my donation?
GiveMN.org is Minnesota’s front door for charitable giving! You’ll find thousands of eligible nonprofits and schools when you search by keyword or location. Upon making your donation, you will receive an immediate email receipt. Better yet, we’ll provide one report detailing all of your charitable giving for the previous year early in 2017.
What is the deadline for charitable gifts to count for my 2016 taxes?
Donations using credit cards must be transacted on or before December 31, regardless of when the credit card bill is paid. If you decide to mail a check, it must be placed in the mail in 2016.
What types of records do I need to keep?
You will need to keep some sort of documentation issued from the organization displaying the name of the charity, date of contribution, and amount of contribution. This typically comes in a receipt either mailed or emailed to you from the organization. By using GiveMN, you receive an email receipt immediately. Additionally, by creating an account, you can download a report of all of your charitable giving on GiveMN.org near the beginning of 2017.
If you would like to make a charitable gift to count as part of your 2016 tax returns, remember to make the gift by midnight on Saturday, December 31! Want to make a quick gift to a Minnesota organization or learn more about worthy causes in your community? Visit GiveMN.org to search by keyword or location, find an organization or school (or many!) you are passionate about, and make a gift in seconds!
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The Saint John’s Pottery Jerome Foundation Emerging Artist Program is a studio residency for artists to experience a community-centered approach to ceramic art using local clay and natural materials. Eligible individuals include emerging visual artists of any discipline (ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, painting, etc.) from Minnesota or New York City.
Founded in 1979 by Artist-in-Residence Richard Bresnahan, The Saint John’s Pottery demonstrates a commitment to the integration of art and life, the preservation of the environment, and the celebration of diverse cultures. The studio is located at Saint John’s University in central Minnesota.
The Jerome Foundation has supported emerging artists for 50 years. Created by artist and philanthropist Jerome Hill, the foundation supports the creation of new works by emerging artists. The term emerging artist refers to artistic development, professional accomplishment, and recognition. The program supports artists who are the principal creators of new work, and:
- Who take risks and embrace challenges;
- Whose developing voices reveal significant potential;
- Who are rigorous in their approach to creation and production;
- Who have evidence of professional achievement but not a substantial record of accomplishment; and
- Who are not recognized as established artists by other artists, curators, producers, critics, and arts administrators.
Two award recipients are selected each year via jury to participate in residencies at The Saint John’s Pottery during the month of June. Participants are provided studio space, clay, access to technical assistance, an award of $3,600, and room and board. Works are later fired in the Johanna Kiln, the largest wood-firing kiln in North America.
Application Deadline: February 20th, 2017
Applications must be received by February 20th, 2017. Award recipients will be notified in March for each June residency. To apply please complete an online application form through Submittable.com.
Although age is not a factor in determining an emerging artist, artists currently in BFA or MFA programs should finish all academic commitments before applying. For questions about The Saint John’s Pottery Jerome Foundation Emerging Artist Program, contact Ryan Kutter, Studio Manager, or call (320) 363-2930.
Obituary of Leo Dangel
Leo P. Dangel, age 75, of Yankton, SD passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD.
On-line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.
Leo was born August 7, 1941 in Freeman, SD to John and Sylvia (Andersen) Dangel. He is the youngest in the family with five sisters. Leo grew up on a farm south of Freeman, SD and was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in rural Freeman, SD. He attended a country school in Turner County and Saint Mary’s High School in Salem, SD. He attended Saint Mary’s College in Winona, MN as a seminarian and left after two years, returning to the farm. In the summer of 1961, his life changed completely when he was seriously injured in a car accident, resulting in a spinal cord injury that left him permanently paralyzed and in need of a wheelchair. After two years of rehabilitation, he attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD for one year and then enrolled at Emporia State University in Emporia, KS, where he received a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in English. In 1968, he began teaching writing and literature full time in the English Department at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, a position he held for twenty-five years. While teaching at SMSU, he became a poet and continued writing poetry for the rest of his life. His poems, which usually portray Midwest farm life, have appeared in many journals and anthologies. He has five books of poems and has won a Nebraska Book Award. The Lyric Theater of Minneapolis made a selection of Leo Dangel poems in a play, “Old Man Brunner County”, which has undergone several revival performances. He retired from teaching in 1993 as a professor emeritus, and the Leo Dangel Creative Writing and Literature Scholarship at SMSU was named in his honor. In 1997, Leo Dangel won the SMAC (then SMAHC) Prairie Star award.
In 20014 Leo moved from Marshall, MN, to an apartment at Majestic Bluffs in Yankton, SD and to Sister James Care Center in 2008.
Leo is survived by sisters, Bernadette (Arland) Westegaard of Yankton, SD, Monica (Myron) Falter of Norfolk, NE, Sister Anna Dangel of Yankton, SD, Mary Slowey of Irene, SD and Rose (Clarence) Hauger of Yankton, SD and many nieces and nephews.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law, Robert Slowey and Arthur Schramm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be sent to: Leo P. Dangel Creative Writing and Literature Scholarship, Mount Marty College, and Avera Sister James Care Center, 2111 West 11th Street, Yankton, SD 57078.
The Crow River Drumline Association made history on Sunday when it voted to launch Phoenix Phlyers, a new drumline for students and young people with special needs.
“This is the first in the Midwest, and to our knowledge, only the third drumline in the world that caters to individuals with special needs,” said Richie Kuttner, president of the drumline association. “It will be open to middle school students through age 21. It may expand in the future to no age limit whatsoever.”
To introduce the program, an information meeting and orientation will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at the National Guard Armory, 1200 Adams St. S.E., Hutchinson.
The idea for the drumline was sparked earlier this year when Phoenix Drumline competed in April at the Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.
“We saw the FREE Players Drumline, (a special needs performance ensemble from New York), which was the first drumline of this kind,” Kuttner said. “To say it was inspirational would be the understatement of the year.”
After the performance, Phoenix director TJ Larum, who is a childhood behavioral therapist, and Kuttner, who had worked for four years at Aveyron Homes in Hutchinson, talked.
“He came to me and asked what I thought about forming a drumline and I didn’t think of it for two seconds,” Kuttner said. “We brought it to the CRDA (Crow River Drumline Association) Board and parent group and they loved the idea.”
After the vote on Sunday, Kuttner announced the decision on Facebook: “… The Phoenix Phylers is a reality!”
“I think I can speak for TJ when we say the CRDA is beyond words excited,” Kuttner said.
— For more information, email Kuttner at crda.phoenixdrumline@gmail.com, or visit www.phoenixdrumline.org.
Richard Kuttner.
Phoenix Phlyers information meeting
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5
Where: National Guard Armory, 1200 Adams St. S.E., Hutchinson
Admission: Free and the public is welcome
More about Phoenix Drumline
Phoenix Drumline participated in its first competitive season in January 1994. In February 1994, it hosted its first local competition, Distant Drums.
The Phoenix Drumline program consists of two sections or seasons: a summer marching unit and a winter competitive unit. The drumline is managed by the Crow River Drumline Association, a member of the Minnesota Percussion Association, the governing body of competitive drumline activity in Minnesota.
The Hutchinson-area percussion program is open to students in grades 7 through 12. No experience is required other than a willingness to learn to play an instrument — options include snare, tenor and bass drums, cymbals, xylophone, marimba and the vibraphone — and attend practices as required.
For more information, visit www.phoenixdrumline.org.
Photo by Doug Hanneman for CrowRiverMedia.com.The National Gaurd Armory was filled with the sounds of beating drums in March 2015 during Phoenix Drumlin’s weekly rehearsal. Working with the members was T.J. Larum, director/instructor of the drumline.
TJ Larum
