October 2015   
Thanks to everyone who attended
The Creative Summit 3.0 and our Membership Meeting
It was inspiring to see so many of you this week at the Creative Summit and the ACA Membership Meeting. We learned a lot. As you well know it is critical that we work together to find solutions to our shared challenges. We appreciate your input and your time and we look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.

We're looking at February for our next get together. Hope to see you there.


Austin Emerging Art Leaders
Wants you to join their Creative Conversation
For our October Creative Conversation, we are talking about the transition from emerging leader to experienced leader. Is it a matter of skills, confidence, or a bit of both? Our panel of arts professionals will give insight into the moment that they decided to take their careers to the next level. Whether you're thinking about a career change, anxious to advance, or just unsure of your path, this session will give you plenty of food for thought.

Tuesday, October 13
7:00 - 8:30 pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)
Meals on Wheels and More, 3227 E. 5th Street
 

Find out more, become a member, or get your tickets here.
We're holding a panel discussion
On Health Insurance for Artists
Austin Creative Alliance and the Dougherty Arts Center are bringing two experts to our next creative mix-up to discuss health insurance for artists and arts nonprofits.

After the panel you can mix, mingle, and check out a new art exhibit in the Julia C. Butridge Gallery. The gallery will also have the work of 3 Wimberley Abstractionists, a sponsored project of ACA, on display.



This event on Thursday, October 15th at the Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd Austin, TX 78704 and its free!

 *   6:00- 6:30pm Doors
 *   6:30pm-8:30pm Panel Discussion
 *   8:30pm-9:30pm Cocktail social hour

RSVP and find out more about our speakers here.

TALA is offering an estate planning seminar
Don't miss it!
Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts is offering an estate planning seminar on October 7th here at the ACA offices (81 San Marcos St. Suite C-1 Austin, TX 78702).

The seminar will cover: 
 
  • Last Will and Testament
  • Texas Durable Power of Attorney 
  • Texas Medical Power of Attorney
  • Texas Directive to Physicians (Living Will)
  • Appointment of Guardian for minor or special need children 
  • Declaration of Guardian in the event of later incapacity or need of guardian
  • HIPAA Release

If you're a TALA member, they'll match you with an estate planning attorney to get a will, advanced directive, power of attorney, etc all set up for you.  If you're not a member, you can pay $75 to join and remain a member for the rest of the year and get your will done or updated. If you don't need any documents prepared you can attend the presentation and get your questions answered for free. The presentation is about 30 minutes with a Q&A to follow.

You can RSVP here.  
Our neighbors are throwing an art party
Stop by, say hi and check out their Courtyard Artworks
Kids and adults are invited to get ready for Halloween with local artists and vendors in our beautiful courtyard.

Saturday, October 17th
2 pm - 5 pm

Make art with local artists - including creating with gouache, acrylic and mask-making. And take your creations home with you!

Courtyard Artworks includes:

Costume exchange (bring a costume to get a costume)


Local vendors offering:
- original & printed art for sale
- Halloween costumes for sale
- DIY face painting with stencils (FREE!)
- art-centered tarot readings for kids and adults (mini-readings for FREE, longer readings are $1/minute)
- locally-made jewelry for sale
- 'Usbourne Children's Books' for sale

Trick-or-treat vendor quest game (FREE!)

Door prizes from our vendors - bring cash to buy tickets!

FREE art activities include:
- painting on canvas
- making masks
- creating a BIG Zentangle community artwork

Enjoy our open studios with original art featuring local artists from Wade ArtRoom Austin & the Javier López Cantú Artworkstudio. 

Find out more on their Facebook Event page.
A couple of things from
The Cultural Arts Division
Sign up for their amazing newsletter here. It is always chocked full of essential information for arts and cultural organizations and creatives.

Here's a few things from their latest addition:

And a couple of things
From the AARC
Saturday, Oct. 3, 10am to 4pm, Opening Ceremony: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | "I Want the Wide American Earth" Smithsonian Exhibit Grand Opening + AARC Two-Year Anniversary Open House Celebration *
Explore Asian Pacific American history across a multitude of diverse cultures in this traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution. Konrad Ng, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Director in Washington, D.C., will deliver the keynote speech. Several interactive activities are designed to celebrate and encourage the histories of attendees including a Preservation Station & Digital Archiving from the Austin History Center, guided oral history interviews, Asian American video stories, crafts for kids, origami wish lantern workshop, Typewriter Rodeo, two-year anniversary cake and light refreshments and more. FREE. AARC Ballroom, Foyer, Conference Room, Classrooms, Community rooms.

Saturday, Oct. 10 and 24, 9am to 12pm | Grant Writing Workshop for Austin Community Organizations
A resume starts with an introduction just as a grant proposal. Learn what it takes to write a grant.Presented by Merchants of Hope Charities. FREE.AARC Community Room 1.

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1:30 to 5pm | GAACC Connect Forum**
Learn about Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and meet with participating vendors. Presented by the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce. 1:30 to 3pm MBE Certification Workshop, 3 to 5pm Roundtable Networking Session. FREE, but must register www.austinasianchamber.org. AARC Ballroom
 
Wednesday, Oct. 14 and 28, 6 to 8pm | Austin Project Management Toastmasters
Improve public speaking and leadership skills. No previous experience necessary. Meeting begins at 6:30pm, guests invited to come at 6pm. Please RSVP to vpm@apmtoastmasters.org. FREE. AARC Community Room 1


The Austin Film Festival
is looking for volunteers
AFF is putting the call out for volunteers for this year's festival. Specifically, they need experienced Theater Managers and Projectionists, but there are plenty of other opportunities to get involved. If you or someone you know fits the bill, then head over the their website to find out more and apply online.
Take a Non-Profit Financial Class
For free!
The Austin Chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants is offering a free seminar for nonprofit staff and volunteers. This event is strictly a community service - there is nothing for sale, and no businesses will be promoted at the event.

The seminar will focus on financial essentials for nonprofit organizations:

General Financial Governance for NPOs: Ever wonder what you're getting into if you agree to serve on a non-profit board? Did you know that as a board member, you have a responsibility for the financial management of your nonprofit, even if you do not have a financial background? Do you wonder how to improve the financial practices at your organization when resources are limited? We will cover the fiduciary duties of a board member, the tax obligations of a not-for-profit organization, the essential insurance coverage nonprofits need, basics about budgeting, how to read financial statements, and key financial measurements.

Internal Control and Non-Profit Organizations: Your nonprofit organization needs to protect its cash, investments, pledges, confidential information, property, equipment, reputation, clients, volunteers and staff at a time when fraud, identity theft, and information breaches are all too common. Good internal controls are the key to safeguarding your nonprofit organization. In our internal control class, we'll go over the essentials of a good risk management plan - identifying the risks specific to your organization, creating a culture of integrity and implementing cost-effective internal controls. We have practical suggestions for controls, even for small nonprofit organizations.

The New Form 990: Important Things You Need to Know The Form 990, the tax return for non-profits, has undergone its first major revision in over 30 years. The IRS is requiring more schedules, more disclosures, and more narrative information. Many donors use the information on your 990 to determine whether your organization is worth supporting. Learn how the 990 has changed and what you'll need to do in response to the new requirements, as well as ways to improve your organization's governance so that you are following the best practices enumerated on the new 990.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015
8:00 am to 11:30 am
Austin CPA Chapter Training Facility
3305 Northland Drive, Suite 402
Austin, Texas 78731
RSVPs are required: lmedrano@tscpa.net (512) 445-0044 ext 117

Need coaching or facilitation services?
One of our SPs is offering assistance for free!
As a former litigator and manager in a government agency, I am a trained legal and dispute resolution professional. A few years ago, I decided to bring my skills to coaching and facilitation.  I believe these are central to managing concerns even before they manifest externally as disputes. Beyond resolving disputes, I am passionate about working with people and organizations to bring about a positive, sustaining inner transformation.

Coaching is the process of empowering individuals and organizations to perform at their highest potential. This involves a series of meaningful conversations between the coach and client to explore values, principles and motivations with a view to developing a sustainable action plan to address challenges and go to the next level.

Facilitation is critical to having productive and efficient meetings.  One study estimates that at least 15% of an organization's time is spent in meetings, so it is crucial to get the most of your meetings with a structured agenda, time-management, follow up and moderated discussions.

While the benefits of coaching and facilitation are immense for visioning, staff development, and employee self-care, most non-profits are not able to commit their funds to coaching services because they usually go toward supporting the core programs of the organization.  

As a member of ACA community, I'm happy to offer free coaching and facilitation services to current ACA members for 6 months . I will work with you or your team to develop a strategic plan for your organization, facilitate board and volunteer meetings, provide one-on-one coaching sessions to address personal or professional matters relating to your organization.  For further information on how I can best serve you and your organization's needs, please contact me at info@kindlelifecoaching.com to set up an appointment.

The Regional Foundation Library
An amazing and free funding resource
If you aren't familiar with the Library, it's a free research resource for funding and grant seekers that also offers regular classes in using its facilities. (It shares space with the UT Department of Diversity and Community Outreach.) They provide access to a database with over 108,000 foundations, corporate giving programs, and grant making charities.

The staff offers an amazing level of personal investment to everyone who walks in. They offer one-on-one consultations for grant finding and will read over your application once it is complete. According to their surveys 84% of those who use their resources find at least one possible funding source and of those who apply for grants 62% get funding from at least one source.

They have orientations every Thursday at 3pm for individuals and 4pm for Non-profits and we highly recommend you attend.   

City of Austin Commission meetings
Get involved and make sure your voice is heard.
Arts Commission - Next meeting is October 19, 2015. See agenda or contact liaison for meeting location. You can find minutes and agenda info here.

Austin Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission - Next meeting is October 14, 2015 in the Boards & Commissions Room at 301 W. 2nd Street. You can find minutes and agenda info here.

Austin Music Commission - Next meeting is October 5, 2015 in the Boards & Commissions Rm at 301 W. 2nd Street. You can find minutes and agenda info here
 
Austin Water Resource Planning Taskforce - There are no meetings currently scheduled on their site. You can find Minutes and agenda info here.

Commission for Women - Next meeting is October 7, 2015 at the Terrazas Library at 1105 E. Cesar Chavez in Meeting Rm. 1. You can find Minutes and agenda info here.

Community Development Commission - Next meeting is October 13, 2015 at the Street-Jones Bldg. at 1000 East 11th St. in Suite 400A. You can find Minutes and agenda info here.

Design Commission - The next meeting is October 26, 2015 in the Boards & Commissions Room at 301 W. 2nd Street. You can find minutes and agenda info here.

Downtown Commission - Next meeting is October 21, 2015 in the Town Lake Center, in Room 130 at 721 Barton Springs Road. You can find minutes and agenda info here.

Environmental Board - Next meeting is October 7, 2015 in the Council Chamber at 301 W. 2nd Street. You can find minutes and agenda info here.

Human Rights Commission - Next meeting is October 26, 2015. See agenda or contact liaison for meeting location. You can find minutes and agenda info here.

Parks and Recreation Board - Next meeting is October 27, 2015 at the Boards & Commissions Room at 301 W. 2nd Street. You can find minutes and agenda info here.

Sustainable Food Policy Board - The next meeting is October 12, 2015 in the Street-Jones Bldg. at1000 E. 11th Street in Room 400-A. You can find minutes and agenda info here.

Urban Transportation Commission - The next meeting is October 13, 2015 in the Boards & Commissions Room at 301 W. 2nd Street. You can find minutes and agenda info here.

African American Cultural Heritage District. You can sign up for their newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of the page at the link.

Let us know if there's a commission we're missing that you'd like us to include.

Join CreateAustin.net
An amazing collaboration tool.
On CreateAustin.net you can research career opportunities, connect with local artists, and create collaboration groups for shows in development or anything else you want to work together on. You can lead or take part in forum discussions about art in Austin. There's a classified section so you can find or offer goods and services to help you or someone else make something great. You'll find professional development resources and events to help you and your organization expand and succeed. As we grow there will be an amazing directory of local artists and creatives, making it easier for you to find partners, across disciplines to push your project past boundaries and expand the resources and tools you employ to create unique and exciting works.


Don't forget to check out and utilize NowPlayingAustin's pages for Auditions , Calls for Artists , and Jobs  - and to visit our site often for the latest, updated listings.



Austin Creative Allia
nce is an enrolled organization with  Austin Community Blooms . With this program, Freytag's Florist will donate 5% of the total transaction each time an order is placed with no additional cost to the customer.     
 
This project is funded and supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department/Cultural Arts Division believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin's future. Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com.

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Austin Creative Alliance | 81 San Marcos St. Suite C-1 Austin, TX 78702 |  512.247.2531