VOLUME 50 | ISSUE 11
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE
ARIZONA COMMISSION ON THE ARTS
FEATURED NEWS
Alexandra Nelson Promoted to Deputy Director | Arizona...

The Arizona Commission on the Arts is pleased to announce that Alexandra Nelson has been promoted to the position of Deputy Director. The position was most recently held by Jaime Dempsey, who was promoted to Executive Director in August.

Read more
azarts.gov
A3C Winter Regional Tour
November - December 2017
Cost: FREE

The Arizona Commission on the Arts, in partnership with the Arts Advisory & Action Committee (A3C), an advocacy initiative through the Arizona Department of Education, will tour the state and hold convenings for arts education and arts learning stakeholders. These convenings will allow for a shared space allowing the ACA and ADE to better engage with and support the needs and challenges of this specialized group of educators.
These meetings are  free  and  open  to the public. Teachers, teaching artists, community arts organizations, administrators, parents, and policymakers are strongly encouraged to attend an event in their area.
MEDIA COVERAGE
NEA Big Read adds Arizona Poet Laureate's book to program roster
The National Endowment for the Arts' Big Read program annually supports approximately 75 dynamic community reading programs, each designed around a single NEA Big Read selection. This year, the NEA added four new titles to the program's roster, including "A Small Story About the Sky," by Arizona’s inaugural Poet Laureate, Alberto Alvaro Rios.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MEGA Conference "A World of Opportunities"
November 15 - 16, 2017* | Litchfield Park, AZ
This annual conference led by the Arizona Department of Education will provide workshops and keynote presentations sharing strategies and resources on implementing Title I programs and services with the transition to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), as well as provide networking opportunities for school leaders and opportunities to highlight and celebrate effective practices.
 
*This year’s MEGA Conference has been rescheduled as a two-day learning experience.
National Guild for Community Arts Education 80th Annual Conference
November 15 - 18, 2017 | San Francisco/Oakland, CA
The National Guild conference is an annual gathering of the nonprofit arts education community, providing learning, networking, and other tools to ensure all people have opportunities to maximize their creative potential. Attendees can develop new skills, share effective practices, and build relationships with colleagues.

This year’s conference will focus on how arts education can serve as a source of hope, healing, and strength in challenging times.
2018 VSA Intersections: Arts and Special Education Conference Call for Sessions
Deadline: November 20, 2017
Through innovative, thought-provoking, and interactive sessions, the Kennedy Center's VSA Intersections: Arts and Special Education Conference provides professionals in the intersecting fields of arts education and special education the opportunity to share current information in practice, programs, research, and policy, and to serve as a leading catalyst for change. This conference brings together educators, administrators, researchers, teaching artists, and more to build new skills, transfer knowledge, network, and, ultimately, to help shape best practice—improving educational experiences for students with disabilities learning in and through the arts. Conference sessions will occur August 7-8, 2018 and will be selected from this call.
OPPORTUNITIES
Convening on Arts & Dementia
November 20, 2017 | Phoenix Art Museum
Join representatives from arts and health care organizations around the valley to share resources and learn more about arts-related dementia initiatives. This convening invites those looking to make connections to existing dementia arts programming and for those interested in starting their own initiatives within their organization.
Annual Summit: Autism in the Arts
November 13, 2017 | Tucson
November 20, 2017 | Scottsdale
Join a discussion on the ways your organization can create accessible arts experiences for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Representatives from ARTabilityAZ and Arizona arts organizations will share information on their Autism initiatives from planning to implementation to evaluation.
2018 AEP State Policy Symposium
Save the Date
March 10, 2018 | Washington, DC
Arts Education Partners will host its 2018 State Policy Symposium on March 10 in Washington, DC. This day-long event convenes arts education stakeholders from across the country to explore key education policy issues that impact arts in education.

Stay tuned for registration information and details about this day-long event that convenes arts education stakeholders from across the country to explore key education policy issues that impact arts in education.
Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge Opens for High School Students
Deadline: January 5, 2108
The National Endowment for the Arts is expanding last year’s three-city pilot to a national program available to all high school songwriters working in any musical genre. Applicants submit a recording of an original song that could appear in a musical theater show. Partnering with the NEA in the Songwriting Challenge is the American Theatre Wing along with collaborators Playbill, Inc. and Disney Theatrical Productions. Six regional winners will be selected and one of the six will be selected as the national champion. Winners will receive scholarships and more.
RESOURCES
Teaching Artist Pay Rate Calculator
Developed by The Teaching Artist Guild , the Teaching Artist Pay-Rate Calculator helps individuals ascertain what a livable wage looks like in their region as they plan for employment as well as a guide for organizations who hire teaching artists, and funders, to calculate what they should pay teaching artists to maintain and build a field of professionals.
New, Free Arts Education Resources
The Ovation Foundation recently released two new resources focused on visual arts as part of its Arts Ed Toolkit. These resources cover a wide range of arts, including visual arts, music, dance, theatre and more. They are updated on a quarterly basis and support National Core Arts Standards and the National Standards, generally suited for Grades 9-12. 
ADVOCACY
Governor's Arts Awards | Nominations Now Open
Deadline: November 17, 2017
Each year, the Arizona Citizens for the Arts, a statewide arts advocacy network, partners with the Office of the Governor to recognize Arizona artists, arts organizations, businesses, educators, and individuals for their passion, creativity, and devotion to the excellence and diversity of Arizona's arts and cultural community.
 
Arizona Citizens for the Arts has issued a call for nominations in eight categories, including Arts in Education | Individual and Arts in Education | Organization/School .
Arts Congress 2018
Monday, February 19, 2018 | Arizona State Capital 
Sponsored by Arizona Citizens for the Arts, Arts Congress offers opportunities for arts educators and students to use civic engagement to promote support for arts funding in the state budget. 

This year AZCA is sponsoring Vote for Your Tote, a student art competition to create the graphic design that will adorn tote bags for Arts Congress attendees and state legislators. Entries will be accepted through Dec. 6 from any K-12 Arizona student. 
FUNDING
U.S. Department of Education Professional Development for Arts Educators Awards
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced 20 new Professional Development for Arts Educators awards. Representing 14 states and totaling approximately $7 million in grant funding, this grant program supports the implementation of professional development for K-12 arts educators and instructional staff working across all arts disciplines.
Now accepting Submissions: ArtEffect Project
Deadline: February 15, 2018
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is now accepting creative art project submissions from middle and high school students for the ArtEffect Project, an international competition designed to help students recognize their abilities to effect positive change through creative storytelling. This year’s competition features expanded categories, including creative writing, narrative films, plays and visual arts projects.
Arizona Commission on the Arts Grants
CYCLE C Deadline: Thursday, February 1, 2018
The grants below are administered on a three-deadline cycle. The application period for Cycle C is now open.
Professional Development Grants provide funding support for participation in artistic development and skills building activities or opportunities that contribute to professional growth and career development. 

Cycle C provides funding for activities between March 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018.
Arts Learning Collaboration Grants enhance the work of school-based arts teaching and learning programs through collaborative projects taking place in-school (during regular school hours), after-school, or during summer/inter-session and in-services.
Lifelong Arts Engagement Grants support partnerships that foster meaningful arts learning experiences in a variety of community settings for learners of any age. Community/social service organizations or governmental entities partnered with arts organizations or professional teaching artists are eligible to apply.
SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK
Feel free to send us your comments, suggestions or a story idea you'd like to see in the next issue. artslearning@azarts.gov  
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about our programs and services at the Arizona Commission on the Arts, visit  www.azarts.gov  
ARTS LEARNING STAFF
Arts Learning Manager
This position is currently vacant

Anastasia Freyermuth
 Arts Learning and Grants Coordinator

AZArts Learning is published monthly by the Arizona Commission on the Arts

To request this or any other agency publication in an alternative format, contact the Arizona Commission on the Arts at (602) 771-6501 | info@azarts.gov
IMAGINE AN ARIZONA WHERE EVERYONE
CAN PARTICIPATE IN AND EXPERIENCE THE ARTS
Arizona Commission on the Arts | (602) 771-6501 | info@azarts.gov | www.azarts.gov