ACSO eNEWS provides updates and opportunities for California's orchestras and classical music field.

Apply for the Kris Sinclair Leadership Award

The Kris Sinclair Leadership Award is given to an ACSO member organization that demonstrates impactful leadership initiatives, which advance the goals of the Organization, including, but not limited, to finance, governance, staff development, audience development, education, and community engagement.

The award will be presented at the ACSO Annual Conference at which the recipient's leadership must be present. The winning Organization will receive a cash award of $5,000 to be used to further advance the goals of the Organization as stipulated in its submitted application.

This award is made possible by the Kris Sinclair Fund for Professional Development that consists of contributions intentionally made in Kris Sinclair's name to support professional development and technical assistance offered by the Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO). Sinclair was the Executive Director of the Association for 31 years and provided members with technical assistance, professional development opportunities, and consultation on a variety of orchestra management topics.

Click here for the full guidelines and how to apply. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2017.
ACSO News 2017 Winter Issue is Here

There's no better way to stay up to date with California orchestras and connect with fellow classical music leaders in the west than to read ACSO News.


This issue is full of news you can use, including upcoming grant deadlines, meeting new members, and how community orchestras impact our country. 

It's available online here. Download and read it today.
ACSO Consulting Services Program Grants

ACSO's Consulting Services Program provides affordable and accessible consultations to member organizations to strengthen their organizational capacities.
 
Through generous support from the  Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation , ACSO supports requests for professional consultants by member organizations in the areas of board development, organizational structure, fundraising, artistic planning, program development, marketing and audience development, financial management, and strategic/long range planning.

Member organizations may request up to the maximum award of $1,000 to pay a consultant's honorarium. Consulting Services Program Grants are available throughout the year to member organizations on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to approval and availability of funds.


NEA 2017 Funding Guidelines Posted

Guidelines and application materials for three National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding categories - Art Works, Arts Works Creativity Connects, and Challenge America - have been posted on the NEA's website. 

The 2017 Art Works and Challenge America programs support projects taking place beginning in 2018. Guidelines and application materials are in the Apply for a Grant section of the NEA website.

DATES AND DEADLINES

Art Works
Application Deadlines:
 - February 16, 2017
 - July 13, 2017

Challenge America
Application Deadline: April 13, 2017
Recent Challenge America grants are posted on the NEA website.
Guidelines workshop webinar is scheduled for March 1, 2017 (details will be posted soon).

Art Works: Creativity Connects

Application Deadline: May 4, 2017
Recent Creativity Connects grants are posted on the NEA website.
Guidelines workshop webinar is scheduled for March 22, 2017 (details will be posted soon).

Apply to the California Arts Council for a grant to send you to the ACSO Annual Conference

CAC Professional Development Grants support professional growth and leadership training opportunities for individual staff members, artists, arts administrators, or arts educators employed by the applying organization. Professional development activities could include  registration fees for in-state conferences, seminars, and workshops, including the ACSO Annual Conference! Grant deadline is April 1.


Upcoming Dates and Reminders

February 16
Powerful Boards, Purposeful Fundraising Seminar - San Francisco, CA

March 3
Youth Orchestras Confab - San Luis Obispo, CA

March 6
ACSO Board Meeting - San Diego, CA 

April 19
Ask an Expert Webinar: Building and Engaging Your Board

July 20-22
ACSO 2017 Annual Conference - Los Angeles, CA

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