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Pinellas County Cultural Affairs

http://www.pinellasarts.org/

The ARTS are a pervasive set of industries in the U.S. that include:

2.25 million artists in the workforce;

100,000 nonprofit arts organizations and nearly 600,000 more arts businesses; and billions in consumer spending.

There are many individual measures of markets, artists and audiences that are used to track the arts industries. A new set of data compiled into a concise, cogent portrayal of the arts today will soon be released, titled the National Arts Index, by Americans for the Arts. Four years in the making, the index will provide 76 national-level indicators of arts and cultural activity covering an 11-year period from 1998 to 2008. The Index will then continue to release annual reports each October, providing us with an opportunity to begin a conversation about the arts and its value to communities. The report will be released on January 20, 2010.

The nation’s mobility rate fell last year to its lowest level since World War II, according to the latest census data. Growth is slowing in Sun Belt states and Northeastern states are holding on to more people. The current recession and lack of jobs are big factors, but the trend has been gaining force since the 1950s, when nearly one-fifth of all Americans moved every year.

Why are Americans becoming less nomadic? Greater labor mobility helps the economy, but are there other kinds of effects — negative or positive — related to a more rooted population? Is there an upside to more Americans staying closer to their hometowns?

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“Years ago, when you were about four years old, the system set out to persuade you of something that isn’t true.Not just persuade, but drill, practice, reinforce, and yes, brainwash.

The mission: to teach you that you’re average. That compliant work is the best way to a reliable living. That creating average stuff for average people, again and again, is a safe and easy way to get what you want.

Step out of line and the system would nudge (or push) you back to the center. Show signs of real creativity, originality or even genius, and well-meaning parents, teachers and authority figures would eagerly line up to get you back in line.

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A new idea . . . a new approach . . . a new technique . . . creative breakthroughs can come like a bolt of lightning, or in the whisper of a muse.

Or, sadly, not at all. Many of us would welcome any sign of creative inspiration.

“Creativity is the ability to give the world something it didn’t know it was missing,” said Daniel Pink. “Create something fundamentally new, like the iPod. You have tens of millions of people now who carry around an iPod. Eight years ago I don’t think they knew they were missing an iPod.”

Even without your iPod, author Daniel Pink’s views may be music to your ears. A former speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore, Pink now writes about creativity, and believes we all have at least some potential.

“You have it ’cause you’re a human being,” Pink said. “Now when I say everybody’s creative, doesn’t meant that everybody is a budding Picasso or a budding Edison or a budding Toni Morrison. But the human species is defined by its ability to create.”

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The University of South Florida (USF) and INTO University Partnerships today embark on a joint venture to increase international student recruitment at USF and ensure greater student success.

The new INTO USF international study center, based at USF’s Tampa campus, will offer a unique range of programs that will help USF capitalize on the growing number of international students seeking to study abroad.

The venture is also expected to create new jobs and economic opportunities for both USF and the larger Tampa Bay region. The effort is jointly financed by the USF Foundation and INTO University Partnerships. No public dollars will be spent on the recruitment and education effort.

INTO USF will recruit approximately 300 international students for its undergraduate and graduate programs, which begin in August 2010. Sixty INTO recruiters are on campus this week to learn about USF’s world-class research, undergraduate and graduate programs, and campus life.

The innovative year-long preparation courses provide international students with the specific academic, English and cultural skills needed for successful study in American universities. In time, the study center intends to broaden its course portfolio to support USF’s long term goals to provide more globally competitive undergraduate, graduate and professional programs; enhance global literacy and expand global engagement initiatives.

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The push to turn incentives for Florida’s film industry from direct payouts to tax credits has begun with the filing of House Bill 697 in the Legislature Tuesday.

The bill, authored by State Rep. Stephen Precourt, R-Orlando, would attempt to help Florida better compete with other states in attracting lucrative film projects. Florida, which was the center for film production in the Southeast, has been left behind in recent years as other states, including Louisiana, have become aggressive in trying to attract film projects.

With the state budget becoming tighter in tough economic times, Florida’s film incentive plan — already small compared with other states — has been reduced significantly. By providing tax credits instead, the bill would allow film productions to save money while not forcing the state to actually pay out received funds, supporters of the measure said.

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Finally the decision about where the high speed rail federal funds are spent is upon us. A station in downtown Tampa with a train from Orlando could be a game-changer. We ask that you act now to help us win this. And please ask your networks to do the same before Feb. 1. Here is how from Connect Us: The President of the United States needs to hear that Floridians want High Speed rail and  the jobs it will create. The easiest way to learn more and to send this message to the President is to go to the ConnectUs website and Action Center.

• Text 24453 and enter “Jobs” OR
• Call the White House at 202-456-1111  OR
• email www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/

Visit www.fastrailconnectus.com for complete contact information and a draft prepared message.

Arts and cultural organizations in the current (2009-2010) cycle of the Cultural Development Grants program are eligible to apply. Guidelines, instructions and forms are being sent to Level I and Levels II and III organizations with a February 15, 2010 deadline for applications.

Funded through the generosity of employees of the St. Petersburg Times through the Workplace Giving Program, donations are matched by The Times Fund, Inc. and the Pinellas Cultural Foundation.  Eligible organizations apply for either $1,000 or $3,000 grants to support projects which serve children, adults, teachers and the community-at-large throughout Pinellas County.  All funding goes directly to support the programs and projects — no administrative expenses are allowed.  Visit www.pinellasarts.org and look under GRANTS to view past recipients and projects.

The Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) is accepting submissions for the upcoming one exhibition in it’s ARC Gallery. one is a multimedia art exhibition that explores the concept of “one”. “One”, as a number, refers to the integer before two and after zero. It could also be perceived as unity or an ideological force, such as narcissism, capitalism or monotheism. Many facets explore the singular; a sole aim, a single life, a solitaire game.

The exhibition will consist of a broad spectrum of ideas, expressions, and critical examinations of “one” or“1” by local artists and researchers in visual studies.

The opening reception will be held on January 29, 2010 from 7pm to 11pm. Accepted video work for this exhibition will have a screening in the IMAX^® Dome Theatre during the opening reception. All artwork accepted, will exhibit in the ARC Gallery at MOSI and will be on display from January 29 through February 26, 2010.

Artists interested in participating are asked to fill out an application, which can be found at http://www.mosi.org/ArcGalleryOne.html and submit the application along with a resume, artist statement, and images, to arcgallery@mosi.org. A $20 application fee is required for consideration. Please send check or money order to: Museum of Science & Industry 4801 E Fowler Ave. Tampa, FL 33617. ATTN: Arc Gallery “one exhibition”. Any questions, please contact Daniel Moore via email arcgallery@mosi.org or by phone 713.231.6422.

Deadline for submissions is January 22, 2010.