JoAnn Balingit named Delaware's Poet Laureate
On Wednesday, May 14, 2008, Governor Ruth Ann Minner named JoAnn Balingit of Newark to be Delaware's 16th Poet Laureate. A special ceremony was held in Governor Minner's office with Secretary of State Harriet Smith Windsor, Arts Council Member Lise Monty, Division of the Arts Director Paul Weagraff and staff, as well as members of JoAnn's family. The Division of the Arts will support JoAnn in her efforts to promote poetry and make this art form more accessible to people throughout the state.
Secretary of State Harriet Smith Windsor (left) and Governor Ruth Ann Minner (right)
present Delaware's new Poet Laureate JoAnn Balingit
Applications for Individual Artist Fellowships Now Available
The Fiscal Year 2009 Individual Artist Fellowship application is now available online. The deadline for submission is 4:30 p.m. on August 1, 2008. Click here for more information.
2009 Poetry Out Loud Contest Information for High School Teachers
The Division is already planning for the fourth annual Poetry Out Loud program in Delaware in 2009. High schools throughout the state are encouraged to participate in this national poetry recitation program. Invitations have gone out to English/Language Arts teachers across the state. The registration deadline for schools/teachers to participate in the 2009 Poetry Out Loud competition is September 26th, 2008. For more information, click here.
Delaware State Office of Volunteerism Seeks Nominations
The Delaware State Office of Volunteerism is accepting nominations for the 2008 Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Awards. The Arts & Culture category recognizes efforts involving museums, performing arts, historical sites and programs; ethnic and cultural exploration and education programs; awareness and education for the arts. Nomination forms can be obtained from the State Office of Volunteerism.
The State Office of Volunteerism's website (www.volunteerdelaware.org) is a free, easy way to connect with potential volunteers for short- and long-term projects. The office provides Volunteer Resource kits filled with useful information, templates, and resources, free of charge to non-profit and community based organizations.
For more information, New Castle County organizations can contact Clare Garrison at clare.garrison@state.de.us. Kent and Sussex County organizations can contact Carrie Happoldt at carrie.happoldt@state.de.us.
Statewide Web-based Arts Calendar Coming Soon!
In response to constituent requests for a centralized arts calendar, and as part of its strategic plan to better promote the arts in Delaware, the Division of the Arts is moving forward with the development of a web-based statewide arts calendar. Zero Defect Design, the company that created calendars known as "Culture Guides" in cities like Philadelphia, PA; Charlotte, NC; New Orleans, LA; Washington, DC; Shreveport-Bossier, LA; and Dallas-North Texas, will be working with the Division to create and promote this valuable resource. Expect to hear more from the Division soon about the arts calendar.
Delaware Arts Organization Receive State and Regional Grants for Arts Programming
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and Delaware Division of the Arts announce 14 Performing Arts Presenters Initiative Grants awarded to Delaware performing arts presenters. Click here for a list of the awardees and their programs.
The Delaware Tourism Office awarded $160,468 in tourism grants to a total of 18 tourism organizations in the state. Included among the 18 recipients were 4 arts organizations:
Grand Opera House was awarded $29,250 to create a holiday package and partnership program for the organization and the City of Wilmington.
Wilmington Wintergrass Inc. was awarded $3,250 for event development of the "Wilmington Winter Bluegrass Festival."
Delaware Art Museum was awarded $5,950 to create promotional materials for the Art Museum Adult Group Tour Project.
Delaware Theatre Company was awarded $4,725 to create promotional materials for the organization's 30th Anniversary Season.
Update on Fiscal Year 2009 Grant Process
Grant review panels met in early May to review more than 140 grant applications in six major grant categories. Panelists were thorough in their review, and thoughtful in their analysis of a wide variety of projects and organizations.
The Division of the Arts and the State Arts Council will spend much of June developing final funding recommendations, contingent upon final approval of the state's FY2009 budget.
The Division is tentatively looking at an 8% cut from the FY2008 budget. Final budget figures will not be available until the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council meets in June and the budget is passed by the General Assembly, which must be done by midnight on June 30th.
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