IRVINE FOUNDATION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW CONNECTIONS FUND
The James Irvine Foundation (http://www.irvine.org) is dedicated to expanding opportunity for the people of California to participate in a vibrant, successful, and inclusive society. The foundation focuses its grantmaking in three core program areas: Arts; California Perspectives; and Youth. The Irvine Foundation provides funding through the New Connections Fund for organizations that have new projects, new ideas, or which have not previously received a grant from the foundation. Grants of up to $50,000 over one- or two-year grant periods are available. Small and mid-sized organizations (with budgets between $100,000 and $2 million) are particularly encouraged to apply. Deadline to apply is March 8, 2007. Visit the Irvine Foundation's Web site for complete grant guidelines, an FAQ, and application procedures at http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10005993/irvine.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS 2008 GUIDELINES NOW AVAILABLE
The FY 2008 Grants for Arts Projects guidelines are now available online. Grants for Arts Projects is the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) major support category for organizations and includes the Access to Artistic Excellence, Challenge America Reaching Every Community Fast Track Grants, and Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth categories. To view the guidelines, visit http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/.

CHARITIES HAVE RAISED MILLIONS FROM NEW TAX BREAK
Nonprofit groups have jumped on a temporary tax break that allows older people to donate up to $100,000 a year to charity from their individual retirement accounts, reports The Wall Street Journal. The provision, part of August’s Pension Protection Act, allows for tax-free donations as long as the money goes directly to charities and is not funneled through another type of account. Charities have netted at least $25 million from the new donation method, the newspaper says. Organizations have pursued those donations aggressively because the tax break expires at the end of this year. However, charities are pressing Congress to extend the provision. [Excerpted from the Chronicle of Philanthropy.]

SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES INC. ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY AND DIVERSITY GRANTS
Symbol Technologies Inc. is now welcoming applications for its community and diversity grant program. This grants program funds innovative educational programs in academic institutions and community organizations with special consideration given to programs that promote math, science, engineering and technology. The diversity grants must target one or more of the following under-represented groups: African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, people with disabilities, Gays and Lesbians, Asian Americans, women and Native populations. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; for more information, please visit http://www.symbol.com/category.php?category=736.

ARTISTS AND MUSEUMS LOOK INTO FUTURE OF DIGITAL ART
According to the Washington Post, a growing number of artists use computers to create art, and with technology changing fast, their digital visions could become obsolete in just a few years. Digital art has broken into the mainstream with venerable institutions such as New York's Guggenheim Museum buying such works for permanent collections. Important questions include how museums will ensure future access to these files and whether this work - perfectly preserved in binary code - is doomed because it will be superseded by future hardware and software. To view the full article, published January 20, 2007 in the Washington Post, visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/19/AR2007011901084.html.

TECH MUSEUM OF INNOVATION NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR 2007 TECH MUSEUM AWARDS PROGRAM
The Tech Museum of Innovation, one of the nation’s premier science and technology museums, is now open to nominations for the 2007 Tech Museum Awards. This annual awards program is recognized internationally for honoring innovators from around the world who are using technology to benefit humanity. The deadline for nominations is March 26, 2007, and individuals, for-profit and non-profit organizations are all eligible to apply. Nomination forms and Awards criteria can be found at The Tech Museum’s Awards web site at www.techawards.org. [Excerpted from Business Wire, January 29, 2007.]

HISTORY CHANNEL LAUNCHES 2007-2008 SAVE OUR HISTORY GRANTS
This year, The History Channel will award $250,000 in grants of up to $10,000 to fund partnerships between history organizations and schools or youth groups on projects that teach students about their local history and actively engage them in its preservation. History museums, historical societies, preservation organizations, historic sites, libraries, archives, government agencies, and other historical organizations are all eligible to apply. The History Channel created the Save Our History initiative to support local history education and historic preservation in communities across the country. Since launching the Grant Program in 2004, The History Channel has awarded $750,000 in grants nationwide. The deadline for submitting an application for the 2007-2008 grant cycle is Friday, June 1st, 2007. For guidelines and an application, visit www.saveourhistory.com.

NEW CONGRESS MAY LIMIT FUNDING FOR NONPROFITS, CHARITIES
According to The Chronicle for Philanthropy, although the new Democratic leadership in Congress has shown interest in supporting many of the causes that nonprofit groups want to advance, charities will be fighting an uphill battle to win more money for their programs. In addition, the new Congress may affect how the Democratic majority will treat a range of issues, including regulation of nonprofit groups and their advocacy efforts and tax breaks for donors. To read the full article, visit http://philanthropy.com/free/articles/v19/i07/07002801.htm.

SAVE THE DATE! 2007 STATE OF THE ARTS CONFERENCE, MAY 18-19
The University of California Institute for Research in the Arts (UCIRA) is pleased to announce the second annual State of the Arts Conference, to be held May 18-19 at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive on the UC Berkeley Campus. This year's conference will focus on new media arts and consider their impact on the research functions an