OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

CAM CONFERENCE ENDS WITH A BANG WITH CATALINA EVENT
One of the highlights of the 2007 CAM Conference was the final day’s optional field trip to Catalina Island. Twenty-five museum folks got up early on Saturday, February 24th to cross the channel and Stacey Otte, Executive Director of the Catalina Island Museum, and Katherine Tatis, Event & Marketing Coordinator for the Museum, were on hand throughout the trip to answer a variety of questions. After they enjoyed the Avalon Scenic Tour and a lunch break, native Islander Chuck Liddell gave the visitors a thorough tour of the historic Casino. The group then visited the Catalina Island Museum and ended their visit strolling back into Avalon on a museum-led tour of historic tile installations. To read the full press release with a picture of the attendees, visit http://www.catalinaislandjournal.com/detail.cfm/article_id/513.

SALARIES FOR NONPROFIT LEADERS RISING SHARPLY
Salaries for nonprofit executives have increased by up to 50 percent since 2000 as competition for talent has intensified, reports The Wall Street Journal. Headhunting companies that recruit nonprofit leaders say that salaries exceeding $200,000 are now common, in part because it is much more difficult than in the past to retain talented leaders. Experts also say a lack of internal candidates for top jobs has forced nonprofit groups to seek external, and often more expensive, candidates. Not all groups are raising salaries, however. Some offer handsome bonuses and others flexible work schedules. Nevertheless, the article warns that increasing compensation can have a negative effect if potential donors view top executives as being too well compensated. To read the full article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy, visit http://philanthropy.com/premium/articles/v19/i08/08003702.htm.

NEA’S BIG READ PROGRAM AVAILABLE FOR MUSEUMS, LIBRARIES
The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read provides citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities. Organizations selected to participate in The Big Read will receive a grant, financial support to attend a national orientation meeting, educational and promotional materials for distribution, and other materials and services. The deadline to apply is April 12, 2007. For additional information and application procedures, visit the Big Read Web site at http://www.neabigread.org/.

ICHIM CALLS FOR PARTICIPATION FOR 2007 MEETINGS
The bi-annual International Cultural Heritage Informatics Meetings (ICHIM) explore cultural heritage informatics on a global scale, with a strong focus on policy, infrastructure and economic issues. They are attended by library, archives and museum directors and managers, cultural policy advocates and analysts, as well as senior cultural, governmental, academic and publishing professionals. ICHIM meetings include formal papers, round table discussions, seminars, workshops, project briefings and demonstrations. The deadline for proposals is April 30, 2007. Submit proposals online at http://www.archimuse.com/ichim07/. To learn more about ICHIM, see past papers online at http://www.archimuse.com/conferences/ichim.html.

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR PROGRAMS PROMOTING WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP
The Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council's Youth Investment Program is designed to improve the lives of underserved youth in northern and central California by providing greater access to outdoor experiences, from urban parks in the city to watersheds in the wilderness. The deadline to apply is March 23, 2007. For more information on the Youth Investment Program's various funding opportunities and an online grant application form, visit the Stewardship Council's Web site at http://www.stewardshipcouncil.org.

NEA ANNOUNCES CHALLENGE AMERICA FAST-TRACK GRANTS
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced grant awards totaling $1,360,000 through the Challenge America Reaching Every Community Fast-Track Grants program. One hundred thirty-six grants of $10,000 each will be given to primarily small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. Many projects emphasize the potential of the arts to help strengthen communities through cultural tourism, neighborhood enhancements, festivals, cultural plan feasibility studies, and design competitions. In addition, projects often feature partnerships between arts organizations and other cultural, educational, or civic organizations. For details, visit http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP08/Challenge.html.

STUDY DOCUMENTS LOS ANGELES COUNTY’S ‘CREATIVE ECONOMY’
A new study by the nonprofit Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp documents the area's 'creative economy' — arts-based industries that include entertainment, auto design, digital media and the performing and visual arts. The report found that the creative economy accounted for about 1 million direct and indirect jobs, generating $140 billion in sales in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The report was commissioned by the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles in an effort to highlight the importance of arts education in schools, and to spur government officials to provide business incentives for arts industry employers. [Excerpted from the Los Angeles Times, 3/1/2007] To read the Report on The Creative Economy of the Los Angeles Region online, visit http://www.latimes.com/media/acrobat/2007-02/28164969.pdf.

CCH CALIFORNIA STORY FUND GRANTS GUIDELINES NOW AVAILABLE
The California Council for the Humanities (CCH) has posted its guidelines for the July 2007 round of the California Story Fund. The California Story Fund supports public humanities projects that bring to light new and compelling stories from California's diverse communities. Applications are accepted beginning June 1; applications are due by July 2. Grant guidelines are available at http://www.californiastories.org/guidelines/guidelines_ca_story_intro.htm. To find out about recently funded California Story Fund projects, go to http://www.calhum.org/programs/story_intro.htm.

LOS ANGELES AND SAN FRANCISCO RANKED IN TOP 3 FOR CULTURAL VITALITY
According to a first-of-its-kind report from the Urban Institute, Los Angeles and San Francisco are two of the top three cities in the nation when ranked by “cultural vitality,” defined as evidence of creating, disseminating, validating, and supporting arts and culture as a dimension of everyday life in communities. The report used such indicators as number of community festivals and amount of nonprofit arts spending to determine rankings. The full report can be downloaded at http://www.urban.org/publications/311392.html.

GOVERNOR DECLARES MARCH 2007 AS ARTS EDUCATION MONTH
Governor Schwarzenegger released a Proclamation on March 5, 2007, stating that March is Arts Education Month in California. "With such a rich arts tradition, it only makes sense to continue and broaden our efforts to encourage the next generation of Californians to participate in and develop an appreciation for the arts …." he said in the proclamation. "In support of the arts, California has budgeted hundreds of millions of dollars to needed programs for the benefit of our children," he continues later in the document. "Through the efforts of federal, state and local governments, non-profit organizations and concerned individuals, we will ensure that every student will be exposed to the benefits of arts education." For more details on Arts Education Month and the Proclamation, see http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/proclamation/5553/.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS ANNUAL CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS, JUNE 1-3
Americans for the Arts has opened registration for their 2007 Annual Convention in Las Vegas on June 1-3, 2007. The conference’s theme is Risk and Reward: Balancing Acts in Arts and Community. Convention highlights include the national release of Arts & Economic Prosperity III, the culminating session of the MetLife Foundation National Arts Forum Series, guest artist Jenny Holzer and the Public Art Year in Review, as well as inspiring speakers, ARTventure tours, and many other enjoyable events. Visit http://www.AmericansForTheArts.org/convention for more information.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY EXPANDS ITS FREE ADMISSION PROGRAM FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES
Through a joint effort of two Los Angeles County agencies – the Arts Commission and the Department of Public Social Services – low-income families receiving CalWORKs/Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and/or Food Stamp benefits can visit 29 regional museums and gardens for free. In addition, these families will enjoy free admission to the Big!World!Fun! family series at the Ford Amphitheatre this summer. To see a full list of participating organizations, go to http://www.lacountyarts.org/museumgardendpss0702.pdf.

TARGET CORPORATION OFFERS ART PROGRAM GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Target grants support local communities in arts programs, early childhood reading, and family violence prevention. Funds aim to bring the arts to schools or make it affordable for families to participate in cultural experiences; promote a love of reading; and support programs that strengthen families by preventing or reducing the cycle of family violence. Applications are only accepted online. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2007. For detailed information, see http://sites.target.com/site/en/corporate/page.jsp?contentId=PRD03-001818.

COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT ONLINE COURSE AVAILABLE
The Upstate History Alliance (UHA) will offer its CM101: Collections Management course through its new Distance Learning Program. The course is designed for staff and volunteers at small and mid-size organizations. The course will begin with an introductory week on March 19, 2007 with formal instruction beginning on March 26. The course concludes on June 15, 2007. The only course requirements are a familiarity with basic computer programs, including email, the internet, and downloading pdf files and a high speed internet connection. To register, go to http://www.upstatehistory.org/services/OnlineLearningCommunities.html or call (800) 895-1648.

Get the Word Out in CAM e-News!
Please email the CAM office at editor@calmuseums.org to list any announcements pertaining to professional development programs, grant opportunities, or related opportunities in future editions of CAM e-News and on the CAM web site. Since it is not possible to include all the details of an announcement, please include a phone number, web site address, or email address so interested parties can get additional information. Please do not exceed a limit of 150 words per listing. All announcements are subject to editing by CAM personnel.