CAM IS MONITORING LEGISLATION ON BEHALF OF CALIFORNIA MUSEUMS

As the advocate in Sacramento for all California museums, CAM monitors various bills that could potentially impact the state's museums. With thousands of bills introduced each year, this is a big responsibility. In an effort to inform the California museum community about pending legislation, below is a list of key bills that CAM is watching, commenting on, or supporting. In addition to the bills listed below, CAM is monitoring several others pertaining to the infrastructure bonds passed by voters last November, and “green” initiatives, as well as supporting an increase in the California Arts Council’s budget.

• AB 31(De Leon) Neighborhood Park and Recreation Revitalization Act of 2007. Existing law establishes the Urban Park Act of 2006, which requires the Department of Parks and Recreation to establish a local assistance program to offer $400 million in grants, on a competitive basis, to various local entities and nonprofit organizations for the acquisition or development of urban parks and recreational areas and facilities. This bill defines "heavily urbanized county," the facilities eligible for funding, and changes the name of the act to the Neighborhood Park and Recreation Revitalization Act of 2007. Click here to read the entire bill.

• AB 323(Evans) Alcoholic beverage licensees: wine. This bill would make it easier for winegrowers to donate wine to nonprofit organizations and assist them in conducting wine tastings. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. Click here to read the entire bill.

• AB 624(Coto) Private foundations: diversity. This bill would require a private foundation with assets over $250,000,000 to collect and disclose specified ethnic and gender data pertaining to its governance and grantmaking. The bill would require this information to include, but not be limited to, the following: the racial and gender composition of the board of directors or trustees, the number of grants awarded to specified organizations serving ethnic minority communities, and the percentage of grant dollars awarded to specified organizations where 50% or more of the board members are ethnic minorities. Click here to read the entire bill.

• AB 772(Portantino) Park and nature education centers grant program. This bill would establish the Park and Nature Education Centers Grant Program to administer, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the $100,000,000 in bond funds made available to the department for grants for nature education and research facilities and equipment. The bill would specify institutions (including natural history museums, aquariums, botanical gardens, and zoos) that are eligible for funding and outline the process. Click here to read the entire bill.

• AB 1365(Karnette) California Arts Council: funding: sales and use tax revenues. This bill would require that all revenues derived from the payment of the tax imposed, as provided, in connection with the sale, or the storage, use, or other consumption, of a work of art, as defined, be allocated to the California Arts Council to be used exclusively for specified purposes, as provided. This bill contains other existing laws. Click here to read the entire bill.

• SCR 5(Lowenthal) California Museum Month. This bill proclaims May 2007 as California Museum Month. This bill was chaptered on March 9, 2007. Click here to read the entire bill.
  

To search Assembly or Senate Bills by number, keyword, or author, visit the legislature’s bill information website at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html. Please contact Celeste DeWald, CAM Executive Director, at (831) 471-9970 or cam@calmuseums.org if you have any questions about these bills or would like additional information. CAM exists to serve the entire California museum field and we appreciate your feedback.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEW PUBLICATION ON YOUTH IN NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
A new report, prepared by Barry Hessenius and commissioned by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, explores issues and challenges surrounding youth and nonprofit arts organizations and hopes to spark a national discussion. "Involving Youth in Nonprofit Arts Organizations: A Call to Action" contends that the future of nonprofit arts organizations large and small depends on attracting the best new talent to administer their affairs, to serve as artists and audiences, and to act as advocates, boosters, and financial supporters. To view the report or the executive summary, click on http://www.hewlett.org/Programs/PerformingArts/Publications/YouthReport.htm.

ONLINE SURVEY TO INFORM AFTA STRATEGIC PLANNING
The American Federation for the Arts (AFTA) is conducting a nationwide scan of the arts environment to help us determine the best ways to advance the arts in America. They are hoping that arts colleagues will help them by dedicating some time to complete their online survey. All survey responses will be held in strict confidence, and respondents are invited to enter a drawing to win a $75 American Express® gift card. To participate, please click the following link and provide your input no later than Friday, May 11: http://www.ams-online.com/forum/survey.html?SID=143405Pwd=d842/. For more information about their process, visit their website at http://www.AmericansForTheArts.org/go/artsurvey.

TELEPHONE TAX REFUND AVAILABLE TO SOME NONPROFITS
A Telephone Excise Tax Refund (TETER) is available to nonprofit organizations that paid long-distance taxes from March 2003 through July 2006. In order to qualify, tax-exempt organizations must calculate all long-distance telephone calls within that 41-month period and fill out Form 8913, Credit for Federal Telephone Excise Tax Paid, and attach it to Form 990-T. For details, and the IRS’s special formula designed to assist preparation, visit the Telephone Excise Tax Refund page on the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=164032,00.html.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFITS
BridgeBuilders Foundation is accepting applications from small, community-based nonprofits that are working to build bridges among groups of people that differ with respect to age, gender, economic resources, and physical or mental ability. Priority is given to projects that actively promote social, economic, and environmental justice, especially those initiated by young people and those that address the needs of minority and low-income youth. The application deadline is June 1, 2007. Visit http://www.bridgebuildersfoundation.org/apply/index.html for additional information.

ARTS SURVEY TO HELP DEVELOP 2007 CONFERENCE FOR COMMUNITY ARTS EDUCATION
The National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts is conducting a survey to guide programming for the 2007 Conference for Community Arts Education, to be held November 8-10 in Los Angeles. The survey covers how the conference can best meet the professional development and networking needs of community arts education leaders. The conference chiefly serves executive directors, program directors and trustees of community-based arts education programs and organizations. To participate in this survey, visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?A=189531425E64051. The survey closes Monday, April 30.

IMLS OFFERS GRANTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF WEBWISE CONFERENCE
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering a grant that will support a proposal to develop and host the 2008 and 2009 WebWise Conference on Libraries and Museums in the Digital World. The conference highlights exemplary projects to improve library and museum services using technology. It brings together library and museum professionals from across the country, as well as nationally-recognized experts in technology from a variety of disciplines to discuss issues of mutual concern. The deadline to apply is June 18. For detailed information, visit http://www.imls.gov/pdf/WebWiseRFP.pdf.

2007 GUGGENHEIM FELLOWSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The New York City-based John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has announced the winners of the 2007 Guggenheim Fellowship Awards, with accompanying awards totaling $7.6 million. Selected from almost 2,800 applicants on the basis of distinguished achievement and exceptional promise, this year's class of Guggenheim Fellows includes 189 artists, scholars, and scientists from 78 different fields. For a complete list of this year's Guggenheim Fellows, visit http://www.gf.org/newfellow.html.

NEA OFFERS ART EDUCATION GRANTS FOR CHILDREN
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is offering grants under its Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth program for projects that help young people acquire knowledge and skills in the arts. Projects must provide participatory learning and engage students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art. The application deadline is June 11, 2007. Visit http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP08/LITA.html for more information.

INCENTIVES SOUGHT FOR ARTISTS TO DONATE WORKS
A lack of financial incentives often dissuades artists from donating works to charitable causes, but creative forms of compensation can encourage many to give, reports American Artist. Unlike dealers, artists cannot deduct the sales value of donated artworks from their taxes, only the cost of materials, the magazine reports. Because donations often bring in no money for artists and rarely advance their careers, most painters and sculptors are reluctant to part with pieces. For more information, read an opinion piece in the Chronicle of Philanthropy that argues that Congress should eliminate tax breaks for artistic donations (at http://philanthropy.com/premium/articles/v19/i01/01003502.htm) and also numerous responses to that argument (at http://philanthropy.com/premium/articles/v19/i03/03003902.htm).

NEH OFFERS HUMANITIES COLLECTIONS AND RESOURCES GRANTS
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is now accepting applications for its Collections and Resources grants. Grants support projects that preserve and create intellectual access to such collections as books, journals, newspapers, manuscript and archival materials, maps, still and moving images, sound recordings, art, and objects of material culture. The deadline to apply is July 17. For more information, visit http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/Collections_and_Resources.html.

NPI OFFERS 3-DAY CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROJECTS WORKSHOP
The National Preservation Institute (NPI) is offering a 3-day workshop entitled, Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Tools for Cultural and Natural Resource Projects, to be held on May 15-17 in Phoenix, Arizona, and on September 25-27 in San Simeon, California. The conference will discuss how laws and regulations related to cultural and natural resources often require participatory processes that can be mired in conflict and misunderstanding. Attendees will be learn how to design and manage a collaborative process and how to use a range of tools associated with negotiation and consensus building through participatory role-plays, interactive exercises, and case studies. Register online at http://www.npi.org/register.html. A detailed agenda for the conference is available at http://www.npi.org/NPI-WWW-05_06-ag-ADR-PM.pdf.

NEW REPORT DETAILS STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL ARTS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS
The National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts has released the Creative Communities Initiative Summary Report. The report summarizes strategies for successful arts education partnerships with public housing communities. Findings were gleaned from an extraordinary three-year, $4.65 million partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and National Guild. Many of the findings are relevant to a wide range of cross-sector arts education partnerships. Copies of the Creative Communities Initiative Summary Report are available at http://www.nationalguild.org. A free electronic version may be downloaded from http://www.nationalguild.org/programs/creatcomm.htm.

IRS HOSTS FIVE ONLINE COURSES ON 501(c)(3) PROCEDURES
The IRS has developed five online training courses to educate individuals on 501(c)(3) status rules, regulations and procedures at http://www.stayexempt.org. Other trainings include employment issues, filing an error free Form 990-T and understanding required disclosures. For a hard copy of 501(c)(3) tax regulations, see Publication 4221, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations, published by the IRS to help nonprofit boards promote good governance. This form can be found at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4221.pdf.

REPORT FINDS LIBRARY ATTENDANCE UP DESPITE PREDICTIONS OF SLUMP DUE TO INTERNET POPULARITY
Despite predictions of the demise of the nation's system of libraries as a result of the Internet explosion, the most current national data on library use shows that the exact opposite has happened. Data released by the American Library Association (ALA) indicates that the number of visits to public libraries in the United States increased 61 percent between 1994 and 2004. Overall circulation at public libraries in the U.S. rose by 28 percent during the decade, partly driven by significant growth in circulation of children's materials, which grew by 44 percent. Attendance in library programs for children was also up 42 percent for this same period. To read the press release in Web Services Journal (April 16, 2007), visit http://www.sys-con.com/read/362029.htm. A full copy of the 2007 State of America's Libraries report is available at http://www.ala.org/2007State.

AAM ANNOUNCES PUBLICATIONS DESIGN COMPETITION WINNERS
The American Association of Museums (AAM) has announced the winners of the 27th annual Museum Publications Design Competition. The competition, which acknowledges excellence in the graphic design of museum publications, is the only national, juried event involving publications produced by museums of all kinds and sizes. This year's contest drew 1,040 entries. To view a complete list of Pub Comp winners, visit the AAM website at http://www.aam-us.org/. CAM would like to congratulate the organizations awarded in California: The Getty (Los Angeles), Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (La Jolla), Autry National Center (Los Angeles), Gemological Institute of America (Carlsbad), Lux Art Institute (Encinitas), and the Westmont College Reynolds Gallery (Santa Barbara).

FINAL CONFERENCE CALL OPPORTUNITY FOR SAVE OUR HISTORY GRANTS
The History Channel will offer only one final conference call to assist those applying for their Save Our History Grants. The call will be held on Wednesday, May 9, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM EDT. The History Channel, AASLH, and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors will be available to address questions and concerns. To sign up for the conference call, send an email to saveourhistory@rockpa.org with the subject line "May 9th National Conference Call" and the participant’s full contact information, including his/her name, address, phone, and email. Sessions are limited to the first 50 people to RSVP; the first 50 people will receive a return email with the call-in information. Call-in details and more information can be found at http://www.saveourhistory.com.

2007 DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
The goal of the Diversity Scholarship Program is to increase the diversity of participants at the annual National Preservation Conference and in the preservation movement. This year's Conference will take place in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, October 2 – October 6, 2007. The Program provides financial assistance (which can cover registration, transportation and/or lodging) to approximately 60 community leaders from diverse social, economic, racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The application postmark deadline is June 1. For more information about the Diversity Scholarship Program, call Free Harris at (202) 588-6027 or e-mail scholarships@nthp.org. For details, and to download the Scholarship Applications, please visit http://www.nationaltrust.org/scholarships/diversity_scholarship.html.

CALIFORNIA OHP CALLS FOR NOMINATION FOR THE 2007 GOVERNOR’S HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD
The Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards are presented annually under the sponsorship of the State Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) and California State Parks to organizations or public agencies whose contributions demonstrate notable achievements in preserving the heritage of California. Individuals are encouraged to participate in celebrating the preservation of California’s heritage by nominating organizations or agencies that are deserving of the Governor’s Historic Preservation Award. Nominations must be postmarked no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, April 30. Recipients of this year’s awards will be announced on November 2, 2007. For more information and eligibility criteria go to http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24513.

REPORT FINDS VOLUNTEERISM LINKED TO PERFORMING ARTS ATTENDANCE
In November 2006, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) published The Arts and Civic Engagement, a research brochure reporting that arts participants are more active and civically engaged than non-participants. A sub-report, entitled "Volunteering and Performing Arts Attendance: More Evidence from the SPPA," summarizes how regardless of a person's education level, gender, or age, performing arts attendance increases the probability of volunteering by 25 percentage points. Holding education and other demographic characteristics constant, the chances (or odds) that performing arts attendees will volunteer are 3.5 times higher than for nonattendees. Though not quite so high, the chances that sporting events attendees will volunteer are 2.9 times higher than for non-attendees of sports events. This report can be downloaded in full at http://www.arts.gov/research/Notes/94.pdf.

CCHE TO MEET APRIL 26 IN LOS ANGELES
The Board of the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) will meet on April 26, at 10:00 AM, at the Richard J. Riordan Central Library in the Mark Taper Auditorium in Los Angeles. The agenda for this meeting will be posted on the CCHE website at http://www.library.ca.gov/cche and is available by mail upon request.

LECTURE ON MUSEUM MODEL OF CULTURE AND DIASPORA ON APRIL 26 IN MONTEREY
On April 26, California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) will host a lecture entitled, The Museum in a Time of Global Change: An interdisciplinary colloquium on the global implications of museums, culture, and community. The Keynote speaker will be Eduardo Pinedo from the Museum of the African Diaspora. The reception will begin at 6:00 PM and the lecture will begin at 6:30, and will be held in the University Center Living Room at CSUMB.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA SEEKING SCIENCE AND HISTORY-SOCIAL SCIENCE CURRICULUM WRITERS
The State of California is looking for highly experienced K-12 curriculum writers to develop complete instructional units in the subject areas of science and history-social science. This work is being undertaken as part of California's Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI). Development of the EEI curriculum is already underway and when complete it is expected to encompass approximately 150 comprehensive instructional units, each comprised of six to eight lessons and associated student assessments. Experienced writers must submit a Statement of Qualifications. A Request for Qualification is available at http://www.creec.org/stories/storyReader$198. The next closing date for Curriculum Writer's Statements is May 15, 2007.

FREE ONLINE GIVING REPORT NOW AVAILABLE
Network for Goods has published a new report, The Young and The Generous: A Study of $100 Million in Online Giving to 23,000 Charities. This report covers topics such as what time of day donors are most likely to give online, and in which states are the citizens most generous. The publication is now available for download (free registration required) at http://www.groundspring.org/learningcenter/100_million_study.cfm.

NEA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CHALLENGE AMERICA GRANTS
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is offering support to small and mid-sized nonprofit organizations through its Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Fast-Track Review Grants. These grants support projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. This program supports local projects that target groups whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. The application deadline is June 1. For more information, visit http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP08/Challenge.html.

SEVENTH GENERATION FUND OFFERS GRANTS FOR NATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
The Seventh Generation Fund is now offering its General Support Grant program to projects which support and maintain the uniqueness of Native peoples from the far north of Canada to the tip of South America. The Fund also provides Training and Technical Assistance Grants and Mini-Grants. Grants program are reviewed quarterly; the next application deadline is June 1, 2007. Applications for the Mini-Grants program are accepted at any time. For more information, visit http://www.7genfund.org/.

FOUNDATION CENTER OFFERS WORKSHOPS IN OUTCOME-BASED PLANNING
The Foundation Center is offering several workshops in outcome-based planning. These workshops, entitled Outcome Thinking and Management: Strategies That Get Results, are being held on May 11 in San Francisco, May 14 in Los Angeles, and May 16 in San Diego. The course will cover how outcome thinking differs from other approaches, shifting from process to outcome planning, and developing an outline for immediate application. The registration form can be found at http://foundationcenter.org/marketplace/enrollmentform.pdf. For more information, visit http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10006923.

CREDIT CARD DEAL OFFERS DONATIONS TO MUSEUMS
Sotheby’s auction house and a credit-card company plan to create a charge card that will let cardholders redeem points not only for airline tickets but also for cash donations to museums, reports The Wall Street Journal. Sotheby’s Holdings and GE Money will issue MasterCards that bear the auction house’s name. A cardholder who has accumulated 10,000 points can use them to make a $100 donation to one of 17 participating museums. Points can also be used for discounted auction catalogs, individual tours with museum curators, and visits to artists’ studios. Museums that participate in the card program will receive a one-time fee of less than $50,000. To view the full Wall Street Journal article, visit http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117641387050668279-search.html?KEYWORDS=charity&COLLECTION=wsjie/6month.

GRANT MAKERS INCREASED GIVING BY 8.2% LAST YEAR, NEW REPORT SAYS
Grant makers in the United States awarded $40.7-billion in cash, corporate products, and other gifts last year, an increase of 8.2 percent from 2005 after inflation, according to new estimates released by the Foundation Center, a New York research group. Community foundations increased the amount they contributed more than any other type of foundation, with the total amount given rising by 9.6 percent after inflation. The report also found that nearly 60 percent of respondents expect giving to increase this year, up from 52 percent of foundations that said the same in 2006. To read the full Foundation Center report, visit http://philanthropy.com/premium/articles/v19/i13/13001501.htm.

AASLH ANNOUNCES 2007 WORKSHOP SERIES
The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has announced its 2007 Workshop Series. Most workshops are held in states outside of California, but one workshop will be an online course, Basics of Archives, and will run from June 4 through July 6. This course will provide an overview of the basics of archival management in a completely Web-based course. For more information, and other workshop titles, dates, and locations, visit AASLH’s website at http://www.aaslh.org/workshop.htm.

SEMINAR FOR HISTORICAL ADMINISTRATION APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
The Seminar for Historical Administration (SHA) is now accepting applications for its intensive, residential leadership training experience for history professionals. This program specifically targets those who are in a position of administrative responsibility or are preparing for such a position as fulltime, paid staff of history museums, historic sites, preservation, or history organizations with three to ten years of experience in the field. More than thirty faculty members use case studies, workshops, forums, and field trips to present and engage the best practices and ideas of history organization leadership and management. SHA selects only 18 participants each year based on information provided in the SHA application. The 2007 SHA will be held in Indianapolis, October 27- November 17, 2007. Two scholarships are available for applicants who represent a minority group in the U.S. The deadline to apply is June 1. For information, contact Bob Beatty, Director of Programs at (615) 320-3203 or beatty@aaslh.org.

GET INVOLVED WITH NATIONAL PRESERVATION MONTH
The National Trust for Historic Preservation will commemorate the third annual National Preservation Month in May 2007. This year's theme, Making Preservation Work, encourages institutions to celebrate the country’s diverse and irreplaceable heritage by participating in events throughout the nation. For more information on how organizations can get involved with National Preservation Month, visit http://www.nationaltrust.org/preservationmonth/index.html.

WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN HISTORIANS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN MAY
The Western Association of Women Historians' 39th annual conference will be held in San Diego on May 4-6. The Keynote address will be: "Femininity and Masculinity Through the Prism of Religion: Mexico 1550-1800.” The full conference program is available at http://www.wawh.org/2007wawhprogram.pdf. Pre-registration is currently closed; registrations and meals are currently first-come, first served via onsite registration. The onsite registration form is available at http://www.wawh.org/2007wawhonsiteregistrationform.pdf. For more information, visit the Association website at http://www.wawh.org.

BANK OF AMERICA HOSTS FREE MUSEUM ADMITTANCE TO CA MUSEUMS IN MAY
Bank of American is hosting its 10th annual "Museums on Us" program, which allows Bank customers who have credit, check, or MBNA credit cards to visit a variety of the nation’s museums free. There is no limit on how many times the credit card holder may use the card for admission during the month, and the program also covers one guest accompanying the person whose name is on the card. There are 25 California museums currently participating, and over 50 more institutions are participating nation-wide. For more information and the full list of participating museums, visit http://www.bankofamerica.com/museums.

NEH OFFERS PRESERVATION ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR SMALLER INSTITUTIONS
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is offering Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions, which help small and mid-sized institutions in the United States, such as libraries, museums, historical societies, archival repositories, town and county records offices, and colleges, improve their ability to preserve and care for their humanities collections. Small and mid-sized institutions that have never received an NEH grant are especially encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is May 15. All applications to the NEH must be submitted through http://www.grants.gov. The 2007 guidelines for Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions are available at http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/pag.html.

CCAHA HOSTING ARCHITECTURAL RECORDS SYMPOSIUM
Registration is open for the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts’ (CCAHA) upcoming program, Architectural Records Symposium: Managing and Preserving Design Records. This symposium is being held on July 16 and 17 at the Chicago History Museum in Chicago, IL. CCAHA will be offering a limited number of stipends of up to $750 to help defray travel, lodging, and registration costs associated with attending the conference. Applications for a stipend must be submitted by June 1. For additional information on the application process, please call the Preservation Services Office at (215) 545-0613. For more information on the program or to register, visit the CCAHA website at http://www.ccaha.org/workshop_cal.php.

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.