Sept. 2, 2011
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History, in collaboration with the West Virginia Commission on the Arts (WVCA), will conduct statewide listening tours and grant writing workshops throughout the fall of 2011. The free meetings and workshops will be hosted by local organizations in eight locations across the state. The annual Public Policy Meeting will be in Buckhannon on Nov. 10.
The arts listening tour provides community members with the opportunity to be part of the conversation that will help determine how state and federal arts dollars will be spent to support arts programs in their towns.
Arts administrators, arts educators, artists, arts consumers and the general public are invited to participate in these informal discussions. The arts staff will use the information gathered to develop new programs and policies for grants available to communities, schools and individual artists through state and federal funding. 
The grant writing meetings offer an overview of program deadlines, tips and timelines for success, and procedures for applications. New initiatives and programs to support local arts projects, changes in current guidelines affecting fiscal year 2013 applicants, and how to plan for grant services also will be discussed.
“With the help of local hosts, we can reach the most people and have more impact in each community. We appreciate these hosts for assisting with bringing this valuable workshop to their communities,” said Jeff Pierson, director of arts for the Division.
A complete list of the free arts listening tour meetings and the grant writing workshops is attached.
Participants for the grant writing workshops should pre-register at least one week before the session date. For more information, or to pre-register, contact Debbie Haught, community arts coordinator for the Division, at (304) 558-0240, ext. 714, or e-mail her at [email protected].
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is an agency within the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts with Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary. The Division, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, brings together the past, present and future through programs and services focusing on archives and history, arts, historic preservation and museums. For more information about the Division’s programs, events and sites, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
2011 Arts Listening  Tour and Grant Writing Workshop Schedule
 
Wednesday, Sept. 14 
    Listening Tour Meeting
    Time: 4 - 5:30 p.m.
    Union
  Host:  Monroe Arts Alliance
  Monroe  County Public Library
  Box 558/Rt. 219
  Contact: Judith Bair
  (304) 772-4568
Friday, Sept. 16
    Grant Writing Workshop
    Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
    Clarksburg
  Host: Clarksburg Harrison Cultural Council
  Waldomore
  404 West Pike Street
  Contacts: Ian Ruddick, Dolores Yoke
  (304) 622-0957
  [email protected]
  [email protected]
Saturday, Sept. 17 
    Listening Tour Meeting
    Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
    Clarksburg
  Host: Clarksburg Harrison Cultural Council
  Waldomore
  404 West Pike Street
  Contacts: Ian Ruddick, Dolores Yoke
  (304) 622-0957
  [email protected]
  [email protected]
Monday, Sept. 19
    Listening Tour Meeting
    Time: 6 - 7:30 p.m.
    New Martinsville
  Host: ArtsLink, Inc.
  Francis Creative Arts Center
  141 Main Street
  Contact: Eric Vincent
  (304) 455-2278
  [email protected]
Tuesday, Sept. 20 
    Grant Writing Workshop
    Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
    New Martinsville
  Host: ArtsLink, Inc.
  Francis Creative Arts Center
  141 Main Street
  Contact: Eric Vincent
  (304) 455-2278
  [email protected]
Tuesday, Oct. 4
    Listening Tour Meeting
    Time: 7 - 8:30 p.m.
    Fayetteville
  Host: Historic Fayette Theatre
  115 South Court Street
  Contact: Christy Ingram
  (304) 575-6421
  [email protected]
Wednesday, Oct. 5
    Listening Tour Meeting
    Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m.
    Rowlesburg
  Host: Rowlesburg Revitalization Committee
  The Janet and Imre Szilagyi
       Center for the Visual and  Performing Arts
  Rt. 72, Catherine and Buffalo streets
  Contacts: Katie Wolfe-Orescanin
  (304) 454-9232
  [email protected]
  Shirley Hartley
  (304) 329-1240
Thursday, Nov. 3
    Listening Tour Meeting
    Time: 7 - 8:30 p.m.
    Point Pleasant
  Host: The River Museum
  28 Main Street
  Contact: Ruth Fout
  (304) 674-0144
  [email protected]
Wednesday, Nov. 9
    Grant Writing Workshop
    Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
    Buckhannon
  Host:  West Virginia Wesleyan College
  Greek  Alumni Room
  59  College Ave.
  Contacts:  Alisa Lively, Mary Han
  (304)  473-8104
Thursday, Nov. 10
    Public Policy Meeting
    Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
    Buckhannon
  Host:  West Virginia Wesleyan College
  Greek  Alumni Room
  59  College Ave.
  Contacts:  Alisa Lively, Mary Han
  (304)  473-8104
Monday, Nov. 14
    Listening Tour Meeting
    Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
    Charles Town 
  Host:  Old Opera House
  240  N. George Street
  Contact:  Steven Brewer
  (304)  725-4420
  [email protected]
Tuesday, Nov. 15
    Grant Writing Workshop
    Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
    Shepherdstown
  Host:  AHA! of Jefferson County
  Shepherd  University
  Robert  C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies
        Multi-purpose Room
  Contacts:  Julie Siler
  (304)  876-8158
  [email protected]
  Sherry  Sykes
  (301)  432-2984
  [email protected]
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