Artists' Pipeline #36 - July 16, 2002

Beginning this month, Metro Transit riders in the Twin Cities will see illustrated poster-poems on each of the fleet's nearly 1,000 buses. The 12 posters, created by Larsen Design + Interactive, feature poets with Minnesota affiliations. Poems by Louise Erdrich, Bao Phi and Eugene McCarthy kick off the series. Other poets in the inaugural year are Bob Dylan, Heid Erdrich, Diane Glancy, Barbara Guest, Thomas McGrath, G. E. Patterson and James Wright, with poets Robert Bly and Wang Ping contributing translations. Poets and co-coordinators Johannah Bomster and Morgan Grayce Willow worked with the Poetry Society of America, national sponsors of Poetry In Motion®, to bring the program to the Twin Cities, the 15th metropolitan area to be involved.
A roll-out celebration will be held Thursday, July 18 at 10 a.m. at Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis. Speakers include Ted Mondale, Metropolitan Council Chair; Mike Setzer, Metro Transit General Manager; Brett Lauer, Poetry In Motion Director; poets Diane Glancy, Bao Phi and Wang Ping; and guest readers e.g. bailey and Martin Devaney. An ASL interpreter will be provided for this event. Open Book is served by Metro Transit routes 7, 19, and 20. For route information, call 612-373-3333.

Eighteen Minnesota artists were selected from more than 70 applicants to exhibit their artwork during the second annual Visible Fringe Festival, August 2-11. Their work will be shown and for sale during several exhibitions:
July 3 - Aug. 31 at the Minneapolis Foundation, 821 Marquette Ave. (Foshay Tower), Suite A200; 612-672-3878. (three pieces by each artist) Reception Thursday, August 22, 4:00.
July 26 - Aug. 11 at the Visible Fringe Central, 1618 Central Ave. NE; 612-872-1212. Reception Sat., July 27, 7:00
Aug. 1-31 at Rogue Buddha Gallery, 2402 E. Hennepin Ave.; 612-331-3889. Reception Sat., August 24, 7:00
Aug. 2 - 11 at Fringe Festival venues in Minneapolis; 612-872-1212.
This year's exhibiting artists include:
Mark Anderson (St. Paul) sculptor; Bill Beekman (Minneapolis) painter; Derrick Burbul(Duluth) photographer; Brent Gonyea (St. Paul) sculptor; Dusty Hendrickson (Minneapolis) painter; Jennifer Hislop (St. Paul) book artist; Sky Iounan (Minneapolis) photographer, digital artist; Charles Lyon (Minneapolis) painter; Peter Jadoonath (St. Paul); Robert Johnson (NE Minneapolis) neon sculptor; Egil Jonnson (St. Paul) painter; Bridget Riversmith (Duluth) painter; Jill Schroeder (Minneapolis) photographer; John Schuerman (Minneapolis) painter; Mayo Selski (St. Paul) painter; Ryan Simonson (Minneapolis) mixed media artist; Angela Sprunger (Minneapolis) painter; David Witt (St. Paul) illustrator.
The Visible Fringe is a curated exhibit open to any artist living and working in Minnesota. Its mission, says Yuri Arajs, co-founder and curator, is to challenge, inspire and enlighten our perception of visual arts by introducing artists and new forms of visual creativity to our community. All the artwork exhibited will be for sale. The artists will be promoted through a full-color program, limited edition poster and postcard box set.

VeRbOsE is a monthly venue exploring the world of Spoken Word. The next program, on July 30, will be a Fringe Festival Sampler Show hosted by Kay Kirscht. It is held the last Tuesday of every month at 7:30 at the accessible, smoke-free Acadia Cabaret Café, 1931 Nicollet Ave. S. (at Franklin) in Minneapolis. Suggested donation is $5. For more information, call 612-708-4228.

A Minnesota Retreat for the Arts" will be an opportunity for educators and teaching artists to share best practices and "what works" in integrating arts with other curriculum. Spend August 13-14 in the air-conditioned, artfully designed FAIR building nestled by a creek in Crystal. Network with friends and new contacts. Soak in up to six scintillating sessions and tours with arts-integration titles like:

• Just Pottering Around Could Get Harry (art/science).
• Islamic Art: Spanish and Geometry.
• Music In Architecture.
• So You Have to Direct a Play?
• Minneapolis Public Art Tour.
• Balancing Aesthetics and Education.
• Know Your Neighborhood.
• American Swedish Institute: Immigration Time Travel.
• Making Music with Clay.
• Literacy through Photography.
• Printing without a Press.
• Big Times in a Small School.
• Sustaining the Arts.
• A Thriving Mentorship.
• Arts with the Brain in Mind.
• Put a pArt of yourself in the transformation picture (hands-on clay work).

The $45 fee includes meals, snacks, coffee, a chance to play hands-on with new arts, get individual attention, and share questions or triumphs with others in your field. An evolution of the Urban Retreat for the Arts, the conference is a McKnight Foundation-funded activity of the Minnesota Network for Arts Education, sponsored by the Perpich Center for Arts Education,
A downloadable registration form is available at Professional Development Institute (www.pcae.k12.mn.us/pdi/retreat.html), or call Kris Roth at 763-591-4700, Mary Sundet Jones at 763-591-4711 or Barbara Cox at 763-591-4762. The FAIR School is at 3915 Adair Ave. N., near Hwy 100 and 36th Ave. N. in Crystal (directions available on the website).

James B. Livingston, Minneapolis, will have a release party for his new chapbook of poetry, We Have Cried So Many Times Before, on Friday, August 2 at 7:00 at Walker Community Church, located at 31st Street East and 16th Avenue South in Minneapolis. The book is published by Plowman, Whitby of Ontario, Canada. Original music will be provided by Tony Wentersdorf, Kent Ecklund, Don Browne, etc.

The SASE: The Write Place! Second Annual Creative Non-fiction Contest Award winners will be recognized this Friday, July 19 at 7:00 at the Minnesota Women's Press, 771 Raymond Avenue, St. Paul. Writers Elizabeth Noll, Laurie McKiernan and D. Anne Wayne will read their prize-winning essays on the topic "What makes a woman?" The event is free, wheelchair-accessible and fragrance-free.

Hey City Theater is doing a little "Spring Cleaning" after 10 years of producing theatre in Minneapolis. It is having a one-day sale of costumes (including some vintage pieces), men's and women's clothing, fabric, props, furniture, musical equipment, curtains, table cloths, luggage and more! The sale is Monday, July 22, from 10 am to 10 pm on the second floor of the theatre at 824 Hennepin Ave. in downtown Minneapolis. Cash or check. All sales final. Need directions or have a question? E-mail christin@heycity.com.

Justin Dart, Jr., a leader of the international disability rights movement and a renowned human rights activist, died June 22 at his home in Washington D.C. Widely recognized as "the father of the Americans with Disabilities Act" and "the godfather of the disability rights movement," Dart had for several years struggled with the complications of post-polio syndrome and congestive heart failure. He was 71, and is survived by his wife Yoshiko, their extended family of foster children, and millions of disability and human rights activists all over the world.
A leader in the disability rights movement for three decades, and an advocate for the rights of women, people of color, and gays and lesbians, Dart received five presidential appointments and numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Clinton in 1998, and the Hubert Humphrey Award of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. Dart was on the podium on the White House lawn when President George H. Bush signed the ADA into law in July 1990. He was also a highly successful entrepreneur, using his personal wealth to further his human rights agenda. Until the end, Dart remained dedicated to his vision of a "revolution of empowerment -- a revolution that confronts and eliminates obsolete thoughts and systems, that focuses the full power of science and free-enterprise democracy on the systematic empowerment of every person to live his or her God-given potential."
For a longer obituary and a portion of his final manifesto, e-mail jon@vsaartsmn.org.

A Federal Communications Commission rule took effect on April 1, 2002 requiring the top broadcast and cable television networks to begin audio describing at least four hours of programming per week in order to increase access for people who have limited or no sight. Other Federal regulations require that government agencies make videos and other multimedia training and informational material accessible through services such as audio description and captioning. Some movie studios have voluntarily started adding an extra soundtrack that includes descriptions on DVD releases. To receive updates of developments internationally from the Audio Description International listserv, send an email to:
adinternational-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Are you wondering whether that entertainment venue or vacation retreat is accessible? A new web site Minnesota Travel Guide for Persons with Disabilities (www.accessminnesota.org) is designed to provide this information about facilities and amenities such as parking, entrances, elevators or rest rooms. The information was gathered from survey responses and personal tales collected by Access Minnesota, a nonprofit group. It includes information for people with all disabilities - mobility, visual, hearing and cognitive. Access Minnesota's executive director is Mike Chevrette, who uses a wheelchair.

Steps To Art has grants of $5,000 available for local preschool arts education initiatives by local art agencies and organizations. Preschool programs may partner with arts organizations but may not apply as lead applicants. Steps to Art seeks to encourage new arts programs, therefore preference will be given to programs that have been in existence for no more than two years. Programs may be in the visual arts, music, theatre, dance, literary arts, or any combination. For guidelines and information, visit Americans for the Arts (www.artsusa.org/issues/artsed/steps.asp).

The Low Voltage Film Festival (LVFF) is seeking new film works to be shown Friday and Saturday, October 11-12 during the Lowertown St Paul Art Crawl. Each night's show will be compiled of the four best works chosen in each category. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three works in each category. FFI: call 612-804-0451 or email lowvoltagefilmfest@hotmail.com.

The Handspring Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on issues directly related to Children/Youth at Risk. Funding is available for programs serving high-risk youth that utilize the arts and for technical assistance/organizational effectiveness grants. Funds may be specifically requested for board or staff retreats, hiring staff or consultants, staff training or strategic planning. Grants range from $1,000 to $25,000. Deadlines for applications are August 1 and November 1. Handspring is a leading provider of handheld computing products. For more information, visit Handspring Foundation (www.handspring.com/company/foundation).

The Arts Olympiad, organized by the International Child Art Foundation, promotes local and national art competitions for children ages 8 to 12. These culminate in the world's largest international celebration of children's creativity and imagination on The National Mall in Washington, DC. This year's theme is "Me in the New Millennium." Entry deadline is Oct. 31. FMI: International Child Art Foundation (www.icaf.org/Adults/Competition.htm). For inquiries, e-mail program@icaf.org

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is sponsoring an international competition open to all ages for the design of a logo to replace its current "globe" logo. The winning design will be unveiled at an event acknowledging the winner(s), who will receive a $5,000 honorarium, and runners-up. Entries are due August 30. The official rules can be found at Human Rights Watch (http://www.hrw.org/logo).
Human Rights Watch is an independent, nongovernmental organization that researches and exposes human rights violations around the world. It is the largest human rights organization based in the United States.

The Mockingbird Foundation (MFI) in New York offers competitive grants to schools and nonprofit organizations in the area of music education for children. The Foundation is particularly interested in projects that encourage and foster creative expression in any musical form (including composition, instrumentation, vocalization, or improvisation), but also recognizes broader and more basic needs within conventional instruction. MFI encourages applications associated with diverse or unusual musical styles, genres, forms, and philosophies. Grants range in size from $50 to $5,000. Contact: Mockingbird Foundation (www.mockingbirdfoundation.org/funding/guidlines.html).

"Charlie Brown Understands American Sign Language" (designed by Helene Oppenheimer with decorating help from the DeafArt Club) will be on public display thru September at Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services in St. Paul. For more info: marie.koeher@state.mn.us.

The Bloomington Art Center is showing the artists of Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts through August 3. The gallery, at 10206 Penn Ave. S., is open weekdays from 9:00-5:00 and Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. For more information, call 952-563-4777 or go to Bloomington Art Center (www.bloomingtonartcenter.com).

The Loft Literary Center will expand opportunities for advanced and emerging writers to perfect their craft this fall with one-day creative writing workshops on Friday afternoons at Open Book in downtown Minneapolis. They include:

• Process and Progress - with Marc Nieson.
• Building a Successful Writing Business - with Scott Edelstein.
• In a Child's Voice - with Alison McGhee.
• Travel Writing - with Greg Breining.
• The Business of Publishing - with Sid Farrar.
• Body-work, Relaxation and Writing - with Bonnie West.

Other classes being offered this term are for young writers, advanced writers and writers just starting out in poetry, creative nonfiction or fiction.
For a course catalog or more information, visit Loft Literary Center (www.loft.org) or call 612-379-8999. A free Open House for registration is slated for Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S. Teachers will be on hand to discuss their classes and to lead prospective students in creative writing exercises. Free refreshments and $5 discounts on class registrations will be offered.

The Media Access Group at WGBH in Boston is publishing a series of consumer guides to issues related to media access. Covering the FCC's captioning and description mandates for television and how to access description on television, these MAG Guides are now available in print and online versions. They contain tools, strategies and helpful hints for consumers with hearing or vision loss, as well as parents, teachers and others with a stake in creating equal access to all forms of media.
MAG Guide Volume 3 - The FCC's rules for closed captioning and video description for TV, offers guidance to the somewhat complex mandates governing the provision and availability of closed captioning and video description on television. The full Report and Orders on closed captioning (FCC #97-279, adopted 8/7/97, updated 9/17/98) and video description (FCC #00-258, adopted 7/21/00) are available on the FCC's Web site: Federal Communications Commission (http://www.fcc.gov). For general information and inquiries, contact fccinfo@fcc.gov.

MAG Guide Volume 4 - How to access video description on your television is a simple guide to activating video description through the Second Audio Program (or SAP channel) of stereo-equipped televisions or VCRs. Stand-alone SAP receivers are also available, though most TVs and VCRs bought in the past eight years are equipped with SAP capability. Request print copies from the Media Access Group at WGBH, 125 Western Ave., Boston, MA 02134; 617-300-3400 voice, 617-300-2489 TTY, e-mail access@wgbh.org, or online: The Media Access Group at WGBH (http://access.wgbh.org).

Video description provides descriptive narration of key visual elements, making television programs, feature films, home videos and other visual media accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. Key visual elements are those which viewers who are visually impaired would ordinarily miss, such as actions, costumes, gestures, facial expressions, scene changes and on-screen text. Inserted within the natural pauses in dialogue, audio descriptions of important visual details help to engage viewers with the story.

Closed captioning displays spoken dialogue as text on the television screen (like subtitles), enabling viewers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to read the audio that they would ordinarily miss. Unlike subtitles, captions are specifically designed for viewers with hearing disabilities and are carefully placed to identify speakers, on- and off-screen sound effects, music and laughter. Closed captions also can benefit adults and children who are learning to read, as well as people learning English as a second language.
Two previous MAG Guides published by the Media Access Group are Volume 1 offers simple instructions on how to record described television programs for viewing by children with visual impairments in the classroom or at home. Volume 2 offers script and production tips to television networks and video production houses who wish to reach viewers with vision loss. These documents are posted on The Media Access Group at WGBH (http://access.wgbh.org).

The Media Access Group at WGBH is a nonprofit service with offices in Boston, New York and Los Angeles. It has a Caption Center, Descriptive Video Service and a National Center for Accessible Media, a research, development and advocacy entity that works to make existing and emerging technologies accessible to all audiences.

Before transition teachers can successfully place students with disabilities in a job, they first need to help them discover what they desire - quiet vs. noisy, daytime vs. nighttime, small or large business, etc. Often, this is accomplished by having students spend some time working and observing at a variety of job sites. "Self-Directed Employment: A Handbook for Transition Teachers and Employment Specialists" provides a step-by-step process that transition teachers can use with their students to compare the characteristics of several jobs and determine how well they match their students' preferences. Authors are James E. Martin, Ph.D, Denis E. Mithaug, Ph.D., John H. Oliphant, M.Ed., MPA, James V. Husch, M.A., and Eva S. Frazier, M.A.

To learn how to help students find the ideal job, see The Brookes Store/Download "Excerpt: Characteristics I like versus what is here" (www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/martin-580x/excerpt.pdf).

To download forms to can use in the process, see The Brookes Store/Blank Forms (to accompany excerpt (www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/martin-580x/blankforms.pdf).

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and download these excerpts. You can download a copy for free at Adobe Acrobat Reader www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.

For more information on this practical guide, see www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/martin-580x/index.htm.

The Loft Literary Center is seeking a qualified intern to support the work of its Development Team beginning in late August. Research potential grantors, take minutes, create and mail event invitations, assist with filing, copying and large mailings, generate ideas for events, and work on special projects as needed. Requires excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. Flexible 10-15 hours a week for at least 6 months. Send cover letter and resume to: Danielle Sherer, The Loft, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, dsherer@loft.org, 612-215-2598. For information about Loft internships in general, visit Internships at the Loft (www.loft.org/loftINTERN.htm).

Hibbing Community College Theatre is looking for a good, professional-type choreographer for its production of HAIR next spring: April 24 - May 4. Director Mike Ricci asks for a professional resume, adeptness at working with non-dancers, and ability to make the cast look good. It will be a physically active production, and the choreographer must have a strong background in jazz, hip-hop dancing, and a physically daring style. Be ye not afraid of taking risks. This is a paid position, with an allowance for travel expenses. For more information, call 218-262-7377, or e-mail: m.ricci@ins.hcc.mnscu.edu.

The Minnesota Revels are seeking a Music Director for their December production honoring the traditions and music of Scandinavian countries. Paid position. Time commitment runs Sept. 15 to Dec. 22, with music rehearsals scheduled one evening per week and occasional weekends. Should have a strong music background that includes both traditional and folk music, experience working with SATB chorus groups, and some experience working with children a plus. Contact Jill Stanton, Production Manager, Minnesota Revels, PO Box 6858, Minneapolis 55406. For more information: Minnesota Revels (www.minnesotarevels.org).

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter, is seeking an Advocacy and Information Specialist to provide support to persons affected by MS to effectively manage life transitions, access resources, and navigate community systems. Must have BS/BA degree in human services with ability to understand the disease process, community systems and resources. Prefer MSW/license eligible/related experience. Competitive salary/good benefits. Send resume & salary requirements to: National MS Society, MN Chapter, 200 12th Ave. S., Mpls, MN 55415; Fax 612-335-7997; E-mail: dbellows@mssociety.com.

The Rolling River Music and Film Festival is looking for volunteers to help facilitate film screenings at a new event September 18-22. Rolling River will celebrate the revitalized St. Paul waterfront with a music and film festival, including 30-40 new films and 100 music acts. Volunteers will receive film and music passes, T-shirts and other incentives in exchange for helping the festival with ticket-taking, lining up festival-goers, clearing theatres, etc. FFI: contact Beth DeVries at beth@rollingriverfest.com.

The Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota seeks a person to operate the museum membership program, a vital link to the University and broader community. Work with the director of development and director of public affairs to develop activities for promotion of the museum membership program. Maintain records, generate renewal letters, distribute acknowledgements, provide support to the museum's public relations efforts, maintaining media mailing lists, distributing press releases, and overseeing mailings. Utilizing existing design templates, this position serves as webmaster for the Weisman's web page. Should have a bachelor's degree and experience with graphic design and web design. Preferred candidates will have experience managing a membership organization and using FileMaker Pro for database management. Send cover letter and resume to: Weisman Art Museum, Attn: Membership Office, 333 E. River Road, Minneapolis MN 55455. Deadline for receipt of materials is July 19.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is looking for a high energy team player to assist its Marketing dept. in creating effective ad copy and written communications materials. Should have experience working with graphic designers; word processing (Mac or PC). PT, 20 hours/week. $19.09/hour. Send cover letter, resume and two writing samples to HR Department by 4:00, July 29, to Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Attn: Human Resources 2400 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404; Fax: 612-870-3263; Email: miajobs@artsmia.org.