Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Joyce Awards 2013


NEW! After 10 successful years, the Joyce Awards are changing the way communities interact with art again. In recognition of the fact that art is happening everywhere, all the time, the Joyce Awards will now support the commissioning of new work from diverse artists no matter where they choose to work—in the gallery, on the stage, in the church, the schoolyard, the prison, the community center.
Beginning in 2013, the Joyce Awards program will open its application process, so that any nonprofit organization, not solely art institutions can apply to commission work and create a project with an artist of color. Annually, a minimum of four awards of $50,000 each will be granted. http://www.joycefdn.org/awards

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Webinar on Jan 31 & Mar 1 - Metrics Don't Bite! Engergize Your Nonprofit with a Meaningful Metrics Program


Someone at your nonprofit may occasionally sneak a peek at Facebook Insights or Google Analytics. But you should be doing so much more. This webinar will show you how to take full advantage of the power of metrics to advance your nonprofit's goals. A huge, valuable storehouse of information awaits once you learn these simple steps to unlock the most meaningful metrics and put them to work for you!

This 90-minute webinar is packed with actionable steps that nonprofit managers can easily understand and implement. Within a month, you can become a superstar and number-crunching hero to your co-workers by printing out rich sets of data that will help shape internal programs and inform your communications program and development decision-making.

In this session, you'll learn:
  • How a metrics program will benefit your nonprofit
  • Simple steps to set up a metrics program
  • The critical importance of keywords to your online presence
  • How to map metrics to your nonprofit's goals
  • How your nonprofit can rise to the top of search results on Google, Bing & elsewhere
  • The essential metrics tools you should be using
  • A hands-on demo of what your site ranks for today
  • A hands-on demo on how to use Google's Keyword tool
  • A hands-on demo inside Google Analytics, including traffic referrals, keywords and "hot spots" on your home page
  • A hands-on demo inside Facebook Insights
  • How to use open data to create map mashups, word clouds and online visualizations 
By the end of the webinar, you'll understand which metrics can help you achieve your organizational objectives. This is an interactive class, so please come prepared to ask questions about your specific needs.

BONUS! In addition, we’ll provide these downloadable color handouts for you to share with your team!
  1. 10 Free Metrics Tools for Actionable Analytics
  2. Sample Keyword Tracker 
  3. Getting the Most Out of Google Analytics 
  4. Getting the Most Out of Facebook Insights
Note: This webinar is completely different from CharityHowTo’s “Facebook Insights and Google Analytics” webinar and will take a deeper dive into strategy, keywords and creating a metrics program.

Presented by J.D. Lasica J.D. Lasica is a social media strategist, consultant and author who has helped clients like Goodwill and TechSoup Global advance their missions using social tools. He is founder of Socialbrite, a learning hub & national consultancy that works exclusively with nonprofits. J.D. has spoken at or given workshops at South by Southwest, BlogWorld Expo, Harvard, Stanford, MIT, NYU, UC Berkeley, the Cannes Film Festival and elsewhere, and his strategy webinars at CharityHowTo continue to be a hit. He has over 15,000 followers on Twitter – and he wants to help you put metrics to work for your nonprofit!

Testimonial: "JD's presentation (on strategy and metrics) made it critically clear that social media is essential to NPOs not only for survival, but also to thrive. JD has provided invaluable resources here!" – Karyn Noel, former Director of Finance at San Francisco Conservation Corps

Jan 31 2-3:30pm CST http://www.charityhowto.com/upcoming_info.php?vid=385 
Mar 1 2 - 3:30pm CST http://www.charityhowto.com/upcoming_info.php?vid=397

How to Do Art in Public Spaces - Jan 26

A CREATIVES AT WORK FORUM MODERATED BY TRICIA VAN ECK

Date: Thursday, January 26
Time: 6:00 pm 
Location: Chicago Cultural Ctr, 5th Fl.

Creating art in public spaces, whether it's visual art, music, street theater or another creative endeavor, can be a challenge. This panel discussion moderated by Tricia Van Eck will offer Chicago's creative community insights into the experiences of artists who have successfully navigated the public realm to organize cultural performances and projects. Panelists include Nathan Mason, Curator of Special Projects with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture; Lou Mallozzi, Experimental Sound Studio; and Carron Little, Walkabout Theater Company and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Here we go!

I gotta say it is so nice to have a focus.

As artists we tend to be all over the place. Well, I shouldn't speak for anyone else. But I know I jump from task to task. There is so much to get done, so little time and even fewer people to do it all. So I jump around.

But knowing that this year we are focusing on financial management and board development already has me more focused. I tend to be VERY impatient. I want challenges to be solved as soon as they are discovered! But knowing the board and myself have one full-year to focus on these two management areas already has brought firm focus to 16th Street.

And it feels good.

I have been poring over financial documents. Rolling up my sleeves and giving myself the time to ask questions and not know the answer right away. (Hey-- like making art!)

So in our first month, I am already so appreciative of the gift the Chicago Community Trust has given us all. I feel super lucky and in fine company. If anyone wants to talk numbers in 2012, I'm all ears.

Happy New Year!

Ann Filmer, Artistic Director
16th Street Theater

Monday, January 16, 2012

DWC...There's No Place Like Home!

After an action-packed return to Chicago last week on pages (in TimeOut Chicago) and stages (photos on Facebook), we continue the energy this week with Dance Chance. Sweet home, Chicago!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Off to New York

...for showcases as part of APAP. DWC has been honored with multiple performance opportunities including the Siegel Artist Management showcase at City Center, Dance Gotham at the Skirball Center, and our full performance debut at Symphony Space! We are looking forward to a whirlwind weekend. Dancers are very excited...it will be the first trip to New York City for two of them. We love sharing new experiences with these young artists!

Back in Chicago next week. Hope to see you at Eat to the Beat at the Harris at noon on Thursday, Dance Flight in our home at the Ruth Page Center from 6pm-7pm on Friday, the DWC open company audition (you don't have to dance, you can come watch!) on stage of the Dance Center of Columbia College beginning at 1pm on Saturday, and our monthly Dance Chance at the Ruth Page Center at 6pm on Monday the 16th--Ra Joy will be our guest moderator!

DanceWorks Chicago...always moving.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Happy New Year from DanceWorks Chicago!

Hey, first post of 2012!
DanceWorks Chicago is off to an exciting start in the new year (see Sid Smith's Dance Card), and we know you are, too! Hope to welcome you to a DWC event, or two, next week.
Wishing everyone a wonderful new year filled with the beauty of adventure.