We are seeking a replacement who will jump in with both feet and dazzle us with their development skills. See the bottom of this post for the complete job posting, and spread the word to any brilliant, creative, fun-loving fundraising pros you know by copying and pasting the following link to your favorite social media outlets…before the March 18 application deadline: http://conta.cc/hfsB2U.

And next time you see Nisha, give up some gratitude for her contributions to ART 180 during her stay with us.

WE’VE GOT PROGRAMS, PEOPLE!

Spring programs kicked off last Monday with a dynamic group at Huguenot High School consisting primarily of ESL students. Led by Joe Carlson from local theatre group The Conciliation Project and Daniel Custodio of the spoken word poetry troupe Slam Nahuatl, the project will explore immigration issues and encourage young people to tell their personal and family stories. Last week, the group moved between reading and interpreting poetry aloud, learning energetic theatre games, and group writing activities. We were delighted to see ART 180 alums Kristina Hernandez (from last spring’s Intercultural Mural Project) and Garry Callis (from Elkhardt Middle School) in the group, and to meet some talented new artists. One girl, who was hesitant to even introduce herself at the beginning of class and declared herself a “shy girl,” was smiling and bounding around the stage by the end of the session. We’ll have more stories to share from this program and 14 others!

UP NEXT…GOOD FUN, GOOD FOOD
Friday, March 25, 7-9 p.m. – Fourth Fridays Plant Zero Cafe benefit for ART 180 with live music by brother-sister duo Basil Frye and Erin Frye

Monday, March 28, 5:30-9:30 p.m. – Six Burner benefit dinner at this Fan fave

We made over a $1,000 at the Martial Law concert at Legend. Woohoo! Thanks to Charlie Agee for hosting the event, and Marshall Agee and the rest of the boys in the band for putting on a rocking show.

____________________________________________________________
NOW HIRING: ART 180 DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Overview: This key member of our small staff will be responsible for securing increased and sustainable resources to further ART 180’s mission of giving young people a chance to express themselves through art, and to share their stories with others. The position leads the organization’s efforts to raise funds, generate in-kind contributions, and expand awareness in the community. Working with the executive director, the board of trustees, and the development committee, the development manager is responsible for planning, executing, strengthening and evaluating all fundraising strategies to enable the organization to reach its annual and long-range development goals.

Qualifications: The successful candidate is a high-energy, results-driven professional ready to put their 3+ years of development experience to work in a creative, mission-driven nonprofit. The candidate will demonstrate vision, as well as exceptional organization skills and superlative interpersonal/communication skills to share the story of ART 180 with donors and prospects. S/he must thrive in a nontraditional environment as part of a small staff with limited administrative support and minimal supervision. Creative writing, spreadsheet and number-crunching experience needed. Design, website, and social media skills helpful-all of which are integral to the performance of the job.

Requirements:

· Initiative

· Confidence meeting with business leaders and speaking before groups

· Flexible schedule and availability

· Independent worker

· 3+ years of nonprofit development work, and experience:

-writing winning grants

-coordinating special events

-juggling multiple priorities

-collaborative decision-making

Responsibilities:

Individual donors: Develop, implement and evaluate year-round strategies for the cultivation of new and existing donors. Identify donor prospects-including major donors-and analyze giving patters to inform strategies. Directly solicit donors and facilitate solicitation of donors by board and development committee members, and the executive director. Growing our individual donor base will be a top priority for our new staff member.

Corporate/foundation support: Research new grant opportunities and write compelling proposals and reports to foundations, corporations, and other organizations that may provide support for ART 180 programs. Expand opportunities for increased corporate funding, and actively pursue sponsorships. Initiate and maintain contact with foundation and corporate leaders to engage and inform them.

Direct mail: Develop creative concepts, write targeted fundraising appeals, and coordinate production and mailing of appeals. Work with pro bono designers as needed on annual report and other pieces.

Fundraising events: Coordinate fundraising and donor cultivation events, from annual auction to house parties to retail promotions. Oversee product sales to generate earned income and help develop new products or earned income strategies as appropriate.

Gift recording/acknowledgment: Oversee gift entry in database, working with administrative staff. Manage acknowledgment of gifts. Maintain records on donor giving and generate reports as needed.

Board participation: Work with executive director and board leadership to educate board members about development and enhance participation in fundraising strategies. Work with board members individually to fulfill their fundraising commitment. Complement their strengths and supplement their weaknesses.

Communications/public awareness: Enhance and increase ART 180’s public standing to garner additional support from the community. Manage website, email communications, and use of social media tools, with guidance from executive director, administrative support, and input from communications committee. Prepare and distribute press releases and other announcements as necessary. Work with program staff to tell our collective and individual and stories.

Compensation: Competitive annual salary. Paid health insurance. Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. Fun work environment and friendly staff.

To apply: Send a resume and cover letter via email to 180@art180.org. Deadline March 18, 2011, 5pm. No phone calls, pretty please.

When I look at art it makes me think of life and the world. Art
can change a lot. It can change feelings and how you feel about someone. Art can change your family and your friends. Art can change your whole life.

-Jasmine Jefferson

Communities in Schools-Richmond at
Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School

School's back in session!

School’s back and so are our fall programs! Check back for more info about what we’re up to this semester!

sept2010

We’ll have representatives at the Libbie Place store from 5:30pm, showcasing our young people’s art and talent along with live performances from their program leaders. Don’t miss the new release puppetry movie, “The Boy Who Cried Dinosaur,” and check out the paintings that our young people have produced—entertainment begins at 5:30pm and continues until around 8pm.
Don’t forget to let the cashier (at Starbucks and at B&N) know you’re out to support ART 180.

If you shop online or at a different area store, mention our book fair ID# 101 827 80 and we can still get a portion of the proceeds. See you there!

ART 180’s The Big Show is May 26! This year’s celebration spotlighting the spectacular young talent of Richmond will feature art works ranging from music to poetry to puppets created at 13 program sites throughout the City.  We’ll be counting down to this inspiring event on our blog by featuring one program a day for the next two weeks.

The “Dreamers” from the I Have A Dream Foundation program at Broad Rock Elementary School have spent the spring semester building a model community out of clay sculpture.  Miguel’s hotel is one of many colorful pieces that show what our City might look like in the hands of these imaginative young people. We hope you will join us at The Big Show to see their community in its entirety!

Miguel, age 10

St. Andrew’s film-making teaser…

“Drawing and painting are one of the most direct and immediate ways that an artist can make the things that they see and imagine materialize. In our program at Henderson Middle School, the participants draw and paint from direct observation of the world around them, and use the same skills to create imaginary worlds and things. Our final project will be an art show of finished paintings of things they see and worlds they imagine.”

Photos by Zachary Jones.