Holiday Gift Guide |
Two Front Teethby Peter Koch |
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We thought 2001 was a bad year for the arts. Following 9/11, New York State’s Council on the Arts cut its budget by $4.4 million. Then the city cut all of its funding ($1 million) for local cultural organizations. Around the same time, Erie County scaled back its funding by almost half a million dollars. All the fat had to be trimmed—staffs were cut, raises and bonuses (in the few orgs where they existed) were frozen, programming was reduced.
Then this year’s budget crisis hit, and suddenly the past three years seemed flush by comparison. More than $1 million was cut, leaving most of the 42 cultural and arts organizations standing alone. All that was left—$2.7 million—was split between six major institutions. Especially for the smaller guys—art galleries, dance companies, theatre groups, photography and film studios—life has gotten much harder. Paying rent has become a Herculean task. Supply budgets are non-existent. One cultural director confided in me, “It’s much worse even than it seems. Each week it’s a small miracle just to make payroll. Many groups are barely hanging on from day to day, though they won’t tell you that.”
Since the holidays are traditionally a time to give of yourself, Artvoice thought that our cultural organizations could use our help. They’ve given to us faithfully for years, and the gifts that they’ve bestowed upon all of us—knowledge, open-mindedness, tolerance and understanding, entertainment and laughter—are priceless and cannot be replaced. So let’s give back to them as generously as possible (it’s more fun to give than to get, anyway).
Below are wish lists from a selection of needy cultural organizations (though don’t forget that the rest of them could use a hand, too). It goes without saying, of course, that all culturals would happily accept monetary donations as well (all tax-deductible).
Squeaky Wheel
Equipment including a digital 8 camcorder or deck; a digital still camera; a cd/dvd burner; Super 8 and 16mm cameras and projectors; working televisions (19” or larger); studio lighting; headphones; dvd players and wireless microphones.
Supplies including office supplies, blank cd-r/rw & dvd-r/rw, Super 8 or 16mm found footage, and clear and black film leader.
Gift Cards/Certificates to Office Max, Delaware Camera or Kinko’s.
Contact: Dorothea Braemer, Executive Director, Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main St., Buffalo (884-7172)
Ujima Theatre Company
ETC Express 24/48 Light Board ($3,749)
Contact: Rahwa Ghirmatzion, General Manager, Ujima Company, Inc., 545 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo (883-4232)
Buffalo Arts Studio
Two-foot-wide painter’s scaffold; fax machine; Canon Power Shot Pro 1, 8.0-megapixel digital camera; Epson 4800 color printer; Pantone-correct 30” flat-screen monitor; HP Laserjet 1320 printer for multiple users; a postage machine and postage scale; two staff computers; two NEC flat-screen 17” monitors; two dual hard-drive computers; a service agreement for the existing copier; four calculators; six cash boxes; copier paper; drawing paper; steel studs and sheetrock; a refrigerator; a kitchen counter; three eight-quart chafing dishes; coffee maker; four lightweight folding tables (3’x8’); 10-20 round tables (each seating 8–10); black tablecloths for those tables, garbage cans; large brooms; a commercial mop and bucket; 44 35mm cameras (for youth use); electric Shimpo ConeArt kiln; spray booth; glaze room (for pottery) and four oak easels.
Contact: Joanna Angie, Director, Buffalo Arts Studio, 2495 Main St., Buffalo (833–4450, ext. 14)
Folkloric Productions Dance Company
Portable ballet bars; large portable boombox; new hardwood floor; new computer; dance studio mirrors (~70” x 40”) and an intern for 20hrs/week.
Contact: Cathy Skora, Founder/Artistic Director, Folkloric Productions, 95 N. Johnson Park, Buffalo (876-6291)
CEPA Gallery, Just Buffalo Literary Center and Big Orbit Gallery
General office supplies; Disposable cameras w/B&W film, rechargeable batteries (ni-mh), Epson photo paper, HD paper shredder, 6’ ladder, lightweight 8’ folding tables, hand tools and used novels.
Contact: Sean Donaher, Artistic Director, CEPA Gallery, 617 Main St, Buffalo (856-2717); Executive Director/Curator, Big Orbit, 30D Essex St, Buffalo (883-3209); Mike Kelleher, Artistic Director, Just Buffalo, 617 Main St, Buffalo (832-5400)
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