On the Money

Often, I have noticed, teaching artists are called Freelancers.

Sometimes, we are designated as Independent Contractors.

Once in a while, I hear us referred to as Consultants.

Less frequently, we're Employees.

What's the difference between these designations, and, more importantly, how does it affect the teaching artist's pocketbook?

Frankly, I have no clue, so I am providing some handy links to information about this topic. Maybe you and your customer, client, or boss can sit down and figure it out together?

Three articles are below:

Answers About Freelancers @ The New York Times

Ban the Label "Freelancer"  @ Findlaw

What is the Difference Between an Independent Contractor and an Employee @ About.com

Also: You Never Give Me Your Money - The Four

Hold Tight

Since I'm not a journalist, I failed to notice last week when the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced the names of the lucky few; dozens of nonprofit arts organizations are receiving grants to support the preservation of jobs threatened by the great depression.

Rejoice.

The names of the award-winning Arts Education organizations are listed here.

Local members of the $50,000 Dollar Club include: The Studio Museum, in Harlem; the New 42nd Street/New Victory Theater (!!!); City Lore; and DreamYard, in the Bronx.

Also: Angel Desai - Another Hundred People (Company - S. Sondheim)

Just do it.

Over at the Dutchess County Arts Council, a free workshop on arts marketing strategies to help artists grab some more of those cultural tourism dollars:

Workshop: Developing Shared Marketing Tools 


Thursday, July 16; 5:30-7pm 


Locust Grove


2683 South Rd. (Route 9) 
Poughkeepsie


The Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO), the Dutchess County Arts Council and the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art present a workshop for artists and arts organiza-tions about developing shared marketing tools and other ways to tap the tourist market in the Hudson Valley.

Admission is Free; reservations are encouraged. To make a reservation email info@artsmidhudson.org or call 845-454-3222.

Eat the Rich

Staggering.

Glorya Kaufman gives $20 million to Dance at the Los Angeles Music Center.

"It's the perfect time," Kaufman said, "because everyone is starting to get into the doldrums. They're not spending money, not doing this, not doing that. What this does is, we can have music on the Music Center courtyard, we can have little bands and people learning to dance. . . . Everyone is happy dancing."

Also:

The wealthy do the $2500 Saturday Brunch.

AIG paid out millions of dollars in bail-out funded bonuses to a handful of executives.

The FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act includes "a significant $10 million increase..." for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Eat the Rich.

Free, Man

The Staten Island Advance reports that as non-profits cut back, some non-profit executives are being asked to defend their perks. An article dated February 22nd says:

While budgets have been slashed at some of the borough's cultural and nonprofit organizations, honchos at some of the groups are living the luxe life, enjoying expense accounts and car allowances on top of six-figure salaries.

Also: Flavorpill posts an online guide to free cultural events in New York City, which is obviously one of the most expensive cities for an artist to live in. So why do I stay?

Also: The Economic Policy Institute reports that true unemployment rates may be closer to 10%.

Plus: Janis - "Mercedes Benz"

Faith

Have you heard of Transit Check? It's a commuter benefits program that allows you to set aside up to $120 per month tax free to pay for your transit costs. It saves you money. Your employer has to set it up for you and all that information is here. It's not just for the subway, but also for commuters using other forms of transit.

I am waiting for this month's metrocard, which will cost me less than it would if I got it directly from the lovely people who run the MTA. By lovely, I mean incompetent.

I think Public Art is one of the glorious things about riding the subway.

Faith Ringgold's work is installed in the subway station at 125th Street and Lenox Avenue. It's an extravagant tile mosaic which is worth a visit. I took a picture on my phone at 125th street subway station, yesterday. I also posted it on Twitter. You should go see it though.

Without Love Where Would You Be?

ERICH FROMM

"Freedom in the work situation is not freedom from work (in order to have leisure), it is not freedom from exploitation; it is the freedom to spend one's energy in a meaningful, productive way, by being an active, responsible, unalienated participant in the total work situation."

Excerpted from an introduction to the book Labor in a Free Society Copyright © 1959 by Erich Fromm and 2004 by The Literary Estate of Erich Fromm.

Read the rest of it and find more essays by Fromm here.

Also: The Doobie Brothers (YouTube)

Also: Thank you Rich Pagano.

Come Together

No resolutions or end of year reviews.

We need a union.

Happy New Year!

Born Free?

Maybe it's time for you to think about settling down?

On Idealist today, two interesting job announcements.

I'm just saying...

1. Program Coordinator, The Academy

   Carnegie Hall
   New York, New York United States
   Last updated on: December 18, 2008
   Description: Title: Program Coordinator, The Academy Department: Program Planning & Operations Reports to: Program Manager Job Code: PCTA We seek an ProgramCoordinator for The Academy – a program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School and The Weill Music Ins...

2. Program Coordinator

   Arts Horizons
   Englewood, New Jersey United States
   Last updated on: December 17, 2008
   Description: Arts Horizons is one of the largest full service arts-in-education agencies serving the entire New York City tri-state area and has presented programs to over seven million students, teachers and community members. Professional teaching artists offer a wi...