SCOPE for January 21, 2004 – The Voice of the Missoula Creative Community

Today is Wednesday, January 21, and on this day in 1908 an ordinance was passed in New York City that made it illegal for a woman to smoke in public. And here you thought that the crusade to outlaw smoking and banning second-hand smoke was a hot new “progressive” idea. For more on smoking see #7a below and for another burning bit of historical trivia see END NOTE.

General Interest items

#1a – The annual Missoula Cultural Council “Cultural Achievement Awards” luncheon last Friday played to a full house at the St. Pat’s Conference Center and received a goodly bit of media coverage as well. M-CAT filmed the entire event and will broadcast it locally and make it available to other community access TV stations. Public Radio producer Leni Holiman will air highlights of the event as will TV producer Nancy Bartlett. There are some pictures of the event on the MCC website — http://www.missoulacultural.org — and there soon will be full photo coverage posted there, including the Power Point graphics of award winners shown during the luncheon program. None of this coverage, however, can match the real thing: hearing the prolonged applause for the four individuals whose cultural achievements were celebrated, along with the two businesses that epitomize exceptional support for the arts. That applause came from artists, representatives of cultural organizations, civic leaders, and business people who responded to the invitation to express their appreciation and awareness of what the arts and culture mean to Missoula.

#1b – The Culture Kits that everyone attending the MCC Awards Luncheon last Friday got contained information on 27 Missoula cultural organizations and attractions plus, on a random basis, free tickets to events, some art works, and gifts from Business Committee for the Arts affiliates. Also included was a CD produced by WMQ Studio and MCC that previews an interactive media campaign to brand Missoula as “The Creative Community.”

#1c – One of the items in the Culture Kits was an application form for the next round of office furniture and equipment to be given to local non-profits through the Missoula Business Committee for the Arts In-kind donation program. The form invites local businesses to list what materials and services they have to donate and arts and culture organizations to list what they need. A data base maintained by MBCA will make the matches.

#1d – A Thursday night reception hosted by the Missoula Cultural Council provided cultural achievement and business support award winners an opportunity to meet with John Hampton and a select group of community cultural leaders. Judith Jedlicka, the national BCA President and CEO who was storm-bound in New York City, telephoned her congratulations to the group.

#1e (1) – John Hampton, the Portland industrialist and arts patron who was awarded last year’s Leadership Award by the national Business Committee for the Arts, made the case for partnerships between business and art groups with examples of how that combination has succeeded in Oregon, where government support for the arts has been among the lowest in the nation. A copy of his remarks will be available from MCC upon request.

#1e (2) – Hampton also told how in 1993, the Oregon Arts Commission was made a division of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department and how it has established arts and culture as a vital ingredient of economy growth. That state arts agency has a staff of only six, including a Community Development Coordinator, and it supports 10 Regional Arts Councils that provide services specific to the needs and resources of the communities in each region. Regional Arts Councils are eligible through grant funding through the Commission’s Regional Arts Partners granting program. To learn more about why the Oregon Arts Commission is one of the best in the nation, click on http://www.oregonartscommission.org

#1f – The Missoula International Friendship Program is looking for families or individuals to host foreign students for the spring semester. Our association matches host families with a foreign student. Hosts can invite the student to their home for dinner, share sports activities, etc. in acquainting the student with life away from the campus. Hosts are asked to share only a few hours here and there with the student.. If you are interested please contact Renee Bergland at 549-1491, Effie Koehn at 243-5580, or Lillian Wenger at 549-6933.

On the Literary Landscape

#2a – New Montana Story: an Anthology, collects the work of what it calls “the third wave of modern Montana storytellers.” It’s available in bookstores and from Riverbend Publishing at 1-866-787-2363. The publisher is donating a five percent royalty to the Montana Center for the Book in support of the annual Montana Festival of the Book.

The Art Scene

#3a – The current issue of Montana Living magazine carries a feature article about Missoula artist Sheila Miles “Hitting her stride.” Keila Szpaller, a Missoula freelance writer, authored the Miles profile and a side-bar on Missoula’s historical Brunswick Building, where Miles has her studio. Also featured in this edition is an article about the 20-acre Rattlesnake Creek Vineyard, which this fall harvested its first grape crop to join its cherry wine production. You can visit the winery at http://www.rattlesnakecreekvineyard.com

#3b – After delivering his keynote speech at the MCC Awards luncheon, John Hampton had just enough time before his return flight to visit with Monte Dolack and Mary Beth Percival at their downtown gallery, check out fly-fishing gear at Grizzly Hackle, and get information at the Carousel to help him plan for a similar facility in Portland.

#3c – Art Opportunities Monthly is a pre-screened art opportunities list for traditional and contemporary artists working in painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, printmaking, book art, computer art, collage, weaving, fiber, textiles, ceramics, papermaking, mixed media, photography, computer art, monoprint, pastel, performance art, drawing, enameling, wood carving, crafts, jewelry, installation art, new media, public art, gouache, watercolor painting and every other visual medium. It is for those working in any style or geographic location and is available by ground mail or email. Check it out at http://www.artopportunitiesmonthly.com

Musical Notes and Stage Cues

#4a – The 100-member High School Men’s Chorus opened the Awards Luncheon on Friday with a round of songs. The choral group combines the male choirs from three Missoula urban high schools where the directors are: Nancy Labbe, Big Sky HS; Dean Peterson, Hellgate HS; and Vernon Carey, Sentinel HS.

#4b – Plans are afoot for a chorus of 20 young Missoula men to give a concert of American choral music in Varna, Bulgaria on July 5, under the direction of Missoula Symphony conductor Joseph Henry. The group also may give concerts in other cities if funding can be arranged. For more information contact Peter Park at 721-7985 or [email protected] See #8d below.

Cultural Tourism Directions

#5a – MCC president Michael Marsoslek and spouse Karen are on their way back from a visit to Missoula’s Sister City in New Zealand and some pictures taken there are on the MCC website at http://www.missoulacultural.org While the Montana World Trade Center continues its efforts to foster commercial ties “down under” with an art exhibit in Palmerston North, the Missoula Cultural Council is putting together a “virtual exhibit” to showcase Missoula as Montana’s “Creative Community.” The nascent creative enterprise “Cluster” that MCC is promoting has counterparts in New Zealand where that strategy for economic development has been prevalent for a several years.

The Creative Community

#6a – Awards luncheon keynote speaker John Hampton gave the Missoula Cultural Council a goodly quantity of materials that show how Oregon has capitalized on its art and cultural resources to invigorate economic growth. A recent article in the Oregon Business Magazine is titled “Cultural Evolution; Making Art Work for Oregon.” It emphasizes that “Art becomes a necessary condition for economic prosperity in the new economy. Without it, you can’t attract the knowledge workers who will power the growth industries of the future. And you can’t keep creative types producing unless you nourish their minds with culture.” You can request a copy of the article from MCC at 721-9620 or [email protected]

#6b – The Awards Luncheon theme of “Missoula – the Creative Community” elicited letters of support from Senator Conrad Burns and Congressman Denny Rehberg. Burns noted that “Through the generous support of local businesses, dedicated community members, and organizations like the Missoula Cultural Council, the arts are alive and well in Missoula. …Missoula is fortunate to have an abundance of individuals who demonstrate their artistic talent in many different ways. I am pleased to offer my congratulations and express my appreciation to the individuals and businesses being recognized today, both for their contribution to the cultural climate, and for their support of the arts in Missoula.”

#6c – Congressman Rehberg added this note: “Missoula is a community with a great appreciation for the creative spirit and a deep commitment to culture. …Arts and business must converge to create a community with a balance of culture and economy and a spirit of wholeness and completeness. A community without culture cannot inspire dreams, encourage service, or teach freedom.”

#6d – A summary report for Mayor Mike Kadas’ Economic Forum held in Missoula last October 20 is now available on the City of Missoula website, http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us. The forum summary report can be found under, "In the News" column on the right hand side of the home page. The PowerPoint presentation given by Dr. Larry Swanson, along with other general information on the forum, can be accessed by clicking on "other Economic Forum Information".

The Cultural Environment

#7a – The Scope scribe recently found the March-April 2002 issue of Cigar aficionado — one of the few classy magazines still being published — on the magazine exchange table at the Missoula Public Library, where lots of unexpected and extraordinary reading treasures are to be found. This one bills itself as “The Good Life Magazine for Men” but it’s not sexist by any means. The ads would make many a female heart go pitty-pat and there are plenty of photos showing women enjoying a quality stogie. You can see for yourself at http://www.cigaraficionado.com All of which brings to mind the aphorism attributed to Jo Swerling that “A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke.”

#7b – A new national study reports that "despite a flagging economy and a stubborn reputation for elitism in Austin Texas, the performing arts outdraw sports events and live music, while their audiences are more diverse than is commonly assumed.” The study focused on attendance and attitudes toward theater, dance, symphony, opera and related arts in five cities.

#7c – The American Arts Alliance, a major national advocate for professional not-for-profit performing arts organizations, has launched a bid to persuade all the major-party candidates for president to explain how their administration would treat the arts if elected to serve at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue next year. The project is called Pledge for the Arts.

#7d – Lost in the hoopla of Iowa’s political vaudeville show was Governor Tom Vilsack’s Condition of the State Address: “It is in uncertain times like ours that we seek pleasure, solace, and instruction in the arts and humanities. A vibrant society gains meaning and direction from its creative thinkers. We should celebrate and appreciate the impact arts, culture and recreation play in our lives during this year 2004 — The Year of the Arts, Culture, and Recreation in Iowa. Studies show that creativity spurs economic growth; breakthroughs in understanding are essential to the task of building a world of opportunity. Creative thinking, the hallmark of Iowa’s success, will lead us to a more dynamic future.”

Miscellaneous

#8a – The MCC Board of Directors monthly meeting this noon will include presentations by Traveler’s Rest Preservation and Heritage Association and the group seeking to turn the former St. Francis school buildings into a community service and cultural center.

#8b – It was reported yesterday that The Salvation Army will receive a gift of about $1.5 billion — that’s right, billion — from the estate of the late widow of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc. Art groups are already grousing about getting short shrift under the Golden Arches — although NPR had earlier gotten a hefty bequest — but the “hamburger lady” made it clear that she was investing that money in groups that get things done, not just talk about their “visions.”

#8c – The 2004 Dakar Rally started on New Years day in snowy France with 607 entrants and ended 18 days later in hot Senegal with just 65 motorcycles, 60 cars and 38 trucks making it to the finish line. Winner Stephane Peterhansel posted a 51-minute, 23-second advantage over defending champion Hiroshi Masuoka, both driving Mitsubishis.

#8d – Varna is a seacoast town of 298,570 population. There is a Montana in Bulgaria. It’s a town of about 50,000 population in north-western Bulgaria and the Ogosta river runs through it. It was founded as a fortress in the Roman Empire. Bulgaria is a country of 42,823 sq. miles, compared to our Montana’s 145,556, but has a population more than eight times our state’s.

#8e – Perugia Restaurant is back in business, after having been bushwhacked by burst water pipes during the recent cold spell, and tonight is serving up Sephardic Cuisine of 15th Century Spain as part of its World Jewish Cooking Series. The dinner begins at 6:30 PM but call 406-543-3757 to see if seats are still available. $55.00 per person includes the five course dinner, six wines, and gratuities.

Academic notes

#9a – Good news: The Denver Public School system is preparing to reverse years of cuts to arts classes in elementary schools, and cultural leaders think it’s about time. They’re referring to the $6.5 million that DPS will have to spend on art and music teachers, as well as the supplies they’ll need, next year and every year thanks to a tax hike approved by voters in November.

#9b – Bad news: In New Mexico, Governor Bill Richardson is proposing to eliminate state financing for a newly created program for elementary arts education. The state is currently providing $4 million to help pay for fine arts education for about 80,000 students in about two dozen school districts in the current budget year. To encourage schools to offer fine arts, the Legislature approved a measure last year that provides money through the state’s school funding formula for elementary arts programs approved by the Department of Public Education.

END NOTE. On this day in 1950 a New York jury found former State Department official Alger Hiss guilty of perjury.

MARK at MCC