Next WATA Meeting - Thursday, October 15 at 8PM at Koko Cocktails

After a month hiatus, we'll be having our monthly meeting this Thursday, October 15 at Koko Cocktails in SF (Van Ness and Geary) starting at 8PM. Hope to see you there!

Arab Film Festival

The Arab Film Festival opens October 15, 2009 with a 7:30pm screening of "Pomegranates and Myrrh" by female Palestinian director Najwa Najjar at the Castro Theatre. A group of WATA members will be attending. Click here for more details.

Next Wata Meeting--August 20th at Koko's Cocktails

The August Women/Arts to Action (WATA) meeting will be once again at Koko's Cocktails.

Come join us for an informal happy hour or conversation and networking.

When: August 20, 2009

When: 7:30 pm

Where: Koko's Cocktails (on Geary at Van Ness)

Hope to see you there.

Women in Theatre: August Edition

We're in that time right before theatres begin their fall season. However, here are some of the plays opening/playing this month here in the Bay Area written by women playwrights.

Moontel Six, Part 1 by Constance Congdon, A.C.T., Augst 22 - 28.

Ecstasy: A Water Fable by Denmo Ibrahim, Golden Thread at Thick House, July 23 - August 16.

Unexpected Man by Yasmina Reza, Spare Stage at the Exit Theatre, August 1 - 15.

I know this list is far from exhaustive, it's a first pass. I'll try to add on more plays as i find them.

Storefront Art Exhibits

Gavin Newsom just announced a partnership with the SF Arts Commission to use vacant storefronts as gallery space for visual artists. A lot of cities have been doing this at all different levels (I think Minneapolis has the best program for it) and I'm happy to see it starting up here now too. I hope some WATA members are able to take advantage of this great opportunity. Here's the official press release.

Playwright's Festival

It's that time of year again! The annual Bay Area Playwrights Festival kicks off again next Friday night, July 19. This year's festival features work by seven talented American playwrights (including five women - Sharyn Rothstein, Deborah Stein, Julia Jarcho, Martha Jane Kauffman, and Lauren Yee) in collaboration with dozens of Bay Area artists. There are also many special events, classes, and panel discussions in conjunction with the festival. Check out the website for more details.

SOMArts Cultural Center Features Bay Area and El Salvadorean Artists

I met Tessie Barrera-Scharaga four years ago. As part of the 2005 Bay Area Playwrights Festival Tessie collaborated with the presentation of my play Braided Sorrow, created original sculptures that were displayed in the lobby and even on stage as we incorporated one into the reading itself.

Tessie is now one of the artists participating in SOMArts Cultural Center's Territorios exhibit which features Bay Area artists and artists from El Salvador. The exhibit will run from July 9 - 29.

Check out Tessie's work online and for more information on the exhibit visit the SOMArts website.

The slide show below if ofTessie's Mujeres de Juarez (Women of Juarez) installation.

Author Janelle Brown Reads At San Francisco Main Library

The San Francisco Public Library presents author Janelle Brown as part of their One the Same Page series.

Janelle will read from her novel All We Ever Wanted Was Everything and will be available to sign copies of her book.

The event takes place July 9, Thursday, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the Main branch of the San Francisco library. Go to the SFPL website for more information.

Women in Theatre: July Edition

Here are some of the plays opening/playing this month here in the Bay Area written by women playwrights.

American Treasure by Julia Jarcho, public reading as part of the Bay Area Playwrights Festival at the Magic Theatre, July 18 at 8pm and July 25 at 12 noon.

Ecstasy | a waterfable by Denmo Ibrahim, Golden Thread at Thick House, July 23 - August 16.

Fayette-Nam by Aurorae Khoo, Asian American Theatre Company at Thick House, June 25 - July 11.

House and Junction by Martha Jane Kaufman, public reading as part of Bay Area SHorts (BASH) at the Magic Theatre, July 19 12 noon and July 26 12 noon.

March by Sharyn Rothstein, public reading as part of the Bay Area Playwrights Festival at the Magic Theatre, July 19 at 4pm and July 24 at 8pm.

Natasha and the Coat by Deborah Stein, public reading as part of the Bay Area Playwrights Festival at the Magic Theatre, July 17 at 8pm and July 25 at 4pm.

Our Peculiar Instituion by Lauren Yee, public reading as part of Bay Area SHorts (BASH) at the Magic Theatre, July 19 12 noon and July 26 12 noon.

I know this list is far from exhaustive, it's a first pass. I'll try to add on more plays as i find them.

A Play with Music June 23 & 24

Developed by two of WATA's founding artists. I'll be organizing a group trip to this so email me at watabayarea@gmail.com if you're interested in joining me.

Just Theater Presents
a work in progress...

TAKE ME TO THE BRIDGE or
THE DROWNING PLAY

Written by Erin Bregman
Music by Dina Maccabee

Directed by Molly Aaronson Gelb

In TAKE ME TO THE BRIDGE, a professional collector pulls photographs and papers from the surf revealing untold macabre stories. Director Molly Aaronson-Gelb (Just Theater), playwright Erin Bregman (PlayGround), and composer Dina Maccabee (Ramon & Jessica) plunge characters into classic musical structures sonata, sarabande, fugue to explore the boundaries between the rhythm and drive of musical and textual storytelling.

With Ava Jackson, Michael Barrett Austin*+, Danielle Levin*, sibani michael bose+, Dina Maccabee+

Designed by Jon Fischer

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, an Equity approved Project

+ Just Theater Company Members

For Tickets Call 1-800-838-3006

Or visit

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/62313

$12 - $15 sliding scale

June 23 & 24 @7pm

NOHspace

Next WATA Meeting

Sticking with our new tradition of meeting every third Thursday we'll be having our monthly WATA meeting/cocktail hour on June 18 at 7PM at Koko's Cocktails. Please join us for networking and discussion while we enjoy an eclectic mix of DJed jazz.

Susan Mogul Film at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival

The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival presents DRIVING MEN, a film by iconic feminist filmmaker, Susan Mogul on June 2, 2009 at 7:30 PM at Yerba Buena.

Alice Shaw's Auto(biography) at Gallery 16

In her upcoming Gallery 16 exhibition entitled (Auto)biography, Alice Shaw has employed others, such as a handwriting analyst and a psychic, to tell her information about herself that she may not have been aware of. She has taken what she has learned from these sessions and made artwork in response to this new knowledge.

For this show, Shaw, primarily known as a photographer, has also used painting, printmaking, drawing, and other media to illustrate her responses. Shaw looks at the theory that 'digital photography is more closely akin to painting than traditional photographic techniques because of its malleability.' She also believes that the digital arts has created a 'society of skeptics.' Auto(biography) sets out to satisfy these skeptics, and suggests 'we should not always believe what we see.'

The exhibit runs through July 3rd.

City Arts & Lectures Featuring Patricia Clarkson

Monday June 1st Patricia Clarkson will participate in San Francisco's City Arts & Lectures series in conversation with Graham Leggat.

Clarkson's penchant for substance over stardom has made her more of a familiar face than name. Clarkson studied drama at Fordham University, where she graduated summa cum laude, and earned her MFA at the Yale School of Drama before making her film debut in The Untouchables in 1987.

For more information and to buy tickets visit the City Arts & Lecture web page online.

WATA Member Launches Website for Documentary on Asian Elephant Hospital

WATA member Windy Borman, Creative Director of D.V.A. Productions has launched a website to promote her latest project "The Eyes of Thailand," a documentary focused on raising awareness about the plight of Asian elephants in Thailand who are "endangered, but the remaining elephants are overworked, abused, or disfigured from injuries resulting from Thailand’s rapid industrialization."

Learn more about the plight of the Asian elephant in Thailand and the film by visiting The Eyes of Thailand website.

Commonwealth Club Talk on Healthy Arts Organizations

Michael Kaiser, President of the Kennedy Center, is giving a talk at the Commonwealth Club in downtown SF on Monday, May 11. He'll be discussing how arts organizations can thrive in this economic climate. In case you don't know, the Kennedy Center has proven itself an invaluable resource for small arts organizations across the country in the past few months and the leaders have made themselves available to give advice to anyone who would like it. So even though this is more a policy/business type event than we normally post here - I thought I'd share this rare opportunity to hear from one of our nation's major arts leaders right here in the Bay Area.

Next WATA Meeting May 21 at Koko's Cocktails

The next WATA meeting, and by meeting we mean hanging out over drinks, will be May 21st at 7 pm located at Koko's Cocktails on Geary.

If you haven't been to one of one of our Koko's Cocktail meetings, you're in for a treat. We hope to see you there.

Last Week of Susan York's Porcelain & Graphite Exhibit

Closing May 9th is Susan York's exhibit "Porcelain & Graphite" at the Braunstein/Quay Gallery.

Originally recognized for her stacked sculptures of wafer thin porcelain, in the last several years Susan York has been working with graphite to luminous effect in large wall drawings and distinct works. Influenced by the Constructivist and De Stijl movements, she uses repetition, accumulation and the manifestation of visceral tension as the basis for her work. In describing York’s porcelain work in Art in America, Sarah S. King wrote that her “striking body of work and systematic methods . . . adroitly provoke tensions between space and form.”

Women in Theatre: May Edition

Here are some of the plays opening/playing this month here in the Bay Area written by women playwrights.

Assisted Living by Deirdre O'Connor, Playwrights Foundation, In The Rought staged reading, May 4 - 5

Dead Man's Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl, SF Playhouse, May 9 - June 13

For All the Babies' Fathers by WATA member Molly Rhodes, Brava Theatre, April 30 - May 16

Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck, the Magic Theatre May 23 - June 14

Natasha and the Coat by Deborah Stein, Playwrights Foundation, In The Rough staged reading, May 11 - 12

Wreckage by Caridad Svich, Crowded Fire, May 9 - June 6

You, Nero by Amy Freed, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, May 15 - June 28


I know this list is far from exhaustive, it's a first pass. I'll try to add on more plays as i find them.

Apologies for the Radio Silence

Sorry about that, didn't mean to slack off on my blogging duties.

I'm sleuthing for events of interest to post.

More soon.

Arts as Economic Stimulus

The Nation published an article on the "creative stimulus" today that has a lot of interesting ideas about how the arts can stimulate America's economy and also the importance of creativity at this time. Read it if you have the time.

Made In America at Oakland Museum

In her film Made in America filmmaker Stacy Peralta interviewed members of the Crips and Bloods in this examination of the devastating gang violence among young African Americans growing up in South Los Angeles.

Watch the film April 22nd at the Oakland Museum. This event is free and will begin at 6pm.

Watch a trailor for the documentary online.

SF Women's Film Festival - April 2, 6:00 PM

Hi all,
We're having another WATA outing on April 2nd at 6PM to the San Francisco Women's Film Festival

Hope you can make it!

Women in Theatre: April Edition

Here are some of the plays opening/playing this month here in the Bay Area written by women playwrights.

Distracted by Lisa Loomer, TheatreWorks, April 1 - 26

Rita Moreno in Conversation, by Rita Moreno, Berkeley Rep, April 20

This is Not a Torture or an Engine by Erin Bregman, staged reading, Playwrights Foundation, April 28

War Music by Lillian Groag at A.C.T., March 26 - April 26

Women's Will 24 Hour Playfest, featuring local playwrights, Women's Will, April 6


I know this list is far from exhaustive, it's a first pass. I'll try to add on more plays as i find them.

Evolve and Vocalize: A Spotlight on Next Generation Leadership

An interesting looking event for emerging artists in the Bay Area sponsored by San Francisco Bay Area Emerging Arts Professionals that's being held on Sunday, April 11. Details about the event are here

San Francisco Bay Area Emerging Arts Professionals

The San Francisco Bay Area Emerging Arts Professionals is a newly-formed peer-based membership organization dedicated to evolving the professional capacities of arts administrators, managers, cultural workers and artists within the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. We work collaboratively to provide professional development and networking opportunities, as well as a fresh exchange of ideas, practices, and knowledge.

We act as a connecting point, drawing upon collective strengths and interests, to develop peer-generated solutions. By fostering strategic partnerships; and investing in the leadership capacity and literacy of members; we work for a sustainable, diverse, and progressive arts and culture sector.

Woman's Will 24 Hour Playfest April 6, 2009

For the past three years I've participated in the Woman's Will 24 Hour Playfest, but unfortunately due to an out-of-state trip I'll not be one of the playwrights writing a brand new 10 minute play overnight.



Here's how the playfest works:

• The artists (playwrights, directors, and actors) meet at 10 pm at the Julia Morgan Theatre where and when they are given their theme. (You see you have no idea what you'll be writing about prior to the event).
• The playwrights have until 7 am the next morning to finish their script and email it in. Around 10 am the directors and the actors meet and begin rehearsal.
• The actors must be off book and have all their blocking down by 8 pm when the show begins.

It's a fantastic experience as a writer and always fun to meet other artists. And the ticket sales and silent auction benefit Woman's Will Theatre.

San Francisco Women's Film Festival

The 5th Annual San Francisco Women's Film Festival is set to kick off on April 1, 2009.

The festival celebrates women in all areas of fill in select theaters and community centers across the Bay Area.

Checkout this year's schedule and films online.

WATA Monthly Meeting Tonight at Koko Cocktails

Sorry for the short notice here on the blog, but WATA is having its monthly meeting tonight at Koko Cocktails at 7pm.

Hope to see you there.

Women’s Cinema from Tangiers to Tehran

The Pacific Film Archive presents a series of films directed by women from North Africa, the Middle East and European Diaspora.

A celebration of women filmmakers from North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the diaspora in Europe, this series represents a remarkable geographic, cultural, and stylistic range. In documentaries, features, and experimental works, the directors depict urban attitudes and rural traditions, the dream of escape and the isolation of exile, and the comforts and entrapments of family. But as James Neil, co-curator of the British series that inspired this one, has said, a common theme runs through the films: “They are about women who struggle and strive against their surroundings, and they’re directed by women who have had those experiences themselves.”

Learn more about the film series online.

AB700

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

~ Margaret Mead

California Arts Advocates sponsors AB 700
The Creative Industries Revitalization Act

Introduced by Assembly Member Paul Krekorian
Assistant Majority Leader and
Chair, Select Committee on the Preservation of California's Entertainment Industry

Dear Windy,

What will AB 700 do? INVEST IN THE ARTS AND CALIFORNIA'S COMMUNITIES

• Establishes the Creative Industries & Community Revitalization Fund (CICRF)
• Transfers 20% of sales tax collected on specific arts-related lines of business, identified by two Board of Equalization (BOE) categories to the CICRF
• Authorizes local assistance program grants for organizational support
• Encourages joint partnerships between applicants
• Provides oversight by the state Legislature
• The California Arts Council administers grants program and allocates funds from the CICRF. (The BOE predicts AB 700 will generate $30+ million annually.)

What can you do? TAKE ACTION!

• Visit the CAA AB 700 information page at www.CaliforniaArtsAdvocates.org.
• Download the AB 700 sample letter.
• Fax your organization's support to Assembly Member Paul Krekorian (916) 319-2143
• Fax copies to Asm. Tom Ammiano and Sen. Mark Leno and to CAA (916) 979-1116 and lobbyist, Kathy Lynch (916) 445-7353 Contact information for your legislator can be found at the CAA Take Action Center

Make sure your organization is recognized in the upcoming Assembly committee analysis.

Fax your support letter to Assembly Member Krekorian at (916) 319-2143.
Send copies to CAA (916) 979-1116 and Kathy Lynch (916) 443-7353.

---

Help us to build on the momentum of the arts victory in our nation's Capitol by contributing to California's statewide advocacy efforts for success in the state Capitol. There is not a moment to lose. You will ensure that the arts voice stays strong and is heard loud and clear by California's elected officials and policy makers when you join CAA as a TAKE ACTION member today for only $10. Go to CAA Website now and join! BECOME A CAA MEMBER TODAY AND HELP US REACH OUR $10,000 GOAL

---

Keep the arts at the forefront of public policy. Join CAA online at www.CaliforniaArtsAdvocates.org

Women's History Month at the San Francisco Public Library

Some interesting events happening at the Main Branch of the public library in SF for Women's History month. Not all arts-related, but nevertheless they look interesting!

The Library marks Women’s History Month with several events that look to the past, the present and the future to illustrate the way women’s lives have evolved.


Testimonios: Early California through the Eyes of Women 1815-1848
In the early 1870s, when Hubert Howe Bancroft sent interviewers out to gather oral histories from the pre-statehood gentry of California, he didn’t count on one thing: the women. When the men weren’t available, the interviewers collected the oral histories of the women. All but forgotten until now, these women’s stories have been collected in Testimonios: Early California through the Eyes of Women 1815-1848, translated with introduction and commentary by Rose Marie Beebe and Robert M. Senkewicz, who will both be at this special event to tell the stories of these women of the pre-Gold Rush California era. A book sale and signing follow the presentation.
Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 p.m.
Main Library, Lower Level, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room
100 Larkin Street (Grove)

Exploring Womanhood and Transformation with Kirya Traber
Traber, a poet and activist will lead a combined discussion and personal exploration of womanhood, migration and transformation in a racially complex world. Traber, a nationally awarded spoken word artist, is currently serving as program manager at Youth Speaks, where she develops and facilitates spoken word workshops for Bay Area teens and is a member of the Brave New Voices College Tour.

Thursday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Bayview/Anna E. Waden Branch
5075 3rd Street (at Revere)

This event is presented in partnership with the International Museum of Women.

Creating a Business with a Mission: A Delicious Talk from Cowgirl Creamery’s Sue Conley
A pioneering cheesemaker and business owner, Conley opened Cowgirl Creamery in 1997 with partner Peggy Smith. Started in an old barn in Point Reyes Station, their mission was to provide a market for agricultural goods from the Tomales Bay region so that farmers might stay in business and prosper. Today, Cowgirl Creamery has additional stores in Petaluma, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., produces about 3,000 pounds of cheese each week and distributes delicious artisan cheeses from small, farmstead cheesemakers.
Wednesday, March 18, 6:30 p.m.
Mission Bay Branch
960 4th Street (at Berry)

This event is presented in partnership with the International Museum of Women.

What do the Women Say - Golden Thread Productions

Interesting event in Berkeley that Golden Thread is putting on this Sunday in honor of International Women's Day. Details below:

Golden Thread Productions presents

What do the Women Say?

Sunday, March 8th, 7pm
Le Pena Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
$10 in advance; $12 at the door

Golden Thread Productions, in partnership with Sunbula: Arab Feminists For Change and ASWAT Bay Area Arabic Music Ensemble, present its annual celebration of International Women's Day with What do the Women Say? An evening of poetry & performance of the Middle East. This year's program is dedicated to the women of Gaza.

Featuring the poetry of Deema Shehabi & Dina Omar, staged reading of writings by Majeda Al Saqqa and performance by Al-Juthoor dance company.

International Women’s Day (March 8) began in the US in 1909, and is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development. Golden Thread Productions annually celebrates this occasion with a weekend of live performance.

Proceeds will go to support women in Gaza.

Event website

WATA Outings

Hi all,
I'm planning to attend Machinal by Sophie Treadwell on March 18, and the Solo Mujeres Exhibition on March 23 (though that date is flexible.) Email me at watabayarea@gmail.com if you're interested in attending with me as a "WATA Field Trip"

Sólo Mujeres Exhibition at the Mission Cultural Center

The Sólo Mujeres (Women Only) exhibition runs February 20-March 27 at the Mission Cultural Center in San Francisco. Entitled "Future Landscapes Designed by Women," was currated by Patricia Rodriguez and includes:

Jenny Badger Sultan
Isabel Barbuzza
Bianca Ana Chavez
Maria Adela Diaz
Amy M Ho
Kate Leffler
Ana de Orbegoso
Alejandra Palos
Anastasia Winter Schipani
Marsha Shaw
Zahava Sherez
The Counter Narrative Project
Linda Vallejo
Michelle Waters
Anais Ye

The exhibit "expresses how women envision our times yet to come, what landscapes women are women designing and how women see themselves in these times of change. The exhibition will feature: installations, paintings, sculpture, mixed media, fiber art, and video."

New Arts Funding in San Francisco

How often do we see NEW organizations devoted to funding the arts in the Bay Area?

The Kenneth Rainin Foundation seeks to further the memory of our founder and fulfill his vision of dramatically improving the human experience through collaborating with others with similar values to create the energy to make positive change. His vision was guided by the belief that improved quality of life is possible through innovation, inquiry, creativity and synergistic interactions.

To that end, the Kenneth Rainin Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of our new grants program to support dance, theater and film in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Dance & Theater Grants

The Foundation supports theaters, companies and service organizations that:

• Exhibit a strong passion for and commitment to the San Francisco Bay Area performing arts community
• Demonstrate a performance history in the San Francisco Bay Area
• Display artistic promise and vision
• Bring vital performances and programs to the public

Grants will be awarded in the spring and the fall of each year. The application period for the first grant cycle opened January 28, 2009. The first stage of the application process is a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) designed to take under an hour to complete online. The final date for LOI submission is February 23, 2009. On March 13, 2009, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Grant awards range in size from $5,000 - $50,000. Introductory grants will be project-based only.

Click here to review guidelines and submit a Letter of Inquiry

Narrative Film Grants

The Kenneth Rainin Foundation, in partnership with The San Francisco Film Society, supports Bay Area filmmakers in the production of narrative features that through plot, character, theme and/or setting significantly explore human and civil rights, anti-discrimination, gender issues, sexual identity and other urgent social justice issues of our time.

Click here for specific eligibility requirements and to submit a Letter of Inquiry

FOR FULL INFORMATION, CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE:
http://krfoundation.org/

WATA Monthly Meeting Tonight at Koko Cocktails

Don't forget tonight is WATA's monthly meeting.

We're meeting at Koko Cocktails on Van Ness at 7:30pm.

We're trying something different this month and instead of a formal agenda, WATA members are invited to come and just hang out for a bit. You're invited to get to know your fellow women artists.

See you there!

Second Annual International Support Women Artists Now Day (SWAN)

Support Women Artists Now Day (SWAN), a project of The Fund for Women Artists, will take place on the last Saturday of March. SWAN organizers invite all to participate in this holiday (March 28, 2009).

The goal of SWAN is to focuse attention on the work of women artists thereby "SWAN Day helps people imagine what the world might be like if women’s art and perspectives were fully integrated into all of our lives."

How can you celebrate?

You can host or attend an event. Check out the SWAN website for information on how to participate.

Funding for Arts Restored to House Stimulus Package

Good news!

Today the House of Representatives voted 246 to 183 to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The bill includes $50 million in direct support for arts jobs through the National Endowment for the Arts and language that would have prevented museums, theaters, and arts centers from receiving stimulus funds was removed.
-Americans for the Arts

Many thanks to all those who wrote their congressman in support of the arts. And a special thank-you to those who've been advocating for the arts.

Why the Arts Matter

Like many artists I have a 9-5 job. I work in the philanthropy sector, which has given me some insight into how grantmakers think (especially those who give money to the arts). As the economic crisis has taken hold I have seen its affects on both the arts and philanthropic sector.

Like many artists I have seen what happens during lean times: the arts are first on the chopping block.

So I am very glad to see Jim Canales, the CEO of the James Irvine Foundation (a very big supporter of the arts), making the case for why the arts is an essential part of our communities and our economy.

Last week Jim wrote an article featured in the SF Chronicle. Here are some of the highlights (emphasis mine):

• In the Bay Area, the arts create more than 31,000 jobs and generate $1.2 billion in economic activity every year.
• The arts produce $105 million in local and state tax revenue for the Bay Area (far more than the government spends on the arts).
• Surveys report that 93 percent of parents believe that the arts are essential to a well-rounded education.
• Ten million new jobs in the next decade will be in the "creative class," according to economist Richard Florida. These are jobs that involve imagination and ingenuity which are best developed by experiencing the arts.

Read the full article online.

Prize for Female Theater Artists

SUBMISSIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR
2009 FRANCESCA PRIMUS PRIZE

Calling all female theatre artists: there?s still time to submit yourself
as a candidate for The Francesca Primus Prize. This annual $10,000 award
honors outstanding contributions to the American theater by an emerging
female theater artist, one who has not yet achieved national prominence.
Submissions for the 2009 award must be postmarked no later than Feb. 28,
2009.

Administered by the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA), the prize
is made possible through the generosity of the Francesca Ronnie Primus
Foundation, which honors the writer, critic, performer and dramaturg who
died at 42 of lung cancer in 1992.

Historically the award has been given to an outstanding female playwright,
but the committee also considers other significant female theater artists,
such as directors or artistic directors. The Primus Prize operates on an
open submission basis?an applicant may submit herself or be nominated by
another individual or organization. Letters of recommendation are helpful.
To qualify for consideration, a playwright must have had a fully staged,
professional production of her script within the calendar year 2008. For
other artists, there must also have been some significant achievement in the
calendar year. But in both cases, the committee will consider a body of work
going back several years.

A submission must be in the form of a portfolio of no more than 20
single-sided pages. It should include a letter recommending the candidate, a
synopsis of her body of work, and supporting materials sufficient to
familiarize the committee with her achievement, possibly including reviews
and/or a statement of the artist's philosophy. Playwrights should also
submit the script. If more than one play was produced in 2008, only one may
be submitted, but excerpts from others might be part of the portfolio.
Portfolios will not be returned.

Six copies of an applicant's entire portfolio?both portfolio and
script?along with an application fee of $25 (checks made payable to ATCA)
should be sent to ATCA, c/o Katie Burger, 773 Nebraska Ave. W., St. Paul, MN
55117 (phone 651-261-7804). Once again, the applications must be postmarked
no later than Feb. 28, 2009.

For further information, contact Primus Prize chair Barbara Bannon, Salt
Lake City, bbannon@xmission.com, or ATCA chair Chris Rawson, Pittsburgh,
crawson@post-gazette.com.

The winner will be announced at a national ATCA conference, with the
recipient notified in advance and funds provided so she can attend.



Previous Primus Winners

2008?EM (Ellen) Lewis, playwright, Heads
2007?Victoria Stewart, playwright, Hardball
2006?Karen Zacar?as, playwright, Mariela in the Desert, and founder/artistic
director, Young Playwrights? Theater, Washington, D.C.
2005?Michelle Hensley, artistic director, Ten Thousand Things Theatre
Company, Minneapolis, Minn.
2004?Lynn Nottage, playwright, Intimate Apparel
2003? no prize awarded during transition year
2002?Alexandra Cunningham, playwright, Pavane
2001?S. M. Shepard-Massat, playwright, Some Place Soft to Fall
2000?Brooke Berman, playwright, Playing House
1999?Melanie Marnich, playwright, Blur
1998?Brooke Berman, playwright, Wonderland
1997?Julia Jordan, playwright, Tatjana in Color

WATA Name Change

We've been wrestling with what exactly our acronym means (we like the acronym - but haven't ever quite found the right words to describe ourselves). Last night as we were planning our big Kick-Off event (tentatively scheduled for June - stay tuned for details!), one of our members suggested "Women Artists That Advocate" as a title. I like the sound of it. Thoughts?

A big WATA kudos to Primary Stages!

For highlighting three women playwrights this season:

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/new-primary-stages-lineup-highlights-women-writers/?ref=theater

Chantal Ackerman Film Series at SFMOMA Jan. 3 - Feb. 28

The SFMOMA film series presents the work of Chantal Ackerman, a Belgian film director and artist.

Chantal Akerman crosses between the worlds of art and cinema, making video installations for galleries as well as films for theatrical release. Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai de Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles, her breakthrough work, observes a woman's domestic routines, slowly, patiently, and ultimately disturbingly. It exemplifies Akerman's ability to create intense psychological studies of everyday life. She is also highly attuned to the human experience of time, memory, and journeying, whether in relation to migration and political borders (News from Home, Histoiresd’Amérique) or coming of age (Saute ma ville; Je, tu, il, elle).

The film series will explore Ackerman's work in depth and runs January 3-February 28. Tickets are $5 for the general public and free to SFMOMA members. Learn more at the SFMOMA website.

Ladies Only

How many arts organizations are out there that support women artists here in the Bay Area? Good question. So I’ve started searching on Google for organizations that focus on women artists in one form or fashion. Here’s the list so far:

Asian American Women’s Arts Association: AAWAA’s mission is to be a catalyst of change and empowerment for Asian American women artists in the visual, literary and media arts by offering thought-provoking projects and programs that challenge, inspire and interpret their work.

Brava! For Women in the Arts: Founded in 1986, Brava is committed to the artistic expression of women, people of color and youth. With extensive education programs and a new Artistic Director, Brava is poised to become even more of a powerhouse in theatre and the arts.

San Francisco Women Artists: San Francisco Women Artists is a non-profit organization dedicated to the furtherance of women in the visual fine arts. Since its inception in the late 1880's as a sketch club it has been in continuous operation. In 1924, then known as the Society of Women Artists, it evolved into today's San Francisco Women Artists.

San Francisco Women’s Film Festival: Established to address the under representation of women in the film and media industries, WFI's mission is to honor, showcase, and facilitate the creation of films that are directed or co-directed by women. We achieve our mission by supporting, promoting, exhibiting, and honoring the achievements and contributions of women in the world of cinema.

South Bay Area Women’s Caucus for Arts: The South Bay Area Women's Caucus for Art was established in 1989 as a local chapter of the national Women's Caucus for Art. SBAWCA strives to provide contacts and places to exhibit the artwork of their members.

The Fund for Women Artists: The Fund for Women Artists was founded on the belief that women artists have the power to change the way women are perceived in society. Working to ensure that women artists have full access to the financial and other resources they need to do this crucial work, The Fund for Women Artists focuses mainly on women in theatre, film, and video.


Obviously, this list is just the beginning. I’ll continue to work on expanding it.

Women in Theatre: February Edition

Last year New York City women playwrights convened a meeting to discuss women's parity in playwrighting.

At an October town hall meeting of women playwrights Julia Jordan's pointed out in her introduction that:

Thirty years ago, only 7% of plays on national non-profit stages were written by women. Currently that number is around 17%. A rise of around 3.3% a decade. At that rate, if it continues, we will reach parity in just under another hundred years.

With this in my mind while I was looking at the February theatre line-up, I decided to call out the plays here in the Bay Area in production written by women playwrights. They are:

Cuckoo by Madison Clell, Jump! Theatre, Feb. 5-28

Girls War by Joyce Van Dyke, Golden Thread Productions, Feb. 16-March 8

Mud by Maria Irene Fornes, Cutting Ball Theatre, Jan. 9-Feb.15 (an extended run)

Song for Coretta by Pearl Cleage, Brava! For Women in the Arts, Jan. 22-Feb.7

Tough Titty by Oni Faida Lampley, Magic Theatre, Jan. 24-Feb. 22

In the Next Room (Or the Vibrator Play) by Sarah Ruhl, Berkeley Repertory, Jan. 30-March 15


I'm sure this list isn't absolutely exhaustive. If there's any plays that should be added to the list, please feel free to mention them in the comments section.

And Then There Were Two

That's right, this blog now has two contributors.

And who exactly am I? My name is Marisela and I'm a playwright and poet (I used to say that in reverse order, but these days I'm focused mainly on writing for theatre). And of course I'm a member of Women Advocates for the Arts in the Bay Area (WATA).

As an active blogger, I'm excited that WATA has a blog site to post thoughts, start discussions, and announce events.

I'll be back tomorrow with my first official post and I hope to see you at the next WATA event.

Next WATA Meeting

Our next WATA meeting is a great opportunity to see what we're all about. We'll be having a WATA Cocktail Hour (or two...) at Koko Cocktails at Van Ness and Geary on Wednesday, February 18 starting at 7:30. If you're a female artist in the bay area and you're interested in joining us to meet us and see what we're all about, then stop by!

Women on the Way Festival

I'm still testing good gadgets to find one that will list events, but in the meantime I'll just post events individually starting with this:

http://www.ftloose.org/wow.html

Welcome to WATA

Welcome to the WATA Bay Area blog! This is a resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the arts in San Francisco with an emphasis on issues affecting women artists. WATA is a cross-disciplinary group of female artists who meet monthly to discuss upcoming events and issues that affect women working in the arts. We also hold workshop sessions tailored to keep ourselves educated on current trends in business and technology. Past workshop sessions include basic web-design, best practices in filing taxes, and information sessions on grantwriting.

We'll also be posting upcoming events that are happening around the Bay that are of special interest to our group.

In the next few months, we'll be holding a public kick-off event to showcase some of the artistic work our members do and begin a community dialogue on advocacy for the arts in the Bay Area. Stay tuned for more specific details on this event!

If you're interested in being a part of WATA Bay Area, please email us at watabayarea@gmail.com for details on our monthly meetings or to be added to our mailing list.