Call for Proposals: International Conference, “Performing Arts Training Today”, Aug 19-22. Leitring bei Leibnitz, Austria.
Professional conference open to performers, performing arts educators and teachers from all over the world interested in the research of topical questions and processes in contemporary performing arts education and training. The conference is open to different art genres, techniques and forms-theatre, dance, music, circus, visual and multimedia art. At the moment the Conference is accepting presentation proposals. Submission guidelines: www.iugte.com/projects/register.php.

May 12-15: Penland is planning a special trip to London during the run of the British craft fair COLLECT. We hope you will join us! We begin our time together on May 12 and have full days planned for May 12, 13, 14, and 15. We have VIP tours of the Victoria & Albert Museum with curators, visits to collector homes, a tour of the historic Goldsmiths Hall, special previews of COLLECT, and private openings at numerous artists’ studios. We will cap our visit to London with dinner at Penland Trustee Sarah Elson and her husband Louis’ home. Confirm no later than March 24. Summary of costs: Penland check or credit card $765 per person + CWT Vacations credit card $770 (hotel/bus) or $195 (no hotel/bus only). Contact Susie Gross, Travel Advisor, CWT Vacations, sgross@cwtvacations.com

AIDA, the Association of Israel’s Decorative Arts, is one of Penland’s partners and sends Israeli artists to Penland on scholarship each year.
AIDA has planned a trip, cost-$3,000 per person which includes all local transportation (including to and from airport), all meals, cultural visits, seats at the Israel Museum’s Gala and visits to private collections. Airfare and hotels are extra. They have rooms held at both the King David and the Hilton Hotels and can assist in making those reservations. In addition to the $3,000 fee, AIDA is asking each participant to make a $1250 tax deductible contribution to AIDA to support its work with Israel’s artists. They have agreed to give $500 of that $1250 to Penland if any Penland supporters attend the AIDA trip.For more information, please contact Erika Vogel, AIDA Director, rikavogel@AIDAarts.org, www.AIDAarts.org

Two Fall Friday Workshops for Nonprofits will be held on October 16 and November 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Mayland Community College.  Styled as “Nonprofit Information for the 21st Century,” the topics to be covered include grant readiness and research, time management and board management, the implications of the new IRS form 990, effective nonprofit public relations and marketing, and EXCEL for nonprofits.  The workshops are taught by seven veterans in their fields coming from Asheville, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, and Bakersville.  Registration by October 14 qualifies for a discount.  For complete information go to www.amyregionallibrary.org/MainPRO or contact Susan Larson at 765-2652 or susielarson@earthlink.net. Workshop sponsor is MainPRO (Mountain Area Information for NonPROfits, a coalition of groups dedicated to improving our community by working with nonprofit organizations. MainPRO groups are The Small Business Center of Mayland Community College, The Foundation Center Cooperating Collection of AMY Regional Library, The Foundation for Mitchell County, and The Yancey County Foundation.

Artisphere a three day open air festival in Greenville, SC. Applications will be available online beginning Aug 7, and are due on or before Oct 22. Apply through the Zapplication website (www.zapplication.org). Paper applications are available on the Artisphere website, www.artisphere.us, due on Oct 8.

Great Smokies Writing Program Classes. Summer. UNC-Asheville campus. To register, please come to the office of Extension and Distance Education, Karpen Hall, Room 122 to complete an application or call 828-232-5122 or e-mail fox@unca.edu. Five session classes with offerings in poetry and prose. Classes include: Take Five: A Fiction Workshop with Marjorie Klein; Writing and Photography with Katherine Soniat; True Stories: A Creative Nonfiction Workshop with Sebastian Matthews; Surprise: A Poetry Workshop with Mark Prudowsky

Women In Photography International created a special call for entries, “Summer 09″ to explore the visual impact of the life giving forces of children, flowers and trees. In today’s world of confusion, fear, illness, and abuse, let’s take the time to look at the beauty of nature and children. DEADLINE June 30, midnight (Los Angeles PDT). Minimum 2 image submission Maximum 10 images per category. For more information, go to http://www.womeninphotography.org

June Arts and Crafts Show at The Shoppes at University Place June 13-14. Charlotte, NC. Application Deadline: May 15. Over 50 artists and craft makers from around the region will showcase their unique work at this upscale suburban shopping complex. For more information contact Roger Brown at 704-962-8488 or roger@pursestoo.com.

The Fine Arts League of the Carolina’s 2009 Spring Session, begins Monday, April 20th and there are still open spaces for full or part-time students.
The depth, span and intensity of the education offered at FALC is rare, and now our core curriculum classes (Anatomy, Cast Drawing/Painting, Drawing and Materials 101) are available to part-time students. So whether you only have time for one class or can commit to the full-time schedule, now is the right time to go back to the drawing board.  It is always a pleasure to welcome new students into the fold, so please call and make an appointment with our faculty for a portfolio review. Basic requirements are the joy of expression and the love of craft. Contact www.fineartsleague.org or call 828-252-5050 for more information.

2009 SUMMER THEATRE CAMPS . The Parkway Playhouse and Burnsville’s Dance Express have teamed up to offer Summer Theatre Camps. Registration is now open for students aged 5-16. Camp sessions will be three weeks and go from 9 to 3 pm. Each session will conclude with 2 weekend performances at the Parkway Playhouse.
There will be two camp sessions. The first will be from June 22-July 10. The second will be from July 13-July 31. The cost is $225 per student for the full three-week session or $85.00/week per child. (Early/late pick-up is also available.) For more information, or to register, please call DANCE EXPRESS at 828-682-1493.