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Arts & Humanities Month

The Ohio Arts Council is encouraging Ohio citizens to take part in the arts during National Arts & Humanities Month. October marks the month-long celebration that provides hundreds of exciting opportunities for Ohioans to participate in and appreciate the arts. Organized nationally by Americans for the Arts, arts organizations across the country will recognize the importance of the arts in our communities.

The OAC has urged artists and arts organizations to participate in Arts & Humanities Month by planning activities to honor the cultural heritage and arts in communities throughout the state. Many organizations are offering discounts on tickets throughout the month of October or have selected a special event to celebrate National Arts & Humanities month. People interested in taking advantage of these special offers can visit ArtsinOhio.com and click on the special National Arts & Humanities month logo to see a list of activities taking place in October.

Organizations interested in promoting their Arts & Humanities month events may enter their events on www.ohioeventfinder.com to be included in the special promotion on ArtsinOhio.com.

National Arts & Humanities Month is coordinated by Americans for the Arts, the national organization working to empower communities with the resources and support necessary to provide access to all of the arts for all people. ArtsinOhio.com is the FREE online resource for Ohio arts and culture. For more information about ArtsinOhio.com, or if you are interested in including your organization's events, please contact Jami Goldstein at 614/466-2613 or jami.goldstein@oac.state.oh.us.

Here is a great example of communities celebrating National Arts and Humanities Month:

The Fitton Center was presented a Proclamation at its first luncheon series (Celebrating Self) talk this month when Hamilton mayor, Donald V. Ryan, read and passed the Proclamation to Fitton Center Executive Director Rick H. Jones.

The Proclamation was fashioned after the Resolution by the U.S. Conference of Mayors' recognizing National Arts and Humanities Month. The Hamilton Proclamation officially named October 2007 as National Arts and Humanities Month in the city.

The Fitton Center's first Celebrating Self speaker was, ironically, Mayor Donald V. Ryan. The mayor?s talk, entitled A Chat with the Mayor, opened with his recognition of the importance of the arts as vital to the growth and health of Hamilton as we move forward with initiatives to make Hamilton a more livable community. He cited statistics from Americans for the Arts, recent study, The Arts and Economic Prosperity III. The mayor spoke to a full house of 200 plus guests.

Below you will find a listing suggestions for how to make the most out of Arts & Humanities Month. Select the following activities based on appropriateness for your organization and those which will add the most public value to your community.

1. Create a community photo album. Invite local residents to donate old photographs and take new ones throughout the month.

2. Ask local reporters and newscasters to report news of local cultural events during National Arts and Humanities Month.

3. Write a letter to your State legislators and Members of Congress listing events in the district during the month.

4. Send notes to your donors thanking them for all they do to keep the arts and humanities in your community.

5. During dinner, have each family member share one creative thing they did that day.

6. Read a book out loud.

7. Encourage arts organizations to continue their work by developing an annual award given to an outstanding arts organization.

8. Suggest that teachers engage students in a National Arts and Humanities Month project.

9. Schedule performances at senior centers, hospitals, or nursing homes.

10. Sponsor a seminar for local arts and government leaders on the importance of public funding for the arts and culture.

11. Ask the local convention and visitors? bureau to include a National Arts and Humanities Month flier in all October mailings.

12. Organize a community talent show.

13. Include the National Arts and Humanities Month logo in your newsletter.

14. Obtain an official proclamation of October as National Arts and Humanities Month from your local elected leaders.

15. Take up a musical instrument?or rekindle your interest in one.

16. Add a signature line to your outgoing e-mails to encourage them to participate in the month-long celebration.

17. Commission a local artist or student to design a poster for National Arts and Humanities Month to post around town.

18. Include a flier about National Arts and Humanities Month with Sunday paper deliveries during October.

19. Suggest local businesses showcase an artist to demonstrate or exhibit their work during the month.

20. Participate in National Arts and Humanities Month!

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Due to the implementation of cost savings days (furloughs) by the State of Ohio, the OAC office will be closed on the following days: Friday, November 27; Thursday, December 24; and Thursday, December 31.

In each case the office will reopen at 8 a.m. the following Monday. Thank you for your cooperation during these periods.