Mid-America Arts Alliance Receives Turner Funds for Technology Improvements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2004

Mid-America Arts Alliance Receives Turner Funds for Technology Improvements

Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) has received a $75,000 grant from the Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust to support technology planning and development for its core programs, the Heartland Arts Fund (HAF) and ExhibitsUSA (EUSA). The Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust is administered by Bank of America and Daniel C. Weary.

With the Turner funds, M-AAA will develop several online tools to serve HAF and EUSA core constituents¾a group that includes museums, performing arts presenters, cultural service organizations, funders, and artists. In addition, M-AAA will conduct a survey of its clients in order to expand opportunities for technology-enhanced services.

“These funds are a testament to our belief that the benefits of technology are crucial to the continued success of nonprofits,” says Spencer Heddens, Senior Vice President, Bank of America, trustee for the Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust. “We are delighted to be able to make this grant to Mid-America Arts Alliance to assist them in technology planning and development for their core programs.”

Immediate Web improvements include an online version of the Heartland Arts Fund artists’ catalog, an electronic grant application and reporting process, and an online museum shop for ExhibitsUSA products. The project began in January 2004 and will be completed by December 2004.

“We look forward to harnessing the potential of technology to expand our outreach and services,” says Mary Kennedy McCabe, Executive Director. “The new tools that we’ll develop with this generous grant from Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust are a means of leveling the playing field for our constituents: no matter how far away they live or how small their operation, they will all be able to access our granting system and the affordable art resources that we’ll provide online. It will be convenient and cost-efficient for everyone involved.”

With support from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program, the Heartland Arts Fund annually supports over 400 performing arts programs in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. During 2001-2002, the Heartland Arts Fund awarded $1.3 million to presenters in 269 communities in the region, supporting 688 performances and 2,366 educational outreach programs. HAF is a collaborative performing arts venture of M-AAA and Arts Midwest.

ExhibitsUSA, the national museum service division of M-AAA, serves small and midsize museums, galleries, and exhibition spaces by providing museum-quality traveling exhibitions. During the 2001-2002 program year, EUSA toured six new and 16 continuing exhibitions to 97 venues in 33 states and 78 cities of vary sizes¾places like Florence, Alabama (pop. 36,264), and Pinedale, Wyoming (pop. 1,181), as well as New York City and San Diego. Over one million people participate in EUSA exhibitions each year.

For more information, contact Communications Associate Sarah McGreer at (816) 421-1388, ext. 230.