"POINTS OF INTEREST" by Rhyena Halpern, Executive Director
CHAIR'S VIEW, by Dan Gorfain
SMAC HIGHLIGHTS - SMAC WILL ANNOUNCE NEW POET LAUREATE IN JUNE
SMAC ARTS EDUCATION LAUNCHES COMMUNITY ARTS PROGRAM
TEACHING ARTIST PRE-QUALIFIED POOL
PUBLIC ART TOURS ON SECOND SATURDAYS BEGINNING JUNE 13, 2009
SMAC IN YOUR COMMUNITY--APP GALLERY EXHIBITION LISTING—VISIT ONE TODAY!
SMAC ARTS EDUCATION CALENDAR UPDATES

We--in the art community--continue to reel from what has been one of the most 
financially challenging periods in recent history. Everyone has been affected 
by this economy—from our deeply valued arts organizations, to individual 
artists, to the dedicated elected officials we work with, to the businesses 
and foundations that help support us. These are uncertain times and we must 
answer the challenge with a creative plan that works within new budgetary 
restraints. 

This past fiscal year SMAC received a 25% budget cut and we anticipate further 
reductions in the next fiscal year. To help with shortfalls, SMAC is busy 
applying for new grants and developing new alliances in our community so that 
we may continue to provide essential core services.  

Like many local arts agencies across the nation, we are increasing our arts 
marketing efforts.  Our developing SMAC Arts Marketing Initiative will raise 
awareness and visibility of the arts.  It will include exciting and fun 
events: on June 26th, from 5-9pm, the Friday Night Concert in Cesar Chavez 
Park will host arts booths, raffles and games.  In September, we will invite 
you to Arts Day at the Monarch’s game at Arco Arena, as well as to our Edible 
Art Crawl, “Eat Your Art Out.” 

Our call to action for the Marketing Initiative Campaign is the new arts and 
culture web site, www.sacramento365.com.  Log on today and see what’s 
happening in the arts in Sacramento.  You may be surprised!
Another resource I would like to share with you is the latest information on 
the federal government’s economic stimulus program.  Besides from the NEA 
funds, there are other departments that have funding appropriate to the arts.  
They are offering new job stimulus funds which may apply to many of our local 
groups and artists. Please log onto www.sacmetroarts.org/ImpactInfo.  
 
Last but not least, please send a letter today to your state assembly members 
in support of AB700.  This bill seeks to refund the California Arts Council, 
without adding a new tax.  For more information please go to 
www.CaliforniaArtsAdvocates.org or go to www.sacmetroarts.org/ImpactInfo.html.

In these times of great uncertainty, there is also great opportunity.  We will 
not let this economic crisis go to waste.  I want to assure you that:  We will 
continue to serve. Our mission is strong: Advancing Community Through Arts and 
Culture.  

Warm regards,
Rhyena Halpern

SMAC is bracing for a lean 2009-10 Fiscal Year.  As many of you know, the
City and County are facing significant budget shortfalls and are looking to
reduce program budgets across the board.  Such cuts will most significantly
affect our grant programs.

The Commission's grant programs leverage funds from many different sources. 
Such programs not only support artists and arts organizations, but also art 
education and social service programs to the elderly, the handicapped and 
other segments of the underserved community, whose programs are made possible 
and enhanced, by support from SMAC.

The Commission greatly appreciates the support they have received from the 
arts community, our grantees and our elected officials.  

Please contact your City Councilmember and County Supervisor and let them know 
how SMAC has benefited you, your family, friends, or your organization. 

www.sacmetroarts.org/ImpactInfo.html

The Sacramento Poet Laureate Program was established in February 2000 by SMAC 
to help increase literary awareness through the power of poetry and the spoken 
word and to celebrate the high caliber of talent among Sacramento’s poets. The 
new Poet Laureate will be chosen through a competitive process which includes 
a series of panel reviews resulting in a new community leader for the local 
poetry scene by mid-June, 2009. 

For questions, please contact Anja Aulenbacher, Grants & Cultural Programs 
Coordinator at (916) 566-3986 or email, aaulenbacher@cityofsacramento.org 

Five Sacramento social service organizations have been selected as sites for 
Community Arts Program (CAP) Pilot Project funding by SMAC.  The CAP Pilot 
Project provides funds and professional development for regional artists to 
partner with non-profit organizations to develop arts education programming 
that supports the organizations’ goals.  

Over forty organizations participated in information meetings and the 
selection process in February and March of ‘09. The organizations chosen for 
projects are: WIND Youth Services; Asian Community Center of Sacramento 
Valley, Inc.; Mutual Assistance Network of Del Paso Heights; People Reaching 
Out, Inc.; and Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center.

CAP Projects will work with a variety of vulnerable populations such as 
homeless teenagers, senior citizens, homeless families, economically 
challenged neighborhoods, and at-risk children and youth to provide hands on 
arts activities.  SMAC will facilitate the CAP Pilot Projects at the five 
sites, which will run through June of 2010. 

In mid-April SMAC invited artists in all disciplines to submit qualifications 
for potential inclusion in a pre-qualified teaching artist pool for upcoming 
SMAC arts education opportunities. Artists selected for this pool will be 
considered for arts education projects for all ages in regional social service 
organizations, after-school programs and in-school programs over the next five 
years.  Sixty-two artists submitted their qualifications and artists were 
recommended by the Review Panel on May 5th for inclusion in the pre-qualified 
pool. 

Beginning June 13, 2009, the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, Art in 
Public Places Program will offer free public art walking tours in conjunction 
with Second Saturday in downtown Sacramento. The tours will continue every 
second Saturday through October, 2009. Each tour will explore a different area 
of downtown Sacramento.   A trained docent will lead the tour for individuals 
or groups of all ages. 

The tour begins at 4:00pm and concludes at 5:30pm.  Although the tour is free, 
reservations are required.  To make a reservation and for more information on 
the tour, call 386-8240 or email dixie@dixielaws.com by June 12th, 2009. The 
tours are limited in size, so reserve your spot early!

Airport Gallery
Sacramento International Airport
Terminal B
6900 Airport Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95837
Four enclosed exhibition cases are located in the public
areas on the lower level of Terminal B. Three enclosed
exhibition cases are located on each of the secured 
passenger concourses.

Exhibit: Play Time: Historical Toys & Contemporary Art
Current Exhibit: Timeless Sacramento
EXHIBIT DATES: February 24 - June 23, 2009


Robert T. Matsui Art Gallery--City of Sacramento City Hall
915 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Located in the H Street lobby of the new City Hall building.
Exhibit: Robert Takeo Matsui: A Visionary Advocate for Sacramento  
Dates: Opened April 14, 2009
Black and white photographic journey of the late
Congressman Matsui’s life from childhood to his days in Congress.


SMUD Art Gallery 
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Customer Service Center
6301 S Street at 65th Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
Hours - Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Located in the first floor lobby.

Hours: 	Monday – Friday 8:00 Am – 6:00 Pm
Exhibit: In the Pursuit of Truth--Sacramento Artists Exploring the African 
American Experience

Dates: May 1 – June 12
Reception: Thurs. May 29, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

These Sacramento Artists form the Kuumba Collective –
A group of emerging African American artists:

Marshall Dean Bailey
Frank Blackwell
Daphne Burgess
D. Pierre Butler
Edward Carley
Joyce M. Carley
Shonna McDaniels
Shakiri
Gerald (GOS) Simpson
Warren Spirling
Contact: SMAC  (916) 566-3992, sacgalleries@comcast.net

May 14, 1:00-3:30 p.m.:  “Working with Challenging Populations” Teaching 
Artist Workshop Series; free, but please RSVP. Location: S. Natomas Community 
Center Conference Room, 2921 Truxel Rd., Sacramento

June 2, 4:00-6:30 p.m.: “Teaching Artists’ Network” Teaching Artist Workshop 
Series: free, but please RSVP. Location: Clunie Community Center, 601 Alhambra 
Blvd., Sacramento