Mission * Programs * Administration * Membership

ABOUT THE
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN CULTURES (TAAC)

TAAC was created in 1985 by a resolution passed by the participants of Open Dialogue II. Open Dialogue II was the second national meeting ever held in the United States of artists and arts managers of color. The participants represented all arts disciplnes and all ethnically specific/minority communities. The resolution asked for the creation of a national arts service organization whose purpose would be to continue convening the "Open Dialogue" and to act as an advocate for the support of artists and arts organizations who were concerned with the preservation of their culturally specific idenitities through the arts.

MISSION: The mission of TAAC is to represent the distinctive and collective concerns of people of diverse populations in the United States and its Trust Territories, in regard to the preservation and creative vitality of their respective cultural identity through the arts. TAAC is committed to the concept of Cultural Diversity as a distinct element in American public arts policy.

WHO TAAC SERVES: The organization's originating focus was to provide services to "people of color" in America; specifically, African-Americans, Latinos, Asians and Native Americans. The organization has evolved to recognize the importance of including representatives of all ethnic cultures, in the Dialogue. TAAC supports the idea that America is a country of immigrants to the "New World." We appreciate our Native-American brothers and sisters for allowing us entree to their America. It is important that we all remember our ancestors and the traditions and beliefs that guided their lives. One can be a good American and simultaneously be proud of their ethnic origin, its customs, music, art and spiritual beliefs.

OBJECTIVES

To provide VISIBILITY for the issues and concerns of the culturally diverse arts community.

To disseminate INFORMATION for the general public and arts community on ethnic arts issues.

To embraceTECHNOLOGY and assist artists and arts managers of color to better utilize technological advancements in their work.

To encourage continuing EDUCATION thereby assisting constituents in developing their business and management skills and their entrepreneurial prowess.

To engage in ADVOCACY for the culturally diverse arts community in legislation, and public policy development.

To maintain a strong ADMINISTRTAION for TAAC to enable it to provide continuing services.

PROGRAMS

NEWSLETTER: TAAC currently publishes a newsletter twice a year. This newsletter includes information about all aspects of cultural diversity in the arts on a national basis and is delivered to a mailing list of 5,000 people across the country.

RESOURCE PUBLICATIONS: TAAC maintains of resource publications which are for sale made available at discount prices to its membership. Included is an array of Open Dialogue Conference documentation in the form of books and video and audio tapes. Also available are TAAC conference T-shirts and logo lapel pins.

OPEN DIALOGUE SYMPOSIUMS: TAAC presents a national symposium on cultural diversity in the arts every two years. The nextsymposium will take place June 3-7, 1997 in Dallas, Texas. This event is attended by over 600 representatives of color, all arts disciplines, across the U.S.

WORKSHOP SERIES: This year, two workshops will be presented before the Open Dialogues VIII symposium takes place in Dallas. The TAAC Intensive Entrepreneurial Pre-Conference workshop will help artistsand arts managers of color to develop the earned income concept within the non-profit structure.

The second workshop, Conversations on Cultural Exchange, is being presented in association with Afric Xchange, a program of 651 an arts center in partnership with Madame Walker Theatre Center and New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Both workshops target the artist and arts managers of color.

ADVOCACY: TAAC monitors national legislation which may have an impact on its constituency. It's fax alert broadcast system can inform members within hours of important activity in D.C. (paid by membership dues). TAAC participates annually in National Advocay Day, visiting Congressional offices in Washington D.C. and providing information on the needs of culturally specific artists and arts organizations. Additionally, TAAC is represented at meetings called by the NEA Chair and those of other arts service organizations in the United States whose purpose it is to inform public policy issues.

NATIONAL MAILING LIST: A national database of individuals and organizations of color and others committed to cultural diversity in the arts has been compiled. This mailing list is in constant change and is this countries best source for contacting cultural diverse artists and organizations.

ELECTRONIC PROGRAMS: In 1994 TAAC presented its entire Open Dialogue Symposium online with the computer telecommunications network called Artswire. The entire Artswire subscription base were able to see the conference take place on the day the activities took place. In 1996 TAAC present Open Dialogue VII on the World Wide Web. The program, that is providing this valuable information to computer users across the globe, will be continued with the convening of Open Dialogue VIII in Dallas..

ADMINISTRATION

OFFICE: TAAC is being operated out of the Ohio Arts Council, 727 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43205. The telephone numbers are (614) 466-2613, email: Phyllis Hairston

STAFF: TAAC is primarily a board run organization. Currently the business of TAAC is being managed by Phyllis Hairston.

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES: To assist TAAC in better assist TAAC in serving its constituency, 1998 will see the full implementation of the Regional Representative Program. Regions will follow closely those which have been established in conjunction with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies to ensure a cohesive interaction between TAAC's Representatives and the Regional Arts Organizations throughout the country. The board has also elected to maintain a Regional Representative in the United Kingdom to ensure continued participation in TAAC activities by the contingent from England.

FUNDING SOURCES: Funding for the TAAC organizational operation comes from several sources. It derives assistance from its membership base. Individual memberships start at $35 and go to $1000 for an angel. Organizational memberships range from $100 ($100-100,000 budget), $200 ($101,000-300,000 budgets), and $300 ($300,000 budget and above). Funds are also generated from State Arts Agencies and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support comes from private foundations such as the Coca Cola Foundation and Nathan Cummings Foundation . TAAC's annual budget is approximately $300,000.

MEMBERSHIP: TAAC draws its strength from its members. If you are in support of the preservation of culturally specific ethnic identity through the arts in America, please fill out the form below, make out a check and join this movement toward self affirmation for all Americans. (Click here for membership form)

Watch the hands count!