Professional development workshops for artists

MIDDLETOWN —"Grant Writing Essentials for Artists and Arts Organizations" will open a series on "Tools for Survival" presented by the Arts in Orange and the Arts Council of Rockland, beginning 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 10, at Arts in Orange in Middletown. Waddy Thompson, of the New York Foundation for the Arts, will discuss who can receive a grant and for what; finding government, corporate and foundation donors; attracting the donor's attention; creating a budget; writing a compelling proposal; soliciting feedback, and overcoming obstacles. The "Tools for Survival" series is designed to provide techniques and strategies for addressing issues faced by artists and organizations. All workshops, funded by the State Council on the Arts, are $15 and free to members of Arts in Orange and/or the Arts Council of Rockland. "Excel for Beginners" and "Photoshop for Beginners" will be presented by Betty McAleer, computer lab coordinator at the Rockland Teachers' Center, Wednesday, Feb. 16, at the Rockland Teachers' Center, in Thiells. Spreadsheet concepts and the features of Excel including how to set up a worksheet; formatting columns and rows; using functions in a worksheet; and using Excel as a database will begin 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m., followed by the photoshop presentation, which will include selecting; transforming; layers; masking; paths; text; and special effects using the paintbrush, pen, line, and gradient tools. Participants should bring an electronic image (jpeg format). Additional workshops will include "Building Blocks for Recruiting an Effective Board," Wednesday, March 23; and "Ask The Lawyer: A Panel Discussion," Wednesday, April 13. For information, call 956-0005; info@artsinorange.org