HB4693 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB093 19184 NHT 44919 b

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
HB4693

Introduced 02/04/04, by Wyvetter H. Younge

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Katherine Dunham Academy for Performing, Visual, and Cultural Arts Act. Establishes the academy, to be located in East St. Louis, Illinois. Provides that the school shall admit students in grades prekindergarten through 12 and students seeking baccalaureate degrees who have been determined eligible to attend. Provides that the school shall be funded by federal grants and State appropriations. Provides that private contribution and endowment programs may be established. Provides that the school shall be governed by a board of trustees, who shall appoint a director to be the chief administrative officer. Lists the powers and duties of the board.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning an academy for performing, visual, and cultural arts.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Katherine Dunham Academy for Performing, Visual, and Cultural Arts Act.

Section 5. Policy and purposes. It shall be the policy of the State of Illinois to seek out and nurture the artistic talent of students from throughout the State in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 and students seeking baccalaureate degrees who exhibit unique artistic ability, in order to preserve and enhance the State's historic commitment to the cultural richness that contributes to the ability of the State to attract and maintain a citizenry who choose to reside in Illinois for its support of a quality life as well as for its economic advantages. It shall further be the policy of this State to enlist the support of the educational, professional, and commercial communities in a cooperative effort to provide excellence in arts education and to serve as a model for the development of innovative instructional techniques and curricula. As a symbol of this cooperative endeavor, there shall be established the Katherine Dunham Academy for Performing, Visual, and Cultural Arts to serve the people of Illinois as a place to nourish the creativity of its youth who possess outstanding talent in the performing, visual, or cultural arts and to return these young people to their home community better prepared to make a contribution to the cultural opportunities available in their town.

The primary mission of the Academy is to seek out artistically talented students from throughout the State and to immerse them in challenging arts programs, unlike those typically available in local schools, where, under the instruction of outstanding teachers and professional artists, they will better understand how their talents can be further developed. The visual arts program shall include painting, weaving, pottery, silk screen design, and sculpture. The performing arts program shall include performances in theaters, operas, television, colleges, schools, and federal, State, and local programs. Additionally, the Academy will provide opportunities to test new approaches in the teaching of the arts and staff development and serve as a model for school programming that can be carried out in schools statewide. The Academy shall also carry a responsibility to provide instruction about how the participants, whether student, intern, or teacher, can make a positive contribution to the development of the arts in their local community upon their return home.

The mission of the Academy shall be carried out through the following means:

(1) Regionally based talent searches shall be conducted to identify the most artistically talented students from throughout the State in the arts.

(2) Teachers for the Academy shall be selected from throughout the State and the world based upon criteria that insure the highest quality faculty represented by professional artists known for the quality of their work, teachers of the arts recognized for their excellence in teaching and curriculum development by their colleagues, and individuals possessing unique insights about the commercial and professional possibilities available to aspiring artists.

(3) The instructional program shall be enhanced by visiting lecturers, performers, and special exhibits open to the public by way of open houses and audience participation.

(4) The Academy shall network with existing professional organizations, universities, and arts programs to foster the exchange of personnel, equipment, and conceptual enrichment. Such interaction shall include contributions in kind as well as consulting relationships.

(5) Faculty of the Academy shall present professional papers and lectures around the State and in professional conferences nationally about the program and the potential for improved arts programming at the local level.

(6) Participants will have access to facilities and equipment seldom available in most school settings where they will be able to expand their knowledge of the mediums available to creative artists in the professional and commercial worlds.

Section 10. Establishment, funding, and location. There is hereby created the Katherine Dunham Academy for Performing, Visual, and Cultural Arts, which shall be an arts program located in East St. Louis, Illinois. The Academy shall be funded by federal grants and State appropriations. Private contributions and endowment programs may be established. Special scholarships shall be available to assist economically disadvantaged students and special needs students who require assistance or who may have other exceptional needs that, if not addressed, would deny their participation in the program. The Academy shall admit students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 and students seeking baccalaureate degrees who have been determined to be eligible to attend based upon the criteria established for the arts area of their talent. Furthermore, students shall be selected from throughout the State to maintain a geographically representative population.

Section 15. Board of trustees. The Katherine Dunham Academy for Performing, Visual, and Cultural Arts shall become an independent, freestanding program governed by a board of trustees. The board shall be appointed by the Governor from nominations submitted by the Illinois Arts Council and State Superintendent of Education. Representation on the board shall include individuals knowledgeable about the arts, quality educational standards, and the business community. The board of trustees shall be not fewer than 11 nor greater than 17. The Illinois Arts Council and the State Superintendent of Education shall each nominate 2 candidates for consideration by the Governor for each vacancy. With the exception of the initial appointments, the members' terms of office shall be for 6 years. At the first meeting, members shall draw lots for appointments of 2-year, 4-year, or 6-year initial terms. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the terms by appointment of a nominated candidate submitted by whomever nominated the person causing such vacancy. The initial terms shall commence upon appointment and upon expiration of a term. The member shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed. The board shall select a chair from among its members who shall serve a 2-year term as chair. Members shall receive no salary but shall be reimbursed for all ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties as members of the board.

Within 30 days after the effective date of this Act, nominations shall be submitted to the Governor for membership on the board. The Governor shall appoint a minimum of 11 members to the board within 60 days of receiving the nominations for board membership from the Illinois Arts Council and the State Superintendent of Education. The board shall convene within 30 days after being appointed. The first order of business shall be the selection of a chair and the selection of a Director for the Academy.

Section 20. Powers and duties of the board.

(a) The board of trustees is hereby authorized to:

(1) Accept non-cash donations and direct financial assistance toward scholarships from any public or private person or agency, seek out federal grants, and comply with rules and regulations governing grants from the federal government or from any other person or agency, which are not in contravention of the Illinois Constitution or the laws of the State of Illinois.

(2) Purchase equipment, materials, and supplies necessary for the use of the Academy in accordance with the Illinois Procurement Code.

(3) Adopt, amend, or repeal rules and policies necessary or proper for the conduct of the business of the board.

(4) Award certificates, recognition, and distinguished service or professional accomplishment distinctions for persons deserving of such recognition.

(5) Appoint a Director who shall be the chief administrative officer of the school and who shall administer the rules and policies adopted by the board pursuant to this Act. The Director shall also be the chief administrative officer of the board and shall be responsible for all the administrative functions, duties, and needs of the board.

(6) Determine faculty and staff positions necessary for the efficient operation of the Academy and select personnel for such positions. The appointment of such faculty and staff shall not be subject to the Personnel Code.

(7) Prepare and adopt an annual budget necessary for the continued operation of the Academy.

(8) Enter into contracts and agreements in accordance with applicable law, and, to the extent that funds are specifically appropriated therefore, with other public agencies with respect to cooperative enterprises and undertakings related to or associated with an education in the Academy. This shall not preclude the board from entering into other such contracts and agreements that may be deemed necessary to carry out its duties and functions.

(9) Perform such other functions as are necessary to the supervision and control of those phases of education under its supervision and control.

(b) The Board shall delegate to the Director such of its administrative powers and duties as it deems appropriate to aid the Director in the efficient administration of his or her responsibility for the implementation of the policies of the board.

(c) In addition to the authorities granted in this Section and any powers, duties, and responsibilities vested by any other applicable laws, the board shall:

(1) Adopt rules and policies necessary for the efficient operation of the Academy.

(2) Establish criteria to be used in determining eligibility of applicants for enrollment. Such criteria shall ensure adequate geographic, sexual, and ethnic representation.

(3) Determine subject and arts experiences and extracurricular activities to be offered.

(4) Pay salaries and expenses, including but not necessarily restricted to facilities, equipment, and supplies of the faculty and staff of the Academy, out of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for the operating and administrative expenses of the board.

(5) Exercise budgetary responsibility and allocate for expenditure by the Academy and programs under its jurisdiction all moneys appropriated or otherwise made available for purposes of the board and of such Academy programs.

(6) Prepare and adopt or approve programs of study and rules and bylaws for the conduct of students and for the government of the Academy and programs under its jurisdiction.

(7) Employ such personnel as may be needed, establish policies governing their employment and dismissal, and fix the amount of their compensation. In the employment, establishment of policies, and fixing of compensation, the Board may make no discrimination on account of sex, race, creed, color, or national origin.