Get Your Arts in Gear, the Ohio Arts Council's 2000 conference, scheduled for October 5-7 in Columbus, will feature engaging sessions on fund raising, marketing and promotions and arts in education.

The Arts Council has scheduled special conference sessions for individual artists to better serve their needs and to bring artists and administrators together in the spirit of collaboration and partnership. Participants will explore important issues in the arts and gain insights that will help them make the arts work better for all Ohioans.

Get Your Arts in Gear will give every member of the arts community a chance to forge new partnerships, create new fund raising strategies and prepare a marketing plan that works in todayıs competitive world. Artists and arts administrators are invited to join their colleagues from around the state October 5-7 at the Hyatt on Capitol Square, 75 East State Street in downtown Columbus.

Artists, arts managers, directors, board members, volunteers, education and outreach personnel and arts enthusiasts will find the Ohio Arts Councilıs 2000 Conference rewarding and inspiring.

Registration materials will be mailed in late August.

The Ohio Alliance for Arts Education has announced that The Bacon Brothers, actor and musician Kevin Bacon and his Emmy award winning musician brother Michael will serve as the organization's spokesmen supporting arts education. OAAE plans to feature the brothers in print and public service announcements stressing the importance of the arts in education and encouraging the public to support arts funding legislation. Kevin Bacon and his wife have two children.

"My kids love music and drama. I guess in our case it definitely runs in the family," said Kevin Bacon. "But so many kids out there have little or no access to the arts in any form. My brother and I believe very strongly in organizations like OAAE that work hard to make sure the schools continue to include arts programs."

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