Happy New Year: What's Your Odometer Reading?

Indeed! Happy New Year to All!

With the new year comes the major shifting of our calendars, planners, and recordkeeping from the previous year into the new year. For those of us in the performing arts, this may have significance as we track expenses and expense generating activities. One the major expenses for many are the costs of operating a vehicle for our business purposes.

In December 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), issued the 2016 optional standard mileage rate that is to be used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business purposes. Beginning on January 1, 2016, the standard mileage rate for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) is 54 cents per mile for business miles driven. The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The decrease of 3.5 cents per mile from the 2015 optional standard mileage rate is, no doubt due, to the general decrease in gas prices seen in late 2015.

It may also be good to note here, as many of us are asked to volunteer our time, that the 2016 rate for miles driven in service of charitable organizations is 14 cents per mile driven.

HELPFUL TIP: It’s still early ... Be sure to write down your odometer mileage reading to document the end of 2015 / beginning of 2016. This will be helpful in calculating the number of business mileage traveled vs. your commuting and personal-use miles driven with your vehicle.

If your eyes are glazing over, be sure to consult your tax professional and refer to the details in the IRS Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift and Car Expenses via the IRS website.

source:  IRS Notice 2016-01  

The Arts, A Market Economy, Quit Day Job?

Former Rykodisc label head and Loyola  University, New Orleans professor George Howard speaks in a 2007 Master Class at Loyola about the economic and business realities that aspiring musicians and businesspeople need to face in order to succeed in today’s music business. Topics include:

• the economics of independence
• how capitalism supports the arts
• how technology is altering the economics of music distribution
• the Long Tail & niche marketing
• using the machinery of a capitalist economy to sell your music to people who want to buy it.

Included below is the 2nd clip from the full video from Artist House.  Click here to watch full video.

In this clip from www.artistshousemusic.org - Former Rykodisc label head and Loyola University, New Orleans professor George Howard speaks to a class about the role of capitalism and business in supporting and disseminating art, and how independent artists can put this dynamic to use for them. Part 2 of 7.

Conference Season in New York City

January is here and with it comes many of the industry events, conferences, and showcases. Oh My!

photo by Laura Sells-Doyle

Of particular interest is New York State Presenters Network Artist Roster Showcase taking place at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center on Saturday, January 11th. Pianist Rose Chancler and marimbist Jane Boxall as Ricochet Duo will be on stage as one of nine ensembles on the NYS 2014-2015 Artist Roster. These ensembles in collaboration with New York State Presenters are eligible for the NYS Presenter/Artist Partnership funding. More information is available here.

If you are a concert presenter and know your audience would love to hear a mix of word-infused jazz, please be sure to visit Shantel Dow at the Dow Artists' Booth Booth #309 in Rhinlander Hall at the APAP Conference. Dow Artists is now booking the Rob Ryndak Ensemble.

Great sounds all the way around!