Artists and organizations encourage connection/participation
By Kathryn M. Morgan
Theatre has existed since the dawn of man. Whether telling stories around a fire or drawing on cave walls, art – in one form or another – has long been an essential means of connecting and communicating with each other. But in a metropolitan area of roughly five million people, it is easy to loose the sense of community that our early ancestors must have felt. That is where the arts step in.
“The performing arts provide tools that allow us to keep in touch with our common humanity and build community,” says Carol MacLeod, artistic director of Theatre Artists Studio. “They help us to explain our feelings and emotions, understand past and present times and cultures, charge our imaginations, develop new insight and compassion and contribute to the celebration of the human spirit, which should be the core of community”
Although economic times are tough, many arts organizations have so far been able to weather the storm, and the upcoming performing arts season is proof of their tenacity.
“Arts organizations in Arizona continue to provide access to creative and quality experiences in theatre, the visual arts, dance, literature and film to our residents, families and children,” says Robert C. Booker, executive director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. “Due in part to modest public funding through the Commission, we see arts activities taking place in every corner of our state. Our vision is that every Arizonan can participate in and experience the arts wherever they live.”
Those arts activities have an enormous financial impact on the communities they serve. According to a recent study done by Americans for the Arts, the annual economic impact in Phoenix, including nonprofit arts organizations and their audience members, totaled $361,046,463 – this figure does not include ticket sales.
Booker explains that the economic impact of the arts in Arizona is reflected in a number of ways, “The arts grow local community development and business development and a strong arts industry go hand in hand. The arts support jobs; they provide tax revenue, help with tourism development and drive a creativity-based economy.”
Beyond the financial impact, the arts can have long-lasting personal effect on those who participate. From the audience and patrons, to the visual artists, actors, performers, directors, choreographers and writers, the arts provide a connection to something larger than just the individual participating. There is a give-and-take that occurs between an artist and his or her audience – whether a performer on stage or an artist communicating on canvas. The experience can be highly personal, but the dialogue is a public one.
“Behind just about every social activity you enjoy is probably some form of the arts,” says Judith Dauncey, a local visual artist. “We are here to express the fears, hopes, joys and struggles of this day and age.”
MacLeod agrees, “The performing arts explore, define, deepen and celebrate the human experience.”
As the 2010-11 performing arts season gets underway, there is a lot to celebrate, and residents can look forward to experiencing new and revitalized venues.
“The Valley finally has a new Latino Cultural Center [run by a group called ALAC] downtown,” enthuses Marcos Najera, a Valley actor and journalist. “It’s across the street from Symphony Hall. Old school Phoenicians know the space as the first Arizona Science Center. I remember going there as a kid on fields trip – my, how our proud city has grown!”
Also new this fall, the Herberger Theatre Center reopens its doors after a summer spent undergoing major renovations [see Arts, page 33], and milestones are reached as Ballet Arizona and Actors Theatre both celebrate their 25th season this year and Phoenix Theatre celebrate its 90th season.
As the Valley arts community continues to grow and mature, the role of the audience in this community-building experience is to connect and participate. Put simply:
show up.
Cave Creek Residents Asked To Cut Energy
Federal grant received for
conservation efforts
By Curtis Riggs
A local environmental group is encouraging Cave Creek residents and business people to cut their energy use after receiving a federal grant designed to reduce energy consumption nationwide.
Green Cave Creek, which is the former Cave Creek Green Committee, received a $49,150 grant from the Arizona Department of Commerce this fall. The grant is designed to educate people about reducing their energy consumption while promoting other energy-efficiency opportunities.
“This ambitious undertaking is an important step forward in our efforts to make Cave Creek sustainable,” says Patrick Grady, chairman of the recently re-named committee.
Green Cave Creek communications officer Greg Smith says using CFL light bulbs and energy-efficient appliances are a couple of ways that energy consumption can be reduced. He refers to the purchase of the Spur Cross Ranch property by Cave Creek residents as a good sign that citizens will accept a plan to reduce energy.
“In how many towns do voters tax themselves to save a desert area from the bulldozers?” he asks.
Green Cave Creek will use the grant to encourage energy conservation by everyone in Cave Creek over the next two years.
To learn more about the energy-reduction program visit cavecreek.org.
