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The Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County |  |
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Reservations for the 11th annual Arts Recognition
Awards celebration sponsored by the Arts and Culture
Commission of Contra Costa County (AC5) may be made
by Friday, October 20 by calling AC5 at (925)
646-2278. Admission is a $10 donation.
Reservations allow AC5 to plan appropriate seating
and refreshments, which will be served following the
ceremony in El Campanil Theatre in Antioch.
However, individuals who decide at the last minute
that they want to attend will be accommodated and
may make their donation at the door. The event will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday,
October 22. Honorees this year are:
"The sector," the study says, "is being challenged by major demographic, economic and technological and social factors outside its immediate control. . . Cultural producers that are able and willing to adjust to changing conditions are succeeding, those that can't or won't are becoming obsolete." The study says that "many nonprofit arts organizations . . . have continued to operate under an outdated understanding of what the general public values." The study cites the growth in audiences for events that are more participatory, such as street fairs. In addition, more people are making their own music and videos. "The process of helping the sector must be built on a common understanding of the larger environmental context and the evolving dynamics of cultural provision and consumption," the study says.
Although "many cultural nonprofit groups still
prefer to believe that the current challenges are a
result of a cyclical economic downturn . . . the
evidence suggests that this is a permanent
structural change."
The study also concludes that "there is now a
serious imbalance: the current level of public
participation and financial support is not
sufficient for what the nonprofit sector needs to
survive. As a result, an increasing number of
organizations are facing significant financial
hardship." Titled "Critical Issues Facing the Arts in California," the study, released in September, provides "initial findings" in the first phase of a project to examine the forces, trends, and challenges facing the California arts sector today. The foundation is inviting comments at www.californiaculture.blogspot.com until October 31. The study is available at: www.irvine.org. The foundation has been a funder of the arts since its inception in 1937.
In addition, $500 million will be distributed on a one-time basis for the purchase of arts, music and/or physical education professional development, supplies and equipment. With these resources, schools will be able to provide professional development for teachers, as well as make investments in items including musical instruments, kilns, photographic equipment and other equipment that supports standards-based instruction. Grants will be allocated to school districts, charter schools and county offices of education on an equal amount per pupil, based on the number of pupils in kindergarten and grades one through twelve, with a minimum funding level of $2500 for small schools. -- California Alliance for Arts Education
The following commentary is by Harold Beaulieu, vice chair of the Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County. It appeared in the September 6-1 edition of the Globe in Richmond. For about four years I have had the privilege of working with young people in the Iron Triangle of Richmond, which, according to some, is "the 12th most dangerous neighborhood in the nation." This has not been my experience. It may or may not be as dangerous as some say, but the positive spirit of the youth there is as high as in any other neighborhood in the nation. This summer I found myself back at Opportunity West looking into the faces of young people waiting (anxiously) for the chance to improve the community they live in. As an adult facilitator, my job is easy. "What do you want to do?" is all I need to ask. I hear, "Let's clean up this park, make it nice for the children who live here," "Show some pride in our neighborhood." The responses are always the same. "End the violence and stop the hating." We all want a better world to live in, regardless of age. With attitudes like this, coupled with the boundless energy of youth, all things are possible - especially in Richmond, and these young people know it. The playground at Nevin Park was recently painted by some of these enthusiastic youth. Bright, primary colors have replaced the faded and peeling paint, and the playground is now much more inviting. Everyone who participated agreed: "If we had more paint, we would paint the entire park." I was left to wonder, if they had enough paint, could they paint the entire town? |
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