4.0. SR 08-23-1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e PROGRAMS OF THE ELK RIVER AREA ARTS COUNCIL THAT NEED YOUR FUNDING IN 1994, AND THE BENEFITS WE WANT TO BRING TO THE COMMUNITY WITH THESE PROGRAMS In order of expense, cost excluding Coordinator's wages: Strings for Youth: Violin lessons that are affordable to almost every student that has shown interest. For anyone that wants to take these group lessons but is unable to pay, we pay for lesson and only ask that they pay when they can. This happened only once; the student's parents did pay for all but one session. Cynthia Soltis teaches traditional American fiddle style as well as classical tunes. (The fiddle style at the highest levels of skill can be seen in the area at fiddle contests in local fairs and festivals, and at the Minnesota Old-Time and Blue Grass Association Festival at Camp in the Woods near Zimmerman.) We are planning to develop the program into a youth orchestra for those that want that as a goal. That will mean more classical music in the 1993-94 term. 1994-95, we plan to teach other stringed intruments, which will call for an additional teacher. About 150 students a year register for the program. Program costs about $6500 a year. About $2650 in student fees come in per year. I have asked for and received some grants and charitable gambling money for the program from the Central Minnesota Arts Board, the United Way, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Arts in the Park: Concerts in the bandshell in Lions Park every Sunday all summer. All musicians and performers are professional. About half are local, including some people who have played professionally elsewhere, but have not had a "gig" and an audience in their own home town. The concerts include jazz, country music, popular music, traditional and ethnic music and events especially for children. All concerts are suitable for the whole family. Advantages of the outdoor atmosphere, beside its beauty, are the fact that even tiny babies can come along to concerts without disturbing other audience members or performers unduly (The one disadvantage of the outdoor setting is the threat of lightning storm - it would be nice to have an alternative site). Arts in the Park costs about $5500 a year. We make about $300 a year by selling pop, hotdogs, etc. I have also sought and received grants from the Central Minnesota Arts Board, the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, and the Elk River Jaycees for this program. Membership is also promoted at the concerts; but nothing that costs money is promoted enough to make someone who has no money feel uncomfortable there. We intend this program to add to the quality of life in Elk River by providing a regular, quality entertainment event where people of all ages and from all walks of life can meet and feel at home. (See special report on this year's Arts in the Park enclosed.) The use of an office would save us $2100 a year, which would go into programs. Office space for the Elk River Community Theatre would save them $1500 a year. Our fall fund raiser event, another musical variety show A Century of Music and Comedy, is in the works. We plan this event to be of artistic merit, and to give about 60 people of all ages (Last year approximately ages six to seventy-six), an exciting experience being onstage; or playing a vital role backstage. We have another fund raiser event in the works for winter, 1993. We think that one will be fun and of merit to the community while it helps fund ourselves.