Keeping Arts Available

 Keeping Arts Available

by Sara Penny, CCAC Vice President

     You can make a difference in keeping our arts organizations healthy. Many local volunteers serve onstage, backstage, and at their computers. Thankfully many generous donors make it possible to share the arts in our community.

     "Museums, theaters, and public art installations are all made possible thanks to the nonprofits that run them. Because they pay for admission or tickets, most people don’t realize they’re receiving nonprofit services. And because those fees cover less than half the cost, performing arts organizations and museums are heavily dependent on contributions from funders and individuals," wrote Lori Guidry in an article about how we all benefit from nonprofits every day. 

      There can be a misconception that the admission price covers the costs of a play or concert. By the time you cover venue costs, costumes, sets, tech equipment, and much more the ticket price is just part of the equation. Arts groups are always writing grant proposals, doing fundraising, and working to fill in the pieces of the financial puzzle.

     Recently both the Utah Department of Arts and Museums and the National Endowment of the Arts announced cutbacks. Many awarded grants were cancelled. This makes local support even more important. 

     Thankfully we have the RAP (Recreation, Arts, and Parks) fund, but this will not cover the state and national losses for all of the arts groups. You are welcome on June 11 at 9 a.m. at the City Council Chambers on Main and Center to hear the projects that the RAP applicants are presenting this year. 

     In the meantime we hope you will check out the paintings from the Plein Air competition that are now on display at the Cedar City library. This project was supported by an Arts Council mini-grant. The artists were outside painting our beautiful scenery at the end of May. There were over 20 participants this year according to Michael Clark who directed operations.

     When you go to the Randall Theatre for the Utah Shakespeare Festival, notice the art display by the Kolob Gallery artists. 

     On June 20 there is the Opening Reception for the Summer Exhibitions at the Southern Utah  Museum of Art from 4 to 8 p.m.

     Several stunning pieces of art are in our local businesses. We are fortunate that the Cedar City business community supports the arts community. Some of my personal favorites are the Jimmy Jones' paintings at the State Bank of Southern Utah. 

     We appreciate the musicians preparing for the CAIFA Patriotic concert on June 29, at 7:00 p.m. at the Catholic Church. We hope you will get involved as an usher at the Heritage Center or USF. If you have grant writing skills your favorite arts organization would appreciate your help. Many can also use publicity assistance.

     When you can donate financially that is a huge gift to the organization as well as the community.

     As you know, I love when you help document the arts and promote upcoming events. Our monthly arts newsletter edited by Ann Oberhelman is posted on our social media and emailed to CCAC members. We appreciate information by the 15th for the following month. Send information and posters to cedarcityartscouncil@gmail.com. Thanks to everyone building our local arts community. 

(Cedar City Arts Council column for Iron County Today)