NEWS
City to Receive Iconic Sculptures to Commemorate Civil Rights History
The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro (UAC) will be presenting a public art gift of eight bronze coffee cups, the Coffee Cup Collaborative, to Mayor Johnson and the City of Greensboro on Monday, June 29th, 4:00 pm, at the Carolina Theatre, 310 S. Greene Street, in downtown Greensboro. Following a presentation at the Carolina Theatre, Mayor Johnson will receive the gift on behalf of the City outside the Melvin Municipal Office Building in the Governmental Plaza off S. Greene Street. Mayor Johnson officially declared June as Public Art Month to celebrate a number of significant public art projects taking place in June. The Coffee Cup Collaborative gift is unique, each bronze cup crafted by a different artist and located in eight different locations. Guided walking tours will be offered following the presentation of the gift.The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
The Coffee Cup Collaborative is a community-based public art project designed to celebrate the unique history of the City of Greensboro and the role it played in advancing the American civil rights movement through the momentous lunch counter sit-ins of 1960. The project was a joint effort between the UAC, International Civil Rights Center and Museum (ICRCM) and Action Greensboro's synerG group to provide a gateway for the public to share and honor the sit-in movement launched at Woolworth's on Monday afternoon, February 1, 1960. "We wanted to create a project that would use art to celebrate our history and educate people about the civil rights movement and Greensboro's role in it, and to generate a community dialogue," said Liz Summers, original project coordinator.
The Coffee Cup Collaborative Steering Committee solicited and selected artists for the project. Eight bronze sculptures, commemorating the request for a cup of coffee as the first words spoken in protest against segregated eating facilities, were created by area artists: Timothy Daniel, Charles Jenkins and Jay Rotberg from Greensboro; Derrick Monk and Leo Morrissey from Winston-Salem; Rodney Bennett of Asheboro, Kurt Gabriel of Charlotte and Gregory Colleton, a graduate of Winston-Salem State University now residing in McClellanville, SC. Each sculpture is accompanied by a quote to demonstrate the courage of the Greensboro Four to take a stand and make a difference. One sculpture is located at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, while the remaining pieces will be located downtown at the following locations: Governmental Plaza, Carolina Theatre, Hamburger Square, The Depot, Cultural Arts Center, Central Library, and the International Civil Rights Center and Museum (installation at the ICRCM will occur after construction is complete in 2010).
Coffee Cup Collaborative project funders include: Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro's Future Fund, American Express, Bell Foundation, Bicentennial Committee and Nexsen Pruet, LLC.
"Art has the ability to communicate complex concepts in ways that can be understood by all people. We are excited to engage both Greensboro residents and visitors about the ideas and events surrounding the 1960 sit-ins through the creation and permanent display of these coffee cups throughout Greensboro. They will inspire awareness and understanding today and for future generations," offered Jeanie Duncan, president of the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro. The United Arts Council plans to leverage this public art project as an educational tool to promote public awareness and conversation, and to serve as an attraction to downtown Greensboro to draw cultural tourists.
UAC Calls for Community Support to Raise $450,000 in Next 60 Days
The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro (UAC) has raised seventy-two percent of its $1.6 million United Arts Fund 2009 goal. Funds from the campaign provide vital dollars for the local arts industry, including community organizations, artists and schools. UAC board, volunteers and staff are diligently working to raise the remaining $450,000 over the next 65 days; the 2009 annual campaign concludes on June 30. Strong community support is essential to reach the goal and help sustain Greensboro’s vital arts industry and creative community.
For 2009, total fundraising trails by eleven percent compared to 2008 campaign figures. The UAC attributes this comparative gap to the challenging economy and timing -- the Council made a conscious decision to delay individual solicitation until after fall 2008 elections. Nearly two-thirds, sixty-four percent, of the dollars raised to date are leadership gifts of $5,000 and greater – seven percent less than last year’s leadership contributions.* Corporate and foundation giving account for approximately forty percent of gifts to date and individuals represent seventeen percent. The remaining funds raised to date are public support dollars from the State of North Carolina and the City of Greensboro; however, State support from the NC Arts Council has been reduced by nine percent for 2009.
Early on, trailing campaign results spurred the UAC to conduct a mid-year budget reforecast in December, reducing its current fiscal year budget by twelve percent. This precautionary measure was instituted to ensure prudent fiscal management in a challenging economic environment. Positive campaign results may enable the UAC to restore funding previously cut to local arts organizations and reductions made in personnel and community services.
Dollars and donors are needed to achieve the $1.6 million goal. The UAC depends on individual donations and the outcome of advocacy efforts encouraging continued financial investment from Guilford County and the NC General Assembly. Number of donors for 2009 is tracking 365 fewer than the number of donors for 2008. This continues the downward trend of in total campaign donors, which saw a decline of 177 in 2008 over 2007 figures. “Unfortunately, local results follow a national trend where we see fewer numbers of donors comprising the total dollars given,” says Jeanie Duncan, Council president & CEO. “For us, increasing the number of donors giving to the arts is just as important as increasing total giving. The arts touch everyone and we believe that everyone has the capacity to make a gift to the arts – every dollar makes a real difference.”
In 2008, the UAC raised a record $1.607 million in support of the arts, disbursing fifty-nine percent of the funds through grants and thirty percent through services while maintaining an overhead of approximately eleven percent. “Clearly, the UAC’s investment in Greensboro is vital to our local economy,” says Angela Orth, 2009 United Arts Fund chair. “Continued community support is needed for the UAC and the local arts industry to weather the current economic downturn. It is important for Greensboro to embrace a strong arts and culture sector and creative workforce as critical factors in attracting and retaining businesses.” The Guilford County arts industry generates nearly 1,100 jobs with an economic impact of $30.7 million. Arts and culture is our state’s fastest growing segment of the tourism industry.
*The UAC is fortunate to have received support through more than 30 leadership gifts from the following:
ABC Foundation AIG United Guaranty Corporation
American Express Service Center Bank of America
Bell Foundation Burlington Industries Foundation
Cemala Foundation Citi Cards
City of Greensboro Duke Energy Foundation
Fairway Outdoor Advertising of the Triad Greensboro Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Hillsdale Fund, Inc. Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greater Greensboro
Leeper Kean & Rumley, LLP Lincoln Financial Group
Lorillard Tobacco Company Piedmont Triad Partnership
Proctor & Gamble State of North Carolina
SunTrust Bank The Brooks Group
VF Corporation VF Jeanswear (Blue Bell Foundation)
Weaver Foundation, Inc. Mr. Joseph M. Bryan, Jr.
Mrs. Mary Ann K. Bush Mr. & Mrs. Alan W. Cone
Mr. Bynum Hunter & Ms. Bonnie McElveen-Hunter Mrs. Barbara C. Kretzer
Ms. Debby L. Reynolds Mrs. Katherine G. Stern
Entrepreneurship for Creatives Aims at Economic Development
The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, in collaboration with the Piedmont Triad Partnership, is launching an educational workshop series -- Entrepreneurship for Creatives -- for artists and creative workers. The program is open to individuals in the 12-county Piedmont Triad Region and is part of the Piedmont Triad Partnership's regional strategy to support entrepreneurship in the creative industries.
Entrepreneurship for Creatives will cover a variety of topics, from developing a mission/vision statement to writing a business plan and pricing product. Instructors will come from across the Triad. The program's objective is to provide valuable training to artists and creative workers in order to grow the regional economy through the creation of new small businesses. Entrepreneurship for Creatives, in connection with a regional strategy, will grow the creative economy in the Piedmont Triad.
The program consists of three Saturday workshops to be held on April 25, May 2, and June 6. Curriculum will provide the artist with information and business skills -- from market research to intellectual property laws to social networking and strategic planning. Instructors are professionals and/or artists within the Triad community who have significant experience in their specific area or discipline. Workshops will run 9am - 6pm and will be held at the Greensboro Cultural Center in downtown Greensboro. Tuition of $150.00 covers all three workshops as well as networking lunches, workbook, small business resources guide, certificate of completion, and parking. Scholarships are also available. Deadline to register is April 22, 2009. Additional financial support has been provided by the Piedmont Triad Partnership through a US DOL WIRED Grant and Duke Energy.
2009 Arts Education Teacher of the Year Announced
The UAC and Guilford County Schools, with support from New Xperience Entertainment, presented the 2009 Arts Education Teacher of the Year award on March 26. Winner of the 2009 award was Andy Mock from Jefferson Elementary. Dena Adams of Northwest Guilford Middle School and Lisa Woods of Weaver Academy were finalists.
The award celebrates teachers who provide outstanding arts education, encouraging students to develop their imaginations, fine motor skills, communication, creative abilities, and more. Mock was announced as the 2009 Guilford County Arts Education Teacher of the Year and presented with a plaque and $1,000 towards professional development. Finalists Adams and Woods were presented plaques and $300 for use in professional development.
The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro is honored to work in partnership with Guilford County Schools and New Xperience Entertainment to recognize these exceptional educators.
2009 United Arts Fund Cabinet Announced
The UAC welcomes six returning members to the 2009 United Arts Fund cabinet: Rob Kidwell, Angie Orth, Nancy Radtke, Mickey Renner, Chris Taylor, and Susan Wolfe.
Rob Kidwell will remain in his position leading the Renaissance Corporate Campaign Division. A dedicated patron to the arts, Rob serves as board members for the United Arts Council and the Greensboro Opera Company.
Angie Orth returns as Chair for the 2009 Campaign Cabinet. “I feel very fortunate to lead the United Arts Fund again this year. The arts create a vibrant community and a great place to live. The [UAF] Cabinet is filled with dedicated, loyal arts advocates…I feel confident that we will have a successful campaign.”
Nancy Radtke, a UAF Campaign Cabinet member since 2005, resumes her position on the Vanguard Individual Division. An avid ambassador of the community, Nancy understands the “need for individual and community support of the arts.”
Mickey Renner will continue with the Vanguard Corporate Division as he begins his fourth campaign will the United Arts Council. “The Arts are a vital part to our community and I feel honored to be a part of helping…With the Arts, our community is much more vibrant and enjoyable, making this a great place to live.”
Chris Taylor returns for his fifth campaign with the UAC, and his third as the Vanguard Corporate Divisions Chair. Chris values the importance of the UAC and championing the Arts within the community. “Without its support, we wouldn’t have such a vibrant arts community, enhancing our quality of life, and attracting new residents and businesses to the area.”
Susan Wolfe is a very involved member of the community and continues in her position with the Renaissance Corporate Campaign Division. Susan is committed to supporting and being an advocate for the UAC and in the past has appeared before the Board of County Commissioners to request their support for the arts in Guilford County.
The United Arts Fund assists the UAC in securing resources, financial and otherwise, in order to further the Arts Council’s mission. Their goal is to raise money in order to provide investment and services for artists, teachers, and arts organizations in the Greater Greensboro community.
UAC Welcomes Seven New Board Members
The UAC welcomed seven new members to the board of directors at the Council’s January board meeting. New directors bring representation of Greensboro’s diverse community to the Council board. Jeanie Duncan, president of the UAC says, “We recognized that our board did not adequately reflect all segments of our community. We believe we can better serve the residents of Greater Greensboro when they are better represented. Our new members are dedicated to the cultural growth of our community and we are pleased to have these arts supporters join us.”
New directors include: Mayor Yvonne Johnson, Margaret Collins, Kathy Hinshaw, Ed Kitchen, Nancy Radtke, Mac Sims, and Dr. Anthony Wade.
Mayor Yvonne Johnson has been involved with numerous nonprofit organizations. She brings extensive knowledge and experience through her service as mayor, city council member, and as director for One Step Further.
Margaret Collins serves as director for the Creative Enterprises and the Arts with the Piedmont Triad Partnership. She previously served as development director for the Winston Salem Symphony. She formerly served as a member of the board of directors for the National Association of Performing Arts Managers.
Kathy Hinshaw, a native of Peru, has worked with the Latino community in Greensboro for the past eight years. Currently, she serves Greensboro’s growing Latino community through the UNCG Center for New North Carolinians.
Ed Kitchen, vice president of the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation, believes “a vibrant arts culture is essential to any progressive community.” Kitchen is a former Greensboro city manager and currently campaign chair for the United Way of Greater Greensboro.
Nancy Radtke, realtor with Allen Tate, understands the “need for individual and community support of the arts.” She has been an avid ambassador of the community, and has served as a member of the United Arts Fund Campaign Cabinet since 2005.
Mac Sims serves as President of the East Market Street Development Corporation in Greensboro. Sims is committed to the revitalization of East Greensboro and its unique cultural environment.
Dr. Anthony Wade, relatively new to Greensboro, brings a wide range of human relations experience to the UAC. As human relations director for the City of Greensboro, he is keenly interested the welfare of our community and citizens.
PIEDMONT TRIAD INITIATIVE FOR COMMUNITY ARTS (PTICA)
The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro aong with Salem College, Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County and the High Point Area Arts Council is presenting a multi-year project to encourage the application of the arts to change individual lives and communities for the better.
PTICA seeks to foster lasting reciprocal working relationships between arts organizations, artists and the broader community.
An information session on the grant application and process will be held at the Greensboro Cultural Center on Tuesday, January 13 from 10-11:30 in the Board Room. For more information on this meeting, contact the UAC at 336.373.7523, ext. 242.
For more information on PTICA, including examples that are already happening in the Triad, visit the PTICA web site.
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