The Rotary Club of Scottsdale hosted an Arts Program, in which creative, imaginative and resilient arts leaders shared historical and future
perspectives of respective arts programs within City of Scottsdale and Valley. The program was organized and facilitated by Rotarian Jim Bruner,
who for years has provided leadership in arts and philanthropic endeavors
The hybrid Rotary luncheon meeting held at The McCormick Scottsdale met itsCOVID capacity (50 Rotarians and guests) and social distancing guidelines. There were an additional 25 Rotarians attending via the Club’s Zoom technology (facilitated by Rotarian Wendy Wentz). Online Zoom attendees included Rotarian participants located in Scottsdale and around Arizona, as well as, international guests from Poland and the United Kingdom.
Following are highlights of each panel member’s statements:
* Trudy Hays, Executive Director Scottsdale Artists’ School: Per Ms. Hays, the School is dedicated to the artistic enrichment of the community
and to developing the capabilities of artists and aspiring artists by teaching the applied fundamentals of fine art. The School, located in downtown Scottsdale Arts District in an Old Town historic building, was founded in 1983 by a group of dedicated artists and community leaders. The school offers over 250 workshops with 80% of the artisan instructors being from out of state. The School offers online courses, virtual lectures, arts shows, art competitions, demonstrations, exhibits and more for people of all ages. Its Youth Academy, classes, school outreach, youth camps and
partnership with Scottsdale Sister Cities connect with thousands of young people living in Scottsdale and throughout the world. Currently, the School
is offering “take and make” art boxes. See: www.scottsdaleartsschool.org <http://www.scottsdaleartsschool.org>
* Dr. Tricia Loscher, Chief Curator and Assistant Director Westerns Spirit - Scottsdale’s Museum of the West: Per Dr. Loscher, MOW’s mission
is to boldly immerse its guests in the unique story of the Greater Western region, illuminating the past to shape our future. After thirty years of planning, the MOW opened in its 43,000-square-foot two-story museum with eight historical and contemporary galleries in 2015. MOW frequently rotates
it collections and annually hosts 8-9 traveling exhibitions. In addition to its galleries, MOW has a theater, sculpture courtyard, Orme Lewis and Family
Learning and Library Center and its Museum Store. MOW has garnered numerous awards, achievements and accolades, including the designation of Smithsonian Affiliate. To these, it can now add “Best Western Art Museum in the Nation” for its “extraordinary exhibitions and dedication to Western art
and culture.” To learn about being a docent or museum membership - see:
* Allan Naplan, Executive and Producing Director Arizona Musicfest: Per Mr. Naplan, Arizona Musicfest’s mission is to engage, stimulate and
delight audiences, from near and far, through its destination musicfestival; to educate and inspire young and old through music enrichment programs; to cultivate, support and promote aspiring young musicians through performance opportunities, competitions and scholarships; and, to foster an organizational culture that values professionalism, volunteerism, patronage, and sense of family. Arizona Musicfest, which had its start in Carefree,
AZ, is celebrating its 30th season. Over 32,000 people attended the thirty concerts held during its 2019-20 season. Performers included the who’s who
of the music industry. Each year, Arizona Musicfest assembles some of the nation’s finest orchestral musicians to perform as the Festival Orchestra.
The Arizona Musicfest Chorus has been praised for its stellar choral ‐ orchestra performances, The 2020-21 season has been cut to 15 concerts with
only 546 tickets will be available versus last year’s sold-out 1,600 tickets. Fall and holiday concerts have been cancelled. To become a volunteer, patron or view upcoming performance list see:
* Lance Ross, President of Greasepaint Youtheatre Board performing in Scottsdale’s historic Stagebrush Theatre: Award winning Greasepaint
Youtheatre was established in 1964 with seasonal programming starting in 1984. Greasepaint has been designed to develop the life skills and aesthetic knowledge that youth will carry with them both as artists and audiences of tomorrow. Per Mr. Ross, the organization’s mission is to provide unique and compelling theatre experiences that educate and challenge young people to stretch the boundaries of imagination and awareness and achieve a positive sense of self; to nurture professional talent in the Valley; and, to provide employment opportunities to more than 50 local artists each season, with an emphasis on hiring alumni of its programs. Over 10,000 young people have participated in Stagebrush’s programs, with many attaining Broadway, TV, recording, concert and musical theater prominence. Per Mr. Ross, being active in arts as a youth leads to being involved incommunity service and school drop-out avoidance. Greasepaint’s performances address today’s issues; thereby, providing a safe way for youth to cope through dance and song. To learn more about auditions, classes, performances, volunteering and support see: www.greasepaint.org<http://www.greasepaint.org>
* Gerd Wuestermann, CEO Scottsdale Arts: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ mission is to present traditional and contemporary arts of
interest to worldwide audiences; to create opportunities for audiences to have thought-provoking experiences with artists and speakers; and to foster
creative expression, diversity in thought, and awareness of cultural heritage. Mr. Wuestermann provided attendees with an update about Scottsdale
Center for Performing Arts Theaters’(2) upcoming performances; the exhibits at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Architecture and Design;
Scottsdale Arts’ Public Art, which defines art in the public realm through creative place-making signature cultural events, exhibitions and installations throughout City of Scottsdale; Scottsdale Arts learning and innovative programs, exhibits and events that foster dialogue, promote empathy, invoke wonder and build personal connections; Scottsdale Art Festival, which goes virtual March 12-14, 2021; and, November 5-6, 2020 Canal Convergence, which will focus on water+art+light, sustainability and water conservation. Projects, such as, an outdoor theater and building renovations are still being planned. To learn more about Scottsdale Arts upcoming events and support opportunities see: www.scottsdalearts.org<http://www.scottsdalearts.org>
All the panelists stated that creativity, imagination and innovation in art are cornerstones to building the community of Scottsdale; and that their organizations have been grateful and resilient during the COVID crisis because of the caring support of City of Scottsdale, donors and volunteers.
The City of Scottsdale Council has approved more than $29 million in Federal CARES Act funding be put to work in Scottsdale. Of that funding, $1.5
million was made available to Scottsdale arts and culture programs; thereby, assisting 15 non-profit arts and culture programs that have been and
continue to be vulnerable as they are forced to allocate already limited costs.