M AY - J U N
2015
KIDS IN THE ARTS: Creativity, Diversity & Discipline
See Page 10 for A&E’s 2015 Summer Arts Activity Guide for Children of All Ages! ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Meet the new President and CEO of the St. Louis Symphony (pg. 3)
Maritz Arts & Education Fund for Teachers impacts St. Louis students (pg. 4)
Get great deals with the Know and Go Discount Calendar (pg. 6-7)
A&E Grantee, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, celebrates 40th Anniversary (pg. 9)
Letter from the President GreetingsI Centene Center for Arts and Education 3547 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103-1014 p 314.289.4000 f 314.289.4019
2015 Board of Directors CHAIR Terrance J. Good VICE CHAIR Leonard T. Eschbach SECRETARY Peter Sargent TREASURER Ruth Saphian (Chair, Finance & Facilities) DEVELOPMENT Janet W. Newcomb GOVERNANCE C. Brendan Johnson GRANTS Nicole Hudson MARKETING & EVENTS Caren Vredenburgh STRATEGIC PLANNING Cary D. Hobbs
MEMBERS Nora Akerberg Susan Block Sheila Burkett Chris Cedergreen John Gianoulakis Kristin J. Guehlstorf Eric Koestner Linda Lee Linda Leonard Dorte Probstein Shawn Schukar Donald M. Senti Mary Ann Srenco Susan A. Stith Andrew Trivers Carol J. Voss MEMBERS AT LARGE Barbara B. Goodman Kenneth Kranzberg Michael Weisbrod EX-OFFICIO Cynthia A. Prost
Staff PRESIDENT Cynthia A. Prost VICE PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATION & GRANTS Susan Rowe Jennings
ONLINE GIVING COORDINATOR Mandi Hanway GIFT PROCESSING ASSOCIATE Tonya Hahne
VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT Kate Francis
COMMUNICATIONS CONTENT EDITOR Ellen Futterman
CONTROLLER Joseph Soer
SOCIAL AND DIGITAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Christine Blonn
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION Patricia Tichacek DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS Heather Edwards Dorothy Powell
Cynthia A. Prost President, Arts & Education Council
2015 A&E Campaign Idea Sharing and Campaign Kickoff Event
stlouis.bbb.org
ON THE COVER: Photo courtesy of Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design. Read more about summer camps and family friendly events offered by Craft Alliance and other arts organizations in the Kids’ Summer Arts Guide on page 10.
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“Play is the highest form of research.” I have always enjoyed this quote attributed to Albert Einstein. Why am I quoting a physicist for our arts newsletter, you ask? Because A&E believes art is play and art is research. The acts of experiencing and creating art expand physical horizons, open mental doors, engender a sense of self-worth and encourage creative expression. Art is research into ourselves as much as it introduces us to people unlike ourselves – people of different backgrounds, beliefs and perspectives. And isn’t it this worldly understanding and openness to new opportunities that we wish for all our children? This issue of Happenings focuses on how the arts enrich our children’s lives; and explores summer camp activities, classes and events as well as the impact arts education makes in students’ overall academic achievement. Our Summer Arts Activity Guide for children can be found on page 10. Plus, we’ve highlighted how the “Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers” grants are making tangible improvements in student test scores, school attendance rates and scholarship opportunities on pages 4-5. I encourage you to get your kids’ hands “dirty” in the arts this summer and hopefully they continue that play and research when they head back to school in the fall. Also, Happenings is pleased to highlight some major reasons for celebration at two of our larger grantee organizations: Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and the St. Louis Symphony. Opera Theatre is celebrating its 40th Anniversary during the upcoming 2015 Festival Season. A&E has supported Opera Theatre since its founding in 1976 and looks forward to participating in all the wonderful activities they have planned this year. In July, the St. Louis Symphony will welcome a new President and CEO and readers have the opportunity to get to know Marie-Hélène Bernard in our exclusive interview on page 3. Enjoy your summer! And, I hope your plans include researching, exploring and playing among the creative arts organizations our community enjoys and that A&E proudly supports.
Dancers from the Robert L. Reed Tap Heritage Institute, an A&E PNC Project Grant recipient, perform for workplace giving coordinators at the 2015 A&E Campaign Idea Sharing Event.
GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT:
n July 1, MarieHélène Bernard officially joins the St. Louis Symphony as President and CEO, after serving over eight years St. Louis Symphony as Executive President and CEO Director and CEO Marie-Hélène of the Handel and Bernard Haydn Society in Boston. A native of Quebec, Bernard received a law degree from the University of Montréal and a master’s degree in arts management from Concordia University in Montreal. She is credited with energizing Handel and Hayden on numerous fronts, including: substantially growing its audience, with 30 percent of patrons now under the age of 44; nearly doubling its original endowment; and creating community partnership programs that foster diversity and inclusion. Bernard has worked in management capacities with the Philadelphia and Cleveland Orchestras, and served as President and CEO of the Canton (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra. Happenings sat down with Bernard to find out more about her and her goals for the St. Louis Symphony:
Your predecessor Fred Bronstein is credited with increasing attendance, ticket revenues, and philanthropic support as well as improving labor relations and stabilizing finances to a point where symphony musicians could tour again. That seems like a tough act to follow, how will you proceed? I plan to continue the great work that he started but also take it to the next level. We have wonderful educational community programs that need to be better known so that more patrons, families and children can enjoy them. In looking at the next five to ten years
Do you see growing the Symphony’s outreach in terms of music education in the schools and if so, what will that look like? I would imagine that outside the greater St. Louis area there are some opportunities where the Symphony can bring music to underserved regions. But the point is not just to grow for the sake of growing but rather to make sure what you have is quality and can create an impact.
we want to create a very exciting artistic plan that will position the St. Louis Symphony as the finest in America. Many established cultural institutions in St. Louis such as the Symphony have audiences that are mostly “older.” You had success at the Handel and Hayden Society in building younger audiences. How will you go about doing that in St. Louis? Getting to know those who come, see what makes them come and seek out their support to help us bring more people. Working in partnership with other organizations so that together we can develop younger audiences. There are opportunities for synergy. I have built younger audiences by virtue of capturing their attention in different venues, at modern contemporary museums, at the theater, at a dance show, where you can provide a musical environment that is very compelling to them.
What made you feel that St. Louis was the right fit for you? This is a wonderful community and the St. Louis Symphony has a great reputation. I’m confident of the Symphony’s versatility and broad range of repertoire they are able to tackle, and their character.
Dilip Vishwanat
O
Matt_Kurkowski
Meet the New St. Louis Symphony President and CEO: Marie-Hélène Bernard
You went from practicing law to arts management? What was the impetus behind that change? I grew up in a musical family and I was a musician for a long time before I practiced law and I just missed it. (Bernard plays the viola da gamba) I felt with my business and legal skills I could help the field and moved to the U.S. in ’96 to pursue a career in orchestra management. Music was my calling – it was my destiny. What has impressed you most about St. Louis? That it’s really proud of its orchestra and supportive of it. People here want to see more of it and see it at the level it deserves because it truly is a worldclass orchestra. I feel very much at ease here. You breathe well in St. Louis. What do you like to do besides music to relax? I love to read, I like to cook. I’m a dog lover so I really enjoy taking long walks with the dogs (a pug and a shiatsu) and meeting people. The St. Louis Symphony is an Arts and Education Council Sustaining Grant recipient.
David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony. 3
RETURN ON GRANT INVESTMENTS:
Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers and the Power of Arts Education
F
or St. Louis area school dis-
Berkley students to come together to
tricts, $5,000 can mean the
perform the play Legally Blonde.
ability to stage a major student
“The creation of a drum line and
play or to perform in a large-scale
spirit squad has been such a game
local parade. Maritz Corporation
changer for us,” explains Matthew
understands this. For the past five
Turek, the instrumental music teacher
years, the Arts and Education Council
at Central Visual Performing Arts High
and Maritz have partnered to create a
School. “It’s opened up avenues for
unique arts education funding oppor-
the students that weren’t there before.
tunity that directly impacts schools
It’s been so impactful for their devel-
and school-aged children. The award-
opment....and inspires them and allows
winning “Maritz Arts and Education
them to express their talents that
Fund for Teachers” provides $25,000
might have otherwise gone unnoticed.”
in grants annually to projects through-
Turek says the grant money was
out the bi-state area. The funding goal
used to buy instruments and other
is to support classroom-based projects
equipment to make the 14-student
and artistic opportunities that engage
drum line possible this year and in
students in the creative process.
future years. Another 30 students par-
In the 2014-2015 school year, Maritz
ticipate as dancers in the spirit squad,
“(Theater) is the only activity that students ever participate in where they have to function as a team in a non-competitive environment,” he says. “It teaches them innovation, team work, creativity and organization. Theater integrates every other discipline, English, math, science, social studies and all their electives, and gives them a practical application for them. We know that’s how people retain information – through authentic exposure.” — Doug Erwin, Director of Theater McCluer High School
Fund for Teachers supported eight
which performs with the drum line.
school-based projects that otherwise
The groups marched in a unity parade
would never come to fruition. Among
to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther
them is the creation of a drum line
King Jr. Day, and look forward to par-
standing to participate in the drum line
and spirit squad at Central Visual
ticipating in more events.
so it’s a great motivator. They have to
Performing Arts High School in the
“The feedback has been fantastic,”
maintain a 2.75 grade point average
St. Louis Public School District.
says Turek. “Engagement in their over-
and have 93 percent attendance,
Another has allowed McCluer High
all education has skyrocketed. They
which so, far, all involved have done.”
School students and McCluer South
know they have to be in high academic
Turek adds: “The other intangible is that it gives them a creative voice that they didn’t have access to before. They are writing their own music and creating their own arrangements as a team. All those wonderful non-musical lessons you learn in a musical classroom are exemplified. Disagreements sometimes come up but in the end, but they have to navigate those as an artist and communicate with each other. They know they have to work together collaboratively.” Doug Erwin, director of theater at McCluer High School and K-12 Fine Arts Content Leader for the FergusonFlorissant School District, expresses similar sentiments. McCluer has been receiving a $5,000 Maritz Arts Grant for the past four years, which has helped with every aspect of staging a
Students from McCluer and McCluer South Berkeley High Schools perform in Legally Blonde 4
major musical production.
Academic Achievement Linked to Interest in the Arts Students with higher participation in the arts have superior standardized test scores than those with low participation.1, 2, 3
67% 57%
50% 39%
Students at Central Visual Performing Arts High School perform in a drumline. All Students
Involved in Arts
Grade 8
This year, says Erwin, the grant has provided transportation for student actors at McCluer to get to McCluer
“At Maritz, we are dedicated to
dent production of Legally Blonde was
potential, and our philanthropic efforts
staged in March.
reflect that same commitment. Five years ago, we partnered with the Arts
aspect of the production except for
and Education Council to create the
staff salaries,” says Erwin. “In addition
Maritz Arts and Education Fund for
to transportation, it provided meals
Teachers and the results have been
for students, costumes, wigs, scenic
outstanding. Studies consistently
pieces, props. It really has made an
show the importance of an arts edu-
enormous difference.”
cation and the positive effects it has on students and we have seen that
dents would sell frozen pizzas to help
again and again in the programs we
raise money for the school musical.
fund,” said Debbie Schirmer, Maritz
But with the death of Michael Brown
community affairs director. “By offer-
this summer in Ferguson, and the riot-
ing students greater access to the
ing and protesting that has followed,
arts, the Maritz Fund has provided
“parents don’t feel safe with their kids
unique learning experiences that stim-
going door-to-door to fundraise,” says
ulate creativity and further educa-
Erwin, who has been at McCluer for 13
tional advancement.”
years of his 24 year as a teacher. Like Turek, Erwin underlines the importance of the arts to his students,
To learn more about the Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers, visit KeepArtHappening.org/money/maritz_2015
not only in helping them to achieve academically but also to build critical
participating in the theater program
2 Asbury, C. & Rich, B. (Eds.) (2008). Learning,
and the results have been astounding.
Arts, and the Brain: The Dana Consortium report on arts and cognition. New York: Dana Press.
Erwin has been tracking overall
In his research, Erwin found that the average school attendance rate increased by more than 10% and the average ACT score and grade point average increased by nearly 40%. Moreover, in the past five years McCluer High School students participating in the Maritz funded program
Arts Involvement Inspires Personal Growth Youth involved in arts organizations were more likely to spend leisure time in community service or youth groups and had better ratings for self-worth than those who were not involved in an arts organization.1, 2, 3
89% 76% 64%
16%
All Students
Involved in Arts
Feels good about him or herself
All Students
Involved in Arts
Performs community service
Musical Experiences Promote Enhanced Math Skills In math classes, students with a high involvement in instrumental or choral classes tend to outperform those with low involvement.1 This outcome is attributed to the inherent spacial and geometric reasoning in sheet music , 2 and has the largest impact on low socio-economic status students .
33%
low SES students with high math scores
academic performance for students
1 Catterall, J. S., Chapleau, R. & Iwanaga, J. (1999). Involvement in the Arts and Success in Secondary School. Included in Champions of Change (see below).
thinking skills.
Grade 12
lege scholarships. empowering people to reach their full
Erwin explains that previously, stu-
Involved in Arts
received more than $300,000 in col-
South Berkeley, where the joint stu-
“The grant helped with every
All Students
21% 16%
3 Deasy, R.J. (Ed.). (2002) Critical Links:
Learning in the arts and student achievement and social development. Washington, DC: The Arts Education Partnership. For more on the current state of arts education in the U.S., policy recommendations and best practices, see Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America’s Future through Creative Schools (2011). Washington, DC: President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
11%
All Students
Involved in Music
Grade 8
All Students
Involved in Music
Grade 12
5
David Robertson takes you on a musical journey exploring music from around the globe. 314.534.1700 or stlsymphony.org
M AY- J U N SAINT LOUIS BALLET
2015
Don Quixote WHEN: May 8-10; Fri, 7:30 pm; Sat, 2:30 & 7:30 pm; Sun, 2:30 pm
*2-FOR-1 & SPECIAL DISCOUNTS Please present your Arts and Education Council ARTS Card at the ticket counter or box office in order to receive a discount. The 2-for-1 offer is for two people per card; whether it extends to more than two persons is at the discretion of the participating organization. ARTS Card holder discounts are not recognized by electronic ticket outlets and may not be used to purchase subscription tickets. Expired ARTS Cards will not be accepted. For up-to-theminute calendar additions, see the calendar on our website: KeepArtHappening.org/schedule.
ON - GOIN G D I SCOUN TS W I TH T H E AR TS CA R D JAZZ ST. LOUIS offers 2-for-1 admission to most of its 9:30 pm shows Wed-Thurs. For details call 314.571.6000 or go to jazzstl.org
Encompassing a wide range of media from the 1960s to the present, Occupational Therapy expresses and addresses a variety of psychological conditions. Featuring artwork by 19 renowned artists. 314.535.4660 or camstl.org
J. David Levy
SHELDON CONCERT HALL
DISCOUNT: $5 off with ARTS Card For the first time, Saint Louis Ballet presents Don Quixote, a ballet known for its demanding choreography and technical wizardry. 314.516.4949 or stlouisballet.org for information, for tickets touhill.org
AMERICAN CHAMBER CHORALE O For the Love WHEN: May 9; Sat, 7:30 pm
WHEN: May 2; Sat, 8 pm COST: $18 adults; $15 seniors; $12 students WHERE: Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis
DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card on full price tickets only. (Tickets are available by presenting the card in advance at the Fox Theatre Box office at 531 N. Grand Blvd., or on the night of show at The Sheldon box office between 7-8 pm) Rising jazz world vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant performs imaginative renditions of classic songs and lesser-known gems. 314.533.9900 or sheldonconcerthall.org
M AY EVE N TS
COST: $28-$49
WHERE: Salem Methodist Church, 1200 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
Cécile McLorin Salvant
COST: $40 orchestra, $35 balcony, $15 student
Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
WHERE: Touhill Performing Arts Center, One University Blvd., St. Louis
ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY
DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card A concert to honor the women in our lives featuring music by Paulus, Lauridsen, Willan and many others. 314.638.0793 or americanchamberchorale.com
COCAbiz SESSION Bob Chapman: Truly Human Leadership WHEN: May 14; Thurs, 7:30–10 am WHERE: 524 Trinity Ave., University City COST: $55
NEW JEWISH THEATRE
Bolero WHEN: May 1 & 3; Fri, 8 pm; Sun, 3 pm WHERE: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis
My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding WHEN: May 7-31; Wed-Thurs, 7:30 pm; Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 2 & (first two Sundays) 7:30 pm
COST: $30-$109 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card (excludes box seats) David Robertson leads a program devoted to dance compositions recognized for their rousing arrangements: Bizet’s Carmen, Debussy’s Sacred and Profane Dances, and of course, Ravel’s Bolero. 314.534.1700 or stlsymphony.org DON’T MISS
CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM
WHERE: Wool Studio Theatre, 2 Millstone Campus Dr., Creve Coeur
DISCOUNT: $15 off with ARTS Card Bob Chapman, Chairman and CEO of engineering consulting giant Barry-Wehmiller, presents how he championed the transformation of Barry-Wehmiller’s workplace culture. 314.561.4898 to register, and 314.725.6555 or cocabiz.com for information. DON’T MISS
COST: $38-$42 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card A joyous musical and true story about a journey of self-discovery in the age of marriage equality. 314.442.3283 or newjewishtheatre.org
ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY
SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL ST. LOUIS Antony & Cleopatra WHEN: May 22-June 14; nightly except Tuesdays, 8 pm (pre-performances start at 6:30 pm) WHERE: Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park
Occupational Therapy
Fanfare for the Common Man
COST: Free
WHEN: May 1-Aug 16; Wed, 10–5; Thur-Fri, 10–8; Sat-Sun, 10–5
WHEN: May 8; Fri, 8 pm
WHERE: Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington Blvd., St. Louis
COST: $30-$109
COST: Free
DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card (excludes box seats)
Following the assassination of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony becomes one of the three rulers of the Roman Empire. In the course of overseeing the eastern half of the empire, he falls in love with Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt. But then revenge, battles and tragedy take hold. 314.531.9800 or sfstl.com
Events Key 6
Cinema
Classical
WHERE: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis
Dance
Jazz
Music
Speaker
Theater
Visual Arts
OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS
OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS
The Barber of Seville
La Rondine
WHEN: May 23-June 27
WHEN: May 30-June 28
WHERE: Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves
WHERE: Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves
COST: $25-$129
COST: $25-$129
DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for performances in sections 2 and 3, for 8 pm shows May 27, 29 & June 4, 10 (Limited to two operas per season).
DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for performances in sections 2 and 3, for 8 pm shows May 30, June 3, 12, and 18 (Limited to two operas per season).
Rossini’s score sets the gold standard for opera that is elegant, funny and brimming with vocal fireworks. 314.961.0644 or opera-stl.org
OTSL music director Stephen Lord brings Puccini’s music and romantic storytelling to life in this stunning, new belle epoque period production. 314.961.0644 or opera-stl.org
DON’T MISS
Richard the Lionheart is shipwrecked on the way to the Third Crusade. One of England’s bravest kings, he must disguise himself to protect his future bride and prevent war in a foreign land. But who can he trust in this all-too-real game of thrones? 314.961.0644 or opera-stl.org DON’T MISS
ST. LOUIS FRINGE FESTIVAL WHEN: June 18-21 & 25-27 WHERE: Throughout Grand Center COST: Free and various prices Performing arts of all disciplines including theater, singing, magic, dance, performance art, slam poetry, vaudeville, clowns, fashion design, theater for young audience, street performance and more. 314.643.7853 or stlfringe.com
GITANA PRODUCTIONS Black and Blue WHEN & WHERE: May 22-24; Fri-Sat, 7:30 pm, Sun, 3 pm at the Missouri History Museum; May 29-31; Fri-Sat, 7:30 pm, Sun, 3 pm at the Kranzberg Art Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd.;
OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS Emmeline
June 7; Sun, 3 pm at Greater St. Marks Church, 9950 Glen Owen, Ferguson; June 19-21; Fri-Sat, 7:30 pm, Sun 3 pm at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Rd.
DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for performances in sections 2 and 3, for 8 pm shows June 11, 13 (at 1 pm only) and 24. (Limited to two operas per season).
WHEN: June 13-27
Circus Flora
WHERE: Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves COST: $25-$129
COST: Free An original play about how the presumption of guilt hurts those who are black and those in blue. 314.721.6556 or gitana-inc.org
JUN E EVENTS INNSBROOK INSTITUTE Summer Music Festival
DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for performances in sections 2 and 3, for 8 pm shows June 17, 19 and 25 (Limited to two operas per season).
DISCOUNT: 2-for 1 admission with ARTS Card for June 7, 9-11
Inspired by a compelling true story from a mill town in 19th century New England, Emmeline’s heart-wrenching saga is created by the same team that brought St. Louis the unforgettable world premiere of Champion in 2013. This powerhouse drama receives its first full-scale staging since its 1996 world premiere. 314.961.0644 or opera-stl.org
COST: $15-$48
Artists include Jacob Braun, Grace Park, Jonathan Swartz, Calidore String Quartet and more. 636.928.3366, ext. 218 or innsbrookinstitute.org
Center Stage
DISCOUNT: $5 off Saturday and Sunday with ARTS Card
DON’T MISS
CIRCUS FLORA One Summer on 2nd Street WHEN: May 28-June 28; Fri-Sat, 1 & 7 pm; Sun, 1:00 & 5:30 pm; Tue-Thur, 7 pm; Wed, 10 am & 7 pm (no matinee May 29, or evening performances May 30 & June 13) WHERE: Big Tent in Grand Center, in the parking lot adjacent to Powell Hall, St. Louis
Travel back to The Jazz Age – to a time at which American cities grew rapidly, becoming home to families from all walks of life and corners of the map. 314.289.4040 or circusflora.org
STAGES ST. LOUIS
WHEN: June 5-13, concerts nightly at 7:30 pm WHERE: Innsbrook Institute, 1 Aspen Lake Circle Dr., Innsbrook, Mo. COST: $20-$100
WEBSTER ARTS ART & AIR WHEN: June 5-7; Fri, 6-10 pm; Sat, 11 a.m-9 pm; Sun, 11 – 5 pm WHERE: 475 Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves
Smokey Joe’s Cafe
COST: Free
WHEN: May 29-June 28; Tues-Sun with matinee and evening performances
Art & Air is a one-of-a-kind fine art fair that showcases art, food, music performances and unique creative activities for the whole family. 314.968.6500 or webster-arts.org
WHERE: The Robert G. Reim Theatre, 111 S. Geyer Rd., Kirkwood COST: $20-$57 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for Tues-Thur evening performances Relive the glory days of rock and roll with such pop standards as “Stand By Me,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “On Broadway” in this GRAMMY® Awardwinning show! 314.821.2407 or stagesstlouis.org
OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS Richard the Lionheart WHEN: June 7-26
OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS WHEN: June 23 WHERE: Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves COST: $20-$100 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for performances in sections 2 and 3 (Limited to two operas per season). Hear the stars of tomorrow in an all-new main season event celebrating the talents of our 2015 Gaddes Festival Artists and Gerdine Young Artists. From nearly 1,000 applicants worldwide, 33 were chosen to be part of our 2015 young artist programs. Usually seen in ensemble roles throughout the season, these exceptionally talented artists take center stage in a one-night-only concert, accompanied on stage by musicians of the St. Louis Symphony. 314.961.0644 or opera-stl.org
WHERE: Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves COST: $25-$129 7
POWER2GIVE.ORG UPDATE:
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
P
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
ower2give.org/GreaterStLouis is a crowdfunding platform supported by the Arts and Education Council with a lead contribution from the Arthur and Helen
Baer Foundation. To-date, the site has raised over $105,000 for area arts and arts education organizations. In November 2014, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ posted their “Changing Young Lives Through Theatre,” project to power2give.org and successfully met its $2,500 goal. Funds donated to the project provided tickets and transportation to over 150 students from underserved populations that have little or no access to arts programming. Participants in the program attended The Rep’s production of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner in January 2015. “Having been turned down for a grant to provide tickets and transportation to student matinee performances recently, Students watch a performance of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
The Rep had some very disappointed students and educators,” said Lori Moore-McMullen, director of development for The Rep. “Power2give.org was a great way for us to find the
high school has 191 students,” said Angela Howard, English,
dollars we needed, especially with the local match funds, to
Speech and Drama teacher. “There is very little to do in
give those young people the opportunity to see the magic of
this community; if you want to see a movie, you drive
live theatre. We are so grateful for the way donors
forty-five minutes to an hour to Columbia. Many [students]
responded to this request.”.
do not have internet or cable. Needless to say, my students
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner was an adaptation of the
have not seen much, and many have never seen a live
award-winning film, and explores topics of family, accep-
theatre performance.
tance and tolerance – all of which are timely topics for
“As their teacher and a theatre professional, I know the
today’s youth. The premise of Guess Who’s Coming to
importance of introducing young people to theatre,”
Dinner features a conflict when a progressive couple’s proud
Howard adds. “Theatre helps students recognize beauty,
liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter
become more sensitive, and walk in another’s shoes. For
arrives home with an unexpected fiancé. Expectations of
many, this will possibly be the only time they will see live
reality are at odds, and questions of race, fear and cultural
theatre. You all gave them a great gift and this teacher
beliefs stare them directly in the face.
thanks you many times over.”
“Students from rural Fayette High School in Fayette, MO
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is an Arts and Education Council Sustaining Grant recipient. For more information, visit
Fayette is a small city, less than 3,000 people. The entire
repstl.org.
Jerry Naunheim Jr. and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
were grateful beneficiaries of the power2give.org funding.
Did you know that power2give.org is the only crowdfunding site dedicated to arts and culture? In today’s changing philanthropic landscape, power2give.org has become a powerful new fundraising tool. In November 2013, A&E launched power2give.org/ GreaterStLouis with a lead contribution from the Arthur and Helen Baer Foundation. Since that time, the site has raised over $105,000 for more than 40 local arts projects and organizations. Keep checking power2give.org/GreaterStLouis for
“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” scene with Richard Prioleau as John Prentice, Jr. and Leo Finnie as John Prentice, Sr. 8
weekly updates and new projects in need of your support.
GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT:
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Celebrates Its 40th season Ken Howard
O
pera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) celebrates its 40th season this summer with
expansions in programming, a new look for the OTSL brand and website, a series of special events and an American premier opera in this year’s festival season. Patrons of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis may have already noticed the new OTSL logo and website. The new site, rolled out in April, offers in-depth information about OTSL’s history and role in shaping American opera. Also new this year as part of the 40th anniversary celebration, is the creation and launch of an “Innovation Capital
(L to R) Dancers with Sean Panikkar as Tamino and Alexandra Parsons as dream Pamina in Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ 2014 production of The Magic Flute.
Fund.” The fund is part of a five-year Ken Howard
strategic plan that aims to help the organization continue to develop initiatives designed to bring the com-
funding support from the Arts and Education Council. “The Arts and Education Council supported the effort
munity together. OTSL also plans
to create Opera Theatre of Saint
to expand its young artist programs
Louis,” commented Cynthia A. Prost,
with a new initiative called the
president of the Arts and Education
“Gaddes Festival Artist” program,
Council. “We are thrilled to celebrate
named in honor of the company’s
its 40th anniversary. Opera Theatre
first general director.
has become an essential part of the St.
The first event honoring OTSL’s
Louis arts community not only with
anniversary is the 40th Anniversary
their stellar annual festival but also
Avant-Garde Gala at Hunter Farms on
with their year-long education pro-
May 2. All three OSTL General Directors (past and present) will be in attendance,
Soprano Sheri Greenawald as Pamina in the 1980 production of The Magic Flute.
grams and training and development of young opera singers.”
as well as major opera stars discov-
In addition to events celebrating its
ered during each of their tenures. A
40th anniversary, OTSL is staging four
portion of the proceeds will support
concert celebrating its highly competi-
operas for its summer festival season:
the new “Innovation Capital Fund.”
tive Gerdine Young Artists (GYA) pro-
Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Puccini’s
gram. This one night only event on
La Rondine, the American premiere of
its second annual Spring Sing! concert
June 23, will be emceed by soprano
Handel’s Richard the Lionheart, and a
May 9. At the concert, season artists
Stephanie Blythe, who appeared in
new production of Tobias Picker’s saga,
will sing side-by-side with members of
27 last season, and baritone Aubrey
Emmeline.
the community and special guests will
Allicock who appeared in Champion in
kick off the concert. OTSL aims to
2013. Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’
opera-stl.org. ARTS Cards members
have 400 singers from all around St.
Music Director Stephen Lord will con-
get 2-for-1 admission to select perfor-
Louis participate. The Normandy High
duct the St. Louis Symphony on stage
mances of this year’s OTSL season
School choir will be part of the event;
at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the
festival. See page 6-7.
continuing the work that OTSL began
concert and open the night with the
in September with the
overture to Don Pasquale, the first
and Education Council Sustaining Grant
#WithNormandy concert.
opera OTSL staged in 1976.
recipient.
The following week, OSTL will host
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is also holding a brand new Center Stage
For more information, visit
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is an Arts
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis was founded in the spring of 1976 with 9
KIDS IN THE ARTS:
The 2015 Summer Activity Guide
S
ummer is almost here! There’s no better way to welcome the warm weather than by enjoying the St. Louis arts scene. Catch a show, enroll your child in camp or participate in a workshop. Here are some of the family-friendly summer arts activies in the St. Louis area.
PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS Laumeier Sculpture Park offers a great space for outdoor summer play including numerous events, many of which are free! To kick off the summer, Laumeier is hosting its annual Art Fair May 8-10. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6-11, children ages 5 and under are free. Laumeier is also offering Teen Pizza and Art night, July 17 from 7-9:30 p.m. For $20, teens ages 13-17 can experiment with a variety of materials while enjoying pizza and the park. Mark your calendars for five Free Family Days on May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16 and September 20 from 2-4 pm. Participants are provided with activities designed to create art using a variety of materials. Recommended for ages 4 and up. For more information, visit laumeiersculpturepark.org. Summer at COCA includes the production of Bring It On the Musical, June 26-27 at the Edison Theatre. Bring It On the Musical takes audiences on a journey through complex friendships, jealousy and forgiveness. The show is recommended for ages 12 and up. Tickets are $16. For more information, visit cocastl.org. STAGES St. Louis presents a childhood favorite, Disney’s The Aristocrats, June 3-28 at The Playhouse at Westport Plaza. Audiences will clap their paws and wag their tails to jazzy beats. There are games and special activities one hour before each performance. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org. Circus Flora returns with a new production titled One Summer on 2nd Street. Audiences will be taken back to the Jazz Age when cities grew rapidly, becoming home to families from a vari10
ety of backgrounds and cultures. For more information visit circusflora.org. Craft Alliance “Crafternoons” on Sundays in Grand Center are a perfect activity for families and students of all ages and experiences. For a small tuition and materials fee, participants explore and work with different media, including clay, paper piercing, silk scarf making and fold forming. For more information visit craftalliance.org. The Muny also offers a variety of events for families this summer. Hairspray, the winner of eight Tony® Awards including Best Musical returns to the Muny stage (June 23-30). The catch the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast (July 29- August 3). Tickets range from $14 to $87. For more information, visit muny.org. ART CAMPS Laumeier Sculpture Park offers art camp for children ages 4-15 (June 15-July 31). Camps include: Go Green: Edible Art-able outdoors, which explores nature through art and food; Art on the Fringe, exploring underground work of guerilla art; Super You: Adventures in Animation; Tried & True or Totally New; and The Good, the Bad & the Fluffy. Camps are $180, and include lunch and snacks daily. Scholarships are available. For more information visit laumeiersculpturepark.org. Shakespeare Festival St. Louis offers three sessions of Camp Shakespeare, full-day workshops led by experienced Shakespeare Festival
A student at COCA’s summer camp.
A student painting at Laumeier Sculpture Park’s summer camp.
Teaching Artists. Campers will train in voice, movement, stage combat and physical comedy. Sessions runs from June 8-26, July 6-24, and July 27August 7. Another camp offered by SFSTL is “Beyond the Bard,” for ages 14-18, which uses classical text and Shakespeare as inspiration for students to experiment with monologues and scenes. Finally, SFSTL partners with COCA to offer four age-specific sections to campers: Shakespeare Stories: Kings and Fairies for ages 6-7; Shakespeare Explorers: Jesters & Fools for ages 8-10; Playing Shakespeare for ages 11-13; and Shakespeare’s Combat for ages 14-18. Camp costs range from $350 to $495. For more information visit sfstl.com. Craft Alliance is offering 11 oneweek, half-day camps this summer from June 1-August 14. Put two camps together to spend the entire day being creative, with supervision provided during lunch and before and after care available. Craft Alliance also offers teen camps that meet for one week sessions focusing on creative techniques in glass, metal and clay. Oneweek half-day camps cost $180. For more information, visit craftalliance.org. Metro Theatre Company offers two different summer camps for four total sessions. The first camp, Monster Camp, is offered June 15-19 and June 22-26 for students in grades 1-5. Campers will explore drama and visual art with Metro’s theater professionals. Creative Arts Camp, the second camp offered, runs July 27-31 and August 3-7. Campers will play, explore, build and create through activities that include yoga, sculpting, drama, storytelling, water fun and more. This camp is open to ages 4-11. For more information visit metrotheatercompany.org.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT:
Courtney Strong
W
hen it comes to getting colleagues excited about donating to the Arts & WH YI Education Council, Courtney Strong believes in thinking big. Very, very, very big. The first year she was involved in an A&E Workplace Giving Campaign at Edward Jones, Strong helped put together a flash mob to kick off the Campaign at the Fortune 500 investment firm. The second year, she helped coordinate the company’s first-ever campaign music video with cameos by some Edward Jones partners. The video got associates talking – and giving. The third year, looking to top the first music video, she added a dance finale with more than 150 Edward Jones associates and branch teams dancing to Fitz & the Tantrum’s song “The Walk.” When this year’s Workplace Giving Campaign commences at Edward Jones on May 8, Strong promises that the kick-off video will be creative and impactful. “We have some great ideas she says. “We’re planning to utilize A&E’s new imagery and tagline, ‘One Gift. A Million Returns!’” Strong notes that individuals and companies can feel good that the dollars they donate to A&E go to fund so many worthy arts organizations, both big and small. “Rather than having to choose to give to one or two, A&E makes sure so many arts organizations here can thrive,” said Strong. “That’s one thing I tell (colleagues) when encouraging them to give to A&E. At Edward Jones, we talk a lot about the return on the investment. Not only do the arts enhance the overall community, making it a more vibrant, culturally rich place to live, but when children get involved at a young age, arts education also helps improve their school performance and test scores.” Edward Jones conducts A&E’s largest Workplace Giving Campaign, with an associate participation rate of nearly 70 percent. Edward Jones has donated more than $7 million to A&E since 1978 with more than $4 million coming from its workplace giving efforts. In 2014, Edward Jones partners and associates were honored as “Corporate Champions of the Arts” at the St. Louis Arts Awards and received the national Americans for the Arts “BCA 10” award as one of the ten “Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts in America.” Strong, who lives in Webster Groves, explains that she grew up loving the arts. “I played the recorder in elementary school,” she said. “Then I decided on the viola. I got my first one at age 11 and played in the orchestra until college.” She currently does photography and enjoys going to art galleries and music concerts. “I really couldn’t imagine my life without the arts,” she said. “It just gives me such pleasure.”
GIV
E
Circle of Giving February 1, 2015 – March 31, 2015 The following donors have made gifts that enable the Arts and Education Council to help preserve St. Louis’ legacy of artistic excellence and enrich its cultural community. A&E appreciates the continued support from these individuals, businesses and organizations. Thank you! $10,000 - $24,999.99 Louis D. Beaumont Fund No. 1 of the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation $2,500 - $4,999.99 Mr. and Mrs. James G. Berges Mr. and Mrs. Leonard T. Eschbach Ms. Barbara B. Goodman $1,000 - $2,499.99 John and Dora R. Gianoulakis Ms. Cary D. Hobbs Mr. and Mrs. Richard Holton Linda and Paul Lee Mr. and Mrs. John Peters MacCarthy Ms. Janet W. Newcomb Mr. and Mrs. Richard N. Priest
Dr. Vicki L. Sauter Andrew and Kellie Trivers Ms. Caren A. Vredenburgh $500 - $999.99 Mr. and Mrs. John D. Doyle Mrs. Mary Harris Mr. and Mrs. Venable M. Houts Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Macon Mr. Samuel Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Offerman Mr. and Mrs. Zsolt Rumy Mr. and Mrs. Bruce D. Ryder Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Tennill Correction: In our last issue Mrs. Joan S. Goodson ($1,000 $2,499) was mistakenly listed as Mrs. John S. Goodson. We apologize for our error.
To make your gift to the Arts and Education Council, visit KeepArtHappening.org or contact Kate Francis, Vice President of Development at (314) 289-4003.
Summer camp at Laumeier Sculpture Park. See page 10 for more details. 11
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Join the Arts and Education Council’s Chairman Circle (with a $1,000 or more donation) and receive your invitation to the exclusive event of the season!
A Night at the Opera Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Dinner and cocktails followed by a performance of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’
Barber of Seville Gioachino Rossini’s Comedic Opera Masterpiece This event is generously underwritten by Chairman Circle Member and A&E Board Member, Barbara B. Goodman.
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2013 Missouri Arts Award-Philanthropy
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