7 minute read
A 2ND ACT
{helping is healing}
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE SOMETHING
Thoughtful, committed citizens changing the world
Judy Pearson | Contributing Writer
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
When she said them decades ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead could never have guessed how many applications those simple words would go on to have. And they fit perfectly into the history of the Phoenix Center for the Arts. Established in 1975, the Center is housed in the former First Southern Baptist Church on 3rd and Moreland Streets in downtown Phoenix. The 90-year-old building is a grand one in the Classical Revival style, complete with Greek columns and round arches. But what goes on inside is truly monumental.
Phoenix Center for the Arts classes are taught by award-winning professionals in a friendly community that is a home-away-from-home for many students. While the Center is temporarily closed, it has turned to providing art education in a digital format.
The Center had been operated by the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department until things went south in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Due to budget cuts, the city began trimming programs, and in 2011 it was the Center’s turn. An announcement was released, reporting its pending closure, but the community spoke out. As the Center’s website explains, “Committees were formed, citizens organized, and the operation was turned over to the existing nonprofit, the Phoenix Center Arts Association, now known as Phoenix Center for the Arts, Inc.”
community center. Music, dance, performing arts and visual arts fill it. Thrown into the mix, classes buzz with excited electricity.
Lauren Henschen, the third employee hired after the Center’s rescue, became the CEO in July 2019. “Our most often-repeated phrase — ‘together we can make something’ — is inherent in everything we do, whether it’s making art or making friends.” — is inherent to everything we do, whether it’s making art or making friends. We’ve had groups who met in one class and then continue together in other classes. One group even went on meeting in its entirety despite one member being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.”
In 2011, the Center offered 100 classes. Now, the calendar has over 700, for both adults and children, filling the needs of citizens, schools and artists alike. Attendees belong to all ages and stages of artistic development, from the beginner to those who are part of the “maker movement,” individuals who use open studio time for ceramics, photo developing, glass making and more, creating art to sell. Many of the Center’s attendees live downtown, but being a Phoenix resident is
not a requirement to use the facilities. In fact, because of the winter visitor population, they have tracked people from more than 500 different ZIP codes.
Tuition for classes and open studio time helps cover operating costs. That’s something unique for a nonprofit. However, the Center also offers financial aid to those who want to participate but can’t afford it. In addition, groups the Center calls “full-time residents” also offset costs.
“Our residents have been such an asset,” Henschen said. “When the Center faced shutdown, the Phoenix Children’s Chorus went to City Hall to sing in an effort to keep us open.” There are 13 different resident groups, ranging from the Phoenix Children’s Chorus to Radio Phoenix to Voices of the Desert, all using space on the campus.
Henschen continued, “Having a building full of resident organizations with different missions produces amazing things when they collaborate. One year, Phoenix Children’s Chorus sang choral music, to which breakdancers from Cyphers performed. It was amazing to see each artform enhance the other.”
At Phoenix Center for the Arts, the possibilities are endless. There are summer campers — 500 of them — ranging in age from 5 to 12. “With Art in Mind” is a joint effort with Banner Hospital’s memory program, designed for both patients and caregivers. And they’re developing more classes in Spanish.
At a time like this one, Henschen said, it’s a question of learning how to think creatively. “In looking for new ways to reach audiences, online classes have been so successful that they will probably remain a part of our curriculum. It allows us to reach less-mobile members, and even deployed military personnel. We’ve already had some who took creative-writing classes while living on the other side of the world.
“And now, we’re providing online mask-making classes. Our participants create protective masks and then donate them to hospitals,” she said.
Phoenix Center for the Arts is the beautiful result of the kind of thoughtful, committed citizens Margaret Mead spoke about. It’s the second act of a community treasure, growing in the heart of the city.
To learn more, go to phoenixcenterforthearts.org.
Judy Pearson CONTRIBUTING WRITER
info@A2ndAct.org
{ Society of Chairs }
Robert Tancer with his wife, Shoshana
Robert S. Tancer
In memory of Robert Tancer’s remarkable contributions to Arizona Opera with his wife Shoshana, the company announced in April 2020 that the courtyard of the Arizona Opera Center in downtown Phoenix will henceforth be known as the Shoshana B. and Robert S. Tancer Plaza.
This month, we are honoring the beloved former board chair of Arizona Opera, Robert S. Tancer, who passed away on March 17, 2020. We hope you will enjoy these tributes in his honor from three of his friends in the arts community.
From Joseph Specter, president & general director of Arizona Opera:
Bob was one of the most remarkably kind people, and his smile instantly put you at ease in any circumstance. Whether it was speaking at a board meeting, an event or at a lunch with friends to talk about support for Arizona Opera, it was Bob’s smile that communicated his gratitude and kindness so immediately and so clearly, and made any conversation enjoyable … even when the topic was fundraising.
I remember Bob’s answer to the question, “What is your favorite opera?”… to which Bob always answered something along the lines of “The one I’m listening to right now.” He had a unique ability to be grateful and appreciate life just as it was, at that very moment. Bob’s memory to anyone who knew him is a gift of presence and living fully in the moment.
From Shelley Cohn, fellow Desert Botanical Garden board member:
Bob and I shared a love for truly getting our hands dirty at the Garden. We both started our engagement at the Garden as horticulture aides and helping the staff take care of the plants. In addition to his hands-on work, Bob served on every committee and in every leadership position.
In his understated and quiet way, Bob was able to introduce important ideas to the organizations he served; whether it was diversity, new programming or ways to support the financial health of the organization. He was the first former trustee who had not been president of the Garden to be given emeritus status. That status was recognition of his quiet passion and determination to contribute to the health of the arts/culture ecology of the community.
From Adrienne Schiffner, longtime friend of Shoshana and Robert:
Bob was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word — always warm, gracious and wonderfully cultured. He knew so much about music and opera and was highly respected and esteemed in the opera world throughout the United States. There are not many like him and his passing is felt by everyone who loves the arts in this community and around the globe.
Frontdoors is proud to recognize those who volunteer their time, treasure and talents to support local organizations in a leadership role.
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