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IMPROVING ACCESS TO THE ARTS Pear Tree Performing Arts
Improving Access to the Arts
It’s showtime for the participants of Pear Tree Performing Arts.The organization will open its doors this month after a four-year, multi-milliondollar historic renovation project.
The Beginning
The organization was founded in 2010 by Lawrence Butler and Natasha Partridge-Butler, a husband-and-wife duo that wanted to provide artistic opportunities for youth who may not have the means or access to quality, affordable lessons.
“Our mission is to nurture and cultivate a sense of culture, confidence, community and creativity in youth through the performing arts,” PartridgeButler said. “To do that, we provide an array of dance and theatre arts classes at various levels and for ages 2 1/2 and older. We also partner extensively with organizations and businesses that share our mission to ensure students have performance opportunities, see live shows, and work with professionals in creative industries.”
Pear Tree Performing Arts started in the Benson Community Center and in 2013, moved to its current location on 48th Street and NW Radial Highway. In 2017, a renovation project was launched to add more space and increase the capacity of the center’s programming.
The Renovation
The project was originally slated to finish in less than a year, but funding fell through, and there were a lot of hoops to jump through. Finally, in 2020 construction began. The building, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places four years ago for being one of the original Hinky Dinky grocery stores, has a lot of history to it.
“There have been a host of other businesses to occupy the space before us, and it is always interesting to hear stories of what the community remembers being in the building,” Partridge-Butler said. “We were able to maintain the original ornate tin tile ceiling and trim.
“We kept the majority of the wood flooring in the ballet studio. The 8,800-square-foot facility updates include a 900-square-foot stage, complete audio-visual updates, multimedia area, additional classroom space and restrooms, efficient HVAC systems, solar panels, and the 1,200-square-foot Hitchcock Ballet Studio. We can’t wait to invite students and the community back in.”
The Support
Much of what Pear Tree Performing Arts does is funded by the community.
There were a variety of major donors for the renovation project including the Gilbert M. and Martha H. Hitchcock Foundation, The Omaha Community Foundation’s African American Unity Fund, The Dwain Horn Memorial Fund, The Weitz Family Foundation, and many more.
Students can take as many classes as they want, instead of paying per-class. This allows students to experience all different types of art forms, so they can decide which one they love best.
“It can become a financial strain, especially if you’re purchasing new dance shoes every other week because kids grow so quickly,” she said. “You’re replacing leotards and tights, and those costs really add up.
Focus on Family
When asked how the center is making a positive impact in Nebraska and beyond, Partridge-Butler said that the students and leaders of the organization are part of one big family. This is something that has the potential to make a lifelong impact on participants.
“Pear Tree Performing Arts is known for our unique family feel,” she said. “Our students and their families are a village. We make sure that our families are supported with community resources and connected to community organizations that help strengthen the family as a whole. Pear Tree Performing Arts provides an artistic home for students. We’re hoping that this little corner of the earth will positively impact young people for generations to come.”
Setting the Stage for the Future
With the newly renovated space, Pear Tree Performing Arts will be able to reach more young people and partner with more organizations. The team plans on hiring staff so they can offer more classes and put a dent in their growing waitlist. The partnership piece is also a critical part of their growth plan.
“There are so many organizations doing great work that I believe we should all be working together, both nonprofit and for-profit,” Partridge-Butler said. “We believe that our mission can change lives and transform families if we collaborate with other organizations in the community to make sure families have what they need to reduce barriers and young people can stay engaged and passionate in the arts. We believe so much good can be done.”
The organization will also hope to expand efforts to rent the facility to other nonprofits and select private events soon. A little further down the line, establishing a middle school for the arts is on the agenda.
“The creative community in Omaha is doing fantastic and wonderful work,” Partridge-Butler said. “We are so honored and blessed to be a part of that and work to ensure that everyone has access to the arts. Our goals are to keep the conversation going about art access, partner with organizations dedicated to community growth, and keep dancing.”
MBJ
402-960-8307 • 4801 NW RADIAL HIGHWAY, OMAHA 68104 • WWW.PEARTREEOMAHA.ORG EMAIL: PEARTREEOMAHA@GMAIL.COM
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