By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
An Arts Fund drive hopes to raise $220,000 for seven organizations in the greater St. Josepha area.
Chair of the campaign, Melody Smith, says the arts in Buchanan County are an economic driver.
“In 2022, $9.9 million in spending was generated by arts and cultural organizations, which led to an additional $10.3 million in event related expenditures by their audiences,” Smith says during an appearance on KFEQmmunity.
Seven non-profit groups receive money from the Arts Fund Drive, including the Allied Arts Council itself. Others receiving grants from the money raised are Creative Arts Production, the Performing Arts Association, Robidoux Resident Theatre, the St. Joseph Symphony, St. Joseph Community Chorus, and the St. Joseph Youth Chorale.
Allied Arts Council Executive Director, Jessica Agnew, says the theme of this year’s fundraiser is Now is the Time, best illustrated by the gears in a grandfather clock.
“Because each of those pieces has a purpose for that clock and without one of those entities, the clock would not function,” Agnew says during KFEQmmunity. “In our passion for this, we realize that our Arts Fund Drive is just that. We are separate entities. We are separate organizations with different missions, but the soul of the goal is creating art, but we all have to work together in tandem.”
Both Agnew and Smith say they hope the fund drive doesn’t just raise money, but also raises awareness, not just about the various organizations, but how residents can get involved. Smith says all the organizations are open and inviting, especially to those hesitant and unsure about their talent. Smith says the organizations invite residents to come and learn with them.
Smith urges residents to give to the campaign to support the arts, saying that cultural events bring people together.
“The arts bring us together and when we leave, we have all experienced the same thing, which causes community,” Smith says. “We are a better community because of the arts.”
The theme this year is Now is the Time, pointing to the gears on a grandfather clock, which all work together to make the clock keep time.
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