–submitted by Mary Borland; photo by Mike Engelberger
Sarah Marty, the Director of Arts programs at UW-Madison Continuing Studies, spoke to Rotarians about the vibrant arts program in the Madison and surrounding areas and the challenges they are facing. Sarah opened her remarks by sharing the lyrics to “No Business Like Show Business” and stating there is “no people like show people.” She proceeded to demonstrate how this is true by sharing information about the vibrant arts programs in Madison. Community theatre is made by, with and for the community and deploys local talent onstage and backstage and is responsive to the community in which it exists. Did you know:
- There are over 35 art companies in the area
- Madison is punching way above its weight in the arts and is 48th in the nation in spending $0.14/capita compared to our neighbors in Minnesota who spend $6.26/capita on the arts
- Many local talents have gone on to national careers in the arts and some of them have come home to Madison to share and grow the next round of talent
- Changing economic realities create challenges as companies in the area compete for limited resources, talent, volunteers, etc.
- Change is required to be a sustainable arts program
- Local companies are talking and planning with one another to help create many opportunities for many people to participate
- Ticket sales now have to accommodate for 60% of funding with another 20% coming from foundations and another 20% coming from individual and business donations.
- Examples of ways the local community arts programs are adapting include:
- Joint auditions are happening across the community to cast two shows at once
- Similar sets are shared between shows when feasible
- Shared box offices
- Shared rehearsal spaces
- Shared pool of carpenters
Sarah closed stating there are 3 Big Questions each arts company needs to be asking themselves:
- Who are we?
- What do we do?
- Why do we matter?
The art companies need the community’s help with these questions and finding new ways to work together and truly move to an “ours vs mine” approach. She left us with noting that we should support the arts because they are important to peoples’ lives – the arts affect our spirits, our hearts and connect us to our fellow human beings.
For more on Sarah’s background, visit www.littlebrownnotebook.com.
CLICK to watch the video of Sarah Marty’s presentation.
Aaron Olver previewed the future of University Research Park with Rotarians Wednesday, January 13.
Brandon Alvarez Carrera (Levy Scholar), the first of his family to attend college, hopes to prove to his family and the community, that his background wasn’t correlated to his academic success. On a path to a degree in Engineering Physics, he’s grateful for the support group that helps him on his journey.
Shamell Homesly (Brandenburg Scholar) shared that the excitement she felt when notified of her Rotary scholarship was breath taking. Shamell is studying to be an elementary teacher at Madison College and will transfer to a four year university after completing her associates degree. Destined to be a teacher, Schamell thanks club members…”everyone of you has helped put me on a path toward success.”
Cristian Claudio Teutli (Levy Scholar) is proud to be a Badger and is grateful to Rotary for making it possible for him to attend UW. What motivates him to push through the challenges is his dream for the day when he can say, “Mama, Papa, I made it. And I don’t want to hear you say that money is an issue anymore.”
Azucena (Lilly) Gonzalez (McBeath Scholar) is proud to say she will be part of the 2016 graduation class at UW-Whitewater with a major in Social Work and a minor in Criminology. Lilly says that she was blessed with financial help from Rotary and an amazing mentor, Mary Rouse who boosted her confidence all the way. Also, she thanked the Kay family for their scholarship to help with summer school.
Patrick Roy (French Scholar) says he was one of those guys who you would never imagine working as a Chicago banker. He credits his mentor, Moses Altsech, for providing him with guidance to stay in school and he will graduate from UWM Summa Cum Laude this year and take the Chicago banking job.
Kay Powell (French Scholar) (via video) thanks Dr. John Bonsett-Veal for being a very important part of her live. She’s graduated from UW-Madison and is working on a graduate degree in Optometry. Kay encourages Rotarians to be mentors.
Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin 