by 4kimberlyann on March 9, 2010
On March 17 at 9:30am, the Regional Arts & Culture Council will present the State of the Arts Address to the Portland City Council followed by testimony from CAN, Elaine Calder and Roger Hinshaw as well as a few inspiring performances by Poet Kim Stafford, The Flash Choir and Benson High School Student Kiera Brinkley.
Last year, more than 200 arts supporters packed City Hall for this event to show our massive and unwavering support for the City’s annual investment in the arts. And the impact was felt regionwide.
In 2009 the City of Portland passed its arts and culture budget with a 14.7% increase in public funding for the arts bringing its investment to $4.3 million. Metro area residents and visitors experienced the arts and culture more than 2.6 million times through organizations that were funded by RACC. 916,198 of these arts experiences were offered free of charge and more than 175,000 school-aged children were served.
CAN Wants You! …
It’s time to do it again! RSVP now at rsvp@theartscan.org and we’ll see you at Portland City Hall (1221 SW Fourth Avenue, Portland) on March 17th, 9:30-10:30am to show your support for the arts in the Portland Metro Region. Together we will make it clear that the arts are not a luxury, but a necessity that we want and need the City of Portland to continue to fund.
To join our army of volunteers. It could not be easier. Simply sign up for one of our monthly volunteer trainings (look, here’s one now!). And then, sign up to attend your favorite arts event or festival. You’ll hand out buttons and surveys. Enter people to win free arts tickets. And share the news about CAN.
CAN Volunteer Training
First Thursday at The Armory
April 1st, 4pm
RSVP at volunteer@theartscan.org
by 4kimberlyann on January 14, 2010
Getting your ideas off the ground in the age of electronica can seem a little bit overwhelming, especially if you consider yourself a technophobe. However, it’s a lot easier than you think. My web design skills grow with a little help from my friends, and lucky for you all, one of such friend is now offering his services to a wider audience to give lip service to, well, your own ideas and dreams. And it goes without saying that healthy expression leads to a healthy community.
Ted Emeric is THE man to go to for a quick and painless way to start up your own webpage. Not only is he personable, but he’s a rather cool dude. We met out at Lovena Farm on a sunny afternoon under a shade tree. He was lying on the ground, grass blades bending underneath, while I began spouting my ideas to him about health care, and how I’d like to see it change for the better using the HeART of Healing bandwagon.
After my little moment of preaching, Ted asked if I had a web presence, and if not, he’d be happy to help promote my ideas to a larger audience because he believed in my heARTful project. Creating a dynamic hub for others to find me would certainly further my mission; I mean, come on, in this day and age, who performs the Johnny Appleseed version out on grass knolls? And those that do… how do they stay connected to their audience?
And it’s really true: If you build it, especially on the internet, people are more likely to find out about you and your ideas.
For me, I wanted to connect people over common causes – better health care and community communication resources. Ted not only understood that I wanted to contribute to society in my own little way, but he helped me organize my thoughts onto pages using succinct descriptions and calendar links.
Heck, he even added the grass growing in my logo for the HeARt of Healing imagery, citing that “if you’re talking grassroots, let grass play with your bunny’s toes.”
Couldn’t agree more. In fact, I find it rather refreshing and healthy for a self-starter (such as Ted) to help other self-starters (such as myself) grow and prosper in our current set of circumstances. Plant the right seed, folks. Figure out what will support your next steps on both a personal and professional level, and if you need a little help from a friend, consider Ted Emeric.
