The Charlotte Observer Makes Its Mark

By Catherine Miller, Associate Director, Workplace Giving

Inspire the Fire helps kick off the Charlotte Observer’s 2013 Make Your Mark campaign.

The employees of the Charlotte Observer have committed themselves once again to supporting arts and culture in our community. Their enthusiasm and energy was evident at their campaign kickoff with Observer Publisher, Ann Caulkins and ASC Board Member, Bill Bollinger.  ASC grantees, Inspire the Fire, of America’s Got Talent fame entertained the crowd, and shared their moving story of the significant impact that song and dance can make in young peoples’ lives.

The fun did not end with the kickoff. Each day of the Observer’s campaign incorporated cultural tours and performances. Employees toured ASC’s newest program, Studio 345, as well as the Gantt Center’s ‘America I Am’ exhibit. They were treated to performances by strolling violinist, Bob Ennis, the Charlotte Children’s Choir, and Renaissance singers, The Weights. This made for an exciting work week while truly demonstrating the breadth and depth of ASC’s impact on the community.

All of this effort amounted to a very successful campaign for the Observer! Thank you so much to Campaign Chair’s, Jennifer Rothacker and Sarah Crosland, as well as the whole campaign committee. The Observer remains one of ASC’s top 25 employee campaigns, and we are so grateful for the mark they make on this community.

Artist Prepares for McColl Center Residency

Artist Natalie Bork received an $875 2013 Regional Artist Project Grant to support the rental of studio space during an upcoming residency at McColl Center for Visual Art.  To find out more about the Regional Artist Project Grant, click here.

By Natalie Bork

I’m honored to be one of the Regional Project Grant recipients.  The funding provides for my studio costs at the McColl Center during my Affiliate Artist Residency this summer.

Photo by Mark Osborn

I’ll be able to work on my sculptures in a creative and temperature controlled environment. It is also a great location for members from our community to swing by, view and be a part of the process of creating. The space will allow me to create a solid series of artwork to prepare for my museum and gallery proposals – The Contemporary Art Museum in Raleigh being one of them. The grant will also free up funds to purchase more paints, glass and cutting tools.

During my residency, I plan on using the spacious studio space to work on several of my sculptures at once. The layout of the studio is perfect for ping-ponging between paintings, sculptures and carvings. As I move amongst the artwork, during the process each piece will be informing the next. Eventually a dialogue will emerge amongst the sculptures housed in the studio.

Photo by Mark Osborn

It is my intention to create a set of seven, various sized, hollow cylinders that suspend from a steel cable and float above the ground at different heights. Shaylor Knight will be assisting me with the development and creation of the cylindrical forms. The other body of work will focus on colorful, fused glass pieces that are slumped into various forms and telescope off the wall at various depths. It will still have the same under-lying meaning, “Letting go or Revealing Memories?”

Currently, my body of work explores an abstract approach to painting, concentrating on alternative processes and the physicality of the material. The work combines a two dimensional painted surface with a three dimensional form. The main emphasis of the work focuses on memories which are visually conveyed through layers of paint. Some layers of paint are permanently buried. Other layers are aggressively eradicated leaving only small ghost traces. How much a preceding paint layer reveals itself depends on its impact, both visual and emotional. In this way the works become a vehicle to convey a struggle between holding onto memories and letting go, both in life and art.

To learn more about Artist Natalie Bork, click here. 

Circle de Luz Radically Empowers with the Arts

Radical empowerment, according to Rosie Molinary, is what drives the mission of the non-profit Circle de Luz, an organization she helped found five years ago. Circle de Luz works with young Latinas in Charlotte-Mecklenburg to transform their lives through mentoring, scholarships to further educational opportunities and holistic programming.

“One of our guiding beliefs is that exposure to opportunity matters and can be a significant difference maker in a young person’s life,” said Molinary. “One area of importance to us is the arts as our [participants] often aren’t able to enjoy any arts experiences outside of what is offered at school.”

The group, with the help of a $1,490 Cultural Project Grant from the Arts & Science Council, is providing those arts experiences through pottery workshops and theatre outings at Blumenthal Performing Arts.

Molinary said participants have gone to the Blumenthal every year, but with the support of ASC, they were able to buy theatre tickets on the orchestra level.

This may seem like a small thing, but Molinary says it allows the participants to have a more impactful experience.

“It brings them into the performance in a way that our balcony seats never could, making them realize that they aren’t just able to access the arts, but they are welcome,” Molinary said. “Moreover, it amplifies the experience of each show in a way that will intensify the magic of each performance.”

Circle de Luz, founded in 2008, currently serves 15 young Latinas graduating in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The organization provides monthly programs that seek to empower participants to be more academically successful, encourage them to be responsible for their health and well-being and allow them to contribute to their communities.

When participants graduate from high school and the program, they receive a minimum $5,000 scholarship to help with their education.

“We believe exposure to unique opportunities expands one’s perspective about what is possible in life while building confidence,” Molinary said. “Our goals for the program are to offer our [participants] experiences that broaden their perspective and give them a sense of both wonder and satisfaction.

To learn more about Circle de Luz, click here.

It’s Speed Dating Time Again!

We know what you’re thinking, “Speed Dating? ASC?” Well, every year our Cultural Leadership Training Program (a program to train 30 community members interested in board leadership) comes together with cultural organizations in Charlotte-Mecklenburg to “Speed Date” and identify good board matches.

Class members and the Charlotte Symphony during CLT Speed Dating.

The format, not unlike the “Speed Dating” you’re probably familiar with, has class members each given 10 minutes with members of organizations’ board and executive leadership teams to ask questions and be asked questions. It’s an opportunity for CLTers to find what organization they might like to serve with and for organizations to find the best fit.

This year, 30 class members will “Speed Date” with 27 organizations.

Following the session, each side of the table gets to identify top picks, and both sides are matched up.

The program has become a mainstay in Charlotte’s cultural sector, with former class members serving on boards, even some as board chairs, throughout the community. Even ASC’s current board has members from past CLT classes, including Bill Bollinger, metro circulation manager at the Charlotte Observer, and current board apprentice William Hawkins of the North Highland Group.

Applications will soon be available for next year’s class. Keep your eyes peeled and check this out for more information on the program: click here.

Meteorite, Asteroid, Russia and the Big Difference

A meteor explodes through the atmosphere and hits the ground, injuring hundreds in Russia. An asteroid, half the size of a football field will come very close to the Earth today as it passes on its orbit.

As I listened to these stories this morning, besides the general feeling of doom (don’t worry, NASA promises the asteroid is a safe distance away), I found myself wondering what was the difference between a meteor, asteroid and comet.

So for those of you who didn’t learn this (like me) or forgot it at some point, here is the breakdown courtesy of Science Kids:

Comet
A comet is a relatively small solar system body that orbits the Sun. When close enough to the Sun they display a visible coma (a fuzzy outline or atmosphere due to solar radiation) and sometimes a tail.

Asteroid
Asteroids are small solar system bodies that orbit the Sun. Made of rock and metal, they can also contain organic compounds. Asteroids are similar to comets but do not have a visible coma (fuzzy outline and tail) like comets do.

Meteoroid
A meteoroid is a small rock or particle of debris in our solar system. They range in size from dust to around 10 metres in diameter (larger objects are usually referred to as asteroids).

Meteor
A meteoroid that burns up as it passes through the Earth’s atmosphere is known as a meteor. If you’ve ever looked up at the sky at night and seen a streak of light or ‘shooting star’ what you are actually seeing is a meteor.

Meteorite
A meteoroid that survives falling through the Earth’s atmosphere and colliding with the Earth’s surface is known as a meteorite.

So now that you can impress your co-workers, friends and families with your knowledge of near Earth objects, check out this amazing video from Russia’s early morning meteorite strike (And more here).

Nominate a Great Teacher Today

Know a great teacher? Of course you do! Nominate him or her for a Cato Excellence in Teaching Award. The award annually recognizes six creative teachers. Each recipient receives a $1,500 award.

2012 Cato Award Winner

Nomination applications are available on ArtsAndScience.org and the deadline is Friday, March 1, 2013.  The finalists and recipients will be announced during ASC’s annual Impact + Investment event this summer.

“There are so many outstanding teachers in our community,” said ASC Vice President of Education, Barbara Ann Temple, Ph.D.  “We are thrilled to be able to recognize those who are excelling in their fields and improving the educational opportunities of our students.”

Three years ago, ASC established the Cato Excellence in Teaching Award to recognize teachers who have distinguished themselves in teaching Art, Science or History, or who have demonstrated creative infusion of arts, science or history into the core academic curriculum. The award is made possible through an endowment gift made to ASC from The Cato Corporation.

To be considered eligible for the award, individuals must be a Pre-K through 12^th grade teacher working for a public or independent school in Mecklenburg, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln or Union counties in N.C., or Lancaster or York counties in S.C.

Click here for more information and to nominate a teacher. 

The City of Charlotte Makes Its Mark

By Catherine Miller, Associate Director, Workplace Giving

National Arts Program at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center

The employees of the City of Charlotte kicked off another exciting campaign year last Friday. Employees gathered in the lobby of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center for their First Friday breakfast and were treated to an expo of cultural organizations that are supported by the Arts & Science Council. These organizations ranged from the Carolina Raptor Center with their special guest Estrella, the bespectacled owl, to Opera Carolina, the Levine Museum of the New South, and the Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte.

The City of Charlotte is ASC’s 5^th largest employee campaign, raising over $150,000 annually to support arts and culture in our community. These employees not only raise significant funds, they have a lot of fun doing it. Activities planned by their 28 In house Coordinators include bake sales and art classes.

These exciting events are an example of the enthusiasm that creates a hugely successful campaign for the City of Charlotte each year. ASC is grateful for their ongoing support. They are truly Making their Mark on our cultural community.

Make Your Mark Campaign Kicks Off

Late last week, ASC kicked off the 2013 Make Your Mark Campaign, announcing a goal of $8.2 million.  The campaign supports investment in more than 100 arts, science, history and heritage organizations and programs,  individual artists and education programs.

This year, Linda Lockman-Brooks, ASC board chair and president of Lockman-Brooks Marketing Services and Kevin Patterson, ASC board member and retired IBM executive are co-chairing the campaign.  Civic leaders Jim and Mary Lou Babb are serving as honorary co-chairs.

“This campaign is about ensuring organizations such as Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Levine Museum of the New South and Discovery Place have the financial resources they need to operate and serve the community,” said Lockman-Brooks.  “In addition, these dollars support cultural education programs in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, arts, science and history projects in neighborhoods, the development of regional artists and festivals across the county that educate, entertain and enrich the lives of residents and visitors.  Through the collective spirit of community giving, I know we can reach the goal.”

ASC will invest $12.5 million in the cultural sector this fiscal year. Here are some ways we are making our mark…

How are you making your mark?

To make a gift to the Arts & Science Council, visit ArtsandScience.org or call 704-333-2272.

National Arts Program Returns to Charlotte

The National Arts Program was established in 1983 by the National Arts Program Foundation to give artists – young and older, amateur to professional – the opportunity to exhibit their work publicly and to be recognized for their artwork with prizes and awards.

Every year for the past 13 years, ASC has partnered with the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries to bring the National Arts Program to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center. The program is open to government employees, retirees and their families.

The artwork at the show was judged in 5 categories by a panel of art professionals.

Routinely, the show is the first time many participants have shown their work publicly. This year nearly 200 pieces of art were submitted ranging from photographs, to paintings and sculptures.

The artwork is on display at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center until Friday, February 22. It is open to the public and free to attend.

Meet two winners from this year’s show, Jennifer Everson (Best in Show) and Kelsey Millet (People’s Choice Winner).

Jennifer Everson:

Kelsey Millet:

 

The Power of A Challenge

By Laura Sharpe, Associate Director, Community Giving

Sandra and Leon Levine know the power of a challenge.  Their philanthropy is not a one-time gift, but rather a gift that keeps on giving, by inspiring and challenging others to donate.  The Leon Levine Foundation’s Cultural Education Challenge for individual projects on power2give.org, ASC’s on-line fundraising site, did just that.

Sandra and Leon Levine – photo courtesy of The Leon Levine Foundation

The $150,000 challenge inspired 590 individual donations to 89 individual projects.  More than 30 organizations benefited from the Levine’s generosity.  Community School of the Arts is able to provide 1600 music lessons to under privileged youth; English as a second language students at three more  high schools are learning English and photography through The Light Factory’s My Family, Our Stories; and  Opera Carolina’s Opera Express preformed 10 times in Project L.I.F.T. and Title 1 Schools because of the Levines and donors that answered the challenge.

The benefits gained were more than simply funding for the projects they posted but also the introduction of potential new donors to their organizations.  Of the donations received through the site an average of 46.81% were from donors who had never supported the organization previously.

On behalf of all of the organizations and Charlotte-Mecklenburg students, many thanks to The Leon Levine Foundation and everyone who rose to the Challenge.