Art-Reach Times Summer 2003 Newsletter

"Campaign For ARTREACH"
ARTREACH recently launched its first-ever discretionary operations campaign to raise $500,000 over the next five years. "The Campaign for ARTREACH" will establish a discretionary operations fund for program enhancements that include hiring an additional staff person, the purchase of technological upgrades and the refinement of evaluation tools.Chaired by Harold Hambrose, President of Electronic Ink, "The Campaign for ARTREACH" is complemented by a dedicated committee made up of ARTREACH Board members, volunteers and friends including Margaret Berkey, Joyce W. Burd, Lucy Erdelac, Johanna Hambrose, Barbara McGee, Suzanne Naples and Lisa Nutter, Board Chair.If you are interested in contributing to "The Campaign for ARTREACH", please contact Meredith Palmateer, Development Associate at mpalmateer@art-reach.org or (215) 951-0330 Ext. 129.

Expansion Into Wilmington, Delaware
With generous funding from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, ARTREACH has been able to expand its programs and services into Wilmington, Delaware. All human service agencies serving special audiences are eligible to participate. The expansion project focuses primarily on the In-Facility program, which brings the arts directly to participating agencies, nursing homes and schools. These arts events are either for those groups who are unable to attend arts events in the community, or for those groups that want the arts brought directly to them. ARTREACH has a roster of some thirty performers, visual artists, dancers, storytellers and musicians available for the Wilmington program. In addition to covering the cost for In-Facility performances, the grant also subsidizes ARTREACH's nominal membership fee and the cost for tickets through the Ticketing Program.

New Courtland
For over five years, ARTREACH and NewCourtland Elder Services have had an ongoing partnership to bring the arts directly into each of its six facilities: Care Pavilion, Cheltenham York Road Nursing Home, Clivedon Convalescent, Germantown Home, Maplewood Manor and Tucker House. NewCourtland has incorporated ARTREACH into its Comfort and Joy Program, with the coordination of two performances each month per facility, for a total of twelve In-Facility performances monthly. Through the In-Facility Program, the NewCourtland residents have been able to experience and enjoy performers, musicians, dancers and visual artists including Daria, a world-famous folk singer; Mafalda Thomas-Bouzy, an African drummer and dancer; Bill Jolly, a musician and keyboardist; and, Don Kelvin, a singer and deejay.

Generating Community Completes First Session

ARTREACH recently completed Session I of the intergenerational Generating Community workshop program, which was held at the Heritage Center in the Bridesburg section of northeast Philadelphia. The workshop program is funded by the Rohm and Haas Community Partnership Initiative, and was led by two facilitators from Full Circle Theater of Temple University who were contracted by ARTREACH. The winter and spring 2003 sessions c

ulminated with a final improvisational presentation. During the presentation, a quilt crafted by the Generating Community participants and depicting personal memories and experiencesof Bridesburg was displayed. The Generating Community program will continue in the fall of 2003 and the winter of 2004. In addition to including participants from Bridesburg, recruitment will also take place in Lower Wissinoming. Each series will again include twelve weekly sessions for both seniors and middle school students. Residents of Bridesburg and Lower Wissonoming, who are either middle school students (6,7,or 8th graders) or senior citizens are eligible to participate. For more information, please contact Joyce Burd, Executive Director at (215) 951-0316 or jburd@art-reach.org, or Meredith Palmateer at (215) 951-0330 Ext. 129, mpalmateer@art-reach.org.

Mission Statement

ARTREACH, Inc. is a Delaware Valley nonprofit organization, that joins the arts and special audiences of all ages through organizations that serve people with disabilities or who are economically disadvantaged. ARTREACH, Inc.'s primary activities are to overcome financial and physical barriers and make the arts more accessible to those it serves are:

~ Distributing donated and
discounted tickets for admission
to museums, cultural institutions
and arts performances; (Ticketing
Program)
~ Bringing the arts to our
constituents directly, through in-
facility events at participating
agencies and schools; (In-Facility
Program)
~ Serving as a resource for
information on accessibility of area
arts venues; (access guide) and,
~ Partnering with both the arts and
human service communities to
develop ongoing programs
intended to enhance individuals'
quality of life. (Workshop Program)

Staff Perspectives

Meredith Palmateer,
Development Associate
When I first came to ARTREACH in September of 2002, it was really nothing more to me than a job - a wise career choice that would give me invaluable experience on the path to achieving my goals. It was not until I went to an ARTREACH event, Cirque du Soleil's Varekai, barely two weeks into my employment, that I began to feel personally invested in this wonderful organization. I remember it vividly because I was just as excited as our groups were that evening. I watched as our groups sat on the edge of their seats, whispering about what had already happened and anxiously awaiting what was yet to come. They were riveted, as was I, and completely in awe of the twists, twirls, contortions, breathtaking costumes and wonderful songs. And it is the same each time I attend a performance with ARTREACH groups. To see and experience the utter joy and appreciation emanating from the faces of our participants truly reminds me of the reasons we all work so hard to keep an organization like ARTREACH alive. I am proud to say that I am now one of ARTREACH's greatest advocates. I feel strongly that it is important to meet and interact with our participants in order to see and feel the full magnitude of ARTREACH's impact on special audiences.

Julie Gannaway,
Program Director
I first became aware of an organization called ARTREACH while on staff at the Brandywine River Museum, an ARTREACH ticket donor. I found the mission of this small but effective organization truly ignited my passions, both for arts and human service outreach. I was delighted with my work at the museum, though had been considering moving on, as the job was part time. When the position of ARTREACH Program Director became available, I jumped at the opportunity. Every day since then I am thrilled that I took that chance. I remember the time I volunteered at the Kimmel Center for an evening with the inimitable Japanese Kodo drummers. An agency serving adults with developmental disabilities and brain injuries was to be the recipient of the generously donated tickets. The evening began in the striking lobby of the Kimmel Center where I stood awaiting the arrival of the group members. I had attended an event with the same group some 5 months prior and was amazed this time when several of the clients addressed me by my first name. One even gave me a giant bear hug! That night we shared the astoundingly beautiful experience of Kodo drumming and I thought I had never been more content, both professionally and personally. Now, as I celebrate my one-year anniversary at ARTREACH, looking forward to many more, I find that contented feeling is still with me every day.

News and Updates

» ARTREACH is pleased to announce a new partnershipwith the Franklin Institute. ARTREACH agencies that have completed an orientation and have a current membership may receive up to ten (10) tickets each. Tickets are valid for the Science Museum including the 3D Theater, Planetarium and Mandell Center exhibits. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please call Julie Gannaway,Program Director at (215) 951-0316 for more information.

» In March 2003, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Culture Clock featured ARTREACH. The Culture Clock is a weekly exploration of the arts and is a part of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (GPCA)'s "Campaign for Culture". ARTREACH is listed as a resource for accessibility information, with emphasis on Access the Arts, etc… A Guidefor People with Disabilities. Visit ARTREACH's website at www.art-reach.org to view the article.

» ARTREACH is now linked to the Philadelphia Weekly website through August 2003. Visit website http://philadelphiaweekly.com/ae/ to view the link!

» We are in the final stage of access guide distribution. However, all updates and expansions will be included in the online access guide at www.art-reach.org. The online guide includes all seventy-five venues listed in the printed version. Visitors to the fully searchable, easily navigable site may search by venue, location, accessibility features and type of venue.

» Please Mark Your Calendars Now!! On November 2, 2003, ARTREACH will host its 12th Annual Jazz Brunch and Silent Auction at the Zanzibar Blue restaurant in Center City Philadelphia from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The auction includes over 100 items ranging from designer fashions to sporting events to restaurants and culture. The cost for tickets is $75 per person. The Brunch invitations will be mailed in early September. Please contact Meredith Palmateer, Development Associate, via email at mpalmateer@art-reach.org or by telephone at (215) 951-0330 Ext. 129, to be placed on themailing list or if you would like to donate to the auction, make a contribution, place an ad or be a sponsor of the event.

» ARTREACH is need of volunteers who are available for daytime events during the week. Performances at these times include lots of children's theater and are a great way to spend time with children, grandchildren and family. Please contact Julie Gannaway via email at jgannaway@art-reach.org or at the above telephone number.

» ARTREACH has changed email addresses!! The artreach@libertynet.org address will EXPIRE in the near future. Please note the changes.
Joyce W. Burd, Executive Director: jburd@art-reach.org
Meredith Palmateer, Development Associate/Access Guide
Coordinator: mpalmateer@art-reach.org
Julie Gannaway, Program Director: jgannaway@art-reach.org
General Info: info@art-reach.org

» ARTREACH, Inc. would like to thank Megan Fentzloff, a creative designer (www.mfentzloff.com) and ARTREACH volunteer, who helped design our first-ever electronic newsletter.

Click here for a printer friendly copy of the pledge form.

If you would like to receive our newsletter by email, please send an email to mpalmateer@art-reach.org with your name, organization name (if applicable), contact information, and address.