Join the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts to Celebrate the Opening of Lenfest Plaza!

This event is FREE and will feature the official lighting of Claes Oldenberg’s new sculpture, Paint Torch.  For more information check-out PAFA’s website. 

The Rain Parade: A New Booking Chronicling Art-Reach In-facility Artist Julia Blaukopf

Need summer reading material? Be sure to check out The Rain Parade, a new book chronicling Art-Reach In-facility Artist Julia Blaukopf’s journey in Ghana.

Read more about the book here.

Art-Reach In-facility Artist Gives Away An Entirely Green Music CD To Celebrate EARTH DAY

Art-Reach roster artist and area multicultural performer, DARIA decided to celebrate Earth Day in a unique way this year – she’s giving away 6 of her most popular songs to anyone who sends her a suggestion of how they care for the Earth.  The cd goes out to her fans in an all-downloadable format with liner notes, songsheets and activities all viewable online, without the need to waste any paper, discs, wrapping, packaging or other unnecessary components.  And because it’s free, it shares the idea of consuming less while still having fun with fun with your family, your kids, your classroom or your community.  The songs included on this cd include several that have been used in classrooms around the world to teach tolerance, and share positive values and build bridges between cultures.  As the Christian Science monitor put it in a recent article about her songs: “When Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou makes music, the world listens– literally!” 

What does Daria do with the suggestions she receives about caring for the Earth?  She partnered with two other environmentally conscious artists and created a blog called: 1000 Ways To Love The Earth (1000waystolovetheearth.wordpress.com).  Since the blog launched on April 4^th, they’ve received a landslide of suggestions from countries as far away as Japan, Hungary, France, Uruguay, Australia, the Virgin Island, Russia and the USA. Says DARIA: “ It’s so inspiring to read how important this issue is to folks from around the world and how active they are in finding ways to make a difference in their homes and communities.”  Suggestions so far have ranged from serious to simple to silly; such kindergarten teachers who set up their own worm bins, to Japanese school children who eat by lunch by candlelight to conserve energy to a three year old who thought it would be good to “feed the birds and not squish spiders”.

The blog also features a popular spot entitled FREE AND GREEN where popular multicultural artist, Farah Aria offers free Earth Day posters (downloadable, of course) art activities and color poster give-aways.  Under that section there are also links to free Earth Day videos and animations plus activity sheets that share how to make instruments such as didgeridoos from all recycled components.

For more information, visit 1000waystolovetheearth.wordpress.com or check out the Earth Day tab on Daria’s world music for kids website at www.dariamusic.com. 

Wheelchair Art at Please Touch During Art-Reach Day

Check out these wheelchair artists who will be joining Art-Reach's artist roster very soon!
Art-Reach Day at Please Touch

PNC Arts Alive Family Day at the Opera this Weekend

Looking for fun, free weekend activities?  Be sure to check out PNC Arts Alive Family Day at the Opera.

On Saturday, February 12, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., the Opera Company of Philadelphia (OCP) opens its doors to area families for the PNC Arts Alive Family Day at the Opera, a chance to journey behind the scenes of the Company’s upcoming production of Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet (February 11-20) and to learn about the magic of opera. From face-painting and stage combat demonstrations to a fashion show and a recital, this fun-filled day offers something for everyone.

Attendees will be permitted to tread the stage of Philadelphia’s historic opera house and explore Romeo’s set, visit the stars’ dressing rooms, sit in the orchestra pit, and participate in engaging interactive sessions in the Academy’s Rehearsal Hall and its stunning ballroom.

By allowing young people an in-depth look into the world of opera, OCP hopes to provide a unique understanding of the art form and its creation, allowing hands-on participation in several genres that are integral to opera and opportunities to talk to the artists who create the performances.  Read more here.

Art Around Town: Check Out The Best Day of My Life So Far

Looking for more great blogs?  Check out The Best Day of My Life So Far.  The blog is run by Benita Cooper with the mission to collect, share, and connect stories from seniors with younger generations.  

Watch the following video to learn more about the project :

Be sure to check out Senior Story Telling Day on November 14^th which will feature stories and storytellers from the Best Day of My Life So Far blog.  This FREE community event to be held at the Central Branch Library and will feature Senior Storytellers recalling the best days of their lives. Learn more here.

- Matt Bryan

Keeping customers happy, loyal patrons!

Inclusive customer service for everyone: we all know it is important, but what does it truly look like? How do you do it well and execute it correctly?

Independence Starts Here, in partnership with the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, presents: 

Keys to Quality Customer Service for Seniors and Patrons with Disabilities.
Tuesday, April 20
9:00-11:00am - continental breakfast provided
The Playground, Adrienne Theater
2030 Sansom Street
Philadelphia PA

This free workshop provides the keys to making sure that all customers are treated with respect and that first-time customers become long-term patrons. Mimi Kenney Smith of VSA Arts of Pennsylvania will lead this session, providing a wealth of best practices and attainable, easy action steps to make your venue more accessible and service friendly. Mimi knows her stuff and makes it fun to learn. We hope to see you there!

Register for this FREE workshop at:
http://keystoservice.eventbrite.com

Why it Matters:
Serving senior audiences and customers with disabilities provides significant opportunities for the cultural community.  According to a 1998 Department of Labor statistic, more than 20 million families in the U.S. have at least one member with a disability. The estimated buying power for people with disabilities is over a trillion dollars and seniors with disabilities control up to 40% of the personal assets in America. Yet, when speaking with patrons with disabilities, their primary concern is not for the quality of the ramp or the captioning; it is for the quality of the customer service.  This seminar will provide the keys to making sure that all customers are treated with respect and that first-time customers become long-term patrons.

This workshop is presented by Independence Starts Here, a community wide cultural-access initiative led by VSA Arts of Pennsylvania and Art-Reach in partnership with the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Philadelphia Corporation for Aging as part of Celebrate Arts & Aging.

Independence Arts Studios offers Spring Session Classes

Independence Arts Studios (IDS), an inclusive artist studio offering classes for persons of every age and ability, has their new spring line up available.  Located at 714 Market Street, IDS offers the following opportunities.

Wheelchair Sculptured Art
Thursdays 1-3 pm, April 29th to June 3rd
Michael Mantis, master jeweler, will be lead students to create an assemblage of various wheelchair parts, put together to create a single piece of arts without welding.

Cast Making for Faces
Tuesdays 1-3pm, May 4th to June 8th
Barbara Gregson, theater artist, will guide students in engaging live models to make plastered casts of the faces of some of the Liberty Resources consumers.

Cost for non IAS members  is $40
Cost for current IAS members is $35

For more information or to register, contact the IAS at 215-634-2000 x333 or send and email to info@artsbuyias.org

Travel the globe without leaving Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Archeology and Anthropology

Travel the globe without leaving Philadelphia by visiting the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. Conveniently hop from continent to continent as you stroll through fascinating collections of Asian Art, Egyptian Mummies, and Roman statues.

One of the most stunning features of the museum is the Harrison Rotunda that houses the museum’s collection of Chinese Art. The dome of the rotunda measures ninety feet across and ninety feet from the floor and is one of the largest unsupported masonry domes in the nation. While you’re there make sure to gaze at the breathtaking Crystal Ball that belonged to Empress Dowager Cixi in the center of the gallery. At one point in our history, this ball was stolen and found in a pawn shop in Philadelphia where it was safely returned back to the museum!

Adjacent to the Harrison Rotunda are the Lower Egyptian Galleries, which house the museum’s collection of mummies, sarcophagi, and artwork from the time of the Pharaoh’s. Brave patrons can navigate the corridors of the dimly lit gallery and gaze upon the remains of ancient mummies and learn about the mummification process.

For the classics buffs, the museum’s collection of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman art is fantastic! Travel through time and observe how these ancient civilizations influenced and inspired each another through their art and technology.

In addition to their excellent permanent collection, the museum also features unique touring exhibits that feature work produced locally, nationally, and internationally by archeologists, anthropologists, and community groups. Righteous Dopefiend, one of the touring exhibits currently on display until December 2010, features the work of anthropologist Philippe Bourgois and photographer-ethnographer Jeff Schonberg and their documentation of the daily lives of homeless drug users, drawing upon more than a decade of fieldwork. This moving exhibit cannot be missed and is a profound look and call to action to help address the needs and challenges facing people who are homeless and addicted to drugs.

The museum offers both self-guided and guided tours of their collections, and Art-Reach members can request tickets by submitting a museum request form to the Program Department. Guided and Self-Guided experiences can be arranged Tuesday – Friday 10:00am-3:30pm and Sunday from 1-5pm. During the summer months parts of the exhibit are not air conditioned, making spring the perfect time to plan your excursions around the globe without ever leaving your back yard! Please see the UPENN Museum’s listing on the Art-Reach museum roster for more information about visiting the museum and contact the Art-Reach Program Department for help planning your outing.

-by Matt Bryan

Live Connections at the World Café Live

Back in November, six Art-Reach member agency groups, totaling over 60 people, gathered at the World Café Live to take part in the Language of Rhythm Bridge Session. As an Art-Reach staff member and loyal XPN fan, I was excited to see what these bridge sessions were about and was beyond impressed by the musicians, the members, and the venue.

 

Josh Robinson, an Art-Reach in-facility artist (as Rhythms and Roots) and talented musician, along with two other teaching artists/musicians, led this interactive workshop to explore how rhythm and rhyming can be used to communicate and express emotion.
The program started off with the band improvising music based on the question posed to the audience “how are you feeling today?” and the answers “enamored, sleepy, and excited.” It was amazing how the music played sounded just like those emotions and the Art-Reach groups were immediately transformed into artists, musicians, performers and poets for the next two hours.

Collectively, all 60 people in the audience brainstormed words that finish the sentence “my neighborhood sounds/smells/looks like…” They then compiled these words and phrases into a poem and volunteers stood up to read along to music played on drums,

keyboards, chimes and a number of other percussion instruments.

Here is the poem written by Art-Reach members:


The soundtrack of my life
sounds like butterflies screaming in the wind
A man searching for peace after a storm, a good place to hide
Hummingbirds and bees running through traffic
Children playing in sweet & sour sewage like a
corned beef special
Honeydew in the morning
As Ghetto As It Gets

By the end of the workshop, almost everyone in the room had an instrument in hand. My favorite was the man playing a large upside-down Tupperware bucket with drumsticks. And when the 60-person jam session ended, no one seemed ready to leave. I certainly wasn’t!

Launched in 2008 by a team of artists, educators and entrepreneurs, LiveConnections.org (LCO) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to music, education and support for artists. Through its work, LCO connects all kinds of people through all kinds of music. Each program seeks to blend great art, personal contact and diverse perspectives.  LiveConnections.org’s Bridge Sessions Program brings together musicians from different disciplines and backgrounds with groups of students, seniors and disabled populations in an interactive exploration of music and cultures. By bringing together artists who cross genres and cultures, the sessions encourage participants to consider multiple points of view and build their understanding of perspectives different from their own.

The next Bridge Session will take place on April 13th.  Entitled World of Percussion this program features Doc Gibbs, who was the musical director for the Emeril Live! show. He, along with two other talented percussionists, brings instruments to life, making them sing and literally talk to tell a story. It is an interactive session that resulted in dancing, and instrument playing when Art-Reach members last took part in the program in 2009. This program is open to Art-Reach member organizations serving adults with disabilities who are high functioning. If you are interested, please contact the programming department at 215-568-2115 x4 or x5 or email Matt Bryan at mbryan@art-reach.org 

-By Rachel Robbins

Channel Your Inner George Bernard Shaw with This Great Offer for Art-Reach members!

Y’all know that the snow is going to (eventually) melt, and you will soon be itching to get out of the house to do something fun and different to escape the winter blahs.

But what to do, you ask?

Here’s an awesome idea: You can see some great experimental theater for $1, indulge your fantasy of playing a real-live theater critic, and support our local playwrights and their original works, all at the same time! (Did I mention tickets are only $1?)

Art-Reach has 25 tickets to offer Art-Reach members for Bootless Artworks’ annual one-act play festival, “Simply Short: An Evening of One Acts.” Visit thier listing on the Art-Reach Member Calendar for more information.

This is a juried event, which means the artists' work are being judged, and you are part of the process! The audience gets to vote on their favorite production, actor, actress, and director. Bootless Productions is part of Arden Club, Inc. in Delaware who is a long time arts partner with Art-Reach. How cool is all that?

Tickets are available for March 5 and March 6 at 8pm at Arden Gild Hall in Arden, Delaware. Now, I know Delaware seems far, far away; but it really is only less than a half-hour’s drive (20 miles!) from downtown Philly, promise! It also includes free parking! It takes longer to get to most Philly burbs than to our sister state. The event is also accessible for people using wheelchairs. Contact Rachel Robbins at (215) 568-2115, ext. 5 or at rrobbins@art-reach.org for tickets.

-By Kathy Spillman

Day of Healing for Art-Reach Caregivers

On February 19th Art-Reach and Buildabridge team up to host an event called Day of Healing meant to care for caregivers. BuildaBridge, a long time Art-Reach member, will invite their staff and Art-Reach has extended invitations to their member liaisons; those individuals at member agencies who act as the main point of contact ensuring that the clients they serve receive Art-Reach programming. 

Throughout the year Art-Reach member liaisons work tirelessly to bring the arts to their clients who have disabilities and/or economic disadvantages. Day of Healing provides these dedicated professionals the opportunity to spend a day focusing on their own well being so that they can be revitalized, more effective caregivers. Planned activities are geared towards invigorating the mind, body and essence that drives these individuals to help others daily. This event also serves to introduce our Art-Reach member liaisons to arts partners and In-Facility artists, who they perhaps have not yet experienced thru hands on workshop activities.
Penelope Reed, Producing Artistic Director of Hedgerow Theatre will kick the festivities off with a group activity using interactive theatre games and exercises to relieve stress and share experiences creatively. The motivation is that participants learn to use theatre techniques as a fun, effective way to promote open dialogues with the clients they serve concerning challenging subject matter that allows both caregiver and client the opportunity to view the world from a different perspective.

Also featured will be In-Facility artists Beth McGuigan, leading a session on self introspection through sculpting clay; Angel Baby Music, a 3-piece trio also trained in music therapy and individual music lessons, performing during lunch; and Tony Mascara, who will present his interactive Art-Reach program The Audio Lab and conclude with a group drum circle.

Art-reach Ambassadors will be on hand to ensure the day runs smoothly and Second Street Baptist Church of Germantown has donated its majestic facility for the event, offering free accessible parking. Smaller group break out sessions will be offered to participants including workshops teaching jewelry making, poetry, yoga, dance, papermaking and baking. In fact those participating in baking will bake bread and present it to their peers during lunch. Throughout the day chair massages will be offered to participants. Like Second Baptist Church of Germantown , these artists and massage therapists have also generously donated their time and talents in order to make this event possible so that Art-Reach member liaisons are able to rejuvenate and get a refreshed start in bringing the arts to their clients in 2010!

The program runs from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm on February 19th at, Second Street Baptist Church of Germantown 6459 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119-2345. Cost is $10 per person and participants must be current Art-Reach members in good standing. Limited space is still available, and those interested in participating should contact Stephanie Borton via email or 215-568-2115 x3 for registration information.

The Independence Arts Studio Yearly Winter Exhibition

This Friday, December 11 from 4:30 to 7:00 pm, artists from the Independence Arts Studio (IAS) host their yearly winter exhibition in the Atrium lobby of The Sovereign Building located at 714 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. IAS is a member of Art-Reach and consists of talented artists who have disabilities. Their work will be available for purchase with 50% of each sale going to the IAS artists. Silk and Velvet hand dyed scarves and pillows will be available as well as watercolors, cards, prints and book marks. The event includes light refreshments and the artists will be on hand to talk with people visiting the exhibit. Permanent weavings and textiles will also be on display. For more information contact 215-634-2000 x333. 

Free Public Concert this Sunday

Opera Company of Philadelphia offers a free concert this Sunday, November 22, 2009 from 2:30pm - 4:30pm at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church 

412 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA

An RSVP is required using Eventbrite. http://operaweekfreerecital.eventbrite.com/

This free public recital features tenor William Burden and baritone Troy Cook on Sunday, November 22nd at 2:30 p.m. at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church. Burden, who has sung numerous leading roles at the Opera Company of Philadelphia and the most prominent opera houses around the world, most recently performed the role of the Male Chorus in the Opera Company’s sold-out run of The Rape of Lucretia in June 2009. Troy Cook, who just completed a critically-praised performance as Sharpless in OCP’s Madama Butterfly, heads to Royal Opera Covent Garden in December to sing the role of Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, a highlight in his burgeoning international career. Both Cook, who resides in Bucks County, and Burden, a resident of Princeton, are proud to offer their performances in the spirit of National Opera Week for this free-to-the-public recital, which requires reservations. Joining them will be pianist Tim Ribchester.

In exchange for admission to this free recital, the Opera Company of Philadelphia is asking attendees to bring a non-perishable canned good to donate to Project HOME, who just happens to be an Art-Reach member. Reservations are required in order to attend.

For information, call 215-893-3600, ext 242, or email outreach@operaphila.org. Parking is available at these locations:
* 249 S 6th Street
* 530 S 2nd Street
* 516 South Street

Click the following link for directions to Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church. http://tinyurl.com/yczez67

One of the hardest things to do is to explain visual art with mere words

This fall I had the pleasure of visiting the Institute of Contemporary Art. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, and when I arrived I certainly was not fully prepared for what I was about to experience, which was one of the best museum visits I have ever made. Now, I may be only sixteen, but I have had my fair share of visits to museums, and I know when something is truly unique.

 

The first exhibit I encountered was called "Dance with Camera." It consisted of film, video and still photography of different dances. Dance, in video and film, is a more regular occurrence, but still photography is not. Dance focuses on timing, and changing the timing of similar movements of the same dance, can completely change the mood the dance creates. In still photography, those motions are shown without any timing at all. The dances are permanently held in place and it makes you wonder what emotion you are "supposed" to get from the dance. It can be completely different experiencing a dance in person.

After the still shots, there is a large room filled with various types of video screens and projectors with an eclectic selection of dance films and videos being played. Some have sound, and others do not, but all the sounds mesh together and somehow seem to work. You might think it would be overwhelming, but the elements seem to compliment each other even though each dance and soundtrack is vastly different. There is some nudity in this exhibit, and you may choose to accept that, or you can even ignore that part of the exhibit if you may feel offended by it. It is worthwhile to just ignore it and be able to appreciate the rest of the exhibits in the Institute.

To make your way to the next exhibit from "Dance with Camera," you must make your way up the ramp towards the second floor. But, it's not just an ordinary ramp. This ramp is the centerpiece of an ongoing exhibit at the Institute appropriately named the "Ramp Project." Each changing of the exhibits also includes a re-vamping of the ramp. As of now, its name is "Third Space" and is a collage of geometric patterns made of stiff lines and bold colors and worth taking the time to admire before continuing to the second floor.

Following the ramp is a screening room and a film is playing with dialogue that doesn't quite seem to match. Only after leaving the museum and reading the pamphlet did I understand this exhibit and now I am sorry that I didn't take more time to recognize the true value of it. I won't tell you what the secret is, that would just ruin it and you'll have to find out for yourself, but I'd advise that you go in and take a look and listen to the video for a few minutes then read the information about it in the pamphlet. After you've done that you should go back and watch a little more, I promise, you'll be able to appreciate it much more.

After the video exhibit ("Video Art: Replay Part 1. Asking Not Telling"), you enter a white room filled with many paintings, drawings and "sculptures." It may seem unoriginal now, but upon closer examination, you'll realize that each of these works of art is created over top of a canvas layered with pages of a book, newspaper, comic, or music sheet. Some of these books you may know, and some you may not but you'll still discover that the tales depicted in those stories are enhanced by the artwork that uses each book as a base. Not just a theoretical base, but also a physical one. I'm sure you'll be amazed, just as I was by the astounding layers of meaning in each of these works of art.

As you (probably reluctantly) begin to exit this final exhibit, you'll see the information about it posted on the wall. This summary explains that everything in those two rooms you were just exploring was created by collaboration between a former art teacher in the Bronx named Tim Rollins and his former students, now called the K.O.S. (Kids of Survival). This group work has taken up a special place in my heart, and I really hope you'll take the chance to see if it can do the same for you.

I've come to realize that one of the hardest things to do is to explain visual art with mere words. You will never be able to truly do the piece justice. All I know is that there will never be enough positive adjectives in the dictionary for me to accurately describe my visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art, and especially The Tim Rollins and the K.O.S. exhibit.

To arrange a visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art contact the Programming Department of Art-Reach at 215-568-2115.

-Mary Altamuro

Mary is currently an Art-Reach Ambassador serving an Independent Study with Art-Reach via the ILP Program at Science Leadership Academy.  All photos in this post were taken from the ICA website.

Brunch Recap and Brand New Concert!

Art-Reach would like to thank everyone who worked, attended, or supported the 2009 annual brunch. This past Sunday more than 225 guests joined Art-Reach at the Bellevue for our 18th annual fundraising brunch: “Dixieland Jam: A Celebration of New Orleans Jazz.”

Christine Rouse accepting her award

Amy Murphy Nolen accepting her award

Complete with a live auction by Mayor Nutter for lunch with the Nutters, music from John Hoey Orchestra, a terrific meal and a silent auction packed full of goodies the event was dubbed a smashing success. Our volunteer ambassadors were charming, our donors were generous and we are pleased to share that our goal was exceeded. The entire event grossed over $74,000, far beyond what we aimed to achieve! We thank everyone involved. Because of your support, Art-Reach will continue to be successful in bringing the arts to people who need it most.


Mayor Nutter auctioned breakfast with the Nutters, and then added a second dining session that doubled the amount raise. We can not thank him enough!


We thank David Cohen for introducing our 2009 Commitment to Cultural Access Honorees during the awards ceremony and for representing Art-Reach beautifully.

For more brunch photos, visit us on facebook.

The brunch may be over, but the fun continues with another fantastic way you can support Art-Reach. This Monday evening The Monsters of Folk will perform in concert at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia as a benefit for Art-Reach. A portion of each ticket sold will be donated to us, and Art-Reach staff members will be on hand to provide information about our services. When Monsters of Folk began 5 years ago, they deliberately gave their band a name to throw audience expectation off kilter as a way to stress their versatility and illustrating that they touch on many types of music without easily being categorized into one type specifically. As Michael Hill writes on their web site, “Though there are elements of country, blues, easygoing rock and, yes, folk to be heard throughout, the overall sound defies instant categorization.” The concert begins at 8pm, and tickets can be purchased by visiting www.kimmelcenter.org.

We hope to see you this coming Monday evening, November 9, to support Art-Reach and a band that is not only talented, but makes it a point to give back to the communities they entertain. For more information about Monsters of Folk, visit www.monstersoffolk.com .


Listen to Monsters of Folk Music:
Whole Lotta Losin’
Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.) 
Say Please  

- Stephanie Borton

Sounds of Learning Program is Celebrated!

Opera Company of Philadelphia (OCP), a stellar Art-Reach arts partner, recently garnered attention from NBC for its Sounds of Learning Program™. OCP extends this program to Art-Reach members so they may enjoy opera's powerful art form and take part in the Sounds of Learning Program™ through Art-Reach, which prepares them for a tremendous experience.

OCP extends the next opportunity for Art-Reach members to participate in its Sounds of Learning Program™ In February 2010, when they present Tea:A Mirror of Soul. Those members interested in participating, should contact the Art-Reach Programming Department or email info@art-reach.org.

Check Out the Community Education Center's Open House and Outdoor Arts Festival

Need something to do this weekend? Check out the Community Education Center's Open House and Outdoor Arts Festival this Sunday October 11th at 1pm. For more information, please visit the PhillyFunGuide.

Rally Against the Art -Tax

Held Friday, October 2, 2009 Arts Supporters raised their voices to keep the arts accessible to everyone.

Local actor, Ben Dibble, and his family attended. Ben spoke passionately imploring our government to veto the proposed tax as it would surely lead to downsizing actors as well as various jobs held in the non-profit cultural arts sector. Proudly proclaiming that he and his family are natives of, and want to remain in Pennsylvania, he explained how he may be forced to choose which of his 3 children gain exposure to the arts; his very own craft.

"I am an actor. It’s what I am skilled at and what I am trained to do. As a family, we accept that we will always live a simple, financially austere life. It is the pact you make with the universe when you decide to become an artist," he said. “I can no more envision cutting culture from my kids' lives than bringing them out here today without shoes on their feet. But if this tax were ever put into effect, I would have to ration it. Which membership would fall by the wayside to balance our family budget – Please Touch? The Zoo? Longwood Gardens? Which of our three kids gets to go to the ballet? Which to a youth symphony concert at the Philadelphia Orchestra? All of my children deserve each of these experiences, but how could we afford a family outing with the additional cost?

The truth is this: it will affect the livelihoods of countless Pennsylvanians. Here is how it could affect my family. It will add a cost to theatre tickets during an economic downturn. This will keep people out of theatres: older audiences, younger audiences, audiences who have lost their jobs or their nest eggs. Ticket sales will suffer. Theatres will have to eliminate staff positions. They will produce fewer shows. And – here’s where it affects my family personally – they will choose smaller shows with fewer actors and possibly pay those fewer actors less. Artist positions will, in a very real sense, be downsized. Fewer jobs for artists will make an already competitive market even more competitive and will make providing for my family even more difficult than it already is. And I, of course, am far from alone.

That’s how it will affect artists. But, I’ve got to tell you, it will affect audiences just as much. I LOVE the theatre audiences in Philadelphia, from the thousands of children I’ve met doing shows at People's Light and Theatre Company and the Arden, to the thousands of adults I’ve met at the Walnut, Wilma, and Lantern. In the last ten years I’ve seen these audiences grow and diversify. I want this to continue. Every, every family, no matter how much their parents make, should be able to go to the theatre together. No state should penalize its families by assuming that culture is created only for the wealthy. Especially when our non-profit theatres are working tirelessly to keep ticket prices low while continuing to pay artists a livable wage.

Culture is a fancy word, but its importance in our lives is not frivolous. It is essential. It brings people together. At the very least it brings people joy, and at its best it changes lives. It opens conversations. It sustains us. It is NOT a luxury."

 Barbara Gregson of Independence Art Studio, and a member of Art-Reach, spoke on behalf of the disability community in support of Art-Reach's work and the need to keep ticket prices low. She explained that without the help of organizations like Art-Reach, the people with whom she works would not be able to access the arts, and adding an additional cost to an already economically struggling population would ensure their allienation from the arts.

.

Arden Theatre Company and Please Touch Museum were among the arts organizations present.

Lois Welk of Dance USA Philly also raised her voice to the cause, and made sure that Art-Reach was included in the rally.

To learn more about the proposed tax and how you can take action visit The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.