The Sitka Fine Arts Camp is breaking-ground just as top national foundations and the NEA are embracing a new movement in community building. The Revitalization of the Sheldon Jackson Campus embodies the driving idea behind this movement: Creative Placemaking.
Creative placemaking uses art as a catalyst to animate under-utilized spaces, build community and spark economic growth. As you know, the SJ Campus stood boarded-up and unused this time last year.
And look at what's happening on Campus now:
Community Theater
The Live Modern Radio Theater cast found star-quality voices during rehearsals. They put on a great show! Last Saturday's performance was directed Ed Ronco and produced by Shannon Haugland.
After-School Digital Photography
Fourth and fifth grade artists are exploring skills on the camera and the computer under the instruction of Harriet McClain.
After-School Theater Wednesday and Thursday afternoons you will find Americore, Juanita, teaching young actors.
Slack Tide The local band has a rehearsal space on campus and their music is keeping the winter evenings lively!
Ceramics
We want to open the ceramics studio to the community! Stay tuned for more information, and email Cassi if you are interested.
Help us develop this campus as an Artspace in Sitka. Come the the work party this Saturday! And if you haven't yet, consider making a donation toward this creative placemaking!
Creative Placemaking
The idea of creative placemaking was presented to the NEA by Ann Markusen during November of last year. And the idea is catching! Earlier this year, the NEA launched its "Our Town" grant initiative based on placemaking principles. More recently, national foundations have teamed up with the NEA to accelerate creative placemaking in an initiative called ArtPlace.
We are seeing more and more parallels between our vision for the Sheldon Jackson Campus and the goals unfolding in each of these national grant initiatives.
Please make a note if you would like to remain anonymous
SFAC presents the 8th Annual
Holiday Brass Concert
Musicians from the world-renowned San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra will will fill the Sitka Performing Arts Center with the warm sounds of the holiday season.
