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Margie Reese Wins National Award from the Americans for the Arts

Americans for the Arts has announced the recipients of the 2019 Americans for the Arts Leadership Awards. Given annually, these awards recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations committed to enriching their communities through the arts.
Margie Reese, Founder and Principle of the consulting firm engaged with Amplify, MJR Partners, is this year’s recipient of the Selina Roberts Ottum Award, which recognizes “an individual working in arts management who has made a meaningful contribution to his or her local community and who exemplifies extraordinary leadership qualities.”
The award will be presented at the Americans for the Arts’ Annual Convention in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, on Saturday, June 15, 2019.
Congratulations Margie!
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Have Lunch with a Planner!

The City of Columbia is hosting “lunch with a planner” discussions throughout the year as part of Columbia Compass, the ten-year update to the City of Columbia’s comprehensive plan. This 12 to 18-month effort will result in a plan that the City’s citizens and policy makers can use as a blueprint to help navigate our future. Your input is vital as we seek to define a vision for Columbia, and identify the policies, programs and infrastructure investments necessary to make that vision a reality.

Please bring a bag lunch and join us on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, from 12 – 1pm at the Meridian Building Plaza, 1300 Block of Main Street to discuss Cultural Resources in the City of Columbia. 

*In case of inclement weather, the lunch will be relocated to the Planning Division conference room, 1136 Washington, 3rd floor. 

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

WHAT: Lunch with a Planner – Cultural Resources

WHEN: Tuesday, January 8, 2019, from 12:00 – 1:00 pm

WHERE: Meridian Building Plaza, 1300 Block of Main St.

WHO: Open to the public – bring a bag lunch or coffee, and come prepared to chat!

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Columbia Compass: Envision 2036 Public Open Houses

The City of Columbia will host public meetings throughout the City regarding Columbia Compass, the ten-year update to the City of Columbia’s comprehensive plan.  This 12 to 18-month effort will result in a plan that the City’s citizens and policy makers can use as a blueprint to help navigate our future.  Your input is vital as we seek to define a vision for Columbia, and identify the policies, programs, and infrastructure investments necessary to make that vision a reality.  These meetings will include a brief presentation followed by interactive activities, and will be identical in format to one another. 

  • November 26, 2018, Columbia Fire Department Station #16, 131 Lake Murray Boulevard, 6pm
  • November 27, 2018, Greenview Park Community Center, 6700 David Street, 6pm
  • November 27, 2018, Heathwood Park Neighborhood Center, 800 Abelia Road, 6pm
  • November 28, 2018, Emily Douglas Park Neighborhood Center, 2500 Wheat Street, 6pm
  • November 29, 2018, The Members Club at Woodcreek, 300 Club Ridge Road, 6pm
  • December 6, 2018, Woodland Park Community Center, 6500 Olde Knight Parkway, 6pm

The planning process will result in a vision and document which can help guide City Council as they Envision 2036 – when Columbia will celebrate its 250th year, or semiquincentennial.  Elements of the plan research and analysis will include Columbia’s population, natural resources, land use, transportation, housing, community facilities, cultural resources (known as Amplify), and economic development.

For more information about Columbia Compass: Envision 2036, visit www.columbiacompass.org, follow @ColaCompass on Facebook or Twitter, or contact the Planning and Development Services Department at 803-545-3222.

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Amplify to Next Host Meetings for Senior Citizens and Arts Educators

One Columbia for Arts & History, which advises, amplifies and advocates for the unified arts and history community, announces that, as a part of “Amplify: A Cultural Plan for the Columbia Area”, it will host more meetings with cultural and community organizations and members of the public this summer.

  • Acknowledging that Columbia’s history and future are shaped by the memories and aspirations of our elders, seniors and their families are invited to share songs that represent “the soundtrack to our lives!” Saturday, August 11th from 3-4 p.m. (location: The Lourie Center, 1650 Park Circle in Columbia.) Music + Memory, a free event created for seniors, blends storytelling through music with heartfelt conversation. Participants can also take part in a mini-concert as we collectively share memories inspired by favorite music and enjoy a musical stroll down memory lane with the dynamic voices of Columbia’s IndigoSOUL, a soul music trio featuring the combined talents of locally based performing artists Katrina Blanding, Terrance Henderson and Kendrick Marion.
  • Artist educators, community artists and professional artists who teach are invited to a professional development workshop on Monday, Aug. 27, from 6 – 8:30 p.m. (Eau Claire Print Building, 3907 Ensor Ave). Teaching artists will also be asked for their input about their experiences in teaching and the needs of our community to aid in the Amplify planning process. Participants will be given structure, guidance and tools to implement clear goals in their residencies and lessons and to improve their work. For both emerging and master teaching artists, this workshop is open to faculty of Midlands universities, classroom teachers, artists, staff working with any area arts organization, museum docents and parks and recreation staff who work directly with young people. This session is free, however preregistration is required. Register by emailing your name and a contact number to hello@amplifycolumbia.com.

These workshops and discussions are facilitated and led by members of the Amplify steering committee and Margie Reese, an arts advocate and arts management professional. In earlier Town Hall discussions with the public and targeted groups, Reese and the Amplify committee have identified six emerging themes and needs for arts growth in Columbia:

  • Space for cultural expression, art making.
  • Leadership that nurtures diverse ideas, perspectives.
  • Investment that refreshes the arts infrastructure systematically.
  • Increased value for artists.
  • Arts learning, including exposure and mastery, for children and young people.
  • Increased value for tangible and intangible heritage.

The Amplify steering committee invites public participation and responses to help in developing a robust cultural plan for Columbia and the region.

The City of Columbia’s office of Planning and Development Services is initiating development of a Comprehensive Plan for all aspects of Columbia’s future. Amplify will serve as the arts and culture piece of the plan, For more information on Amplify and attending these town hall meetings, visit AmplifyColumbia.com, where members of the public can also provide input on arts and cultural planning in Columbia through Amplify’s online survey.