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.