Since the formation of Glendale Arts in July, we have continued to manage the historic Alex Theatre while working hard at developing community partnerships that are designed to benefit artists, arts organizations, businesses, government agencies, schools and residents.
In just our first seven months, we have produced events such as Merry Tuba Christmas and the Peking Acrobats, and provided funding to help underwrite entertainment programming at community events such as Relay for Life and the city of Glendale’s Unity Fest.
In addition, we have created partnerships with the Downtown Glendale Merchants Assn. to use the arts to attract shoppers to the mid-Brand Boulevard business district, the Latino Business Assn. to develop an arts scholarship program and the Glendale Unified School District to help craft its strategic plan for the arts, and we are working with a citizens group to raise grant funding for a large public art installation in Brand Park.
In a few short weeks, Glendale Arts will also launch its new community arts website at www.glendalearts.org.
This groundbreaking venture will allow residents and visitors to access information on local artists, arts organizations and events through a comprehensive calendar, artist blogs, profiles and community commentary.
All of these projects are at the core of our mission to provide resources to foster and strengthen the local arts community and to present cultural and educational programming.
While we are just beginning to lay the foundation for Glendale Arts, we look forward to participating in this healthy discussion about the arts and how we can all play a unified role in stimulating our local economy, bettering our community and enriching our lives.
We invite members of the community to become involved with Glendale Arts and join us in this pursuit.
DAVID SIMON
Glendale
EDITOR’S NOTE: Simon is chairman of the Glendale Arts board of directors.
