We are proud to follow our vision: to be the most recognized source for arts services and cultural information, and to be the premier provider of arts-education for at-risk students. The UAC teaches arts-education classes at 8 afterschool sites in Immokalee, at the Shelter for Abused Women and Children, at Grace Place for Children and Families and at PACE Center for Girls in Immokalee.
As we start a new year, the UAC is expanding our arts-education programs. Through a grant from the Naples Children & Education Foundation, founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, we will grow our arts-education classes in Golden Gate and East Naples. This new program will be our largest arts-education program since we embarked on the highly successful Miracle program in Immokalee many years ago. This year we will introduce the arts to 500 additional children. We will teach visual art, music, theater, dance, digital photography and other arts to these at-risk students.
You have seen recent coverage of arts funding cuts reported in the Naples Daily News. The meager state and local funding which art organizations in Collier County receive, is routinely cut and a set amount is never a certainty. You and I know that arts strengthen a community, assist children with learning, and enrich the lives of our senior citizens, but that seems to be insufficient. Therefore, for the first time ever, the UAC will be participating in the Americans for the Arts Arts & Economic Prosperity V Study. This study will provide a quantifiable economic impact of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and their audiences in Collier County, Florida. This study will require community volunteers and the input of all our eligible arts and cultural organization members. I urge you to become a volunteer and assist us with this study. Please contact Dawn at [email protected] if you would like to become a volunteer.
Finally, the traditional gift for a 35th anniversary is coral or a gift with a marine theme. In keeping with this theme, the UAC has partnered with the Community Foundation of Collier County and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to create a large public art exhibit throughout Collier County, Turtles on the Town. Our artists are busily embellishing these creations and the turtles will go on parade in November. There are still a few turtles available if you or your company would like to become a turtle patron, please contact [email protected].
The UAC looks forward to another great year!
Please mark your calendars for the following events:
- Social Sunday with the Contemporaries, Sunday, August 23- Seventh Avenue Social
- Celebrate the Arts Gala, Thursday, November 12 - LaPlaya Resort
- J. McLaughlin Event, Wednesday, January 13- J. McLaughlin (Venetian Village)
- Stars in the Arts Luncheon, Tuesday, February 17 - Ritz Carlton (Beach)
- Opening Receptions at Rookery Bay, Thursday, November 19 and Thursday, February 4
Kindest regards,
Katie Schweikhardt
P.S. For every dollar donated to the UAC, 91 cents goes to programs and we are now a Guide Star reviewed charity! Please consider a donation to help us continue our work. Visit www.uaccollier.com to make a donation.
