26 Monterey County GIVES! 2023 mcgives.com Arts & Culture DONate online mcgives.com That the artists are local adds a dimension that we find compelling. CAA is the top art gallery on the Monterey Peninsula. I consider it a must-see when on the Peninsula.” -Duane Zitzner Carmel Bach Festival Year Founded: 1935 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 6 paid, 120 volunteers Budget: $2,800,001 624-1521 bachfestival.org Big Idea: With the recent debut of a new artistic director, the Carmel Bach Festival seeks to sustain this crescendo for its long-running summer festival. Featuring more than 50 events in 14 days, this local artistic institution attracts elite musicians and crowds of music lovers from around the globe. Donations will support Bach Festival’s Big Idea events like the free family concert, hosting a record crowd of more than 500 audience members during the festivities last July. “The Festival is, of course, about music. It is also about relationships between the musicians and the community.” -Melanie Silva Carmel Music Society Year Founded: 1927 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 11 volunteers Budget: $230,000 625-9938 carmelmusic.org Big Idea: How do you build future audiences for classical music? Provide affordable, accessible opportunities for families to attend and grow together. The Carmel Music Society is once again sharing this Big Idea, which offers four free balcony seats at Carmel’s Sunset Center for any of seven concerts in the nonprofit’s diverse season. Participants, which must include one K-12 student and one adult, can enjoy Carmel Music Society’s world-class soloists and small group classical music performances. “I was particularly impressed with Ilya Yakushev’s playing and his spoken introduction for each piece, recounting his reasons for choosing to play it.” -Beth Bates Center for Photographic Art Year Founded: 1988 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 3 paid, 38 volunteers Budget: $385,000 625-5181 photography.org Big Idea: Strategic planning may not sound like the most artistically inspiring project to serve as a Big Idea. But leave it to the Center for Photographic Art to put a dazzling spin on this practical need. Donors can help this nonprofit transform dreams into reality by investing in the organization’s tactical approach to its future. The Center for Photographic Art plans to use its strategic planning process to map out its vision and direction for the three- to five-year future. The organization is rethinking its role in the community as it transitions from digital-only events during the pandemic to hybrid events, and must continue evolving to remain relevant. “The Center for Photographic Art (CPA) is a major contributor to Monterey County’s vibrant art scene. While honoring its history steeped in the West Coast tradition, CPA also embraces the latest developments in contemporary fine art photography. The gallery presentations are diverse, thought-provoking and always free to the public. As a CPA member for the last eight years, I’ve participated in many workshops and artist talks, both in-person and online. My experience has connected me with artists from across the country and around the world. This unique perspective has greatly impacted my practice as a photographer and my growth as an artist. CPA plays a vital and essential role for its members, for the community at large, and for the art of photography.” -Debra Achen Carmel Valley Art Association Year Founded: 2020 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 4 paid, 50 volunteers Budget: $133,000 659-2441 carmelvalleyartassociation.org Big Idea: The professional artists of the Carmel Valley Art Association request support in their efforts to present free Just for Kids arts workshops. Ceramicists, painters, sculptors, mixed media artists and more help Carmel Valley kids explore their artistic talents. This nonprofit partners with a diverse collection of local organizations to reach kids throughout Carmel Valley with its Big Idea, including Cachagua Children’s Center, Carmel Valley Community Youth Center/Tatum’s Treehouse, MEarth, as well as local schools. “I am an artist, sculptor, curator, art historian and ballet dancer. I held the position of general director, co-curator, and chief editor at the Open Klub gallery in Moscow, Russia, for 10-plus years. In 2020 I moved from Russia to Monterey, opened an art studio, and began looking for an art community to join. In 2022, I found the Carmel Valley Art Association. I exhibit my artwork in the gallery and meet visitors when working. Through this wonderful local organization, I offer mosaic classes for children, using ancient, unique and fun techniques to create patterns and compositions.” -Ekaterina de la Torre spotlight Coming here makes me happy to be myself.” Angel, 11, Hijos del Sol
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