36 Monterey County GIVES! 2024 mcgives.com Arts & Culture DONate online mcgives.com Big Idea: Monterey Symphony plans a season of community engagement events for its Big Idea. The 77-year-old organization is presenting new ways for listeners to connect with the Symphony, from youth concerts serving nearly 5,000 students to numerous in-school visits, pop recitals from musicians and deeper and more meaningful relationships with its network of partner organizations, including Monterey Jazz Festival, Youth Music Monterey, Youth Orchestra Salinas, Montage Health and KAZU. “Congratulations on the good work you put into the community. You just never know when even one kiddo today becomes a featured cellist of the future.” -Melissa Sterling Musikiwest Year Founded: 2017 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 1 paid, 10 volunteers Budget: $46,210 (650) 815-1666 musikiwest.org Big Idea: Since August 2021, Musikiwest has presented more than 115 events from SandBox, its performing arts venue in Sand City. These events— ranging from classical music to jazz, dance to film, theater and panel discussions—spark conversations and amplify the regional arts community. Donations to this Big Idea support operating costs, like artists’ fees, piano tuning, rent and bookkeeping, in addition to free entry to SandBox events for low-income arts enthusiasts and youth ages 16 and younger. “I have come to expect that I will be exposed to music new to me at the SandBox. You have made an incredibly valuable contribution to our community. I am in awe of all that you have accomplished.” -Paul Flavell Old Monterey Foundation Year Founded: 2011 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 45 volunteers Budget: $300,000 915-0315 oldmontereyfoundation.org Big Idea: Following the success of its previous Big Idea, which led to the installation of a new mural celebrating Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Old Monterey Foundation seeks help to bring a new mural to a heavily trafficked walkway in downtown Monterey. The nonprofit has four walls in mind for a mural on what is known as the “Alvarado Mall,” a pedestrian-only walkway connecting Alvarado Street to Custom House Plaza. More than just a pretty picture, murals are powerful storytellers that capture and enhance the essence of a place. For a community with a story as rich as Monterey, the more murals the merrier—and this will help bring Monterey’s history to life. “Murals can tell a community’s story, increase tourism, increase appreciation for the arts, and increase the attractiveness of a space. Old Monterey Foundation’s project at the Middlebury Institute did just that, with the creation of the ‘Advancing Peace Together’ mural. Our collaboration has resulted in a beautiful landmark. Old Monterey Foundation has plans for additional beautification projects in the downtown Monterey area.” -Jeff Dayton-Johnson, vice president at Middlebury Institute of International Studies Pacific Grove Art Center Year Founded: 1969 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 1 paid, 30 volunteers Budget: $250,000 375-2208 pgartcenter.org Big Idea: Have you seen the light shows at events like Butterfly Days, the Big Sur Fashion Show, Good Old Days and First Fridays? This is the Big Idea of the Pacific Grove Art Center, a cultural center that uses augmented reality (AR) projection mapping, or “lightcasting,” to create a new way to tell stories. For the Beacon Short Film Festival, this nonprofit plans to enhance the festival’s public art component with its unique blend of public art and cinematic visual storytelling. “The maroon awning over the front door can’t possibly prepare a first-timer for what will unfold once the stairs have been climbed. Four galleries, 17 artist studios, a ballet school and a classroom. It is the busiest gallery space in Monterey County, run by an all-volunteer board and a skeleton crew. I consider PGAC the jewel of downtown Pacific Grove. You haven’t seen P.G. until you’ve seen this place.” -Jane F. Pacific Repertory Theatre (PACREP) Year Founded: 1982 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 7 paid, 100 volunteers Budget: $1,750,000 622-0700 pacrep.org Big Idea: With the recent grand re-opening of the renovated Golden Bough Playhouse, PacRep seeks Big Idea donors interested in becoming “producers” of its 2025 season. Producers help sustain this company’s 10 productions planned in three historic venues, the first full season in years that all of those stages are available. (In addition to Golden Bough, PacRep produces theatrical work at the Forest Theater and Circle Theatre.) Producers not only get to enjoy these productions, but will also receive a chance to go deeper into the creative process with New Canon Theatre Co. Year Founded: 2022 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 20 paid, 10 volunteers Budget: $145,417 275-1441 newcanontheatre.org Big Idea: New Canon Theatre Co.’s Big Idea is to expand its production schedule beyond summer-only programming. The theater nonprofit has selected five contemporary titles for 2025’s theater season, with plans to launch educational initiatives, tour schools and create jobs and opportunities for artistic outreach. Funding will also support the company’s wish to offer more “pay what you can” performances to eliminate a financial barrier for prospective audience members. “New Canon Theatre Co. swiftly elevated our local theater scene. From the immersive Shakespeare in the Vines at local wineries and intimate speakeasy setting of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill at Sunset Center’s Studio 105, each performance has pushed artistic boundaries. New Canon’s investment in talent has raised the standard of theatrical excellence in Monterey County.” -Tom Brocato spotlight
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