40 Monterey County GIVES! 2024 mcgives.com Arts & Culture DONate online mcgives.com the artistic process and the finished product, demystifying artistic careers and inspiring the next generation of performers. Donations to this Big Idea help fund Classroom Connections experiences for Sunset Center events, including MOMIX: Alice that was performed in 2024, and The Peking Acrobats coming to the stage in 2025. “The hard work of the Sunset Center is vital to helping our students develop holistically and as participants in our greater artistic community. Without this effort, our students are effectively marginalized from the world outside their socioeconomic sphere.” -Middle school principal Weston Collective Year Founded: 1978 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 5 paid, 6 volunteers Budget: $95,000 233-2100 thewestoncollective.org Big Idea: There’s more to photography than pointing and shooting. The Weston Collective teaches analog and digital photography using art, science, math and technology concepts. This approach expands analytic and critical thinking with photography students of all ages. The Weston Collective increases the accessibility of photography, providing curriculums and cameras to schools throughout Monterey County and awarding the annual Weston Scholarship since 2004. Adult photographers get attention with this Big Idea too, with access to classes, darkroom rental and exhibitions. “I can’t even begin to describe how emotional it was for me to see the Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students’ photographs hanging in the Weston Collective Scholarship exhibit. Those students have been a part of a consistent after-school photography program that has given them a community, access to darkroom photography, curriculum and teachers. The Weston Collective’s expansion to reach new students is evidence of its goal to bring the arts to more communities of young people.” -Wendi Everett, visual art teacher at Monte Vista Elementary in Monterey and former teacher at Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts in Seaside Youth Music Monterey County Year Founded: 1988 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 15 paid, 110 volunteers Budget: $588,000 375-1992 youthmusicmonterey.org Big Idea: The recent merger of Youth Music Monterey County with Orchestra in the Schools offers a unique opportunity for students to grow in their music studies from entry level to advanced orchestra. Now reaching more than 350 youth and 30 schools in Monterey County, these dedicated music students in YMMC, OITS, South County Strings and chamber ensembles rehearse weekly in preparation of multiple concerts each season at Sunset Center. Donations to this Big Idea help this mighty young music operation play on. “As a member of Youth Music Monterey County for several years, I strongly recommend it as an amazing opportunity for young musicians like me. The organization helped foster many skills that have served me throughout my life journey. Starting at a young age with Orchestra in the Schools, I was lucky to be part of an environment that genuinely cares about me. Being around like-minded musicians and great teachers has been pivotal. As I’m entering my senior year of high school, I plan on auditioning for college-level music programs and pursuing a career in music.” -David R.E., 17 Youth Orchestra Salinas (YOSAL) Year Founded: 2010 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 11 paid, 35 volunteers Budget: $843,000 756-5335 yosal.org Big Idea: There is growing demand for music teachers, and YOSAL has a Big Idea to help with this pipeline. This youth music nonprofit seeks to launch the YOSAL Teaching Fellowship Program to equip local students studying music in college with best-practice teaching skills, mentorship, in-class teaching experience and future career opportunities—including giving back to YOSAL, which currently maintains a waiting list for aspiring student musicians waiting for a teacher. This waiting list now includes more than 150 names. “I was born and raised in Salinas and joined YOSAL in the fourth grade. I was never sporty and didn’t participate in other activities. As a shy kid, being part of an orchestra helped me build friendships and learn to communicate. At 11, I received my first instrument, a violin, and fell in love with music. After finishing high school, I worked at YOSAL for about three years. I shadowed the instructors to learn different teaching styles. This fall, I am headed to a four-year university where I will be studying music education. I truly believe that every student should have an equal opportunity to have a musical education.” -Julianna Ramirez Tor House Year Founded: 1978 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 39 volunteers Budget: $145,600 624-1813 torhouse.org Big Idea: The Tor House Foundation reports continued recovery back to full programming post-pandemic, and its Big Idea is focused on rebuilding its efforts preserving and sharing the legacy of 20th-century poet Robinson Jeffers. This nonprofit aims to increase its number of tour docents, to develop educational programs highlighting Jeffers’ influence on ecology, poetry and social justice, and continue its successful fellowship program that welcomes and inspires visiting artists. Donations help the foundation and the property—featuring Tor House and Hawk Tower, made of stone—extend beyond the poetry of a local writing legend. “I’ve come to Tor House many times over the past few years. I’ve never had the same experience twice. I’ve always come away profoundly moved. There is a cherishing there by the people and then, without fail, by one’s self. I’ve brought many friends to Tor House. They come away fascinated, uplifted and excited. Go. You’ll be tripping over yourself trying to describe the glorious time you had.” -Robin Pearson Rose spotlight
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