MONTEREY PENINSULA BALLET THEATRE Year Founded: 2017 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 7 paid, 120 volunteers Budget: $244,340 (831) 998-0793 mpballettheatre.org BIG IDEA: It takes multiple Presents, Bon Bons, a Clara, a Sugar Plum Fairy and more than 100 other 5- to 18-year-olds to perform Monterey Peninsula Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker each year. These students (and their families) devote more than 350 hours over 10 weekends each fall preparing for shows each December. More than 2,100 community members and 700 fifth-grade students turn out for this holiday tradition. Donations help support the $360 budget gap this Big Idea absorbs per dancer, enabling new generations to perform their Nutcracker dream. “Each and every dancer is given an opportunity to shine in their own light, no matter what role they are cast as. A performance that has impacted my life was the community outreach program where I was able to dance and act as the Lead Maid. When I stepped on stage, I was able to see all the smiling faces of kids who may have been watching their first ballet. It was an honor knowing I was a part of a group of dancers that was able to impact young lives, to help inspire a bigger and brighter future within them.” -Josae Perez MONTEREY PENINSULA VOICES Year Founded: 1962 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 10 volunteers Budget: $80,000 (831) 275-0176 mpvoices.org BIG IDEA: This choral group regularly uplifts community members’ voices. For this year’s Big Idea, they propose an ambitious historical retrospective concert titled “Roots to Gospel, A Journey Through Black American Music.” In addition to Monterey Peninsula Voices’ choir, this concert will highlight a band, gospel artists and musical direction from a local composer. MPV estimates an additional $14,000 is needed to cover Big Idea expenses like conductor and accompanist salaries, guest soloists, concert and rehearsal venue rental and sheet music. “Monterey Peninsula Voices gives me the opportunity to be a part of something beautiful. The music we create helps uplift both the singers and our audiences. In addition, it’s fun and we are challenged as we learn more about our ‘instrument’ (our voices). I hope others will consider joining us.” -Julie Armstrong MONTEREY PUBLIC LIBRARY FRIENDS & FOUNDATION Year Founded: 1999 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 60 volunteers Budget: $160,000 (831) 646-5602 investinmpl.org BIG IDEA: Public libraries are needed, accessible spaces brimming with possibility. Monterey Public Library Friends & Foundation seeks to celebrate the heart of libraries with its Big Idea. Donations support key Monterey Public Library programs, from the bookmobile to summer reading programs, e-book lending and digital collections. Besides these materials available for lending, there are also community programs like author talks and events for babies. Don’t forget new furnishings to spruce up this community space, one that’s always free and welcoming to everyone. “I feel like the library knows me. I really feel safe and creative here. There’s always something new to learn, play or make, and the people are kind and helpful.” -Rowen Ladio, 9 42 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com ARTS & CULTURE DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM NEW CANON THEATRE CO. Year Founded: 2022 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 20 paid, 10 volunteers Budget: $160,000 (831) 275-1441 newcanontheatre.org BIG IDEA: New Canon Theatre Co. has made a name for itself by producing bold plays from Shakespeare to contemporary works in unusual settings, roving from stage to stage (or building its own). The Big Idea is to develop essential organizational structure for this still-young theater company, hiring more paid staff and offering better compensation to the local artists, designers and technicians who make productions possible. With these investments, New Canon seeks to lay the groundwork for its next big goal—the search for a permanent home. “I’m incredibly grateful to New Canon Theatre Co. for the opportunities they’ve provided to Monterey County theater students. From free access to professional productions like An Iliad to hands-on workshops with theater professionals, these experiences have been inspiring and transformative. Their commitment to arts education has had a lasting impact on our students.” -Alicia Welch, Monterey High School and MPC theater instructor SPOTLIGHT “I feel like the library knows me.” -Rowen Ladio, 9, Monterey Public Library Friends & Foundation
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