SPECTORDANCE Year Founded: 1997 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 28 volunteers Budget: $91,500 (831) 601-8510 spectordance.org BIG IDEA: Dance that makes a difference is SpectorDance’s Big Idea. This mission comes alive in several different dance and arts programs offered across Monterey County. Donations will support this organization’s wide-ranging programs, such as the sixth annual Ocean Arts Festival, a one-day festival where 500 young artists create ocean-themed art. SpectorDance also shares its signature issue-based dance performances with underserved communities, using contemporary choreography to explore urgent topics like wildfires, ocean health and modern agriculture. “SpectorDance provides invaluable opportunities for young artists to express their creativity, share their visions for a brighter future and engage meaningfully with their community. The annual Ocean Arts Festival is a beacon of creativity and thoughtful engagement that offers a platform for youth to create and present art that conveys powerful messages about environmental stewardship and community involvement. Through this festival, young participants learn that their voices matter and that they can affect positive change, even from a young age.” -Roxanne O’Weger SUNSET CENTER Year Founded: 2003 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 19 paid, 72 volunteers Budget: $2,855,355 (831) 620-2040 sunsetcenter.org BIG IDEA: Sunset Center is a performing arts venue known for hosting a range of cultural programs, from big orchestras to stand-up comics. The Big Idea is about making sure everyone can attend to experience all of that creativity. Arts For All is a suite of programs that remove financial barriers. That includes Classroom Connections, where Sunset Center performers lead classroom workshops for 600 K-12 students each year, and then those students watch the same artists perform on stage. Next is Sunset Center’s free and discounted tickets for seniors, students, veterans and others, as well as free community programs like art exhibits, livestreams and monthly film screenings. “Sunset Center is a treasure in our community. We are so fortunate to have this beautiful venue and excellent programming here on the Central Coast. Thank you so much for all you do to expand performing arts opportunities and for the Classroom Connections Program that contributes so much to the cultural exposure for youth in our community.” -Fran S. TOR HOUSE Year Founded: 1978 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 40 volunteers Budget: $146,490 (831) 624-1813 torhouse.org BIG IDEA: The Tor House is now a National Historic Landmark, both for housing the notable American poet Robinson Jeffers but also for the architectural significance of Tor House and Hawk Tower. To help spread the news of this Big Idea, Tor House seeks donations to expand its docent corps and offer more public and school tours. Boosting collaborations with local nonprofits, developing educational programs and digitizing the organization’s extensive archival collection are also in the works for this landmark property, built from stone quarried onsite by Jeffers beginning more than 100 years ago. “I can’t describe how special the tour was. It was glorious! I felt so connected to the Earth and its history as those two masterful storytellers shared their knowledge about every aspect of the Jeffers’ lives, Tor House and the land it was built on—they brought it all to life.” -Jacquie Gladney 48 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com ARTS & CULTURE DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM THE WESTON COLLECTIVE Year Founded: 2004 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 4 paid, 20 volunteers Budget: $96,000 (831) 233-2100 thewestoncollective.org BIG IDEA: Do you know where to find a darkroom or digital photography classes? Even in an era when everyone has a camera in their pocket at all times, photography essentials can seem hard to access. The Weston Collective combines art, science, math and technology to teach photography to all students. The nonprofit offers a darkroom, artist exhibitions and the annual Weston Scholarship. Its Big Idea is an initiative called Facing Seaside, which connects young photographers with local businesses, teaching practical commercial photography skills in documenting the people and places that define Seaside—and helping inspire youth to build diverse careers in this art form. “Facing Seaside is a project where business owners that are from the area let us take photos of them and connect with them. I enjoy talking and getting to know them.” -Steven V., 9 SPOTLIGHT “What a smashing close to the season.” -Gary Davis, Monterey Symphony
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