ART ABILITIES Year Founded: 2022 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 11 paid, 35 volunteers Budget: $514,000 (831) 915-4611 artabilities.org BIG IDEA: Community support means Art Abilities’ full-day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is ready to launch! With a planned January 2027 debut, this Big Idea now needs a little more help to become a reality. This nonprofit requests support to purchase an eight-seat van to help transport clients to this brand-new program. This van will do more than transport people to the new San Andreas Regional Center; ideas for visiting museums, galleries and gardens would also be possible. “Art Abilities is an exceptional place filled with patient, caring and responsible staff and volunteers. With his highly structured schedule, our son Colin eagerly anticipates his twice-weekly art classes. He even puts himself to bed early the night before to be ready. Colin initially required one-to-one assistance, but now creates, explores and flourishes with increasing independence. That growth has enhanced his ability to manage not only the classroom but his interactions in the broader community.” -Scott and Christina Seeley ARTS COUNCIL FOR MONTEREY COUNTY Year Founded: 1982 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 36 paid, 30 volunteers Budget: $2,443,999 (831) 622-9060 arts4mc.org BIG IDEA: Arts4Healing reaches into the community to bring visual art, music, movement and other forms of creative expression to vulnerable populations. The Arts Council for Monterey County’s Big Idea mobilizes trained teaching artists who help survivors of human trafficking, people with disabilities, at-risk youth and more community members to learn new skills and experience the therapeutic benefits of making art. Donations will expand these efforts and bring healing art experiences to more groups throughout the county. “I really enjoy the art classes from CHISPA and the Arts Council for Monterey County. They keep me engaged, and I like going through the learning process in each class. I’m always learning something new, and it makes the experience really enjoyable for me.” -Yolanda, adult participant in the CHISPA Arts4Healing Program CAMERATA SINGERS Year Founded: 1982 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 12 volunteers Budget: $56,000 (831) 642-2701 camerata-singers.org BIG IDEA: For those in a skilled nursing facility, the memories of the holidays may feel far away. With their Big Idea, the Camerata Singers bring these comforts to life through winter and spring choral concerts for residents of skilled nursing facilities. Camerata Singers structures these performances as a sing-along, providing binders with printed lyrics and inviting the audience to choose the set list. By singing with and for the residents, this nonprofit delivers something that feels like home. “This was a healing experience. My wife died a few months ago and I was not looking forward to the holidays without her. At first, I didn’t want to come down to hear you. I now feel happier about the holidays, knowing that singing was something she enjoyed. It helped me remember her in a happier way.” -Darion CARL CHERRY CENTER FOR THE ARTS Year Founded: 1948 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 85 volunteers Budget: $190,000 (831) 624-7491 carlcherrycenter.org BIG IDEA: Intellectual friction combined with quiet reflection defines this organization’s Big Idea. Carl 26 Monterey County GIVES! 2026 mcgives.com ARTS & CULTURE DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM “This was a healing experience.” -Darion, Camerata Singers CHAMBER MUSIC MONTEREY BAY Year Founded: 1966 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 10 volunteers Budget: $365,920 (831) 625-2212 chambermusicmontereybay.org BIG IDEA: For its 60th anniversary, Chamber Music Monterey Bay is boosting its concert schedule from five performances to six. And that’s just the beginning of its Big Idea. The nonprofit envisions a year centered around “Connecting Generations,” including providing free concert tickets and interactive visits for students, low-income individuals and seniors, as well as continuing to bring visiting artists to schools. This nonprofit’s “Kids Up Front and Free” initiative reserves the first three rows of the Sunset Center for families to experience the power of live chamber music. “The Morgenstern Trio’s performance was excellent, and the three of them did a great job of capturing the interest and attention of our Seaside High School students. On a personal note, I felt like they really, really honor the wonderful composers they perform. A few students approached me after the show and expressed interest in attending after seeing the group!” [Note: The following evening, 20 music students benefited by attending the Trio’s concert at Sunset Center via the “Kids Up Front and Free” initiative.] -John Weed, strings tutor, Seaside High School SPOTLIGHT
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