Change can be a very good thing. We at the arts council have decided that our latest change, our move to the Historic Courthouse, has been extremely productive. Many organizations would have taken weeks to relocate, keeping their outside commitments to a minimum while they settled into their new spaces. The Cabarrus Arts Council did just the opposite. In mere days we were reorganized and had all our programs up and running. Laura Tang, our Art Enrichment chairperson, was training new volunteers even as boxes were being unpacked! As a matter of fact, the fall of 2005 has been the most active season on record in our 25-year history. We have already presented three programs in our schools as part of Students take pART in the ARTS. Eighth graders enjoyed Mike Wiley in One Noble Journey in September. Third, fourth and fifth graders swayed and clapped along with The Magic of African Rhythm in October. High school students were treated to Songs and Letters
The arts council also made a residency possible for five elementary schools. This is our first artist-in-residence program, and we were thrilled to be able to bring members of the Latin Ballet of Virginia to A.T. Allen,
On top of all these activities, we distributed $30,000 in grants for organizational support, project assistance and arts education to 13 local groups or schools. This is the highest amount we have ever awarded, more than twice the $13,650 we gave only a year ago.
We will continue to be good neighbors in our new spot in downtown