Lehigh Valley Arts Council – Arts Alive Series!

Join us in exploring the “intimacy of space” as imagined by a landscape architect, captured in a musical salon, and depicted in the wearable art of a metalsmith. Expand your appreciation for the arts by attending one (or all three) of our Arts Alive offerings! Members Enjoy a Discount with Arts Alive Series Ticket Enjoy all three 2017 Arts Alive events for the price of $60 (savings of $15)!

PURCHASE ARTS ALIVE SERIES TICKET

How Does Your Garden Show? Saturday, April 29, 2017 11 am – 12:30 pm Garden Design, Inc. PURCHASE TICKETS

Music of Friends Saturday, June 17, 2017 11 am – 12:30 pm Home of Janet & Malcolm Gross PURCHASE TICKETS

Wearable Sculpture Sunday, October 15, 2017 11 am – 12:30 pm Studio of Loretta Tryon PURCHASE TICKETS

Free Grant Writing Workshops Offered By Lehigh Valley Arts Council In 2017

In an effort to assist applicants with the 2017-18 Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) Project Stream grant application process, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council will offer free grant writing workshops in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties in May of 2017. “The PPA program initiative is a critical source of state and federal funding for eligible individuals, community groups and nonprofit organizations interested in conducting arts projects with a clear public component,” stated Randall Forte, Executive Director of Lehigh Valley Arts Council. “As the regional partner of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, we have accepted as many as 60 requests in any given year, awarding grants to community projects including, but not limited to exhibitions, films and performances that impact a wide range of constituents from young children to senior citizens, regardless of ability, ethnicity, culture or socioeconomic status.” The keys to successfully navigating the Project Stream application process lie in a deeper understanding of content, format and fiscal expectations set forth in the grant guidelines by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. By attending one of the workshops, applicants will gain a thorough understanding of review criteria, suggestions for constructing compelling and comprehensive narratives and guidance in building detailed project budgets. Applicants are encouraged to RSVP and attend one of the following workshops: May 4, 2017 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm Anita Shapolsky Art Foundation; 20 West Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA, 18229 May 9, 2017 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm Lehigh Valley Arts Council; 840 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA. 18101 May 16, 2017 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm Arts Establishment; 945 Broadway, Fountain Hill, PA, 18015 For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact: Zach Kleemeyer, Community Engagement Coordinator Lehigh Valley Arts Council ppa@lvartscouncil.org | 610-437-5915

About the Lehigh Valley Arts Council The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is the region’s central voice for the arts, promoting arts awareness and advocating its value while strengthening access to the arts for all citizens in our community. The Arts Council’s mission is to promote the arts; to encourage and support artists and their development; to assist arts organizations; and to facilitate communication and cooperation among artists, arts organizations, and the community. Services include arts research and advocacy, professional development seminars, publications, and cooperative regional marketing initiatives.

Lehigh Valley Arts Advocate – February 2017

FEBRUARY 2017

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR At only 46 cents per citizen, one has to ask “What does the National Endowment for the Arts actually do for the citizens of this country?” Surprisingly, a lot. The 2016 budget for the National Endowment for the Arts was $148 million dollars. Annually, the NEA awards more than 2,200 grants and cooperative agreements exceeding $130 million, funding the arts in all 50 states and six U.S. jurisdictions, including urban and rural areas, and reaching civilian and military populations. As determined by the Americans for the Arts in their Arts & Economic Prosperity IV study, the nonprofit arts and culture industry in the United States generates $135.2 billion dollars of activity annually. This activity supports 4.1 million jobs and generates $22.3 billion dollars in revenue to local, state and federal governments. That’s quite a healthy return on investment at less than four bits. Economics aside, public funding for the arts validates the important role that the arts play in our lives. Arts are the highest form of expression. They have the power to make our lives better, heal emotional wounds, and spark initiatives, As a citizen, I would gladly support $5 of my tax dollars toward increasing the budget for the NEA. It would go a lot further in bringing people together in this country than spending $30 billion dollars for a wall. Randall Forte, Executive Director

Save the Date for Young at Art!

You won’t want to miss this year’s day of creative fun for the whole family! SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2017 10:00am to 2:00pm Penn State Lehigh Valley free admission for the community lvartscouncil.org/young-at-art The day will be jam-packed with hands-on activities and performances from the participating groups, from dance routines and theatre workshops to arts demonstrations and craft projects. Kids of every age and ability will find a way to sample the arts in all forms, while parents can gather information about classes and summer camps.

Meet Our Exhibiting Artist

THOMAS AUGUSTA January / February “As a painter, I am more interested in how the subject appeals to me. I paint what I think is pleasing or compelling to the eye. My watercolors are more detailed than others, I try to bring in the viewer in with color, composition and detail.” Thomas is a watercolor painter currently living in Bethlehem, PA, painting plein air and in his “Crow’s Nest Studio” at home. His inviting watercolor landscapes and still lives capture light and color, creating a balanced and interesting setting that tells a story. Thomas’s exhibit will be on display in our office until the end of February – stop by and see the collection!

Exhibiting Artist Page

Arts Alive 2017

Engage Your Mind & Spirit! Join us in exploring the “intimacy of space” as imagined by a landscape architect, captured in a musical salon, and depicted in the wearable art of a metalsmith. Expand your appreciation for the arts by attending one (or all three) of our Arts Alive offerings! SPECIAL MEMBER PRICING FOR SERIES TICKET Enjoy all three 2017 Arts Alive events for the price of $60 (savings of $15)!

PURCHASE ARTS ALIVE SERIES TICKET

▪ How Does Your Garden Show? Saturday, April 29, 2017 | 11 am – 12:30 pm | Garden Design, Inc. PURCHASE TICKETS ▪ Music of Friends Saturday, June 17, 2017 | 11 am – 12:30 pm | Home of Janet & Malcolm Gross PURCHASE TICKETS ▪ Wearable Sculpture Sunday, October 15, 2017 | 11 am – 12:30 pm | Studio of Loretta Tryon PURCHASE TICKETS

Upcoming Performances

MORAVIAN COLLEGE MUSIC INSTITUTE February 18 at 7:30pm Sounds of New Orleans Foy Hall, Moravian College February 19 at 2:00pm Gamelan Gita Semara Foy Hall, Moravian College February 26 at 4:00pm An Afternoon of Jazz Foy Hall, Moravian College March 16 at 7:30pm Expressionism – The Art & the Music Peter Hall, Moravian College March 19 at 7:00pm Moravian College Jazz Fusion Ensemble & Jazz Combo II Foy Hall, Moravian College March 24 at 7:30pm Moravian College BIG Band Foy Hall, Moravian College March 26 at 4:00pm Early Music Ensembles Peter Hall, Moravian College March 26 at 7:00pm Celtic Ensemble – “Heather & Thistle – Music of Scotland” Peter Hall, Moravian College March 31 at 7:30pm Moravian College Dance Company Foy Hall, Moravian College

MORAVIAN COLLEGE THEATRE COMPANY February 23 at 8pm Boeing-Boeing Arena Theatre, Moravian College February 24 at 8pm Boeing-Boeing Arena Theatre, Moravian College February 25 at 8pm Boeing-Boeing Arena Theatre, Moravian College February 26 at 2pm Boeing-Boeing Arena Theatre, Moravian College

PENNSYLVANIA SINFONIA ORCHESTRA March 5 at 4pm An Afternoon with Mozart Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown

Second Annual Young At Art Expo Is Back!

The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is proud to present the second annual Young at Art Expo.on Saturday, March 11, 2017. Held at Penn State Lehigh Valley, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, this event invites families with children of all ages to enjoy music, dance, arts and exploration. Admission is free and open to the public.

Local arts providers will assist parents with selecting the right summer class for their aspiring creatives. Parents will witness first-hand how the arts ignite their children’s imagination, while their kids get the chance to explore their inner dancer, actor, musician, author or visual artist.

“Young at Art is a day devoted to curiosity and entertainment,” says Executive Director Randall Forte. “Last year, we welcomed over 300 guests to our inaugural event, and the positive response from local families was wonderful!”

“My girls loved the different activity tables and face painting,” said Hazel Singleton Chumo, mother of two fun-loving girls, ages 7 and 4. “They also enjoyed the live performances which made it more entertaining.”

The expo showcases twenty arts and cultural businesses in the region that offer a wide range of children’s programming, both for beginners and for kids at an intermediate level. Among them include Community Music School, Banana Factory, Allegro Dance Studio, Swain School, Mikayla’s Voice, and the Mayura Academy of Dance.

The day’s festivities will feature an arts demonstration or performance every fifteen minutes, so kids will have a chance “to imagine what kind of artist” they want to be this summer. Families will have the opportunity to meet different arts instructors and join in hands-on activities. Lunch will be available for purchase, and parking is free.

For more information, visit http://www.lvartscouncil.org/young-at-art/.

Whose Business Is The Arts?

Throughout 2016, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council has been gathering data for the Americans for the Arts national economic impact study, Arts & Economic Prosperity V. Once every five years the Arts Council participates in this research by collecting information from cultural nonprofits and their audiences in the counties of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton. Thanks to your participation, we were able to provide nearly 100 organizational surveys and 800 audience surveys from the Lehigh Valley. Americans for the Arts will analyze the data over the next several months and provide our region with its own detailed report in June 2017. At that time, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council and the Lehigh Valley Partnership will co-host the Whose the Business is the Arts? public forum to release the results to the community and address challenges of mutual concern. You are invited to serve on the planning committee for creating the agenda for the Whose Business is the Arts? Public Forum. The first meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 23, 2017, from 4:00 to 5:30pm, in the 2nd Floor conference facility in the Butz Corporate Center, 840 Hamilton Street in Allentown. Please RSVP your intention to attend to rforte@lvartscouncil.org by January 18, 2017. I look forward to working with you.

About the Lehigh Valley Arts Council The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is the region’s central voice for the arts, promoting arts awareness and advocating its value while strengthening access to the arts for all citizens in our community. The Arts Council’s mission is to promote the arts; to encourage and support artists and their development; to assist arts organizations; and to facilitate communication and cooperation among artists, arts organizations, and the community. Services include arts research and advocacy, professional development seminars, publications, and cooperative regional marketing initiatives.

Lehigh Valley Arts Advocate – December 2016

DECEMBER 2016 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Happy Holidays! This holiday season will shine a little brighter because I will be witnessing it through the eyes of my new grandchild. He teaches me about wonder and renews a sense of hope for the future. What a piece of work is a child. The beauty of the world. Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season. Randall Forte, Executive Director The most wonderful time of the year…to enjoy the Arts and Culture of the Lehigh Valley! These festive months are full of chances to celebrate, creating memories to last a lifetime. Catch a holiday themed dance or theatre performance, listen to the songs of the season, shop handmade for cherished gifts, or create a holiday craft perfect for giving. Here’s your guide to get into the spirit of the season with the Arts! Holiday Memories Start Here Save the Date for Young at Art! You won’t want to miss this year’s day of creative fun for the whole family! SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2017 10:00am to 2:00pm Penn State Lehigh Valley free admission for the community The day will be jam-packed with hands-on activities and performances from the participating groups, from dance routines and theatre workshops to arts demonstrations and craft projects. Kids of every age and ability will find a way to sample the arts in all forms, while parents can gather information about classes and summer camps. Join us as an Exhibitor! The deadline for early registration is Friday, December 2nd! Exhibitor Registration Advertising is available for our full-color program! Our event brings in local families with children of all ages – reach this target audience with an affordable ad, while supporting arts education in our region! Advertising Information Kiddos enjoying an interactive performance with Mock Turtle Marionette! Upcoming Performances BACH & HANDEL CHORALE December 3 at 12pm Christmas Concert St. Mark’s Episcopal Church December 3 at 3pm Christmas Concert St. Mark’s Episcopal Church MORAVIAN COLLEGE THEATRE COMPANY December 1 at 8pm Everyman on Trial Arena Theatre, Moravian College December 2 at 8pm Everyman on Trial Arena Theatre, Moravian College December 3 at 8pm Everyman on Trial Arena Theatre, Moravian College December 4 at 2pm Everyman on Trial Arena Theatre, Moravian College

Arts Advocate – October 2016

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Despicable Me Data collection and analysis are essential advocacy tools. It requires a certain amount of ruthlessness however, to collect information from the arts community. Every five years the Lehigh Valley Arts Council has undertaken research to track the state of the arts in the region and compare the results to national trends. The findings from the 2012 Arts & Economic Prosperity study of the region’s nonprofit arts industry revealed a $208 million industry—one that provides 7,114 full-time jobs and generates $21 million in state and local taxes annually. Very impressive, don’t you think? Currently, the Arts Council is in the midst of gathering data for the 2017 study. Throughout 2016, I have been urging cultural nonprofits to complete an organizational expenditure survey, as well as assist me in surveying audiences at 16 various performances or events. We now have 40 groups onboard and 500 audience surveys completed. That leaves another 60 groups and 300 audience members to chase down. The more data we collect will translate into a bigger story about how the region’s nonprofit arts industry boosts our economy. Heads up! I’m coming for you! Randall Forte, Executive Director

ARTS COUNT: Get fired up for Arts Count at Smooth-On! “What’s the deal with this place, Smooth-On?” It’s okay to wonder what Smooth-On, Inc. is and how it relates to our upcoming event, Arts Count! We’ve received a few inquiries about this company and it’s location with a huge warehouse in Macungie (formerly Day-Timers) that doesn’t appear to be a place to host a celebration. However, when you see the work of Smooth-On products, it will all make perfect sense! The entrance alone is sure to wow our guests. Trust us, you won’t want to miss the Arts Count fun!! Head over to Smooth-On’s Facebook page and you’ll get a taste of how their products are used for movie props and characters! ARTS COUNT Wednesday, October 19, 2016 5:30–7:30 PM Smooth-On, Inc., 5600 Lower Macungie Road, Macungie, PA Don’t forget to RSVP at 610-437-5915 by Friday, October 14th! MEMBERS FREE NONMEMBERS $10 PURCHASE TICKETS

AUDIO DESCRIPTION TRAINING: Two-Day Workshop Opportunity INCREASE YOUR JOB SKILLS! BUILD YOUR RESUME! Theatre practitioners from all walks of life—actors, students, volunteers, educators—are invited to enroll in the upcoming audio description training session and acquire new performance skills. Audio Description Training Two-Day Workshop NOVEMBER 4 & 5, 2016 9am to 4pm (both days) Muhlenberg College | Allentown, PA As an introduction to the training, students of the workshop will enjoy an audio-described performance, Pirates of Penzance, on Thursday, NOVEMBER 3, 2016 8:00pm Trexler Pavilion | Muhleberg College | Allentown, PA MEMBERS $35 NONMEMBERS $50   PURCHASE TICKETS

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER FEATURED ARTIST: Dattatreya Phadke We are pleased to have our newest Featured Artist’s work displayed through the end of October. Dattatreya Phadke is a local pathologist by training, but he also has an artistic side that he dedicates much of his free time to producing beautiful, intricately constructed work – ALL IN FABRIC! His work is quite mesmerizing – at first glance it appears to be a painting, but when the viewer steps forward, the thousands of tiny fabric scraps (some brought over directly from India) are visible. His work is truly a must-see! Come visit our office and view Dattatreya’s work during normal business hours until the end of October. Our parking lot is open for visitors now (it had previously been under construction)! To view images of Dattatreya Phadke’s work, visit his Exhibiting Artist page!

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF BETHLEHEM presents: Aizuri Quartet October 14, 2016 at 7:30pm Foy Hall | Behtlehem Modigliani String Quartet November 18, 2016 at 7:30pm Cathedral Church of the Nativity | Bethlehem MORAVIAN COLLEGE MUSIC INSTITUTE presents: “A Boo-Roque Hallowe’en II” – Baroque & Monteverdi Ensembles October 23, 2016 at 7:00pm Peter Hall | Behtlehem Moravian College Celtic Ensemble & Guitar Ensemble October 30, 2016 at 7:00pm Peter Hall | Bethlehem Moravian College Jazz Fusion Ensemble & Jazz Vocal Ensemble November 4, 2016 at 7:30pm Foy Concert Hall | Bethlehem Moravian College Jazz Combo I & Jazz Combo II November 5, 2016 at 7:30pm Foy Concert Hall | Bethlehem Moravian College Flute Troupe – Saxophone Quartet – Woodwind Ensemble November 6, 2016 at 4:00pm Peter Hall | Bethlehem Delta Omicron Musicale November 6, 2016 at 7:00pm Peter Hall | Bethlehem M.I.M.E. – Moravian Improvised Music Ensemble November 9, 2016 at 9:00pm Peter Hall | Bethlehem Moravian College Community Orchestra November 13, 2016 at 7:00pm Foy Concert Hall | Bethlehem Moravian College Salon Ensemble November 14, 2016 at 7:30pm Peter Hall | Bethlehem Moravian College BIG Band November 18, 2016 at 7:30pm Foy Concert Hall | Bethlehem Moravian College Trombone Ensemble & Percussion Ensemble November 21, 2016 at 7:30pm Peter Hall | Bethlehem MORAVIAN COLLEGE THEATRE COMPANY presents: Murdered to Death November 3, 2016 at 8:00pm The Arena Theatre, Moravian College | Bethlehem November 4, 2016 at 8:00pm The Arena Theatre, Moravian College | Bethlehem November 5, 2016 at 8:00pm The Arena Theatre, Moravian College | Bethlehem November 6, 2016 at 2:00pm The Arena Theatre, Moravian College | Bethlehem PENNSYLVANIA SINFONIA ORCHESTRA presents: not-just-Art Auction October 21, 2016 at 7:00pm Brookside Country Club | Macungie Enchantment Times Three November 19, 2016 at 7:30pm First Presbyterian Church | Allentown PURCHASE TICKETS AT OUR BOX OFFICE TODAY!

Lehigh Valley Arts Council 840 Hamilton Street, Suite 201 ◊ Allentown, PA 18101 610.437.5915 ◊ info@LVArtsCouncil.org www.LVArtsCouncil.org ◊ LVArtsBoxOffice.org

ARTS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES ANNUAL MEMBER RALLY AND GRANT AWARD CELEBRATION

ALLENTOWN, PA – Dragon sightings are on the rise in the Lehigh Valley and that is exciting news for our arts community! On the big screen, movie-goers are enjoying the performance of Allentown child actor Oakes Fegley in the title role of Pete’s Dragon. Another fire-breathing beast greets visitors at the entrance of the new manufacturing facilities of Smooth-On, Inc. in East Texas. Dragons are powerful, mythological creatures that epitomize courage, vigor, and unbridled imagination—vital attributes for risk-takers like artists. In homage to the dragons in our midst, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council invites you to ignite your imagination at ARTS COUNT 2016, the annual arts rally and grant award ceremony. The magic happens on October 19, 2016, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Smooth-On, 1725 Willow Lane, East Texas, PA 18046. “We are very grateful to Smooth-On for hosting this event,” says Randall Forte, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Arts Council. “This international arts business is a giant in the realm of special effects.“ Smooth-On’s technologies and materials have been used to make movie figures and props for Star Wars, The Hobbit Trilogy, Harry Potter, The Walking Dead, and many other films and TV shows. (As a special treat, the Smooth-On staff will be on hand to give you scars, bruises, and bloody gashes.) ARTS COUNT also serves as the occasion for the Lehigh Valley Arts Council to distribute grant awards to the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) Project Stream recipients in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Project Stream is open to individual artists and community groups who apply for support of an arts-related project with strong public impact. More than $34,000 in state funds will be awarded to 22 applicants for activities held from September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2017. “ARTS COUNT celebrates the public/private partnerships that fuel the arts in our region,” says Executive Director Randall Forte, “and features local business and foundation leaders giving testimony on the value and impact of the arts.” Locally elected officials are invited to present checks to the grant recipients from their districts. In keeping with the spirit of fellowship, Arts Council members are encouraged to bring a guest and rally for the arts. The October reception is free to Arts Council members and grant recipients; the cost to guests and nonmembers is $10. Refreshments will be served. R.S.V.P. to 610-437-5915 to attend. For more information about the PPA grant application, contact PA Partners in the Arts Coordinator Zach Kleemeyer at ppa@LVArtsCouncil.org. List of 2016-17 PPA Grant Awardees: Allentown Public Theatre Anthony Smith Arts Academy Charter School Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission Buchanan Elementary School Concord Chamber Singers DanceLink Emmaus Recreation & Entertainment Commission Fairfield Duo Friends of the Allentown Parks Jennie Gilrain Jim Thorpe Film Festival Lehigh Valley Dance Exchange Marilyn Hazelton Moravian College Pennsylvania Jazz Collective Puertorrican Cultural Preservation Sarah Steele Summit Hill Heritage Center Ukrainian American Heritage Foundation WDIY 88.1 FM West Park Civic Association

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About the Lehigh Valley Arts Council The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is the region’s central voice for the arts, promoting arts awareness and advocating its value while strengthening access to the arts for all citizens in our community. The Arts Council’s mission is to promote the arts; to encourage and support artists and their development; to assist arts organizations; and to facilitate communication and cooperation among artists, arts organizations, and the community. Services include arts research and advocacy, professional development seminars, publications, and cooperative regional marketing initiatives.

Training Workshop For Audio Description, Presented By The Lehigh Valley Arts Council‏

On November 4 and 5, 2016, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council, in cooperation with Muhlenberg College Theatre & Dance, will present a two-day workshop, “Audio Description for the Theatre,” from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. As an introduction to the training, attendees will also experience an audio-described performance of The Pirates of Penzance on Thursday evening, November 3rd at 8:00 p.m. in the Baker Center. Audio Description assists patrons who are blind/low-vision to access the visual elements of stage productions through narration provided by trained describers. Patrons use headsets to hear the audio description. The Arts Council has contracted Mimi Smith, former Executive Director of VSA Pennsylvania, and her husband Steve Smith to provide the training. Both of them have been describers for more than two decades and were cofounders of Amaryllis Theatre Co., a professional Philadelphia theatre that regularly hired theatre artists with disabilities. They will introduce the class to the foundational skills—Observation, Analysis, and Communication—necessary to audio describe stage productions. $35 for members; $50 for nonmembers. For additional information on location and registration, visit LVArtsCouncil.org.

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About the Lehigh Valley Arts Council The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is the region’s central voice for the arts, promoting arts awareness and advocating its value while strengthening access to the arts for all citizens in our community. The Arts Council’s mission is to promote the arts; to encourage and support artists and their development; to assist arts organizations; and to facilitate communication and cooperation among artists, arts organizations, and the community. Services include arts research and advocacy, professional development seminars, publications, and cooperative regional marketing initiatives.

Lehigh Valley Arts Advocate – August 2016‏

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: What I Did This Summer

This summer I have been out front in the Lehigh Valley more than usual, surveying audiences at various arts events. The study, Arts & Economic Prosperity V, is part of a national study to determine the economic impact of the nonprofit arts industry. Sounds dry, doesn’t it? Actually, it’s been fun to mingle with arts patrons and bump into old friends at the theatre or a concert. It is too early to tell, but attendance at these events seems very strong. The data collection continues through 2016, and the results of the analysis will be released in Spring 2017 at a public forum, Whose Business is the Arts? For the past twenty years, the Lehigh Valley region has enjoyed double-digit increases that are far above the national average. The previous study in 2012 determined that arts and culture was a $208 million industry. It will be fascinating to see what the numbers tell us this time. Maybe I am turning into a data-geek! Randall Forte, Executive Director SAVE THE DATE! Arts Count 2016 Arts Count celebrates the essential public and private partnerships that fuel the arts, engages business and foundation leaders as well as elected officials to be advocates for arts and culture, and acknowledges the year’s grant recipients. Free to members of the Arts Council and grant recipients, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council event honors the Project Stream and Program Stream recipients awarded state arts grants through the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts. SAVE THE DATE! ARTS COUNT 2016 October 19, 2016 Smooth On 5600 Lower Macungie Road Macungie, PA 18062 UPCOMING PERFORMANCES PENNSYLVANIA SINFONIA ORCHESTRA presents: Valley Vivaldi August 21, 2016 at 7:30pm Wesley Church, Bethlehem Trio Solisti September 16, 2016 at 7:30pm Foy Hall, Bethlehem PURCHASE TICKETS AT OUR BOX OFFICE TODAY! Lehigh Valley Arts Council 840 Hamilton Street, Suite 201 ◊ Allentown, PA 18101 610.437.5915 ◊ info@LVArtsCouncil.org www.LVArtsCouncil.org ◊ LVArtsBoxOffice.org

Lehigh Valley Arts Council Releases 2016-2017 ARTix‏

The Lehigh Valley Arts Council announces to the community the release of the new ARTix Passport to the Arts, a buy-one, get-one-free ticket to eighteen arts and cultural venues through June 30, 2017. Dance, musical, theatrical, and historical offerings are just some of the travel destinations offered by the passport.

“This year marks the 18th anniversary of this successful arts marketing promotion,” says Randall Forte, Arts Council Executive Director. “The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is proud to provide regional leadership that advances the arts in this growing community.”

Over the years, the Arts Council has increased the circulation of ARTix and opened the door wider for all people to enjoy the arts. Real estate and corporate relocation offices give passports to new residents relocating to the Valley. Local health networks encourage volunteers to enjoy the arts as part of a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the social service sector offers ARTix to their clients with disabilities, allowing them affordable access to disability-friendly events. There is definitely something for everyone to enjoy—from symphonic to folk music, fine arts to vintage cars, Shakespeare to Broadway musicals—fun and entertainment for the entire family.

The most direct way to receive your very own ARTix Passport to the Arts is simply join the Arts Council. An Individual Membership is reasonably priced at $40 annually. With passport in hand, start planning your itinerary today and build your circle of arts friends. Members also receive discounts to workshops and conferences, subscriptions to the bimonthly Inside the Arts, / Arts Calendar and Lehigh Valley Style, and free admission to the annual spring and fall membership receptions.

ARTix Passport is made possible through the support of Christmas City Printing, The County of Lehigh, and The Harry C. Trexler Trust.

Lehigh Valley Arts Advocate – June 2016‏

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR On Tuesday, June 14, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council and the Disability Friendly Community, in cooperation with the Williams Center for the Arts, present Red, White & Blue, an evening of laughter and fellowship with comedian Josh Blue. The event marks the culmination of the yearlong commemoration through the arts of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Arts & Access has been a remarkable journey-expanding cultural accessibility through community collaboration. Thank you to the many individuals, businesses, and foundations for their time, expertise and financial support. The Lehigh Valley has a rich and diverse arts culture, but too often those experiences were closed to people with disabilities. Thankfully, that has begun to change. During this inaugural year, the attendance and the number of disability-friendly events exceeded goals by 25% –demonstrating both a strong need to expand services and a willingness to participate. Thirty cultural organizations teamed up with social service agencies to present sensory-friendly performances for children with autism; dance classes for Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers; audio-described and open-captioned theatrical performances; lectures; exhibitions; poetry readings; film screenings; and public meetings. (589 people with disabilities attended fifty disability-friendly events, accompanied by 705 family members and friends.) There is really so much to be proud of! The scope of the initiative and the breadth of support speak to the power of the arts to bring people together. And I am pleased to announce that the Arts Council Board of Directors voted at their March meeting to make the program a permanent one, Arts & Access Always. Randall Forte, Executive Director

WORKSHOP ADDED: Last Call for a Free PPA Grant Workshop! Calling all artists, community groups and arts organizations of the Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties! Applications are now being accepted for the Pennsylvania Partners of the Arts(PPA) Project Stream Grant, which awards up to $2,500 to eligible individuals, community groups, and non-profit organizations to conduct arts projects which have a significant public component. The deadline for all applications is June 20, 2016! FINAL GRANT WORKSHOP Wednesday, June 8, 2016 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm Lehigh Valley Arts Council 800 Hamilton Street, Suite 201, Allentown, PA 18101 Registration for the final Project Stream grant writing workshops is recommended but not required. To register, please email the Lehigh Valley Arts Council’s new PPA Coordinator Zach Kleemeyer at PPA@LVArtsCouncil.org.

A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION! Red, White & Blue Tuesday, June 14th will certainly be a night to remember! Our Red, White & Blue event, welcoming comedian Josh Blue to the Lehigh Valley, will celebrate the community and reflect on the successes of Arts & Access. Tickets are now being mailed to those people who have submitted RSVPs for the event. These tickets are necessary for entry! Some things to note for our guests: The event will take place at the Williams Center for the Arts at Lafayette College at 7:00 p.m. (317 Hamilton Street, Easton, PA 18042). If you require any accommodations, please arrive at least 40 minutes before the event (6:20 p.m.) so we may seat you comfortably. Your driver may drop you off in front of the theatre, and a greeter will usher you to your seat. Please bring your tickets; they are necessary for entry! Directions to Lafayette College Campus Map PARKING: Please park in the Markel Parking Deck, Lafayette’s primary parking deck, located behind Markel Hall on North Campus Lane. This parking deck is only a short walk to the Williams Center. Accessible parking will be available along Hamilton & High Streets in front of the Williams Center. If you’ve replied that you require an accessible parking space, this will be reserved for you. We are looking forward to those of you who can join us for this evening of laughter and fellowship!

ARTS ALIVE: A Personality of a Collection The final 2016 Arts Alive event is proving to be most popular, but there are still a few seats available! Join us at the home of art enthusiasts Bruce and Pamela Loch, as they lead a private tour of their fine art collection and share stories about a few favorites. Read about the Lochs’ modern home in Lehigh Valley Style’s featured article, ‘Home is Where the Art Is.’ Date: June 25, 2016 Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm Location: Home of Bruce & Pamela Loch Fees: $15 for Members of the Arts Council; $25 for Nonmembers PURCHASE TICKETS

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES PENNSYLVANIA SINFONIA ORCHESTRA presents: VALLEY VIVALDI SERIES June 12, 2016 at 7:30pm Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown July 10, 2016 at 7:30pm Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown July 31, 2016 at 7:30pm Wesley Church, Bethlehem August 21, 2016 at 7:30pm Wesley Church, Bethlehem PURCHASE TICKETS AT OUR BOX OFFICE TODAY!

Lehigh Valley Arts Council 840 Hamilton Street, Suite 201 ◊ Allentown, PA 18101 610.437.5915 ◊ info@LVArtsCouncil.org www.LVArtsCouncil.org ◊ LVArtsBoxOffice.org

Last Call For A Free PPA Grant Workshop!‏

Calling all artists, community groups and arts organizations of the Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties!Applications are now being accepted for the Pennsylvania Partners of the Arts (PPA) Project Stream Grant. The deadline for all applications is June 20, 2016. To encourage participation in the application process, The Lehigh Valley Arts Council has offered FREE grant writing workshops throughout the month of May – 5/12, 5/14 and 5/24 — only one workshop opportunity remains! FINAL WORKSHOP May 24, 2016 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm Touchstone Theatre; 321 E. Fourth Street, Bethlehem, PA New and returning applicants have found these sessions critical to their success in meeting the demands of a compelling, competitive proposal. Applicants will have the opportunity to review PCA’s eligibility rules; detailed criteria, narrative and budget requirements; and digital work samples that make a successful application. The PPA Project Stream Grant awards up to $2,500 to eligible individuals, community groups, and non-profit organizations to conduct arts projects which have a significant public component. The grant application and award process is locally administered by the Lehigh Valley Arts Council staff, who then convene advisory panels from the local cultural community to review the applications according to PCA guidelines. Registration for the final Project Stream grant writing workshops is recommended but not required. To register, please email the Lehigh Valley Arts Council’s new PPA Coordinator Zach Kleemeyer at PPA@LVArtsCouncil.org. *** The Lehigh Valley Arts Council’s mission is to promote the arts; to encourage and support artists and their development; to assist arts organizations; and to facilitate communication and cooperation among artists, arts organizations, and the community. www.LVArtsCouncil.org

ARTS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES PROJECT STREAM GRANT WORKSHOPS

LEHIGH VALLEY, PA – The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is presenting 3 complimentary workshops in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties in effort to support applicants in the planning stages of the 2016-2017 Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) Project Stream grant application process.

“The PPA Project Stream is a critical source of state and federal funding for eligible individuals, community groups and nonprofit organizations interested in conducting arts projects with a clear public component,” stated Randall Forte, Executive Director of Lehigh Valley Arts Council. “As our region’s partner, we have accepted as many as 60 requests in any given year, awarding grants to community projects including, but not limited to exhibitions, films and performances that impact a wide range of constituents from young children to senior citizens, regardless of ability, ethnicity, culture or socioeconomic status.”

The keys to successfully navigating the Project Stream application process lie in a deeper understanding of content, format and fiscal expectations set forth by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. By attending one of the following workshops, applicants will gain a thorough understanding of review criteria, suggestions for constructing compelling and comprehensive narratives and guidance in building detailed project budgets.

Applicants are encouraged to RSVP and attend one of the following workshops:

May 10, 2016 | 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Lehigh Valley Arts Council; 840 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA

May 12, 2016 | 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Anita Shapolsky Art Foundation; 20 West Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA

May 24, 2016 | 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Touchstone Theatre; 321 E. Fourth Street, Bethlehem, PA

Ignite Your Child’s Imagination At Young At Art Expo

On Saturday, March 12, 2016, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council will present Young at Art, a trade show highlighting arts engagement and creative play for families with children (ages four to eighteen years old). Local arts providers will assist parents with selecting the right summer class for their aspiring creatives. Parents will witness first-hand how the arts ignite their children’s imagination, while their kids get the chance to explore their inner dancer, actor, musician, author or visual artist. This inaugural event will be held at Penn State Lehigh Valley, from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, and admission is free and open to the public.

“Young at Art is a day devoted to curiosity and entertainment,” says Executive Director Randall Forte, “especially after such a lingering winter.” The expo showcases twenty arts and cultural businesses in the region that offer a wide range of children’s programming, both for beginners and for kids at an intermediate level. Among them include Civic Theatre of Allentown, Baum School of Art, Allegro Dance Studio, Montero Violins, and Totts Gap Arts Institute.

The day’s festivities will feature an arts demonstration or performance every fifteen minutes, so kids will have a chance to imagine what kind of artist they want to be this summer. Families will have the opportunity to meet different arts instructors and join in hands-on activities. Young talent from the Junior Strings Orchestra, the Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble and the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts will provide additional entertainment and inspiration.

Lunch will be available for purchase, and parking is free. For more information, visit http://www.LVArtsCouncil.org.

Inclusive Arts – Accessible Events For January & February 2016‏

Join us for EXPERIENCE ARTS & ACCESS Tuesday, January 26, 2016 2:45 to 5:30pm Banana Factory 25 West Third Street Bethlehem, PA 18015 This mid-winter festive gathering celebrates the achievements of Arts & Access midway through a year of offering greater accessibility. Arts & Access launched last July to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act through the lens of the arts. Currently, thirty arts organizations have teamed up with social service agencies to offer more than fifty events through June 2016, that intentionally reach people with disabilities and their family and friends. The diversity of programming include live theatre performances that are audio described and open captioned for people with visual and hearing loss; sensory friendly performances for children with autism, and a dance workshop for Parkinson patients and their caregivers. “Cultural access is really about customer service,” says Randall Forte, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Arts Council. “It’s about making your customers feel welcome and comfortable. Experience Arts & Access seeks to raise awareness of the needs as well as the abilities of persons with disabilities. Featured artist and National Storytelling Champion Anne Thomas will perform autobiographical stories crafted with a mix of dark humor, high energy and rare common sense. She speaks not only to survivors of disability, illness and tragedy, but to everyone who has a body, a dream, obstacles, hope and determination. Experience will also allow visitors to explore an arts experience through the simulated reality of a person with a physical, sensory, or cognitive limitation. Guests will be encouraged to test the different technologies that are available, such as audio description and open captioning, voice activated wheel chairs, plus a tactile exploration of a 3-D image of a painting. The event is FREE and open to the everyone, particularly someone with a disability. Please RSVP to attend at info@lvartscouncil.org or 610-437-5915. Light refreshments will be provided.

Our newest PROMOTIONAL VIDEO for Arts & Access We’ve just released the second in our ongoing collection of Arts & Access promotional videos! This edition gives a more intimate look at the Summer and Fall 2015 programming that supports our mission for inclusive arts in our region. The organizations involved have produced quite a variety of accessible arts experiences – theatre performances, visual arts classes and exhibitions, and dance workshops – all celebrating and representing a wide variety of disabilities. Beautifully produced by Marco Calderon, our hearts are touched each time we see the laughing faces of the participants and encouraging words of those involved. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the celebration thus far! We are looking forward to the events planned for this year – we are only halfway through and we have already made such an impact. View our newest video on YouTube If you didn’t catch our last edition featuring the Launch Party in July 2015, here it is!

ARTICLE: See the Music, Hear the Art! In October, SATORI played a classical music concert for an audience who couldn’t hear it – and it was wonderful. SATORI is participating in the Arts & Access initiative of the Lehigh Valley Arts Council, a yearlong celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, seen through the lens of the arts. As a performing arts organization with deep roots locally, we wanted to be a part of this special series of events – and thought we already had an ace in the hole. For almost two decades, SATORI has been presenting in-school music education programs that combine classical music with an array of vibrant images and drawings, projected overhead as the musicians play. Surely the addition of a visual component to a music performance might make it more appropriate for a deaf or hard-of-hearing audience? READ MORE on our blog Come see SATORI Chamber Music Ensemble perform at our Experience Arts & Access Event on January 26th!

JANUARY 2016 ACCESSIBLE ART – PHASE II TACTILE DESCRIPTION Now through June 1, 2017 Lehigh Main Gallery Open during gallery hours Presented by Lehigh University Art Galleries & Museum Teaching Collection of multiple artists’ work in Audio Description and Tactile Description (3-D image to touch) for the visually impaired. Gallery Hours: Wed-Sat, 11am – 5pm; Sun, 1-5pm; Closed Mon-Tues. Handicap Access • Blind & Low-Vision • Audio Description ARTIST IN RECOVERY – MONTHLY ART EXHIBITIONS January 8, 2016 & February 5, 2016 Recovery Partnership 1:00pm – 3:00pm Featuring artists who express their journey with mental health. Held every first Friday. Free. Handicap Access • Mental Health “LIFE ACCESSIBLE” – PHOTOGRAPHY BEYOND THE LIMITS OF SIGHT January 8, 2016 through February 22, 2016 Banana Factory Open during gallery hours Presented by ArtsQuest Photographer Stephen Cunic’s 3-D images, created using various layers and texture, allow visually impaired patrons to experience his scenes using their sense of touch. Free and open to all. Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-9:30pm, Sat & Sun, 8:30am-5pm. Handicap Access • Blind & Low-Vision ICE CREAM WARS 8.0 January 9, 2016 Da Vinci Science Center 10:30am – 2:00pm Presented by Da Vinci Science Center Presenting teams from regional and global companies in a playful competition to create fresh batches of creative ice cream flavors. Sign Language interpreter for each presentation. Handicap Access • American Sign Language FREE PARKINSON’S DISEASE WELLNESS FAIR January 11, 2016 Good Shepherd Health & Technology Center 10:00am – 1:00pm Presented by Good Shepherd Rehabilitation For those with Parkinson’s and their families / caregivers. Demonstrations, education, health screenings. Registration recommended: 610-776-3393. Handicap Access • Cognitive Health DANCE FOR PD – TWO-DAY PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP January 23 & 24, 2016 Zoellner Arts Center 10:00am – 1:00pm Presented by Lehigh Valley Dance Exchange / Mark Morris Dance Group Intro to the internationally-acclaimed Dance for PD (Parkinson’s Disease) program. $100 tuition for two-day workshop, reservations required: pittsburghdancepress@gmail.com. Handicap Access • Cognitive Health *FREE MOVEMENT CLASS ON JANUARY 23 FROM 2:00-3:30 PM – Appropriate for anyone with PD. PUPPET-MAKING CLASS January 23, 2016 IceHouse Center 11:00am – 1:00pm Presented by Mock Turtle Marionette / Easter Seals This hands-on session will consist of puppet-making, learning a set of jokes and songs, and a twenty-minute performance. Free and open to public. Handicap Access • Cognitive Health

FEBRUARY 2016 PUCCINI ARIAS February 13, 2016 – 7:30pm / February 14, 2016 – 3:00pm Miller Symphony Hall Presented by Allentown Symphony Orchestra Puccini’s Greatest Hits performed by Allentown Symphony Orchestra. Projected subtitles. Handicap Access • Deaf & Hard of Hearing • Open Captioning FAMILY CONCERT – HEART AND SOUL: VOICES OF THE FUTURE February 28, 2016 Zoellner Arts Center 3:00pm Presented by The Bach Choir of Bethlehem / Mercy Learning Center Four fabulous youth choirs join The Bach Choir and Bach Festival Orchestra in a program of favorite choruses by Bach, Handel, and Randall Thompson. General Admission: $18, Students $7. Handicap Access • Cognitive Health

EXPERIENCE ARTS & ACCESS

The Lehigh Valley Arts Council and the Disability Friendly Community are pleased to announceExperience Arts & Access on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, from 2:45 to 5:30 p.m. at the Banana Factory in South Bethlehem. This mid-winter festive gathering celebrates the achievements of Arts & Access midway through a year of offering greater accessibility. Arts & Access launched last July to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act through the lens of the arts. Currently, thirty arts organizations have teamed up with social service agencies to offer more than fifty events through June 2016, that intentionally reach people with disabilities and their family and friends. The diversity of programming include live theatre performances that are audio described and open captioned for people with visual and hearing loss; sensory friendly performances for children with autism, and a dance workshop for Parkinson patients and their caregivers. “Cultural access is really about customer service,” says Randall Forte, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Arts Council. “It’s about making your customers feel welcome and comfortable.” Experience Arts & Access seeks to raise awareness of the needs as well as the abilities of persons with disabilities. Featured artist and National Storytelling Champion Anne Thomas will perform autobiographical stories crafted with a mix of dark humor, high energy and rare common sense. She speaks not only to survivors of disability, illness and tragedy, but to everyone who has a body, a dream, obstacles, hope and determination. Experience will also allow visitors to explore an arts experience through the simulated reality of a person with a physical, sensory, or cognitive limitation. Guests will be encouraged to test the different technologies that are available, such as audio description and open captioning, voice activated wheel chairs, plus a tactile exploration of a 3-D image of a painting. The event is free and open to the everyone, particularly someone with a disability. Please RSVP your intention to attend at http://info@lvartscouncil.org or 610-437-5915. Light refreshments will be provided.

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About the Lehigh Valley Arts Council The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is the region’s central voice for the arts, promoting arts awareness and advocating its value while strengthening access to the arts for all citizens in our community. The Arts Council’s mission is to promote the arts; to encourage and support artists and their development; to assist arts organizations; and to facilitate communication and cooperation among artists, arts organizations, and the community. Services include arts research and advocacy, professional development seminars, publications, and cooperative regional marketing initiatives.

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Lehigh Valley Arts Council 840 Hamilton Street, Suite 201 Allentown, PA 18101 610-437-5915 / operations@LVArtsCouncil.org www.LVArtsCouncil.org / www.LVArtsBoxOffice.org

NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATION FOR YOUNG AT ART

On Saturday, March 12, 2016, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council will present Young at Art, an expo of arts camps and schools, to assist parents with selecting the appropriate summer class for their child. This inaugural event will be held at Penn State Lehigh Valley, from 9:00am to 2:30pm, and feature thirty exhibitors who offer lessons in the performing, literary, media and visual arts. Free admission to the expo is provided to the public.

Families with children (ages four to eighteen years old) will enjoy meeting the various exhibitors and learning about the artistic opportunities for their aspiring creatives. The day’s festivities will showcase an arts demonstration, performance or activity every 25-minutes so children will have a chance “to try on what kind of artist” they want to be this summer.

“The idea for a children’s arts expo came from a parent of two small children who was having difficulty identifying a summer program for both her kids,” says Executive Director Randall Forte. “Bringing people together to engage with the arts is what the Arts Council does.”

A limited number of spaces are available for arts and cultural organizations to exhibit and promote their programs, and registration will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. There will also be opportunities for exhibitors to select a 25-minute time slot to showcase a demonstration or activity.

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: January 20, 2016
Early Registration: December 15, 2015 (Members only)

Click here for more information on registering!

Lehigh Valley Arts Council Appoints New PPA Program Administrator‏

LEHIGH VALLEY, PA – As of November 1, Lehigh Valley Arts Council appointed South Bethlehem native, Carlos M. Barata, as the new Pennsylvania Partners in Arts (PPA) Program Administrator. Barata will follow in the footsteps of Marilyn Roberts, a Lehigh Valley native who has served the region’s arts communities for over twenty years, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council for three. Barata joins a small, but dedicated team tasked with promoting arts awareness, advocating its value, and facilitating communication and cooperation among artists, arts organizations, and the community at large. “I am delighted that Carlos has joined the team at the Lehigh Valley Arts Council,” says Executive Director, Randall Forte. “His background in marketing and communications, as well as being bi-lingual and a musician, will enable the Arts Council to further expand the PPA Program into our diverse community.” Barata is a graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School, and Lafayette College, where he studied Music, Anthropology/Sociology, and Gender Studies. In addition to his role as an independent singer-songwriter and performer, his hands-on training and experience in music administration, communications, and event planning has afforded him positions throughout the Lehigh Valley with various organizations including Organizing for Action, ArtsQuest, Miller-Keystone Blood Center, and Klunk & Millan Advertising. Barata will assist in coordinating the PPA Program, a state funding initiative of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) designed to widen the circle of funding opportunities in support of arts activities throughout 67 counties. The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is entering its 11th year as the PCA’s regional partner of the PPA by re-granting state funds to applicants in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties through two streams of funding opportunities, Project Stream and Program Stream, which both expand community access and encourage local decision-making. The grant application and award process is administered by the Arts Council staff, who convene advisory panels from the cultural community to review the proposals. Panelists, selected to review applications according to guidelines provided by the PCA, provide the essential expertise, integrity, and commitment to the arts in the community.

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About the Lehigh Valley Arts Council The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is the region’s central voice for the arts, promoting arts awareness and advocating its value while strengthening access to the arts for all citizens in our community. The Arts Council’s mission is to promote the arts; to encourage and support artists and their development; to assist arts organizations; and to facilitate communication and cooperation among artists, arts organizations, and the community. Services include arts research and advocacy, professional development seminars, publications, and cooperative regional marketing initiatives.

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Lehigh Valley Arts Council 840 Hamilton Street, Suite 201 Allentown, PA 18101 610-437-5915 / operations@LVArtsCouncil.org www.LVArtsCouncil.org / www.LVArtsBoxOffice.org

Young At Art – An Expo Of Art Camps And Schools

On Saturday, March 12, 2016, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council will present Young at Art, an expo of arts camps and schools, to assist parents with selecting the appropriate summer class for their child. This inaugural event will be held at Penn State Lehigh Valley, from 9:00am to 2:30pm, and feature thirty exhibitors who offer lessons in the performing, literary, media and visual arts. Free admission to the expo is provided to the public. Families with children (ages four to eighteen years old) will enjoy meeting the various exhibitors and learning about the artistic opportunities for their aspiring creatives. The day’s festivities will showcase an arts demonstration, performance or activity every 25-minutes so children will have a chance “to try on what kind of artist” they want to be this summer. “The idea for a children’s arts expo came from a parent of two small children who was having difficulty identifying a summer program for both her kids,” says Executive Director Randall Forte. “Bringing people together to engage with the arts is what the Arts Council does.” A limited number of spaces are available for arts and cultural organizations to exhibit and promote their programs, and registration will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. There will also be opportunities for exhibitors to select a 25-minute time slot to showcase a demonstration or activity. For more details on registration, organizations may visit http://www.LVArtsCouncil.org/Young-At-Art. The fee for exhibiting is $250 for members and $350 for nonmembers. Arts Council members can also take advantage of a $50 discount for early registration by December 15, 2015. The final date for registration will be January 20, 2016. Any questions may be directed to the Lehigh Valley Arts Council at 610-437-5259.

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About the Lehigh Valley Arts Council The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is the region’s central voice for the arts, promoting arts awareness and advocating its value while strengthening access to the arts for all citizens in our community. The Arts Council’s mission is to promote the arts; to encourage and support artists and their development; to assist arts organizations; and to facilitate communication and cooperation among artists, arts organizations, and the community. Services include arts research and advocacy, professional development seminars, publications, and cooperative regional marketing initiatives.

***

Lehigh Valley Arts Council 840 Hamilton Street, Suite 201 Allentown, PA 18101 610-437-5915 / operations@LVArtsCouncil.org www.LVArtsCouncil.org / www.LVArtsBoxOffice.org