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