Carbondale Community Arts Incorporated

PRIMARY TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE IS SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AS A PUBLIC ARTS PRESENTER AND LOCAL ARTS AGENCY. THE ORGANIZATION'S PRINCIPAL MISSION IS TO CULTIVATE, NURTURE AND CELEBRATE THE CREATIVITY OF THE TOTAL COMMUNITY.

THE MISSION IS ADVANCED BY:(1) PROMOTING AND FACILITATING ACCESS TO AND POPULAR APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS THROUGHOUT THE GREATER CARBONDALE COMMUNITY;(2) EXPANDING AVAILABLE AVENUES AND DEVELOPING NEW RESOURCES FOR LEARNING AND PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS BY COMMUNITY YOUTH; AND(3) ENCOURAGING THE EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIZENS THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS.PROGRAM AREAS THROUGH WHICH CCA SERVES THE COMMUNITY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:(1) THE ALL SOUTHERN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE PROJECT, OFFERING A WORKSHOP AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY TO REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EACH SUMMER. IN ADDITION TO THE 20-35 STUDENTS WHO ARE DIRECTLY SERVED BY THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, THE CULMINATING PRODUCTION IS ENJOYED BY MORE THAN 2,500 AUDIENCE MEMBERS EACH SEASON.(2) VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITS IN THE CIVIC CENTER CORRIDOR GALLERY, A HIGHLY VISIBLE VENUE FOR AREA VISUAL ARTISTS AND ARTISANS AND ARTSPACE 304, A FLEXIBLE, PROJECT, PERFORMANCE AND EXHIBITION SPACE. THESE VENUES PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE REGION'S MULTITUDE OF DIVERSE TALENTS.(3) THE SOUTHERN ARTS FUND, WHICH RE-GRANTS MONIES FROM THE ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL AGENCY AND THE CITY OF CARBONDALE, PROVIDING COMMUNITY ARTS ACCESS TO ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHERN COUNTIES OF ILLINOIS. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2000 THE PROGRAM HAS DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN 350 PROJECT GRANTS BENEFITING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS, STUDENTS, WORKSHOP ATTENDEES AND AUDIENCE MEMBERS.(4) PUBLIC ART EVENTS AND INSTALLATIONS, INCLUDING SEASONAL CULTURAL FESTIVALS, VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITIONS, PERFORMANCES, A MONTHLY NOONTIME CONCERT SERIES, AND PERMANENT WORKS OF ART IN PUBLIC SPACES AROUND CARBONDALE.(5) EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMS SUCH AS NEA AND POETRY FOUNDATION'S POETRY OUT LOUD INITIATIVE, VISUAL ARTS CLASSES FOR YOUTH, AND SPONSORSHIP OF ARTIST RESIDENCIES IN AREA SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.(6) PROMOTION OF LOCAL ARTS INDUSTRY THROUGH COMMUNICATION OF EVENTS, HIGHLIGHTING REGIONAL ARTISTS, MENTORSHIP AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND ADVOCACY.