ARTS/West
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I am a teacher at a nearby public school. Our 7th and 8th graders just returned from a "field trip" to Arts West to see the "Furry Fables". What a wonderful visit! The play was funny and the students thoroughly enjoyed it; and the Reading lessons from Conflict/Plot to Vocabulary were fantastic! I so appreciate having this facility so close as many of our students have so little interaction with the Arts. Thank you again.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My daughter had the opportunity to participate in several plays before graduating from high school.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I really have no idea.
I have been involved with ARTS/West from the planning stages and have been extremely pleased to find that if has found a way to begin to meet the hopes and expectations we projected for it. It has attracted attention from all ages - very small children through senior citizens. It has found ways to serve a very diverse population in our university, community/rural setting. Most surprising to me is that, unlike performance facilities I have worked with in the past, it does not have a single group of audience members but a number of audience groups each interested most especially in their particular experiences. There is some overlap but it is very interesting to note that ARTS/West has become a unique experience for a widely divergent group reflecting multiple interests and unique perspectives. ARTS/West could be more effective - serving more members of the community - if it had a slightly larger paid/professional staff to coordinate the work of the many volunteers, further upgrade/maintain the facility and improve its communications.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
renovating the facility from a church to a performing arts facility with display, meeting and class/workshop areas: directed/produced plays there for adults and school children; been a part of meetings of arts organizations, civic groups and lecture/demo
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Add one or two more staff members - primarily to improve communications and increase opportunities
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
meeting and working with interesting people from a wide variety of arts, economic, cultural and community interests
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
the staff is very professional in its training and experiences but one-two people short to meet the needs. the volunteers are mostly highly motivated individuals who have found a home for their diverse interests-they are interested and often very serious
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
complete the renovation, expand to meet the obvious needs in our community and develop a replication manual and multimedia package for use by other similar communities
Ways to make it better...
We did this pretty much on a shoestring (with strong support from city government) We could use more funding to complete the renovation and still need a bit more staff
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
1.current staffing levels - communication/development 2.facing the real and immediate challenges of the interests and needs 3.outgrowing the current facilities 4.improving the current facilities (electrical, flooring/seating, maintenance/capitol expense)
One thing I'd also say is that...
It is very surprisingly wonderful to see what has been accomplished by the current staff and advisors. It has opened the window to possibilities not forseen. We need to find a way to make the window a door and walk through this door with our community
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
my wife and I have attended a wide variety of performances. We have taken or grandchildren to see Jack & The Bean Stalk, listened to a renowned jazz piano player, enjoyed plays and music events, viewed art on walls, laughed and cried. We have donated money from time to time as well as office equipment.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
music, song, drama, cookies, a warm place to sit while be entertained
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I'm not sure how to answer this? Maybe make them all rich so they could apply their trade without having to tink about the budget. I'm convinced this would not change their enthusiasim. I could be wrong.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
it is affordable, easy to get to, most always the best there is.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
friendly, professional, excited
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
rule the world?
Ways to make it better...
we had more time to partake int the programming
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
budget
One thing I'd also say is that...
Arts West has acheived levels of success that nobody could have imagined.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I've heard amazing music, participated in improvisatory music and dance, seen complex theater (a community collaborative project on issues around death- this involved movement, film, song, spoken word and more), Bread and Puppets theater came here too! My friend also had an awesome 5th birthday, complete with pirate themed theatricals in the basement. The staff were wonderfully helpful. Their Artoberfest is a great community art exhibit too.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
hearing groups heard rarely anywhere else.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
ARTS/West, located in the middle of my neighborhood, has been an incredible nexus for creativity and community. Several years ago, a nearby neighbor, Bryan Everson, came to ARTS/West with the idea of a local arts festival occuring every fall. Emily Prince embraced the idea wholeheartedly. From this has been born an annual celebration of local art, including culinary, visual, performance, and other arts and crafts. We call it ARToberfest.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
being an artist and an audience member.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
They provide an excellent space for communnity arts events and a space for incubating arts programs. I have had positive experiences with the staff.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the variety of programming they offer to the community.
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very helpful.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
For the limited resources, the budget, and the competition with theater at the big university next door, I give Arts West an A+. They are making a lot out of nothing and I can't wait to see where it is 10 years from now.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the seats of the auditorium when I've watched a show, in the eclectic basement when I've enjoyed the art, and in the company of fellow theatre-lovers who've been touched by Arts West.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
hire more staff and give it some more money. I would do a make over in certain rooms, I'd bring in more shows, and make it affordable for groups to use the space for practice.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the grassroots level of art and the support of local artists.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
kind, jovial, enthusiastic, and passionate about their jobs.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
give more people the opportunity to experience theatre both as attendees and performers (practice space would be cheaper, day care could be provided, the building could get a make over)
Ways to make it better...
the auditorium was nicer in terms of the aesthetic (color) and the acoustic (sound quality).
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Funding. Lack of marketing. Lack of shows that bring in the crowds.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Emily Prince is pretty darn awesome. (She's the director.)
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
ARTS/West under the management of Emily Prince is priceless for our Community. It offers the Theater Community a place to audition, practice and perform. It offers the surrounding Appalachian Communities cultural diversity in every artistic endeavor. We are so fortunate to have such a non-profit facility in our own backyard! Break-Legs!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Client or patron: Humble Play, ARTCO productions, OVST productions, Lost Flamingo, Art displays, CPA productions, Actor's Moveable productions
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Emily be full time!
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
It is ALL about the Community! Emily especially makes sure everyone is well served!!!
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Caring and competent
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Develope into a nationally renown theater
Ways to make it better...
Audience floor needs to be raked in order to view stage!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Floor needs to be raked, back stage needs to be developed and more lights
One thing I'd also say is that...
Emily Prince is a dynamic leader and has a great vision of what needs to happen with this facility. Given the money, ARTS/West could bring theater that rivals Broadway!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
A great multipurpose arts center, with opportunities for many different types of artists. See music, theater, fine arts, or a fashion show. They also offer lots of classes and great prices for renting a room or the whole place. Also features up-to-date sound and lighting equipment.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The great variety of programming.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Kind and helpful.
Ways to make it better...
The City of Athens budgeted more funds to the improvement of the center.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Developing my play at ARTS/West was one of the best theater experiences I have ever had. The care and nurturing of the artist and the safe environment in which the process takes place is a treasure. Introducing new and vital American plays by a broad range of artists covering many different topics is something sorely lacking in America. That is why this organization is so valuable. If there is a better community based arts organization than Arts/West I haven't found it.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Developing new works.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Great leadership and high standards.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Great.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
It would be the greatest theater in America. Maybe in the history of America.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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