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28 reviews total. Average rating:
User Reviews
I was a Board Member & Co-chaired planning committee, designed/supervised the renovation serve on the advisory board
Post public compliment
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 seen 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
- 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!
- My experience would have been better if... 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
- 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
- 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
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 seen the results of this organization in... music, song, drama, cookies, a warm place to sit while be entertained
- 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!
- My experience would have been better if... we had more time to partake int the programming
- 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.
- 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.
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.
The Great!
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... hearing groups heard rarely anywhere else.
Ways to make it better!
- One thing I'd also say is that... it's a hard place to criticise!
I was a Board Member & Community member of ARTS/West board and volunteer
Post public compliment
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.
The Great!
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... being an artist and an audience member.
Ways to make it better!
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... money.
I was a Client Served & I have served on two community boards who use space at Arts/West.
Post public compliment
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 seen the results of this organization in... the variety of programming they offer to the community.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... very helpful.
Ways to make it better!
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... the lack of money.