ARTS/West
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I led a performance in the ARTS/West facilities and everyone was helpful and courteous. I've also attended multiple performances and have been impressed by the commitment ARTS/West has to promoting emerging artistic talent and exposing the Athens community to such a variety of great programming. Luke
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my personal career and the exposure to great art.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the commitment to promoting the arts in Athens.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
helpful and intelligent.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
serve as an artistic hub for Southeast Ohio.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
amazing staff, Emily Prince is amazing and the scope of what they do there and what they provide for the community is unmatched....the sky is the limit to what ARTS/West will do for the community.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
performances, help and space available
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
give them more funding to hire MORE people!
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the people!
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
AMAZING!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
re-invent SE Ohio's arts/music/amazing scene
Ways to make it better...
there had been brownies
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
cash flow
One thing I'd also say is that...
I don't know where Athens would be without a place like ARTS/West, we are LUCKY to have them here and that Emily Prince puts so much of her wonderful self into that place
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I am a youth theatre writer/producer/director and my group has used the space at Arts/West since the weekend it opened. In fact we were the first tenants! Before Arts/West we were in: 1. An opera house: which was beautiful but too expensive and too large for our budget and needs, 2. An airplane hangar in which the City used to house the recreation center: which was so affordable but not appealing inside or out and was eventually torn down, and 3. A visual arts center: which was beautiful but again too expensive and had no real performance space (no stage, no lights, etc.). So, we've been 'been there, done that' as it were, and Arts/West by far has been the most affordable and accessible venue we have ever had. Thousands of families have benefited from our classes and performances thanks to Arts/West. Simply put: there is no other facility where small non-profit/community arts organizations can go to share their creations with their community. We are so happy and proud to call Arts/West our home and our only regret is that it wasn't around when we first started on 2000! The staff at Arts/West is lead by Emily Prince, a professional with many years experience as a theatre artist and administrator. Emily's creativity and incredible business acumen have made Arts/West a model for this small community. Many organizations can take a lesson from Arts/West on how to cultivate a performing arts facility that showcases the wide variety of artists that our community has to offer. Thank GOODNESS for Arts/West!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Their professionalism with all tenants/clients and their keen understanding of the needs of artists of all disciplines.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I couldn't improve upon what Emily and her staff are doing- go team!
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Working with the staff- they are so accomodating and help everyone feel like a big family.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
All ages, both genders and from all walks of life. This place is VERY popular.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Take over the world. :-)
Ways to make it better...
There was a backstage and wings on the stage. But this is simply not possible with the current structure of the facility. The upside to this is that you learn how to sharpen your problem solving skills!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Size of the current facility. It's always packed, which is a good thing, but sometimes its hard if you are performing on a day or evening when others are using the space. Although most artists are very respectful.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Again, thank goodness for Arts/West. Hundreds of children we have served would have had no theatrical outlet if it had not been for this facility.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
My high school daughter has been a volunteer at Arts/West for 2 years now. It is a wonderful place for young people to go as an alternative to hanging around uptown. Athens is a small rural community without a corporate base for non-profits to rely on, our main employer here is Ohio University. What amazes me most about this community center is how much is accomplished with little funding. The director is amazing at working with a WIDE variety of organizations who use the space and rallying the town to contribute for necessary improvements, etc. A former church, the main performance space and the downstairs rooms are in almost constant use 7 days a week. Everyone working at Arts/West seems to embody a can-do philosophy and they encourage and include anyone in our area who has an idea, wants to put on a show or hold a meeting there. Arts/West is one more reason to love Athens, Ohio.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing my child grow and learn from being involved in so many activites there. She is treated with respect and given responsiabilities and therefore rises to the occasion. Her time after school is spent on productive community involvement.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
ARTS/West not only gave me valuable experience in my nonprofit career, it also gave me the opportunity to learn amazing lessons in the power of arts advocacy, the importance of community, the rich culture of Appalachian Ohio, and the value of the arts in economically depressed communities. Led with passion and vision by the tireless Emily Prince, every decision at ARTS/West is made with the needs of the community in mind. ARTS/West is a place that nurtures the arts and artists of Southeast Ohio at every level: children's art classes, teen theater workshops, independent music festivals, experimental dance events - even a community-wide multi-arts festival and an annual playwrighting festival that celebrates both local talent while giving nationally known playwrights a place to showcase their work. ARTS/West is simultaneously world-class and locally-focused, and is truly a treasure of the Athens community. The City of Athens has given a gift to the region by purchasing the old Nazarene Church and turning it into a hub for creativity - keep your eyes on the talent emerging here, as it is becoming increasingly evident that ARTS/West's legacy will be longlasting and far-reaching.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
both my professional experience as an arts advocate under the tutelage of Emily Prince and as a theater artist. Emily's expertise combined with the flexibility of the space equal an amazing resource for Athens' artistic community.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
establish an endowment that could support staff growth and capital improvements such as more accessibility (elevators, etc) and additional resources such as a recording space that could support local musicians' needs.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how strongly focused it is on the needs of teh community, while maintaining incredibly high artistic standards.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
knowledgeable, approachable, and hardworking.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
elevate the artistic legacy of the Appalachian region to national status, while providing steady tourism and cultural revenue to an economically challenged region.
Ways to make it better...
ARTS/West had a bigger staff. As of now, the facility is truly only limited by the capacity of a 2-person staff. With more hand on deck, the potential of this organization would be astounding.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
capacity and facility challenges. ARTS/West has made amazing strides the amount of people it can serve but needs to make accessibility improvements as well as additional resources to help market and spread the word about the quality of their work.
One thing I'd also say is that...
an increased number of local business leaders could make a big difference in the capacity of the facility in the long term.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I've been involved with various programming at ARTS/West for 3+ years through volunteering for the Aquabear Legion, one of its incubated organizations and coordinating the fall arts festival, ART/oberfest. ARTS/West is an outstanding facility and a wonderful resource to the entire community.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Have the staffing and the funding to expand its programming directed at young children who live in at-risk communities in the county.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Since ARTS/West started I have been a teacher of art classes, worked with various non-profits, exhibited art, volunteered and have been the project coordinator for Humble Play for 4 years now. ARTS/West is one of the best things about living in Athens.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Offer more free programming to a primarily low income community. The county in which ARTS/West is located has had art education taken out of two school systems - the children of this area of Appalachia really need the benefits of the arts to enrich them.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I worked with ARTS/West many times and in every instance they were very attentive and respectful. They were always very well organized and completely upfront with what was expected and what would be happening. The people I worked with were kind and the space was well equipped with up to date paper work and regulations. My experience with the company was always very positive and I would not hesitate to work with them again.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Kind and respectful.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Expand it's stage, lighting and sound rigs. Making it easier for them to compete in the theatrical and event market in the midwest.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
provides unique service to community. Providing opportunity for development,growth,nurturing of the arts and performance space for music ,theater and dance as well as gallery space for painting and sculpture. Facilities equipped with professional, state of the art lighting and sound systems. Staffed by professionals in their fields. Available to all members of the community ,especially youth and beginning artists. Invaluable community resource
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
participation in musicals
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
being part of the artistic life of my community
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
friendly and professional
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
build a bigger facility with elevator for complete ADA access
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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