Grand Vision Foundation

I was hired as an intern at Grand Vision Foundation, and have been having a wonderful time getting to know the staff, board, and people we serve, as well as getting to know the organization itself. This is my first time working an office job, and I love it! I’m so lucky to work with such kind, patient and friendly people, contributing to a cause that aligns with my own personal values and passions. I’ll admit that when my school made it mandatory to find an internship without any assistance, I wasn’t too pleased, but I never would have found Grand Vision otherwise and so now I’m really grateful for it. I’ve already heard wonderful things from people who’ve attended events GVF has hosted and who participate(d) in the various programs they offer and I’m very proud to be a part of it all. The best way I can sum it up sounds very simple but it is true: Good people make good things. And the good people at Grand Vision are certainly no exception.

Grand Vision Foundation is an awesome performing arts nonprofit. They put on fun concerts at the Grand Annex and they truly care about quality performances. It's a warm and welcoming venue. They are also really involved in the community and elevating the whole downtown area into an arts and small business destination. So blessed to have a company like this in my community.

I have attended many shows put on by this organization, and it fills me with pride that so many eclectic artists have been afforded a chance to perform in my home town. There is no other place in town that serves as a venue for world and americana music of this caliber. Upon finding out that the organization also provides music education to local schools, I was truly moved by their work in our area. I believe that they truly have significant impact on keeping the arts thriving in my area.

Going to live concerts at the Grand Annex is a special experience. The feeling of community and joy is palpable, the staff warm and welcoming, and the music is always top notch. The music education program that Grand Vision offers local schools is very inspiring as well. It's great knowing that kids are getting the opportunity to play an instrument, read music and perform. Thanks for the inspiration, Grand Vision.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this incredible non-profit. The talent and vision of Liz Schindler Johnson along with staff have created a truly magical music experience. I'm a firm believer that every child should have the opportunity to have access to the arts. Grand Vision Foundation provides music teachers and instruments which allows children to experience music. Please support this wonderful non-profit.

Grand Vision Foundation is an amazing organization. The staff is so dedicated, and it is obvious they put in long hours to make all of this work. Their enthusiasm for this program is contagious. I not only volunteer but attend most of the events and bring along friends. Their music program is such a worthwhile program. Music is so important to our youth. This program gives them the opportunity to not only be exposed to music but learn to play an instrument. This is an opportunity they wouldn't have without this program. It is important that we support and promote this program. Joy Reed

I moved to San Pedro 8 years ago. Almost immediately I became aware of the Grand Vision Foundation through concerts at the Grand Annex. The entertainment was excellent and so was the staff and volunteers. When I found out about all of the things that Grand Vision Foundation does for the community I signed up as a volunteer.

I have been a volunteer for over 7 years. I am especially proud to be involved in projects that benefit the local children, mainly through the Meet the Music program. I attend many of the concerts at the Warner Annex and the Warner Grand Theater. I usually bring a large number of friends to the concerts that my wife and I attend.

In addition to my volunteer work at the Grand Annex I was also giving "behind the scenes" tours of the Warner Grand Theater to create more interest in restoring the theater to it previous glory. All that we do through the Grand Vision Foundation helps to upgrade all of downtown San Pedro and benefits everybody in our community.

As a personal bonus, the relationships with the Grand Vision Foundation staff and volunteers that my wife and I have developed have had a major positive impact on our lives. Working with others that feel strongly about helping improve the lives of others is very rewarding.

Gary Nissenson

I started volunteering at GVF earlier this year in January. One of my closest friends reached out to me to ask if I could help, and I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Everyone involved is very polite, plus it's so great to working together for a cool cause. I enjoyed volunteering so much the first time that I couldn't wait to help out again. I believe the name "Grand Vision" really speaks for itself, and I'm very happy to continue dedicating my free time in helping out.

Grand Annex is a gem in San Pedro that deserves so much more attention! It’s an intimate venue with a great small bar that serves some delicious local, craft beers. I appreciate the variety of shows they offer and I’m excited about the upcoming season.

I wanted to volunteer for the Grand Vision Foundation when I heard that they provide music education for thousands of young students. After I started volunteering, I saw their reach was beyond the classroom. Volunteering for the Second Thursday Open Mics, I see a variety of local talent performing and encouraging each other. It’s amazing to see the same people come back again and again. The community truly benefits from this nonprofit.

I volunteer for Grand Vision Foundation. Usually, I volunteer as support staff at the live music events that are regularly presented at both the Warner Grand Theater and The Grand Annex. The musical offerings are varied and always entertaining and the venues are fantastic. The intimacy of the experience at the Grand Annex is invaluable and the musicians enjoy the energy and closeness with the audience. Revenue from the shows goes to support one of Grand Vision's most important efforts, the Meet the Music program. This program brings music teachers into under-served public elementary schools weekly to provide introductory musical education. The programs are presently offered at 20 local elementary schools in multiple classes at each school. The children at these schools would not have the opportunity to learn to play an instrument (violins, drums and recorders are provided free of charge) or to become acquainted with the beauty of making and hearing music without Grand Vision Foundation.

Supporting the Grand Vision Foundation is a way to keep our beautiful Warner Grand Theatre alive and well. By volunteering in this great group I have made many fantastic friends, learned a great deal of history and been a part of some fabulous shows. The Foundation also sponsors music in our schools. Today many children that would never be exposed to music are being taught by GVF volunteers. It is an open door to wonderful ways to make our lovely San Pedro a terrific place to live and learn!

I love the Warner Grand and the Grand Annex! What these two incredible theaters do for the community cannot be put into words. They both put on fantastic productions with the help of the Grand Vision Foundation.

I'm a professional designer and have worked in marketing for my entire career. I think Grand VIsion does an outstanding job communicating to the public through its excellent marketing pieces and timely outreach. They have raised the bar and inspired other arts organizations in our community.

With out the Grand Vision Foundation there would be no Warner Grand . The Grand Vision Foundation has giving life back to our grand old theater. For those of you that have not, had the pleasure of enjoying our Beautiful theater.......please plan on treating yourself. You will fall in love with her Grand Old Beauty........ just as I did, over 50 years ago.

Yolanda Valle-Perry

Thank you to the Grand Vision Foundation for the foresight to know that music is the worlds language, and with their program Meet the Music; children who would never have the opportunity to learn about music all over the world are having just this chance right now The commitment by the staff and volunteers far is unparalleled.

I have been involved with the Grand Vision Foundation (GVF) since 2005. I stay committed to this dynamic organization due to its mission and the way we live up to it. The Warner Grand is a community resource because Grand Vision raised local community money to restore seating, replace the aged stage rigging including the movie screen, the cinema sound system was completely replaced, house lighting was made to dim, dressing rooms were made habitable, and many more small fixes that allow the building to be used many days of the year. We still have much to do and will still be driving the upgrades for years to come.
GVF also produces educational music programs for under served elementary schools in Wilmington and San Pedro. We give them music fundamentals, world geography and cultural awareness through the demonstration of world music. Many elementary students are being taught to play the recorder through a GVF led initiative.
There are so many reasons to support the activities of this great organization. One of my favorites is the Grand Annex where we present live music on a very regular basis. This is bringing another reason for local folks to stay in town and enjoy some quality entertainment. It has brought many new visitors to our neighborhood. A few have moved here and joined GVF.

Grand Vision has been a consistent, positive presence in the community for over 18 years. Thanks to GVF's tireless efforts to support and promote the arts, we enjoy the ambiance of the historic Warner Grand Theatre, the Grand Annex, Little Fish Theatre and many others. So happy they continue to promote and support the arts in San Pedro. They are awesome!

I have been aware of Grand Vision for the last 18 years. They have so many wonderful programs and are truly a part of the community. Over the years Grand Vision has grown to touch so many aspects of life in the harbor area from the restoration of the Historic Warner Grand Theatre to bringing arts education to the local youth. I love to tell my friends about Grand Vision and the meaningful work they do.

I love Grand Vision Foundation! Seeing their incredible youth education program, Meet the Music, grow to serve over 1500 youth in the Harbor Area is unbelievable. The Annex is a great venue not only for our youth, but for arts like jazz, as well. The Annex puts on quality concerts for an affordable price for our community. Seeing jazz greats like the late Paul Smith or folk wonders like Sara Watkins this season shows the quality of the venue.

I joined the board of Grand Vision Foundation four years ago after a friend brought me to experience the Warner Grand Theater...it was such an inspiring experience that I decided to get more involved. We offer music appreciation to local under privileged schools through Meet The Music Program. About two years ago we also expanded The Annex, three doors down from the theater where everyone can come and listen to live music in an intimate 150 seat venue. Many have enjoyed the great sounds of tribute bands here that has taken us back to our former years. The venues provide added support to the local community and businesses. Everything is better through live music and shows and movies experienced with others.

I have volunteered for Grand Vision Foundation for 4 years and am always impressed and amazed by their accomplishments! They cared enough about the community to save the historic Warner Grand Theatre and present symphonies, ballets, plays, and operas there. The Foundation expanded into Arts Education for local students, revamped a storefront to become one of San Pedro's premier music spaces with a huge variety to suit all tastes. They have expanded into supporting and participating in all the local events and celebrations, bringing notice to San Pedro's arts community. They stick to and expand their mission of serving the entire San Pedro community through the arts.

I served for a number of years as a volunteer, helping with shows even helped clean out the basement under the theatre, working with a great bunch of volunteers. For the past few years I have served as a Board Member, learning more about what it takes for a non-profit to succeed. Dedication is the first thing and the GVF Staff, board, and volunteers have that. One program GVF can be especially proud of is Meet the Music. This is an ongoing program in local underserved schools to introduce students to world music through classroom instruction and live performances at the Grand Annex. Of course, the Grand Annex is a wonderful music venue, presenting lively entertainment on a year round basis, while the heart of the organization is still the restoration and programming of the Warner Grand Theatre.

Grand Vision Foundation is a commendable organization, offering a variety of high-quality arts programs at the recently-renovated Grand Annex "listening room" and the historic Warner Grand Theatre - all part of GVF's mission to revitalize the arts in downtown San Pedro. Especially noteworthy is Grand Vision's Meet the Music program, which provides opportunities for students of low-income attending Title I schools in Wilmington and San Pedro to attend world music concert experiences at the Annex; while offering cultural, historical and geographical information pertinent to the music they hear. Harbor Area students are also now being given the chance to learn musical instruments in their classrooms on a regular, weekly basis - setting the foundation for more culturally-inclusive experiences and improvements in academic learning.

We love our Warner Grand Theatre and all of it's efforts to bring quality information, entertainment, fun.

The theatre is looking better than ever.... back in the 70's it was in a neglectful state and foundering....!

This theatre is gorgeous, deco, intricate woodworking and the charm of yesteryear!

This non-profit deserves recognition for all,they have done for our little town!

Thanks ever so much!

Beth

I love the eclectic variety of music that I have seen at the Grand Annex. It is an intimate theatre where any seat in the house is amazing. Many performers have commented on what a great, attentive , and appreciative audience it is. The sound is incredible. The Grand Vision Foundation supports local music and adds so much to the local community. Of course, they have also exposed local students to various musical experiences; this adds much to their education. Grand Vision is Fantastic!

Seeing local elementary and middle schools gathered at the Warner Grand to be introduced to opera was wonderful. The children had a blast and learned so much. The Grand Vision Organization has given San Pedro heart and soul. From diverse music shows to supporting the local community, I feel incredibly lucky to be involved as a volunteer.

From saving the historic Warner Grand Theater to bringing arts opportunities of all sorts to the San Pedro community. This group truly cares about all of the people in our community and making San Pedro a great place to be. Aside from experiencing many wonderful performances, through GVF I have actually become connected to the richness and vitality of this awesome city. I have become acquainted with so many terrific people. I love the way GVF brings everyone together and makes San Pedro a hometown to take pride in.

This is a great organization that has saved an historic theater for all to share and has a myriad of projects that bring the arts to the area children. To see this wonderful theater full of children learning about opera from the L.A. Opera Company is a real treat. This is also a great organization for the way that it reacts and treats it's workers, volunteers and the public that attends the programs. For me personally I have made a raft of new friends through volunteering.

Our organization and the Grand Vision Foundation have collaboratively participated in numerous community Arts programs and projects throughout the years. Grand Vision has helped establish our Art Center in 2008 by sharing thier facilities until ours was completed. We have co-sponsored events such as community cinema evenings, children's art expos, numerous fundraiser cultural events, and many community support activities such as the annual Dia de Los Muertos. Grand Vision Foundation promotes the Warner Grand Theater as the heART and soul of the San Pedro Arts District.

My time with the Warner Grand Foundation has been fantastic. Those who work with the foundation sincerely care about the theater, its history, and the surrounding community. They and the individuals they attract have been fantastic. I sincerely hope that this great group of people continue their success.

I was the chairperson of an art organization that served over 7000 students K-8th in the greater Harbor area. The Grand Vision partnered with our organization, offering us their space for an art show that exhibited the work of 3rd graders from 18 of our member schools. The children were thrilled to see their art displayed in an actual gallery setting. I can't recommend The Grand Vision highly enough for it's connection to the community and willingness to promote the arts at every level.

The Grand Vision Foundation has been a key organization in the betterment of downtown San Pedro. This group has not only saved the Warner Grand Theatre but also has brought the arts to our community. Many kids and adults have had the opportunity to see music programs, theatre productions, and operas at a very affordable price. Elementary, middle school, high school, and adult school students have had the opportunity to attend these shows free of charge - shows that they might not had been able to attend without their sponsorship.
The organization tries to bring a mixture of shows to our diverse community, we have been able to see Taiko groups, Latino music shows, acapella groups, country, Eastern European, Irish, soul and jazz, and classical groups.
They also give the opportunity of volunteerism to young and adults because the majority of the people who work in the programs are volunteers. As a matter of fact, I got involved in the program when students and staff from the adult school I used to work served as volunteers for one of the shows held in the theatre. I continue as a volunteer with the Grand Annex program and I will continue if they need me to.