My Nonprofit Reviews

The Hawaii Arts Alliance has and continues to promote and shape the arts experiences of the entire State of Hawaii. The organization has been a leader in arts education as the major factor in the Arts First program, coordinating schools and artists throughout the state in a unique process of teaching and mentoring. It has also worked closely with the Hawaii community in bringing arts to people at a grass roots level. Two important projects: the refurbishing of the King Kamehameha statue in Hawi on the Big Island, during which the curator worked closely with community members and eventually restored the statue to the community's specifications. This was a project that went beyond restoration to a uniting of the people of Hawi through education, arts participation, community dialogue and hands-on restoration. A second important project was the establishment of the Arts District via the development of the Arts at Marks facility which houses visual arts exhibits, office spaces for artists and arts organizations, and a performance space used for dance, music and theatre presentations. This downtown/Chinatown venue was the catalyst for the now thriving Arts District with galleries, restaurants, a restored Hawaii Theatre and other shops and coffee houses. The Alliance has become a force in the arts as well as in the community at large. Board members are drawn from many sectors including business, education, social services and especially the arts. The executive director has held that position for over 10 years and serves the State in many consultant and committee capacities beyond her duties at the Alliance which continues to grow and exert constructive influence in the Hawaii Society.

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