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Preserving the arts in Idaho communities
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Location: Blogs Jim's Blog |
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| Posted by: Jim Hansen |
8/7/2006 |
The arts are an indispensable part of the life of every Idaho community. In virtually every town I have visited, the topic comes up. I also have been blessed with meeting many amazing artists, arts volunteers and supporters, and art educators. The impact that the arts have on a community cannot be fully appreciated without spending time experiencing what local people have created.
In most communities I've been to this summer, the topic of the arts and arts education often comes up. I keep meeting lots of busy people who put almost everything else aside and dedicate untold hours to put on a community play, an art show or a concert. More often than not, their efforts include getting children excited and involved, which means their commitment of time, resources and enthusiasm increases exponentially.
Even as communities in Idaho struggle with some tough issue, the arts they create keeps them engaged with each other. Federal resources for the arts are a small but critical piece of keeping the arts a vibrant part of Idaho communities. Many folks have shared with me their concern that the arts and arts education are too often the first items on the chopping block when federal deficits get too big.
When I was in Lava Hot Springs, I had the pleasure of meeting Cathy Sher, an amazing community leader who works with the museum's education programs. She has just been selected to receive the Governor's Award for Support of Arts Education. Congratulations, Cathy!
Last week, my family felt the importance of community arts programs. I attended a performance of The Unsinkable Molly Brown produced jointly by Boise Little Theater and the Parks and Recreation Department. My daughter, Sammy, was in the cast and had the time of her life. Director Wendy Koeppl and her production team of dozens of talented people put in hundreds of hours with a cast of more than 30 young people to create a superb show.
This summer, I've also attended the Idaho Shakespeare Festival's “family night” productions of Love's Labors Lost and Romeo & Juliet. I had the honor of serving on the Idaho Shakespeare Festival board of directors 12 years ago and continue to be impressed with ISF's commitment to introducing kids all over Idaho to some of the best theater and literature in the English language. Federal grants have helped them do this. After 30 years, there are now hundreds — perhaps thousands — of kids from Idaho who have become involved in the arts because of ISF's efforts. A dear friend, Tricia Nilsson, gave Joan and me a copy of Doug Copsey's book With Our Good Will: 30 Years of Shakespeare in Idaho.
In Idaho Falls a few days ago, Scott and Heidi Marotz graciously hosted a party at their home and invited many folks involved in the arts in Idaho Falls. Earlier in the year, I attended the Eagle Rock Art Museum's annual art auction and met some of the area's most gifted artists. I sat with Richard and Beth Bird of Rexburg. Richard is an amazing painter whose talent captures the beauty and simplicity of Idaho. Over the years, he has helped hundreds of students at Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) to find their talent and to appreciate the talent of others.
When I was knocking on doors in Ashton in July, the talk of the town was the Operetta put on by local students and untold numbers of volunteers. I also met an impressive group of dancers from Ashton, St. Anthony and other nearby towns who gather regularly to practice and perform. And just last Sunday, I enjoyed meeting William Trueba at the Mountain Home Basque Barbecue and visiting with him about his many years in the public schools and about his talent for capturing the Basque experience in Idaho in his paintings and prints.
These are just a few examples of how the arts make such a difference to Idaho communities and are worth fighting to preserve, even when some insiders in Washington, D.C., want to casually discard them.
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