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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-16-17 Correspondence - K. Asselin (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks) to Taylor, Andrus, Mehl, Krauss, Pomeroy - Request to Oppose NEA Elimination #Aso 1973 g ,� 'oNraNa SNAKESpEARE y' NN!N THEARKS , �. March 16, 2017 Mayor Carson Taylor Suite 201, City Hall 121 North Rouse Avenue Bozeman, MT 59771 Dear Mayor Taylor: I write on behalf of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks to urge you to oppose President Trump's plan to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts. As you know, the NEA is America's chief supporter of the arts and celebrates the arts as a national priority, critical to America's future.As such, NEA funding is vital to many of Montana's treasured arts institutions, including Shakespeare in the Parks. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP) is a 45-year old outreach program bringing free performances of Shakespeare and other classics to communities and schools throughout Montana. Roughly 10%of our budget is comprised of direct or indirect funding from the NEA.MSIP's goal is to make Shakespeare and other classic plays available to everyone, including those in rural and tribal communities where financial and cultural resources are limited.To ensure access for all Montanans,we never charge for tickets, relying instead on a diverse portfolio of NEA funds, individual donations, and corporate sponsorships to offset production costs. NEA funds support the Shakespeare in the Schools program,which brings live performances and workshops to students in grades 7-12, and MT Shakes!,which introduces elementary students to Shakespeare's works.These programs reach an average 120 schools per year, and are a highlight of many students' year. Both the Shakespeare in the Schools program and MT Shakes! are designed to meet many of Montana's common core curriculum standards. NEA funds also support our annual Summer Parks Tour which reaches 62 communities with free performances of Shakespeare and other classics. Combined, all three programs reach nearly 50,000 people each year. Over 40% of die communities reached on our summer tour have a population of less than 2,000 and nearly 80%less than 10,000.This comment from a teacher in Columbia Falls, MT, typifies the impact programs like Shakespeare in the Schools have on communities with limited access to the arts: "We live a rural, poverty-stricken area. For many of our students, this production was their first experience with live theater-and what a treat it was! For one, it is so wonderful to be able to share theater with those who have never experienced it, and to hope that it will somehow shape their lives for the better." Without the NEA's support, our ability to reach such remote communities with free performances and educational programs will be greatly reduced.At a time when much seems to divide our country, the arts are uniquely positioned to inspire people and bring communities together across generational and political lines. Hence, now more than ever, I urge you to stand up for the future of public arts funding in Montana. Sincerely, 256 Black Box Theater P.O.Box 174120 evin Asselin Bozeman,MT 59717-4120 Executive Artistic Director www.shakespeareintheparks.org Tel 406-994-3901 Fax 406-994-4591 Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is an outreach program of Montana State University's College of Arts&Architecture MONTANA TH >,y» SHAKESPEARE ' 2017 ,� .Ili THE AS06Nh March 16, 2017 Commissioner I-Ho Pomeroy P.O. Box 1230 121 North Rouse Avenue Bozeman, Mt. 59771 Dear Commissioner Pomeroy: I write on behalf of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks to urge you to oppose President Trump's plan to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts.As you know, the NEA is America's chief supporter of the arts and celebrates the arts as a national priority, critical to America's future. As such, NEA funding is vital to many of Montana's treasured arts institutions, including Shakespeare in the Parks. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks(MSIP) is a 45-year old outreach program bringing free performances of Shakespeare and other classics to communities and schools throughout Montana. Roughly 10%of our budget is comprised of direct or indirect funding from the NEA.MSIP's goal is to make Shakespeare and other classic plays available to everyone, including those in rural and tribal communities where financial and cultural resources are limited.To ensure access for all Montanans,we never charge for tickets, relying instead on a diverse portfolio of NEA funds, individual donations, and corporate sponsorships to offset production costs. NEA funds support die Shakespeare in the Schools program,which brings live performances and workshops to students in grades 7-12, and MT Shakes!,which introduces elementary students to Shakespeare's works. These programs reach an average 120 schools per year, and are a highlight of many students'year. Both the Shakespeare in the Schools program and MT Shakes! are designed to meet many of Montana's common core curriculum standards. NEA funds also support our annual Summer Parks Tour which reaches 62 communities with free performances of Shakespeare and other classics. Combined, all three programs reach nearly 50,000 people each year. Over 40% of the communities reached on our summer tour have a population of less than 2,000 and nearly 80%less than 10,000.This comment from a teacher in Columbia Falls, MT, typifies the impact programs like Shakespeare in the Schools have on communities with limited access to the arts: "We live a rural, poverty-stricken area. For many of our students, this production was their first experience with live theater-and what a treat it was! For me, it is so wonderful to be able to share theater with those who have never experienced it, and to hope that it will somehow shape their lives for the better." Without the NEA's support, our ability to reach such remote communities with free performances and educational programs will be greatly reduced.At a time when much seems to divide our country, the arts are uniquely positioned to inspire people and bring communities together across generational and political lines. Hence, now more than ever, I urge you to stand up for the future of public arts funding in Montana. Sincerely, 258 Black Box Theater P.O.Box 174120 Kevin Asselin Bozeman,MT 59717-4120 Executive Artistic Director www.shakespeareintheparks.org Tel 406-994-3901 Fax 406-994-4591 Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is an outreach program of Montana State University's College of Arts&Architecture OTANA TH 1913 S AKESPEAR� 4 , 1 2017 IN THE ARKS IN 4 A S O March 16, 2017 Commissioner Chris Mehl P.O. Box 1230 121 North Rouse Avenue Bozeman, Mt. 59771 Dear Commissioner Mehl: I write on behalf of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks to urge you to oppose President Trump's plan to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts. As you know, the NEA is America's chief supporter of the arts and celebrates the arts as a national priority, critical to America's future. As such, NEA funding is vital to many of Montana's treasured arts institutions, including Shakespeare in the Parks. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP) is a 45-year old outreach program bringing free performances of Shakespeare and other classics to communities and schools throughout Montana. Roughly 10%of our budget is comprised of direct or indirect funding from the NEA.MSIP's goal is to make Shakespeare and other classic plays available to everyone, including those in rural and tribal communities where financial and cultural resources are limited.To ensure access for all Montanans,we never charge for tickets,relying instead on a diverse portfolio of NEA funds, individual donations,and corporate sponsorships to offset production costs. NEA funds support the Shakespeare in the Schools program,which brings live performances and workshops to students in grades 7-12, and MT Shakes!, which introduces elementary students to Shakespeare's works. These programs reach an average 120 schools per year, and are a highlight of many students'year. Both the Shakespeare in the Schools program and MT Shakes! are designed to meet many of Montana's common core curriculum standards. NEA funds also support our annual Summer Parks Tour which reaches 62 communities with free performances of Shakespeare and other classics. Combined, all three programs reach nearly 50,000 people each year. Over 40% of the communities reached on our summer tour have a population of less than 2,000 and nearly 80%less than 10,000. This comment from a teacher in Columbia Falls, MT, typifies the impact programs like Shakespeare in the Schools have on communities with limited access to the arts: "We live a rural,povertystricken area. For many of our students, this production was their first experience with live theater-and what a treat it was! For me, it is so wonderful to be able to share theater with those who have never experienced it, and to hope that it will somehow shape their lives for the better." Without the NEA's support, our ability to reach such remote communities with free performances and educational programs will be greatly reduced.At a time when much seems to divide our country, the arts are uniquely positioned to inspire people and bring communities together across generational and political lines. Hence, now more than ever, I urge you to stand up for the future of public arts funding in Montana. Sincerely, 258 Black Box Theater P.O.Box 174120 Kevin Asselin Bozeman,MT 59717-4120 Executive Artistic Director www.shakespeareintheparks.org Tel 406-994-3901 Fax 406-994-4591 Montana Shakespeare in the Parks Is an outreach program of Montana State University's College of Arts$Architecture MONTANA TH i7l 73 SHAKES EARE ' 0 NN ASKS AS07 March 16, 2017 Deputy Mayor Cynthia Andrus P.O. Box 1230 121 North Rouse Avenue Bozeman, Mt. 59771 Dear Deputy Mayor Andrus: I write on behalf of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks to urge you to oppose President Trump's plan to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts. As you know, the NEA is America's chief supporter of the arts and celebrates the arts as a national priority, critical to America's future. As such, NEA funding is vital to many of Montana's treasured arts institutions, including Shakespeare in the Parks. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks(MSIP) is a 45-year old outreach program bringing free performances of Shakespeare and other classics to communities and schools throughout Montana. Roughly 10%of our budget is comprised of direct or indirect funding from the NEA.MSIP's goal is to make Shakespeare and other classic plays available to everyone, including those in rural and tribal communities where financial and cultural resources are limited.To ensure access for all Montanans,we never charge for tickets, relying instead on a diverse portfolio of NEA funds, individual donations, and corporate sponsorships to offset production costs. NEA funds support the Shakespeare in the Schools program,which brings live performances and workshops to students in grades 7.12, and MT Shakes!, which introduces elementary students to Shakespeare's works. These programs reach an average 120 schools per year, and are a highlight of many students' year. Both the Shakespeare in the Schools program and MT Shakes! are designed to meet many of Montana's common core curriculum standards.NEA funds also support our annual Summer Parks Tour which reaches 62 communities with free performances of Shakespeare and other classics. Combined, all three programs reach nearly 50,000 people each year. Over 40% of the communities reached on our summer tour have a population of less than 2,000 and nearly 80%less than 10,000,This comment from a teacher in Columbia Falls, MT, typifies the impact programs like Shakespeare in the Schools have on communities with limited access to the arts: "We live a rural,poverty-stricken area. For many of our students, this production was their first experience with live theater-and what a treat it was! For me, it is so wonderful to be able to share theater with those who have never experienced it, and to hope that it will somehow shape their lives for the better." Without the NEA's support,our ability to reach such remote communities with free performances and educational programs will be greatly reduced.At a time when much seems to divide our country, die arts are uniquely positioned to inspire people and bring communities together across generational and political lines. Hence, now more than ever, I urge you to stand up for the future of public arts funding in Montana. Sincerely, 258 Black Box Theater P.O.Box 174120 Kevin Asselin Bozeman,MT 59717-4120 Executive Artistic Director www.shakespeareintheparks.org Tel 406-994-3901 Fax 406-994-4591 Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is an outreach program of Montana State University's college of Arts&Architecture MONTANA TN '973 SHAKESPEARE ' 11i N, 1 2017 � A S KS AS S NN March 16, 2017 Commissioner Jeff Krauss P.O. Box 1230 121 North Rouse Avenue Bozeman, Mt. 59771 Dear Commissioner Krauss: I write on behalf of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks to urge you to oppose President Trump's plan to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts.As you know, the NEA is America's chief supporter of the arts and celebrates the arts as a national priority, critical to America's future. As such,NEA funding is vital to many of Montana's treasured arts institutions, including Shakespeare in the Parks. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks(MSIP) is a 45-year old outreach program bringing free performances of Shakespeare and other classics to communities and schools throughout Montana. Roughly 10%of our budget is comprised of direct or indirect funding from the NEA.MSIP's goal is to make Shakespeare and other classic plays available to everyone, including those in rural and tribal communities where financial and cultural resources are limited.To ensure access for all Montanans,we never charge for tickets, relying instead on a diverse portfolio of NEA funds, individual donations, and corporate sponsorships to offset production costs. I NEA funds support the Shakespeare in the Schools program,which brings live performances and workshops to students in grades 7-12, and MT Shakes!,which introduces elementary students to Shakespeare's works. These programs reach an average 120 schools per year, and are a highlight of many students'year. Both the Shakespeare in the Schools program and MT Shakes! are designed to meet many of Montana's common core curriculum standards.NEA funds also support our annual Summer Parks Tour which reaches 62 communities with free performances of Shakespeare and other classics. Combined, all three programs reach nearly 50,000 people each year. Over 40% of the communities reached on our summer tour have a population of less than 2,000 and nearly 80% less than 10,000.This comment from a teacher in Columbia Falls, MT, typifies the impact programs like Shakespeare in the Schools have on communities with limited access to the arts: "We live a rural, poverty-stricken area. For many of our students, this production was their first experience with live theater-and what a treat it was! For me, it is so wonderful to be able to share theater with those who have never experienced it, and to hope that it will somehow shape their lives for the better." Without the NEA's support,our ability to reach such remote communities with free performances and educational programs will be greatly reduced. At a time when much seems to divide our country, the arts are uniquely positioned to inspire people and bring communities together across generational and political lines. Hence, now more than ever, I urge you to stand up for the future of public arts funding in Montana. Sincerely, 258 Black Box Theater P.O.Box 174120 Bozeman,MT 5971 7-41 20 Kevin Asselin www.shakespeareintheparks.org Executive Artistic Director Tel 406-994-3901 Fax 406-994-4591 Montana Shakespeare In the Parks is an outreach program of Montana State University's College of Arts&Architecture