MACC sets bold agenda

MEEKER I The Meeker Arts and Cultural Council (MACC) set a bold and comprehensive agenda for 2013 programming at the monthly meeting on March 4. President Gary Zellers announced that a large community-based arts and cultural event has been scheduled for late August with details to follow as they are developed. This event will involve multiple community organizations and artists from many disciplines and specialties which is intended for all ages and interests and will involve local businesses and clubs as well as artists and organizations from other areas. This event will also contribute toward economic development in cooperation with the Meeker Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Task Force efforts.
In other new and ongoing projects for MACC:
n MACC has been designated as a 501 [c] 3 nonprofit organization which provides eligibility for major grant application funding from philanthropic foundations.
n MACC will support the Rio Blanco County Historical Society’s production of “Great Women of Northwestern Colorado” on Sunday, April 7, at 1 p.m. during the RBCHS Quarterly Meeting at Kilowatt Korner. A number of prominent pioneer women will be portrayed by MACC actors in period costumes with fascinating remembrances of early day events that shaped the colorful history of the White River Valley. All are welcome to attend.
n A second community dinner theatre production by MACC is planned for later in the Spring in an ongoing series of very popular live performing arts production.
n A Colorado Creative Industries statewide summit meeting will be held in Pueblo in April which will be attended by MACC representatives to learn more about creative district organization and grant funding opportunities.
n An anti-bullying production in cooperation with the University of Colorado at Boulder’s Colorado Shakespeare Festival and Anti-Bullying Center is being considered for presentation in the fall of 2013 for the community and for school-age youth. This highly popular program has been presented to more than 40 Colorado schools and communities with great success.
n Performing and fine arts enrichment seminars sponsored by the ERBM Recreation and Parks District, MACC and hosted by Meeker High School, in cooperation with Colorado Mesa University (CMU) theatre arts department, will present a series of performing and fine arts enrichment seminars that will be offered to local school students and to community members interested in improving their skills and knowledge about theatre and drama. Drama club members from Meeker and Rangely high schools have been invited to participate as have community members and others who are interested. Seminars will be “hands-on” interactive workshops with CMU theatre arts faculty members. Future seminars are planned to include musical theatre, method acting, directing, technical theatre, stage combatives training and other topics in 2013. More details on this program will be announced in the near future. Those interested may call 970-878-4832 or email [email protected].
n Abraham Lincoln reenactment production March 14 (see separate article in this edition of the Herald Times for details).
n A community-based musical theatre production: MACC is considering a musical production later in 2013 with more details to follow.
n “Paint the Wall” downtown mural competition is seeking design proposals for the mural to be displayed on the east wall of Shepherd’s Office Outfitters. Interested artists may contact Jeanette and Chad Shepherd for application and proposal information.
n MACC is working actively with the Meeker Economic Development task force to include “creative industries” through performing and fine arts opportunities which attract visitors and possible future businesses and residents who may choose to locate in the White River valley. Creative industries are the fifth largest economic energy in Colorado. Designation as a creative district has been shown to greatly enhance such programs and increase eligibility for start up grants and funding.
n Consideration of developing a community performing and fine arts center and a volunteer organization center at the old elementary school has been discussed and further discussions with community members, organizations and government leaders will be pursued to explore feasibility and benefits.
Recognizing the need for funding to provide performing and fine arts services and venues for the community, MACC will explore grant funding opportunities which could facilitate building and renovation for performing and fine arts venues that would support these needs. Any such pursuits will clearly require broad-based support of community members, local government, special districts, businesses, corporations and philanthropic organizations
For more information on MACC please contact president Gary Zellers at 878-0554 or email [email protected].