The philanthropic ladies of The Circle, an all-volunteer funding group supporting the Vero Beach Museum of Art Community Engagement Programs, gathered recently at the lovely Marsh Island Clubhouse for an afternoon reception to introduce new members to their mission and learn about this year’s funding opportunities.
Circle members annually contribute $250 or more to supplement the costs of outreach programs geared toward children and adults who might otherwise have little or no access to the arts. Site committee volunteers review and report their findings at informational meetings and grant recipients are chosen by members from a list of finalists at a cocktail reception in the spring.
In her welcome address, Circle President Susan Smith said the group has contributed more than $153,000 to Museum programs over the past six years. To introduce the programs under consideration this year, she turned the program over to Robyn Orzel, VBMA director of development, adding, “We have some old favorites and we have some new ones.”
“We as staff are always looking for ways to be creative. There are some amazing things that have been happening in our education programs,” said Orzel, who provided an overview of the eight options.
- Arts Integration and Cultural Literacy Program in partnership with Indian River Academy, a Title 1 school.
- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Program in partnership with Beachland Elementary school.
- Free Saturday programming in conjunction with exhibitions and an expansion of programs such as Artful Storytime.
- Art for Health’s Sake I: Senior Resource Association Adult Day Care Programs; Afternoon at the Museum for people with Alzheimer; Intergenerational Art Program; and Arts in Medicine training for two teaching artists.
- Art for Health’s Sake II: A new Movement at the Museum Program for people with Parkinson’s-related illnesses, and specialized dance training for one teaching artist.
- Funding for additional teaching artists and their training for the Artists in the Schools Program, which reaches all school grade levels.
- Fellsmere Adopt-a-School Program, providing a Museum learning experience for students in the geographically distant, Title 1 Fellsmere Elementary School.
- Free Family Festivals, including Holidays at the Museum and the Children’s Art Festival.
“One of the best ways to acquaint yourselves with these programs is to go on site visits. It really is one of the most rewarding things you can do,” said Cindy Binder, site committee chair.
“It is so heartwarming and so rewarding to see this group grow,” said VBMA CEO Lucinda Gedeon. “We try to integrate art into every aspect of the community, but we can’t do it without the community and you represent that for us. You help make it happen.”
The next Circle meeting is at 10 a.m. Jan. 20 at the Museum. Anyone interested in joining should call 772-231-0707 x 106.