WORTHINGTON -- The people can't go to the arts (at least not without some unwanted sawdust), so they're bringing the arts to the people.
A new initiative by the Friends of the Auditorium, called "Arts on the Move," aims to showcase local performers in unlikely venues like schools and businesses.
"Because the auditorium is under the (sales tax-funded) renovation project, Friends of the Auditorium obviously is not doing business as usual. However, they still want to be able to reach out to the community," explained Margaret Hurlbut Vosburgh, who manages Memorial Auditorium and Performing Arts Center in Worthington. "We're brining the artists to people who might not otherwise have access to the performing arts."
The first event is slated for 5:45 tonight in the gymnasium at West Learning Center. Windom musician Sean Benz will perform for the Community Education Even Start Family Literacy Program, which includes young children and their parents. The public may also attend.
"I think our program is very excited to be able to have this opportunity," said Tara Thompson, a member of the Even Start management team. "We're being able to give our families exposure to things they maybe wouldn't have ventured out to do on their own."
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"We want to keep the public excited about the reopening of the auditorium and keep the Friends of the Auditorium's name out there," Vosburgh continued. "It might be a string quartet that goes out, it might be other solo artists that might have unusual music. Maybe we go out to JBS and bring music that might not go through their radios -- a brass group or a student quartet."
For more information on upcoming "Arts on the Move" events, people may visit the Friends of the Auditorium Facebook page or call the auditorium office at 376-9101. The auditorium is expected to re-open in April.
The initiative is funded in part by a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts and Humanities Council and by the Minnesota Arts Cultural Heritage Fund with a tax approved by voters in 2008.
"The purpose of this is to raise awareness of the arts," Vosburgh said. "The hope is that people who are watching the events will benefit because of the quality of the arts presented, and I would like to think the musicians might gain a better understanding of the diversity in our community."
