Arts Council celebrating 60 years, asks for your support in United Arts Fund Drive

Posted at 10:27 am July 20, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Arts Council of Oak Ridge is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and the organization is asking for your support in its United Arts Fund Drive.

“Our annual United Arts Fund Drive is a way for you or your business to help keep the arts alive and thriving in Oak Ridge,” a letter to supporters said.

The eight members of the Arts Council of Oak Ridge are Oak Ridge Art Center, Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association, Tennessee Mountain Writers, Oak Ridge Playhouse/Junior Playhouse, Oak Ridge Community Orchestra, Oak Ridge Community Band, and Music Arts School.

The Arts Council promotes the organizations and their events, raises funds, and provides a network to help them grow, the letter to supporters said.

Pledges to the United Arts Fund Drive must be received by July 31 to be included in programs and publications.

At the $200 donation level and above, your name or business name is listed in every printed program of every event presented all eight member organizations, as well as in newspapers, magazines, and the Arts Council of Oak Ridge website—reaching more than 50,000 people, the letter said.

At the $500 donation level and above, the Arts Council website provides a link to your website, the letter said.

“You are receiving this letter because you are connected to the arts in Oak Ridge—taking art, dance, or music lessons, attending band, orchestra, or symphony concerts, ballet performances, plays, art exhibits, or Secret City Festival,” the letter said. “Maybe your business directly benefits from the tourism dollars brought into Oak Ridge by these events. Or maybe your employees and their families take part in arts activities or attend arts events. If you take a minute to think about it, we’re sure someone you know benefits directly from one or more of the numerous arts events our member organizations bring to Oak Ridge every year.”

The letter to arts supporters was from Audrey Stelson, president of the Arts Council of Oak Ridge, and Cyndi Jeffers, United Arts Fund Drive chair.

“Our area has so much to offer—the arts help make this a wonderful place to live, work, and play,” the letter said. “The arts organizations in Oak Ridge support and supplement school activities, attract tourists and visitors, and offer volunteer and participation opportunities.”

To learn more, you can contact the Arts Council of Oak Ridge at (865) 482-4432 or at Arts Council of Oak Ridge, PO Box 4324, Oak Ridge, TN 37831.

You can visit the Arts Council website at www.artscouncilofoakridge.org.

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