A Lifeline for Arts Education
Yes, there is the Santa Monica Pier. It is certainly a lively place and some even call it fun. Others flee from the frenzy boardwalk to wander along the beach with its famous lifeguard posts.
That is what I did a few weeks ago when I headed out to Santa Monica, CA. I had a few hours and took my x100 to capture these structures. I like the lines, dimension and depth of them. I love the visual richness of the various angles of these buildings and I particularly like this upward shot along the ramp.
But I was not there to nurture my passion for photography. I was bringing the second "24-Hours Play: Los Angeles" and that night we produced the show on The Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. Last year, after having underwritten the New York Broadway edition for five years, I felt it was time to bring the plays to LA and with that the benefiting Urban Arts Partnership organization. Our direct financial support as well as proceeds from the sale of the theater tickets are funding their programs. Over the past twenty-one years UAP has been the artistic lifeline for many students in New York's underserved public schools. The mission is simple yet powerful: close the achievement gap through arts-integrated education programs. UAP accomplishes this task through a host of carefully planned and executed programs ranging from in-school classroom integration, after-school programs, master classes (which I love and have done a few myself) to professional development, summer programs and art festivals.
As I was watching the plays and heard the audience laugh, I smiled. Not only because I was equally entertained by the show but I knew that I made at that moment a difference in the education and life of many students.
We made a difference for their future.
The next show? New York, November 12, 2012, American Airlines Theater.
Be there.
