Now more than ever the arts hold communities together. As you consider your year-end charitable giving, I’d like to challenge you to reassess your giving philosophy and consider the role of the arts here in Durango. Why is giving to the arts a worthy investment? The answers may surprise you.
When you support the arts you also support the health, economy and human services in our community. For every ticket an audience member buys to attend a play, they spend an additional $31 at local restaurants, parking and lodging. All of these dollars carry taxes that pay for things like public transportation and affordable housing.
Art is more than just a pretty picture on a wall. When you support the creative economy, you help create jobs and retain local talent. The DAC employs 16 to 20 people on any given day based on activity and contracts with dozens of additional teachers, directors and actors, and provides a lifeline of economic support to more than 60 local visual artists each year. Overall, our nation’s arts and culture (including education and private sector companies), account for more of our country’s GDP than agriculture, utilities and transportation.
The arts give back. We are good at doing things on a shoestring and can stretch a penny into a dime, then we pay it forward! The DAC provided over $15,000 last year in scholarship aid to need-based families thanks to donations from the community.
Know that when you support the arts, you support the mental and physical health and well-being of our residents. We have seen firsthand how engagement in the arts improves the general outlook and frame of mind of our students. They have reported to us how they experience reduced stress and anxiety by exercising their creative ability and finding a healthy community. Try an arts or theater class and find out for yourself, and you will find your happy place in short order.
Across the country, more than half of our health care institutions have dedicated arts programs to various art therapies, as such programs result in shorter hospital stays and a need for less medication. Those who benefit include trauma victims, children and adults fighting autoimmune diseases, and even mothers preparing for childbirth. It’s even been reported that creative arts therapies help military service members, Veterans, and their families manage a host of challenges including recovery, PTSD and re-incorporation into the community after service.
Finally, your investment in the arts helps raise more intelligent, well-rounded children who become caring and engaged citizens. We know that students who engage in artistic pursuits enjoy a higher than average GPA and have higher college acceptance rates, but it’s so much more than just that. Here at the DAC, we have leadership programs for middle and high school students where they use their creativity to help aid in health and services issues: They make beautiful quilts for those who are housing insecure. They make brightly colored clay planters for community gardens to provide fresh produce for people who can’t afford to buy it at the store. They learn about the issues facing our community and grow into caring and compassionate adults who firmly believe in the power of giving back.
Just like you.
Make sure that the arts remain firmly planted in your community today, and you will enjoy the fruits of your investment for a lifetime. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy.
If you or a friend would benefit from engaging with the DAC or learning more about all the classes and events, or you would like to become a patron of the arts through your giving, please call me to set a coffee date.
Coming up next at the Durango Arts Center:
- “WE WILL ROCK YOU,” the Durango Youth Theater presents a musical featuring hit songs and singalongs by the legendary rock band Queen: 7 p.m. Friday (Dec. 16) and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $15 adults/$10 students.
- Green Level Adult Improv Classes with Mary Quinn. 6-8 p.m. beginning Jan. 10. Four weeks. $100.
- Theater Season Passes now on sale. $70-$285.
- Youth Theater Tuesday class, third-fifth grade: 4-5:15 p.m. Jan. 10-May 7. $325.
- Youth Theater Wednesday class, fifth-12th grade: 4-6 p.m. Jan. 11-May 7. $375.
- Youth Shakespeare Class, fifth-12th grade: 4-5:30 p.m. Jan. 12-April 30. $300.
- The Gift Gallery, 50 local artists: noon-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
- Monday Middle/High School weekly after school art begins Jan. 9, 4-5:30 p.m. 10 classes, $225.
- Tuesday second-fifth grade weekly after school art begins Jan. 10, 3:30-5 p.m. 10 classes, $225.
- Wednesday second-fifth grade weekly after school art begins, Jan. 11, 3:30-5 p.m. 10 classes, $225.
- Figure drawing with live model, begins Jan. 10, 6-8 p.m., 10 classes, $225.
- Mud Day Madness, begins Jan. 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 10 sessions, $325.
- The Art of Painting, adult art classes begin, Jan. 11, 10 a.m.-noon, 10 classes, $250.
- Magical Art & Happiness adult art classes begin, Jan. 12, 6-8 p.m., six weeks, $200.
- Pots & Pints, adult clay class begins Jan. 13, 4:30-6 p.m. $30.
Questions? Email info@durangoarts.org
Donate, become a member for discounts and to be a patron of the arts, register for classes, buy tickets, and keep in touch at DurangoArts.org.
Brenda Macon has been executive director of Durango Arts Center since 2018. Her background includes executive leadership training, business and art instruction. She celebrates the inspiration, joy and meaningful engagement that the arts bring to our town.
