Standing Rock Cultural Arts recently received the opportunity to expand their space for arts, educational, and community programming. This option came to them with a 5-year lease for Suite D directly next to our current gallery at 300 N. Water Street.
This new space encompasses 1,600 square feet – almost twice as much as their current space and features original wood floors and 14-foot ceilings! The space also has a functional kitchen, refrigerator, and hot water. The lease includes approval to remodel the space to make it appropriate for the arts. The following is information about Standing Rock Cultural Arts and the important fundraiser information to renovate the space and increase the arts in downtown Kent.
Many Kent-area residents know that Standing Rock Cultural Arts is a 501(c)(3) arts and arts educational nonprofit in downtown Kent. What you may not know is that Standing Rock Cultural Arts (also dubbed SRCA) has championed the arts for its past 30 years of existence in a myriad of ways including art exhibits at the SRCA base (the North Water Street Gallery), downtown innovative community cultural events (D.I.C.E.) on Hometown Savings Plaza, musical performances, poetry readings, theater performances, and more. Even prior to the nonprofit’s incorporation, Executive Director, Jeff Ingram, began to champion the arts through various ventures of his North Water Street Gallery, from 1992-2000 when the nonprofit received its official status.
The oldest of these is the Standing Rock International Shorts Festival Competition in which contributors from around the world enter submissions for a chance to be shown on the big screen, as well as to win a People’s Choice or Juried Award (or both). Shorts are short visual “films.” The initial entrants are screened by a panel of qualified volunteer judges to determine which will be shown to the audience. The festival itself is open to the public and entrants receive free admittance to the event. Those screened at the festival are eligible to become a People’s Choice or a Juried Award. Some years the audience and the jury vote (separately) for the same selection resulting in the winner receiving both. Winners of the People’s Choice Award win cash and a certificate. The juried award winners receive a certificate and valued credit for their vitae, which can also help promote their careers as they move into other competitions (where more credits for the same work are a testament of its artistry) and outlets resulting in coveted exposure for their creative work.
It’s amazing what can be incorporated into the short selections, which can range anywhere from seconds to 15 minutes in length. Entries involve serious documentaries to comedic routines in an array of styles that include commercial ads, music videos, animated pieces including claymations, sand art, and traditional methods.
The New World Children's Theater began as The New World Puppet Theater at the North Water Street Gallery in Kent, Ohio, in January of 1993. Originally, it was comprised of home-school children. Throughout the years , however, it has grown to include public-schooled children as well. Eventually, the troupe outgrew the puppets and the ensemble became The New World Children’s Theater, which has produced 32 plays since 1994. In addition to the emphasis on original play writing, the company is dedicated to using recycled materials in the construction of its sets and props. This fosters an understanding of a sustainable planet as well as an understanding of how to work with limited resources. The only requirement is a creative mind.
-A Downtown Innovative Community Event (D.I.C.E.) Happening
-Ice Carving Demonstration
The mission of the "Who's Your Mama?" Earth Day Festival is to celebrate planet earth and to provide awareness of the sustainable activities occurring in our area.
There are 3 Events
I. ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP ART EXHIBIT.
II. ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL.
III. PHOTO SHOOT OF COSTUMES.
There are four main ideas presented at the event:
1. Alternative Energy2. Sustainable Agriculture3. Conservation4. Multi-Media Environmental Education (Films, Music, Dance, etc.)
We appreciate the many businesses and organizations doing work to help protect and promote the beauty of mama earth. We feel this festival is a unique and rewarding celebration of those green efforts around the world and in our local community.
Here's how you can help!
Donate to Standing Rock's expansion here
The following is from Standing Rock Cultural Arts:
Greetings Friends of the Cultural Arts,
Exciting News!
Standing Rock Cultural Arts recently received the opportunity to expand our space for arts, educational, and community programming. This option came to us with a 5-year lease for Suite D directly next to our current gallery at 300 N. Water Street.
This new space encompasses 1,600 square feet – almost twice as much as our current space and features original wood floors and 14-foot ceilings! The space also has a functional kitchen, refrigerator, and hot water. The lease includes approval to remodel the space to make it appropriate for the arts.
Over the next month, we plan to:
-Refinish the original wood floors (carpeting has already been removed) $1,500
-Add drywall to create more exhibition space $1,200
-Paint the entire space $800
-Add track lighting for art exhibits $1,200
Remodel to add a door entrance in the north wall of our existing gallery to join the arts spaces. $300
Our hope is to complete these renovations by August 15, 2024, and hold a Grand Opening featuring a planned performance by the stellar group Kenge Kenge Orutu System from Kenya on August 17.
To be a part of this exciting expansion to our cultural arts center and offerings in the community, we invite supporters to contribute to our expansion project through a donation of any amount. No amount is too small!
If you believe in our mission To Build Community Through The Arts and Provide Arts Access for all, please donate.
WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR DONATION:
Our goal is to raise $5,000.00
Donate $25 and receive print from the SRCA print rack.
Donate $50 and receive an invitation to a Donor Party in the new space.
Donate $100 or more and have your name or business, put on a plaque and displayed at the new space.
Thank you for your consideration and for your ongoing support of 32 years of the arts in Kent! We look forward to serving the area for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Jeff Ingram/Executive Director
Standing Rock Cultural Arts
300 N. Water St., Suite H
Kent, OH 44240
Standing Rock Cultural Arts is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We invite and welcome sponsors to help defray expenses for our art and educational activities, many of which are free to provide arts access for all. Donations are tax deductible and no one is ever turned away from programming at the SRCA Gallery for inability to pay.
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