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I believe we are so fortunate to be in a community that recognizes the importance of the arts; a community that offers opportunities for not just patrons but for ARTISTS to take advantage of promoting awareness of the arts and encouraging the future development of aspiring artists.

For the past three years the City of Marco Island and the Center for the Arts, (known to many as the Art League), have partnered to provide funding for the Artist Visiting Kids Program. This program provides an educational opportunity for the youth of our community, while providing ARTISTS with an opportunity to share their experiences and get paid.

It is so often we hear of the plight of artists; the lack of appreciation for their skills when it comes to monetary reimbursement; the over use of the request for donation of their work. Although this is a very true and unfortunate plight, Artist Visiting Kids addresses this issue by providing a grant funded program which provides the ARTIST with a stipend for their services, while also providing free program participation for our children and an opportunity for the community to recognize the achievements and final outcomes in a public exhibition. Yes this program has something for everyone, and it is our community that is smart enough to provide it!

So what exactly is Artist Visiting Kids? A synopsis: it is a free visual arts program that provides children of our community with the opportunity to work with a professional artist. What does that mean? Through this program, participating youth gain a deeper understanding of a particular art medium; benefit from a teaching experience by an artist; and create their own works of art as guided by the visiting artist. The program encourages the participants to express themselves through the visual arts. Now that statement alone should entice parents as well as artists to the importance of participation. Just think providing a healthy and positive means of expression during the educational development of our children!

There are added features to this program though. There’s the enhancement to quality of culture life for the entire community when the completed program is unveiled in a public exhibition. Hey ARTISTS, this stimulates public awareness and appreciation of the vitality of the visual arts. Isn’t that what we, all the supporters of the arts and artists, are actively pursuing?

Not only does this program provide all that, it also encourages the students to learn by doing, and has a focus on interpreting their environment in different ways, creating a work of art in the style of the visiting artist. The program re-enforces the importance of the arts as an essential learning tool in educational development. Art is utilized to teach science, history, and the culture of our island while providing attention to the development of not just the creative mind, but self esteem and self expression, and at times the skills needed for collaborative projects.

Here’s an opportunity for ARTISTS to step up to the plate. Here’s an opportunity for ARTISTS to be paid for that so important part of our individual and community development. And yes, dare I say, an opportunity for ARTISTS to support the fact that they and the arts have a positive impact on our economy.

As is usually the case with the development of programming in the arts, it takes vision. How fortunate we are to live in a community where our City staff developed the vision and our arts community took the initiative to implement it. So now it’s up to you. ARTISTS take the initiative to apply; PARENTS take the initiative to enroll your child and COMMUNITY, take part in the appreciation of the arts and when it’s time, visit the exhibit.

ARTISTS you can access the application for this program through www.marcoislandart.com, but don’t wait too long deadline for submission is February 15th. And PARENTS, stay posted because you won’t want your child to miss this great opportunity to participate. Who knows want wondrous talent is waiting to be hatched through the guidance of this program.

Until next time, remember check out the Arts & Cultural Happenings to see what opportunities exist right here in your home town. I am sure you won’t be disappointed.