Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education508 W. Perkins St. Ukiah, CA 95482

Non Profit Org.US POSTAGE

PAIDPermit 161Ukiah, Ca.

Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education

Fall 2014

Support Children in the artsA Message from Laurel Near & Paulette Arnold - Founding Directors

We dreamed of a performing arts education program accessible to diverse children and families. We knew

the power of the dream would need to stand the test of time, irregular funding patterns, the economic highs and lows and ever-changing teaching staff. Over the last 20 years, with a “zero debt philosophy,” we created a thriving creative environment and at the same time (and surprising to us) became experts in every facet of fundraising and non-profit business management—which included securing grants from foundations, contracts, business and individual “asks,” finance meetings and HVAC filters!

The SPACE dream has truly been a beacon of hope and fun amidst the local ubiquitous drug culture and the economic struggles that greatly impact Mendocino County families. Mendocino County’s rate of child abuse is more than twice the statewide rate and it is third overall in poverty. Many children have been exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE*). This exposure crosses all economic classes and ethnicities. In contrast to this, SPACE offers deep and enduring resiliency factors to youth who have experienced trauma. SPACE Alumni from all backgrounds are now shining examples of the power of the arts to build resiliency!

There has been a continuous decrease in foundation funding since 2009. SPACE is now anticipating an unprecedented $48,000 budget shortfall and we need your help. (All the funds raised since 1999 for SPACE’s facilities can only be used for renovation and construction -- what we call bricks and mortar. Thank you to all those donors!) So, until the economic environment rebounds, you may be seeing many changes at SPACE— we may be downsizing some programs and expanding others, you may even see new innovative programs, more community rentals and a variety of creative ventures, but at the core of SPACE will be kids dancing, singing and acting.

Please help keep the dream alive and donate what you can before December 31, 2014.*ACE: According to a research study between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente, children exposed to any of ten types of childhood trauma —physical, verbal, sexual, physical or emotional neglect, a parent who’s an alcoholic, a mother who’s a victim of domestic violence, a family member in jail, with a mental illness, and/or the disappearance of a parent—are at much higher risk than children without any ACEs.

Thank You to our Major Sponsors who help keep the Dream alive!

A gift in Memory of Robert & Caroline Gerber, The Beatty Family in honor of James & Barbara Beatty, John McCowen, Norm & Karen Rosen, Phyllis Curtis, Price Waterman, Frey Vineyards, Al Punto Spanish Language Newspaper, El Sol Bilingue, KZYX, KWINE & MAX.

SPACE is a professionally managed public benefit corporation founded in 1995 and funded in part by The James Irvine Foundation, T. R. Eriksen Foundation, Van Loben Sels/Rembe Rock Foundation, Sam Mazza Foundation, Community Foundation of Mendocino County, George and Ruth Bradford Foundation, tuition and donations from individuals and businesses.

Benefits of Arts EducationArts education nurtures a set of unique skills and outcomes for students that help them succeed in school and in life.

1. Engaged students have higher attendance rates and lower drop out rates

2. Parent and community involvement is increased

3. Disciplinary problems are decreased and positive student attitudes about their classroom are encouraged

4. The arts have a central and essential role in achieving the finest aspects of the common core curriculum

5. Theater, dance, music and the visual arts are a valued part of a broad course of study, as set out in the state education code

6. Test scores and achievement in literacy, math skills, and ELA (English Language Arts Standards) are boosted especially for English Language Learners and low- income students

7. Graduation rates are increased; 21st Century work skills like creativity, critical thinking and collaboration are fostered

For more info visit the California Alliance for Arts Education at www.artsed411.org/LCFF “ (My son) accessed a part of his spirit that has enlivened every other part of his person through acting in the safety and encouragement of the SPACE teachers. -- Diane ”

Near & Arnold in 1989Urgent Funding for SPACEfacebook.com/UkiahSPACE

A Non-Profit Organization

SPACE Presents...

Intensity DanceFestBroadway Knights & Days Revue

The Platts in SPACEThe Platt Brothers (Cy, Cheetah & Boone) were “raised in SPACE” and will be retuning to Ukiah to perform two raucous, rollicking shows at the annual winter concert fundraiser and auction on Saturday, December 6 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7 matinée (especially for kids) at 2 p.m.

Performance Workshop’s The Little Mermaid Jr. In January 2015 the Little Mermaid, directed by Joel Shura will become “A Part of Your World”! The 22 young actors ages 10 to 16 will perform for both schools and public audiences.

Projects and Opportunities

The Dream Act Performance Project (DAPP)Many families in our community have stories about their immigration and documentation process. Since February SPACE staff and volunteers have been recording these stories. Over the next eight months the DAPP Committee, Ignacio Ayala, Salome Shaw, Carlos Jacinto, and guest artists will listen to the stories and create a script. The multi-media performances will be presented in July & August 2015.

This project is funded by The James Irvine Foundation.

Rent SPACEThe SPACE Theater, Dance Studio and Annex are available to rent for ongoing evening classes, performances, weddings, cultural events and meetings. The Rental Agreement and fee schedule are available on SPACE’s website (www.spaceperformingarts/facilite-rentals.org) or come by and talk to Kristen or Paulette.

John Adams Middle SchoolPresents

Music byAlan Menken

Lyrics byHoward Ashman and Glenn Slater

Book byDoug Wright

Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film

Music Adapted and Arranged byDavid Weinstein

DirectorElaine Aston

ChoreographerAlyson Campbell

Music Director Daniel Johnston

Stage Manager Chris Collins

Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International,

421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Script, music and all other materials © 2010 iTheatrics

Broadway Junior and MTI’s Broadway Junior Collection are trademarks of Music Theatre International. All rights reserved

Teen Theatreports

Summer 2014 Productions

“Being new to Ukiah, (SPACE) helped give (my kids) a jump start in making friends and being comfortable in a new city. My

children have been in other programs, but none compares to SPACE! --Mari ”

Above: Creative Arts Summer Camp 2014

Left: The Not-So-Secret Flashmob at Ukiah Pumpkin Fest 2013

SPACE offers “Hand in Hand’s” Parenting by Connection Starter Class quarterly. The Parenting by Connection approach helps families build a stronger parent-child connection. This strong emotional bond is the hallmark of happy, well-adjusted families. It’s also the soundest way to a better society. The warm, cooperative family you always

wanted starts here. Six-week classes are scheduled on Fridays from 10 a.m. - noon. Payment plans available.

OWN IT! Acting ImprovOWN IT! Improv Division is Ukiah’s preeminent teen improv troupe whose focus is learning and performing different forms of improv in and around Ukiah.

Upcoming shows will be on the following Fridays: Nov. 7 & 21Dec. 5 & 12