Your Spring 2024 Support Will Build Creativity and Community! |
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Hmmm…imagine this spring if there was a magic pill you could take that would unleash your creativity, improve your mental and physical health, nurture and build friendships, and help you appreciate this amazing diverse and beautiful world and community even more? Well, there is! Involvement in the arts! Research has shown that taking an arts class, a summer workshop or camp for you or your children, viewing an art exhibition, listening to music, attending a theatrical performance, singing alone or in a group…participation in and appreciation of the arts can do all these wonderful things!
Your support as a donor has helped the Durham Arts Council showcase and support the arts since 1954 and provide thousands of arts experiences each year for people of all ages and abilities. You have helped make Durham a more vibrant, connected, beautiful and creative community! Can we count on your donation this spring to continue this important work? One of my favorite programs that your gift supports are our amazing DAC Summer Arts Camps. Each summer hundreds of children and teens gather at DAC for lively and enriching arts camps that expand horizons, and build creativity, teamwork, self-esteem, friendships, and aspirations. The cultural themes build understanding and appreciation of other countries and people that are different from ourselves. Our uber-talented teaching artists take campers on a learning journey around the world through music, dance, stories, theatre, and visual arts. Your support helps keep fees affordable and programs accessible through scholarships.
“My son has adored his time at DAC camps, having attended performing arts camps that covered the ’70s, “Nifty Nepal” and “Great Galapagos” last summer as well as school break camp days…He still sings Nepalese songs he learned there.” Jordan’s Mom |
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Imagine if we continue to build these relationships and skills throughout our lives through the arts – what a better community and world we will have to enjoy! Please make your donation to the DAC Annual Arts Fund today! Scientific Research Demonstrates the Positive Impacts of the Arts:
A 2019 research study by the World Health Organization:
Results: findings showed how the arts can: – affect the social determinants of health – support child development – encourage health-promoting behaviors – help to prevent ill health – support caregiving viii • within management and treatment, findings showed how the arts can: – help people experiencing mental illness; – support care for people with acute conditions; – help to support people with neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders; – assist with the management of noncommunicable diseases; and – support end-of-life care.
“How the Arts Improve Lives” review of current research by Createquity in 2016 concluded: We are highly confident that: -
Participatory arts activities help to maintain the health and quality of life of older adults. There is evidence that singing improves mental health and subjective wellbeing; taking dance classes bolsters cognition and motor skills; dancing and playing a musical instrument reduce the risk of dementia; and visual arts generate increases in self-esteem, psychological health, and social engagement.
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Arts therapies contribute to positive clinical outcomes, such as reduction in anxiety, stress, and pain for patients. Music interventions tend to dominate studies in this area, mostly characterized by passive forms of participation (e.g., listening to music).
- Arts participation in early childhood promotes social and emotional development. For example, teachers report fewer instances of shy, aggressive, and anxious behavior among preschoolers taking dance classes, and toddlers receiving music instruction demonstrate increased social cooperation with other children.
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Student participation in structured arts activities enhances cognitive abilities and social skills that support learning, such as memory, problem-solving, and communication.
Your donation makes an IMPACT at the Durham Arts Council. Not only are you supporting amazing programs, but you are also helping to build confidence and encourage growth in our artists, both young and old! Your support of the Durham Arts Council means that over 400,000 people annually are able to have arts experiences at DAC.
Please donate today. Your gift is essential to the work we do at DAC to cultivate and nurture the arts in Durham. If you prefer to give by check, please make payable to Durham Arts Council and mail to DAC at 120 Morris Street, Durham, NC 27701. Many Thanks for Your Love and Support of the Arts, |
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Sherry L. DeVries Sherry L. DeVries
sldevries@durhamarts.org
P.S-We’d love to see you this Spring. Stop by any of our up-coming Third Friday events or call us at (919) 560-2707 to schedule a tour of our building!
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2024 Library Fest-The Nature Edition
Main Library
Friday, April 12th (THIS Friday!)
5:30-6:30pm
THIS Friday! Steven Petrow, the 2024 North Carolina Piedmont Laureate, will be joined by Jaki Shelton Green, North Carolina’s Poet Laureate, and Marcie Cohen Ferris, a prolific writer on food and food culture, in an engaging conversation about how writers can promote social change on the page and in the world. You won’t want to miss hearing how three of North Carolina’s most outspoken writers speak their truths.
This event is free! To register for a seat click here |
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Teen Volunteers needed for August 5th-16th & August 19th-23rd Summer Camps! |
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Summer Arts Camps provide teen volunteers (Ages 14-17) the opportunity to assist camp instructors, work with DAC admin staff, and get creative with kids while painting, sculpting, crafting, performing and more! We need volunteers for August 5th- 16th and August 19th-23rd camps!
This opportunity also provides teens with valuable resume-building experience and can count towards volunteer requirements that your school or membership organization may have.
Application deadline May 4, 2024. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old by August 31, 2024. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and do not guarantee that every applicant will receive a volunteer position. When your application is received, you may be emailed to set up a virtual interview time. If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Leigh at wleigh@durhamarts.org |
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| Piedmont Laureate Steven Petrow Upcoming Events |
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| About the Durham Arts Council
The Durham Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and local arts agency dedicated to supporting the arts in Durham and the entire Triangle Region in North Carolina and has served the community since 1954. Each year DAC serves over 400,000 visitors and program participants, over 2,000 artists, and more than 300 arts and cultural organizations through classes, artist residencies, exhibits, festivals, grants programs, technical support, creative economy initiatives, arts advocacy, and information services.
Durham Arts Council, Inc. is a catalyst in the cultural development of Durham – it leads, inspires, and promotes excellence in and access to the creation, experience, and active support of the arts for all the people of our community. For more information call 919.560.ARTS(2787) or visit our website at www.durhamarts.org. |
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