As our community continues trying to stage a comeback from last year’s socioeconomic devastation caused by the pandemic, we should not forget the need to help maintain a strong and vibrant local arts and culture sector.
The pandemic does not seem to relent, now with the Delta Variant continuing to wreak havoc. That’s why it’s more crucial and relevant than ever for all of us to rally behind our local arts community. They’re giving us a great opportunity through a new and unprecedented effort: A Celebration of SA heARTS.
This unique virtual upcoming event features the voices of five arts nonprofit organizations in San Antonio: The San Antonio Museum of Art, Ballet San Antonio, The Public Theater of San Antonio, San Antonio Chamber Choir and Youth Orchestras of San Antonio. They’re joining forces to produce this collaborative arts showcase and fundraiser.
The San Antonio Area Foundation is proud to empower local arts nonprofits by serving as an underwriting sponsor.
So how did this wonderful idea come to fruition? Chalk it up to Mary Burch’s imagination.
In the middle of the first wave of the pandemic and at a time when optimism was fast becoming a scarce commodity, Burch, Chief Development Officer at the San Antonio Museum of Art, had an epiphany while working from home.
Beyond the confines of her guest bedroom walls, she felt the devastating impact of COVID-19 and recognized the severe impact it already had on the arts community. Shows were cancelled, museums were closed, and uncertainty abounded. Yet hope was not all lost. Burch thought to herself: How could we support one another? Could we partner together?
“In the spring of 2021, I contacted Ballet San Antonio, The Public Theater of San Antonio, San Antonio Chamber Choir, and the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio to discuss a partnership for a fundraiser,” Burch said. “What I found was that we were all in the same situation. To my surprise, they were willing to take this leap with me. We exchanged ideas about how we could all participate in acollaborative event and bring the best of San Antonio arts together.”
The Celebration gala was born out of both necessity and a desire to work together to be better. Not coincidently, the pervading motif for this event is the butterfly. While the pandemic continues, the power of the arts has yet again transformed the community with this unprecedented virtual event.
“I thought it was a great idea,” said Emily Sano, Co-Interim Director of the Museum. “I believe that organizations should help each other and collaborate, especially during hard times. More than showing support, it’s also sharing resources. I think that every participating organization showed that they have something different to contribute and that sharing resources is essential when building an event such as Celebration.”
Participating organizations believe that they are better together and their impact shows how much they connect with art enthusiasts across the community. Collectively, the five arts and culture nonprofits serve the San Antonio area by opening doors to nearly a quarter-million patrons each year and engaging with nearly 100,000 youngsters through arts education and outreach programs.
Tatiana Herrera-Schneider, SAMA’s Chief Engagement Officer, said the many different aspects of art could really be celebrated with this ironic twist. “The visual and literal component of joining forces has been a rewarding experience,” she said. “None of this would’ve likely happened without the pandemic.”
With the San Antonio Area Foundation’s generous support as an event underwriter, the Celebration Gala is going to make coming out of the pandemic a sustainable path for these five arts nonprofit organizations.
Don’t miss the broadcast this Saturday, September 18, at 10 a.m. on CW and at 11:30 a.m. on KENS 5 or this Sunday, September 19, at 6:30 a.m. on FOX 29 KABB and at 10 a.m. on News 4 WOAI.
Learn how the San Antonio Area Foundation recognizes the centrality of the arts to our collective recovery from the economic, cultural and social impact of the pandemic through the Recovery Fund for the Arts.
Emilie Dujour is the Public Relations and Digital Communications Manager at the San Antonio Museum of Art.
About the San Antonio Museum of Art:
The San Antonio Museum of Art serves as a forum to explore and connect with art that spans the world’s geographies, artistic periods, genres and cultures. Its collection contains nearly 30,000 works representing 5,000 years of history. Housed in the historic Lone Star Brewery on the Museum Reach of San Antonio’s River Walk, the San Antonio Museum of Art is committed to promoting the rich cultural heritage and life of the city. The Museum hosts hundreds of events and public programs each year, including concerts, performances, tours, lectures, symposia and interactive experiences. As an active civic leader, the Museum is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the city and the region, and to supporting its creative community.
