In early 2008 the OAC launched a new initiative called Take pART that aims to gather public value stories from citizens around Ohio. The OAC introduced the idea of public value to its constituents in 2004 as a core concept for Ohio's arts organizations as we move into a new era for the arts. Public value is difficult to define in concrete terms. The most important thing about public value is that it is something that exists within each community - it is created by the citizens, businesses and organizations of that community. The OAC can't define public value for the entire state or even for a particular community or organization. Our goal is to help our constituents seek out and define the public value within their own work, within their own community, and to, in turn, help reveal that public value.
It is our hope that through Take pART people throughout the state will share how the arts have made an impact on their lives and within their community. As artists and arts organizations you can not only enter your own stories, but also help us gather evidence of public value by inviting your participants to share their stories with you and through Take pART. The fundamental question is how have you changed, or how have your participants lives changed, as a result of engagement with your art and with your organization?
For anyone interested in learning more about the concept of public value we invite you to visit the Convenings Page which contains resources such as links to New Frameworks for Revealing Public Value in the Arts (Christy Farnbauch, Mollie Lakin-Hayes, Jerry Yoshitomi; copyright, March 2004) and remarks made by Wayne Lawson and Jerry Yoshitomi during the March 2004 meetings.
Welcome to the Ohio's Arts Council's new statewide initiative--Take pART! The Ohio Arts Council wants to hear how the arts have made an impact on your life and your community. Whether through a memorable concert or play, a favorite art teacher, an engaging book group or a popular sculpture in your community, the arts play a part in everyone's life.
We look forward to hearing your story and sharing it on our Web site with citizens throughout Ohio and the nation. Each submission will be reviewed by the Ohio Arts Council and posted within two business days on the Take pART pages. The most recent 10 submissions will be viewable on this page and all submissions will be viewable on a searchable page linked below.
Following are the most recent Take pART stories.
We hope you enjoy learning more about how the arts impact the lives of Ohioans.
From Dr. Cora Tula (Lynx) on 2/6/2010
Over the years I have attended numerous conference/workshops including one on grant writing. This learned skill allowed me to be part of the grant writing team of our tribe that has received two grants. One for our annual children's Camp (2009) and the second for a planned festival in May of this year.
The kids camp was wonderful, open to the community and other tribes. It was well attended and evals were on great. In addition we were able to print a historical cookbook.
The tribe has taken a new turn for the better with this boost and we are now seeking a grant to fund our children's "new and improved" day camp this year. Also, one to bring world renown Kevin Locke, Hunkpapa Lakota hoop dancer, flutist for a performance later this year or early 2011.
Thanks OAC for giving us the boost we needed. May you continue forever.
Cora Tula Watters Principal Chief Shawnee Nation Ohio Blue Creek Band
From Carol E. (Canton) on 1/30/2010
Reentry Bridge Network has just partnered with Goodwill Campus in Canton, Ohio, to create the RBN Center of performing arts for at-risk families. The Center is projected to be open June 1, as the children are getting out of school for the summer. RBN recognizes that the arts provide healing self-expression to youth and adults, and continues to write and facilitate non-traditional arts and educational programs both inside prisons, and now at the RBN Center, in a concerted effort to reduce recidivism by contributing to healthy families and thriving communities. "Doing things differently leads to something exceptional in an absolute world." -Absolut Vodka "It takes a community to reduce recidivism." - Carol E. Briney
From Jeffrey (Boardman) on 1/2/2010
How valuable is our right to translate and celebrate our human experience through artistic expression? One would hope that right is God-given, and will never be called into question. Last Summer at our local county fair, some folks saw me very publicly taking photos of the crowd. They didn't like the looks of me, and physically accosted me. When the police came, my camera was seized, and why I was taking photos of people I didn't know, was called into question. All that was found on my camera were harmless photographs of people enjoying the fair. When the police asked why I would take such photographs, I explained that I am a photo-realist painter, and a fan of fairs, and I might use some of the photos as reference for paintings. I was told,"Freelance photographers can't go taking pictures of young girls without telling them what they are doing." The fair official I dealt with was outraged that I might paint someone's picture without their permission. While I was well with-in my legal rights to photograph anything that happens in a public setting, and then translate that scene in paint, I was still banned from the fair, and my attackers were allowed to walk away believing they were in the right. As disturbing as this experience was for me, I was even more disturbed by the high level of ignorance of this subject by general public, and the high level of fear amongst artists. I have learned that out of fear of persecution, many artists will only render sterile, people-less scenes, or alter their subjects to avoid litigation. I believe a life lived in fear is a life half-lived, and that our right to express our world and our experience through art shouldn't be taken lightly, or given up easily. "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."-Benjamin Franklin
From joyce (sidney) on 12/9/2009
The arts have been a major stabilizing force in my life. It has enabled me to communicate things I have no other way of communicating. It has added warmth to my heart when I attend various art related venues. I really "Get into" what is being portrayed on the stage, on canvas, whatever the case may be. We are lucky to have Gateway Arts Council here in Sidney to sponsor various art related programs that introduce us to things we other wise would not be able to see. I believe art speaks to the soul and spirit. Joyce
From Magga (Sandusky) on 11/2/2009
Art has been such a huge part of my life since I recieved in my hands, from my grandmother, the most beautiful box of assorted watercolors. And I continue to paint to this day. Still trying to break through to the other side...Art has been my soft place to fall...it carries me through to the next season where I am always inspired. When I sold my first painting, I knew that art would always be a friend to me..even in the stormy weather. I teach my children about the wonderful arts and hope they will do the same with their children. Margaret Canino
From Virgina (Wadsworth) on 10/29/2009
"Ginger! Close the screen door! The flies are getting in." I can still hear my grandmother's shrill voice yelling as she shuffled around the kitchen with her fly swater. It was 1952 and in Akron, Ohio polio was running rampant. I remember one evening at the supper table when my fifteen year old brother begged to go swimming with his friends. Tears came to his eyes as my grandmother told him he couldn't go. He might get polio germs. A few days later, I was playing outside with my younger brother. All day we rode out bicycles,our two-wheeled horses, playing cowboys. I was hot, sweating and weak. My mother came out often to feel my head, but I begged her not to take me inside. I remember finally going inside, lying down on the couch and being carried upstairs by my grandfather. The next morning I woke, swung my legs over the bed and collapsed in pain from my head to my toes. When the doctor arrived with his black medicine bag, he diagnosed polio. I was sent to the hospital where I stayed for three months gradually learning to move my arms, sit up, and walk with braces and crutches. I would lie on the couch watchng out the window as my brothers and sisters played. One day my mother came home from work with two packages. IN one was a small child-size easel and in the other a set of oil paints. From that day on, I was an artist. By the time I reached middle school, my art teacher had taken an interest in me and recognized my talent. She encouraged me to pursue art as a career. I became an art teacher.
From Bobbie (Williamsburg) on 10/20/2009
Growing up as the middle child in an extremely abusive household, I was searching for any hope, any positive, to grasp on to. I found that hope through my art teachers throughout school. It really started in 7th grade and progressed from there. Each of my art teachers encouraged me and took a special interest in me. In ME!!! Art was the ONE thing in life that I recieved affirmation for. Art was the ONE thing in life that I knew I was competent in. Art was the ray of light, the ray of hope that brought me through a tortured and traumatic life. I slowly and steadily realized that I had a purpose, I had some worth!
I am now in my 40's and still use art as a therapeutic outlet. That is why I have started a therapeutic-style art group for children in foster care in my county. Hopefully, I can bring affirmation and hope to lives I touch, just as my teachers did!
Sincerely, Bobbie
From Natoma (Columbus) on 10/9/2009
I would like to open a day care for children to help low income parents im a very good person i have one child i have lost a child every since that happen its very hard for me to have kids and i love cildren and i would like your support in my goals it will be a blessing.
From Jacqueline (Fairfield Glade) on 10/2/2009
I wish to nomanate Nancy Foureman for teacher of the year. She resides in Greenville, Ohio and has taught painting for the last 40 years or more. She & I organized the art exibition at the Darke County Fair 38 years ago. She convenced the fair board to give us (the Art Guild) a building, ribbons and cash awards to winning exibitors. The first year we had 37 entries and today we have over a 1000. She has taken great care to promote, support, find knowledged juriest, organize workers to hang and host the event ever since its conception. She is a tireless supporter of the arts in Darke County.
Respectfully, Jacqueline Clark
From Del (Toledo) on 8/4/2009
A few years ago my band,the Amazing Grace Praise Band,which has a unique seventy year history useing the steel guitar as the lead instrument,were invited by Larry Meyers to attend the "Original Mix" in Toledo,Ohio.
This event encouraged me to research,document and preserve the history of our African American steel guitar history to share with others. We now travel with an extensive photo exhibit showcasing many past and present African American steel guitar players. We have a detailed website and youtube page dedicated to showcasing some of the greatest sacred steel guitar music ears have never heard.
Members of the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) Board will meet March 30-31, 2010 at the Ohio Arts Council’s office, 727 E. Main Street, Columbus. Committee meetings will take place Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. The business meeting will be held Wednesday from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. and is open to the public.
