The Adams County Arts Council (ACAC) seeks assistance to continue fostering meaningful and creative connections in the face of COVID-19 by participating in #GivingTuesdayNow.
#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020—in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday—as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by the health crisis. The day is designed to drive an influx of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for nonprofits around the world.
With the assistance of funds available through #GivingTuesdayNow, the staff of ACAC can continue to adjust to the new reality of the pandemic shutdown by working from home, with hours drastically reduced while addressing the task of adapting classes and events to online platforms.
The selection of online classes started in April, and the list of offerings continues to expand each week. In addition, the center is preparing for the much anticipated eventual reopening with additional hand sanitizing stations, cleaning supplies, and safety protocols in place. Support of #GivingTuesdayNow will help to fulfill these efforts.
According to Arts Council Executive Director Chris Glatfelter, “Arts education benefits people of all ages, including students, their families and the community.” As a result of mandatory and voluntary social distancing, finding safe and creative ways to connect and stay connected is more important than ever.
Since 1993, Adams County Arts Council (ACAC) has evolved from a few optimistic organizers into a respected, regional nonprofit arts organization with a mission to cultivate an arts-rich community. With tremendous community support, ACAC completed a $1.8 million project in 2011 and opened its Arts Education Center. The center includes spaces for classes, artist studios, galleries, workshops, and a reception hall with full kitchen.
Year-round classes in visual arts, pottery, jewelry, dance, music, photography, culinary, and writing are offered. Classes are taught by well qualified, enthusiastic instructors in small group settings with limited enrollment. Further, with its unwavering commitment to lower the cost for all children, ACAC raises scholarship funds for children from low income families. Of the 2,025 children who enjoyed enriching arts experiences last year, 85% participated via a full scholarship.
ACAC also addresses other underserved populations. The innovative Eat Smart Play Hard After School Program strives to help teenagers combat the childhood obesity epidemic. The program served more than 400 children in 2019 including preschoolers, Latino students, and teenagers with autism. Older citizens participate in “Creative Aging” which helps them stay active and improve their mental wellbeing.
The Adams County Arts Council is proud to partner with WellSpan Health in its healing heARTS, offering a variety of classes, events, and experiences to promote wellness of mind, body and spirit. With help from more than 30 community partners, ACAC programs typically serve an annual audience of 26,000.
At this moment of extreme crisis, Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday said, “#GivingTuesdayNow is a chance for us to stand united and use grassroots generosity to show that we are all in this together, beginning to end.” GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past eight years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
Those interested in joining the Adams County Arts Council’s #GivingTuesdayNow efforts can visit
now.firespring.com/nonprofits/adams-county-arts-council
For more details about the GivingTuesday movement, visit the GivingTuesday website (www.givingtuesday.org), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday) or follow @GivingTuesday and #GivingTuesdayNow on Twitter. For youth interested in joining the movement, visit GivingTuesdayKids.org for inspiration and project ideas.