Arts United have announced the projects selected for their 2024 cycle of Amplify Art, a crowdfunding campaign platform designed to support arts and culture projects in northeast Indiana.
The five projects selected for the 2024 cycle are:
East Allen Community Youth Band: The project is to strengthen a newly established youth band serving East Allen University students and the southeast Fort Wayne community by providing operational funding.
Free ’05 Arts Classes at Fire & Light Productions: This summer, Fire & Light Productions will offer kids in the 46805 area a chance to take free arts classes in Improvisation, Broadway Dance, Small Group Singing, Tap Dance, and Fight Choreography.
Googly — A Sensory Theatre Experience: Gloria Minnich and Kitchen Sink Theatre are excited to create Googly, a sensory theater show that embraces the diverse range of ways humans can connect and communicate. This show is created with the aim of reaching audience members with the most access barriers, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities and/or those on the autism spectrum.
Promoting Future Plein Air Artists in Northeast Indiana: The Northern Indiana Plein Air Artists Association bring outdoor painting “in the open air” art events and workshops to communities across Indiana that might not otherwise have access to the arts. Donations will provide the opportunity for the community to learn how to paint and create landscapes on location “in the open air” and showcase competitively in front of, in many cases, large and small festivals.
Modern Day Tintype Portrait Sessions: Tintype photography is a lost art form from the mid-1800s that captures a unique look through vintage lenses and equipment. Relic Emporium in Angola is presenting an opportunity to continue the tradition that dates back to the very beginning of portraits while discovering the methods of early development — right before your eyes.
The fundraising campaign runs through Tuesday, May 7. Community members can support a project by donating at artsunited.org/ways-to-give/amplify and through social media advocacy. PNC Bank will match every gift made through the campaign dollar for dollar up to $1,000 per project.
Clarios to dispose of lead acid batteries
In celebration of Earth Day on Monday, April 22, Clarios will safely dispose of lead acid batteries at their facility, 8710 Baer Road.
From 10 a.m.-6 p.m., you may drop off batteries used in cars, trucks, motorcycles, and marine vessels.
Trail extension under way in Bluffton
The city of Bluffton and Indiana Department of Transportation have begun construction on the Interurban Trail extension.
The 1.06-mile asphalt, multi-use trail will extend the existing trail north from the current terminus to Monroe Street, following State Road 1, ending south of Jackson Street.
Once completed, the trail will be more than 3 miles long, connecting the Wabash River to Lancaster Park.
Youtheatre celebrates Ruby Bridges
On the 10th anniversary of their Linda L. Ruffolo Young Heroes of Conscience Series, Fort Wayne Youtheatre will put on a production of Ruby Bridges.
Opening Friday, April 19, at First Presbyterian Theater, the show centers on the Bridges, the 6-year-old Black girl who became the face of school integration when she was enrolled in the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans amid a slew of protesters.
“Since 2014, Youtheatre has shone a light on young people making a difference with our Young Heroes of Conscience Series. To celebrate the series’ 10th Anniversary, we revisit a past hero whose story seems all too relevant today,” said Youtheatre Associate Director Christopher J. Murphy.
“On opening night, we will also honor the outgoing director/playwright of this series, Gregory Stieber, with the Harvey Cocks Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his immeasurable artistic contribution to this important series.”
There will be four productions of Ruby Bridges, with two more on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., as well as a 2 p.m. show on Sunday. A sensory-friendly show will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information go to fortwayneyoutheatre.org and to purchase tickets, go to tickets.artstix.org.
News and Venues covers Northeast Indiana’s music and arts organizations, venues, and colleges, from large to small. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
