1. What is the Center for the Arts?
2. What is the mission of the Center for the Arts?
3. Where will the Center for the Arts be located?
4. Why locate a Center for the Arts in Harford County?
5. Will the Center for the Arts be just for accomplished and experienced artists and patrons?
6. What happens next?
7. What is a cultural plan?
8. What will the feasibility study determine?
9. When will the feasibility study be completed?
10. Does the Center present events and performances?
11. How may I become involved in the Center for the Arts?
12. How do I become a member of the Center for the Arts?

What is the Center for the Arts?
In December 2004, artists, business owners, educators and patrons of the arts attended an initial meeting to discuss establishing a county center for the arts. The enthusiasm, ideas and stories demonstrating the need for such a facility provided encouragement enough for a small group of volunteers to incorporate in March 2005 as the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, Inc. (Center for the Arts). The Center received its non-profit, 501 (c)(3) tax exempt, status in November 2005.

What is the mission of the Center for the Arts?
The goal is to establish a center in Harford County, accessible to all, to nurture art, artists, and community by providing a broad range of creative and collaborative experiences through quality arts education, presentation and exhibit in the disciplines of music, dance, theater, and the visual and literary arts.

Where will the Center for the Arts be located?
A site has not been selected. The Center for the Arts will be located where it is most accessible to people from all parts of Harford County. The location will be determined
after careful analysis of the feasibility study, the availability of public and private land that meets the site criteria, future BRAC infrastructure and road improvements, access to public transportation, and partnerships with other institutions. The facility will be centrally located in Harford County to provide ease of access for residents from all parts of the County and the region.

In a show of support of our efforts to provide a home for the arts, Harford County Executive David Craig graciously invited the Center to move its business offices to Tudor Hall, the historic Booth property located in Bel Air. (See History of Tudor Hall page.) We were previously located in the Hays-Heighe House on the campus of Harford Community College.

Until construction of the arts center is completed, Tudor Hall provides excellent office, meeting, reception, and exhibit space to facilitate the mission of the Center for the Arts.
We appreciate the opportunity to reside at Tudor Hall as stewards of the property.

Why locate a Center for the Arts in Harford County?
There are many advantages – educational, social and economic – to becoming involved in the arts.

Research proves that there are “critical links” between learning in the arts – and academic performance, social skills development, and motivation. Improvement in reading and language development, math, thinking skills, collaboration with others, ability to express emotions, tolerance and conflict resolution are all benefits of participation in the arts.

The arts develop critical thinking skills. Students who study the arts perform 30% better academically. This is particularly applicable to economically disadvantaged and remedial students, as well as young children. Students who are in strong art programs score well above their peers in standardized tests such as the SAT and the MSPSP. Students who participate in arts programs are more likely to succeed and become leaders in whatever field they choose. Participation in the arts instills a sense of discipline, an appreciation for excellence, and a joy of accomplishment.

Quality of life is an important factor in businesses being able to attract the best workforce. The arts play an important role in the quality of life Harford County offers its citizens. The arts generated $970 million and $1.05 billion in economic impact for Maryland in 2005 and 2006, respectively. For every $1 of direct spending by audiences attending art events, another $2.30 is generated on other goods and services such as restaurants, lodging, and gifts. This translates into more jobs, more visitors, higher sales and increased tax revenues.

Will the Center for the Arts be just for accomplished and experienced artists and patrons?
No, the Center for the Arts will be for everyone, of all ages and all abilities. It will be a home for the arts with the opportunity for all skill and experience levels, including those with special needs, to enjoy and participate in classes, exhibits and performances in music, dance, theater and the literary and visual arts.

What happens next?
The Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, has hired an arts management consultant, Janis A. Barlow & Associates, to prepare a cultural plan and a feasibility study for an art center in the county.

What is a cultural plan?
Cultural planning is a structured, community wide, fact finding and consensus building planning process with the arts community, citizens of all ages, business leaders and public officials to:

• Inventory the community’s arts and humanities resources and identify ways to build on these resources;
• Consult with the citizens of the community to ascertain their cultural needs, values and aspirations and develop a plan of action;
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of arts and humanities organizations in the community; find new or untapped financial resources to support the arts and humanities;
• Connect the cultural sector with other critical community issues and sectors as a problem-solving partner.

Cultural planning is an opportunity for citizens to identify and celebrate their unique cultures and to utilize the arts to shape and create more livable communities. Think of this process as a blank canvas. The community has the opportunity to paint a vision for the future of the arts.

What will the feasibility study determine?
The recommendations from the cultural plan will be used to develop a building program that identifies activities and spatial requirements for the building, cost projections for construction and operation, site requirements, and the economic impact on the County of such a venture.

When will the feasibility study be completed?
The feasibility study is scheduled for completion by September 2007.

Does the Center present events and performances?
From time to time we will present, but efforts are focused on fundraising and building community awareness of our mission. In 2006, the Center presented the very successful Five-Star Arts Series that included a piano concert by Duke Thompson; the Nutcracker Ballet featuring the Donetsk Ballet from the Ukraine along with young Harford County dancers and the Maryland Conservatory of Music youth orchestra; and the youth theatre production of Remembering Uncle Scrooge.

To raise operating funds, in December 2007 we again present Remembering Uncle Scrooge, an original musical adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, written and directed by Marge Phillips and co-produced by the Center for the Arts and the Maryland Conservatory of Music. Returning after sold out performances in 2006, this holiday dinner theatre offers a delightful theatre experience combined with a holiday meal. Also planned is a Children’s Matinee Performance with a menu chosen with children in mind.

2008 events include a spring arts celebration to formally introduce the Center's vision for the future, and fall concerts featuring talented young musicians.

How may I become involved in the Center for the Arts?
First, become a member of the Center for the Arts; then, please volunteer your time and talents. Volunteers are at the heart of every nonprofit organization. Your time, experience and ideas contribute so much. Please consider joining a committee such as Events, Marketing, or Membership, volunteering in our offices, researching grant opportunities, or serving as a Tudor Hall docent. For more information on volunteer opportunities visit the Volunteer page on this website or email volunteer@centerfortheartsharford.org.

How do I become a member of the Center for the Arts?
Visit the Membership page of this website for information on how you may become a member and receive updates on cultural events happening in the County and surrounding areas. Join by December 31, 2007 and your membership is free until Dec. 31, 2008. You may also call 410-838-7188 or email info@centerfortheartsharford.org.