Mission
It is the mission of Gateway Arts Council to promote the accessibility, creation, presentation and preservation of artistic and cultural resources for the benefit, enjoyment and enrichment of the Shelby County community.
Director's Statement
Why are the arts important to an individual or a community? The answer, I believe, can be found in the realization that the arts permeate every aspect of our lives - from the design of our web sites to the music of which we listen, from the advertising brochure that promotes our businesses to the quality time we spend with our friends and neighbors enjoying a performance. Art is both a reflection and a stimulus for our culture. At it's best, art is both entertaining and instructive. It tells our stories, moves our emotions and demonstrates how the values we choose influence our lives. The arts are not just a presentation; they are a workshop of our experiences, our goals, our dreams and vision for ourselves, our families and our communities.
-Ellen Keyes, Executive Director
Board of Trustees
President - Christopher Gibbs
President Elect - Bill Zimmerman, Jr.
Vice President - Lisa Alvetro
Treasurer - Jerry Doerger
Secretary - Dana Geuy
Marisa Couchot
Pat Elsass
Richard Millhouse
Mardie Milligan
Mary Beth Monnier
Cameo Monnin
Rick Reiss
Staff
Ellen Keyes - Executive Director
Tiffany Wildermuth - Coordinator
A Brief History
by Dorothy Foster, Gateway Arts Council Historian Emeritus
Gateway Arts Council became a reality when the Shakespeare Club of Sidney provided the foundation seed money in May 1987 in honor of the 100th anniversary of their organization. Interested citizens did much background work, leading to the first board meeting of the new organization on June 13, 1988. The name "Gateway Arts Council" was chosen in order to include all of Shelby County. Shelby County has long been known as the 'gateway to the Miami Valley.'
Throughout its history, numerous persons have worked together to fulfill the mission of the Arts Council which is to promote the
accessibility, creation, presentation and preservation of artistic and cultural resources for the benefit, enjoyment and enrichment of the Shelby County community. The support of many individuals and businesses has contributed to make the Gateway Arts Council an invaluable asset for the community.
It has long been known that art, in its many forms, enhances and enriches lives. Since the beginning, Gateway Arts Council has provided a wide variety of artistic activities for all ages, including visual, dramatic, musical, eduactional and others. Bringing new beauty into people's lives, providing opportunities that would not otherwise be available for most people and offering hands-on experiences have always been
goals for planning Arts Council activities.
In this brief summary, it is impossible to mention all of the many oustanding events that have been a part of the Arts Council's twenty year history. However, in order to convey the diversity of what has happened, some of the highlights will be mentioned.
Youth programming has always been important to the Gateway Arts Council. Sidney and Shelby County third graders visit the Spring Fling Art Show and all Sidney and Shelby County fourth graders attend one act of the current Sidney Dance Company performance each year. The YES! (Youth Entertainment Series) began in 1989 and has brought numerous professional productions of beloved stories for the enjoyment of children and familes.
The evening performance series began in 1992 (first known as the "Cameo Series" and later as "Presents—Evening Performance Series") and has included such outstanding programs such as the Lowe Family, Gershwin in Concert, the Wright State University's Paul Laurence Dunbar Chorale and the Von Trapp Children in Concert.
Gateway Arts Council presented a festival in 1996 entitled "Art Train" and another in 1997 entitled "Arts & Industry." These were unique events that included a wide variety of activities such as Art Under Foot, the Arts Fest Receptions and a juried art show. Since 2001, the Spring Fling Art Show and Sale has been held in conjuntion with the Shelby County Historical Society at the Ross Historical Center. Gateway Arts Council has often collaborated with othe organizations to sponsor events, and has always promoted the interaction of all Shelby County Cultural and arts organizations.
The Gateway Arts Council was pleased to present, free of charge in consecutive years (1998-2001), four outstanding Shakespearian plays presented by the Canadian Repercussion Theatre. The United States Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus from Washington D.C. also performed, free of charge, in 2002 & 2004. Shelby County was privileged to enjoy both of these groups in the former Julia Lamb Field Stadium.
The Arts Council has sponsored other events that have been very popular, including Art in the Garden, the Princess Ball: A Daddy-Daughter Dance, Summer Concerts in the Park, the Ohio Watercolor Society Traveling Exhibition (presented with and held at Amos Memorial Public Library since 1989), the Battle of the Bands and various summer art activities for children.
Gateway Arts Council earmarks a part of its budget annually to be granted to other organizations whose art and cultural projects serve the residents of Shelby county. The recipients in 2007 were the Sidney Civic Band, the Sidney Dance Company, the Swing Era Band and the Sock and Buskin Community Theatre.
It is interesting to note that the business of the Arts Council was first conducted in the homes of volunteers. The first employee, Mardie Milligan, was hired in November of 1992. At that time, Monarch Machine Tool Company donated in-kind office space at its corporate headquarters in Sidney, and donated the use of the Cameo Theatre, the company's privately owned performance facility. After the City of Sidney bought the Cameo building from Monarch, the Ars Council offices moved to the third floor and were there from December 1996-January 2005. In 2005, the Arts Council moved to their current location at 930 Wapakoneta Avenue in Sidney.
In addition to the Cameo Theatre, the Arts Council has held events at Sidney High School Theatre, Sidney Middle School Auditeria, Lehman High School, and the First Church of God on Campbell Road in Sidney. Beyond these venues, the Arts Council has hosted summer concerts in many of the county villages.
Much more could be said about the growth and development in this strong community organization and the numerous activities is has sponsored in the last twenty years. For those interested in learning more, The History of the Second Ten Years of Gateway Arts Council is available for purchase. Please call the office for more information.
501(c)(3)
Gateway Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) charity that exists for the purpose of presenting art and cultural programming and finding the funding necessary to do so. Gateway Arts Council sustains its programs by way of an annual fund raising campaign, program sponsors, and grants.
