Q1: What is the primary mission of Aiken Performing Arts (APA) regarding community engagement?
A1: APA is dedicated not only to bringing exceptional live entertainment to its stages but also to nurturing the next generation of artists and audiences in the Aiken community. This is achieved through strategic initiatives like its School Outreach program and the “Instruments in Your Attic” drive.
Q2: How long has APA’s Educational Outreach program been active, and how many students has it impacted?
A2: APA’s Educational Outreach program has been active since 2005 and has impacted over 11,000 students in Aiken County.
Q3: What is the core belief behind APA’s School Outreach program?
A3: APA believes that exposure to live music and performance at a young age can be truly transformative, sparking creativity, fostering an appreciation for the arts, and even inspiring future career paths.
Q4: How does APA collaborate with Aiken County Schools for its School Outreach program?
A4: APA works hand-in-hand with school administrators to ensure that students interested in music, band, chorus, or theatre have the opportunity to engage directly with professional performers through interactive, educational, and memorable outreach initiatives.
Q5: Can you provide an example of a successful School Outreach event?
A5: In mid-April 2016, Jim Witter and his band from Canada performed for students in North Augusta. Despite initial doubts about the appeal of 1960s and 1970s music to a younger audience, The Beatles’ songs resonated well, with students singing along. A subsequent Q&A session showcased the students’ high level of engagement and quality questions.
Q6: What was the feedback from teachers regarding the Jim Witter performance?
A6: A survey of attending teachers unanimously rated the experience as “excellent” and overwhelmingly requested more such programs in the future.
Q7: How does APA fund its Educational Outreach programs?
A7: Funding for this initiative is a community effort, relying on ticket sales from live concerts, generous private donations, and support from interested community sources and grants.
Q8: What is the purpose of the “Instruments in Your Attic” (IYA) program?
A8: The “Instruments in Your Attic” program aims to collect unused musical instruments from individuals in the community, arrange for necessary repairs, and then donate them to Aiken County Public Schools and USC-Aiken.
Q9: When was the IYA program initiated, and why was it created?
A9: The IYA program was initiated in the spring of 2009 in response to the critical need for musical instruments in schools, as budgets for the arts often face significant reductions or elimination.
Q10: How many instruments has the IYA program collected over the years?
A10: Over the past eleven years, Aiken County residents have donated more than 300 musical instruments through the “Instruments in Your Attic” program.
Q11: What types of instruments are accepted by the IYA program?
A11: Instruments of all types are needed, including instruments for band and orchestra, as well as guitars and digital keyboards.
Q12: Where can individuals drop off instruments for the IYA program?
A12: Instruments may be dropped off at any Security Federal Bank branch, which acts as a depository until they can be picked up by volunteers.
Q13: How do APA’s outreach programs contribute to the future of Aiken?
A13: By providing access to high-quality live entertainment and essential musical instruments, APA fosters creativity, builds confidence, and enriches the lives of countless students, cultivating a new generation of performers, appreciative audiences, and active participants in Aiken’s cultural scene.
