The primary goals of the Action for the Arts Initiative are to:
- ADVOCATE - raise public awareness about the importance of the arts
- CELEBRATE - create opportunities for youth to present/exhibit their artistic works and accomplishments
- INITIATE - increase access to and provide support for arts programs
Action for the Arts Programming includes the following:
Arts Workshops & Learning Activities: The initiative offers visual arts and other workshops at the House of Blues and in community settings for student and other groups. Past activities have included a mixed-media symbols art activity based on the work of folk artist Roland Knox and a “sweet mud” art activity based on the work of folk artist Jimmy Lee Sudduth.
Community Arts Projects: The initiative offers community arts projects that bring together diverse groups to create works of art based on a common theme.
Music and Visual Arts Competitions: The initiative creates opportunities for students and young artists to participate in competitions that include performances/exhibitions and raise awareness about the importance of the arts in personal and community life. Competitions may raise funds to support arts programming for local youth. IHOBF arts competitions include:
- Drawing Us Together, an annual visual arts exhibition/competition for young artists
- Bringin’ Down the House, a competition for young musicians that pays tribute to blues and blues-inspired music
Student Performances/Exhibitions: The initiative creates opportunities for student and community groups to perform/exhibit their artistic works during IHOBF programs at the House of Blues and in community settings. Performance/exhibition opportunities can include:
- Year-end recitals for Action for the Arts-supported groups
- Special performance/exhibition invitations to local school and community arts groups
Support for School and Community-Based Arts Programs: The initiative supports school and community-based music and visual arts programs by providing instruments, musical accessories, art supplies, resource materials, and an opportunity for participants to perform/present their artistic works at a year-end recital/exhibition at House of Blues.
Special Guests
Musical group Big Bad Voodoo Daddy visited an Action for the Arts-supported guitar program in Cleveland on December 15, 2009 and spoke with students about their musical experiences.