Philanthropists and artists invited by the Community Foundation for Monterey County have convened to discuss the necessity of funding for local arts, and how the arts benefit our community.

I am surrounded by gifted musicians, CEOs of grand arts organizations and leaders from the Peninsula communities, who are all familiar with the fancy cheeses on the elegantly staged table. I'm wearing shoes from The Western Stage's costume shop because I had none better of my own, and the unfamiliarity of my current environment feels intimidating.

But I am on a mission: To tell these affluent supporters of the arts my own story of how The Western Stage at Hartnell College has changed my life. I was shocked that every kid I knew wasn't already enrolled.

"Immediately I signed up for the next summer program, and worked 9 to 5, five days a week. It instilled meaning and confidence into the shy child I once was, and I never felt happier.

"I continued on for years, until eventually I came to a point in my life where I had to focus on my schoolwork.

"Finally, years later, I ran over to The Western Stage and said I needed to be a part of the company in some way. It was a success, and I hope by sharing some of the good roles The Western Stage has played in my life, they saw how much good the company can do in our community as a whole.

While financial support from these wonderful people is extremely important, nothing outweighs the support from our community. John of The Western Stage in Salinas.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 26th, 2009 at 10:34 am and is filed under Arts, Community Foundations, Philanthropy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.