KSO Receives National Award for
Arts Access and Innovation

KSO Executive Director Stacy Ridenour (center) receives the award from Arts Presenters Executive Director Sandra Gibson (left) and Rohit Burman (right) from MetLife.

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) has received the Arts Presenters/MetLife Award for Arts Access in Underserved Communities.  The national award was given to the KSO in recognition of their innovative approach and strong community partnerships evidenced in their Rural Community Partnerships program. The award also promotes the KSO’s program as a model for other arts organizations across the country.

The Award Ceremony was held Monday, January 14, 2008 in New York City at Rose Theatre of Jazz at Lincoln Center as part of the Association for Performing Arts Presenters (Arts Presenters) Conference.  The Arts Presenters Conference also included a presentation by KSO Executive Director Stacy Ridenour and other panelists discussing best practices for engaging underserved populations. The KSO will be featured in the March/April 2008 issue of “Inside Arts” magazine.

The MetLife Foundation supports through grants a range of educational, health and welfare, civic and cultural organizations across the country. Among the foundation’s goals is increasing access to the arts while promoting diversity and inclusion. MetLife’s Program Manager for Arts, Culture and Public Broadcasting Rohit Burman presented the $10,000 award to the KSO. The MetLife Award is to honor an organization that is dedicated to innovative strategies resulting in programs that increase access to the arts for people in underserved communities, whether they are rural, inner-city, communities in transition or new communities.

With over forty years as an active arts service organization, Arts Presenters represents an international membership in disciplines ranging from all forms of dance, music, theater and family programming to puppetry, circus, magic, attractions and performance art. Commenting on the award, Arts Presenters CEO Sandra Gibson said, “Arts Presenters is thrilled with its strong five-year relationship with MetLife, and our shared mission of open access to the arts. The Kalamazoo Symphony program represents a best practice in the field, and we are pleased to honor them and share their innovative approach with our membership.”

Nine communities from six counties participated in the KSO’s award-winning 2007 Rural Community Partnerships project. Project components included a KSO community concert that involved the local high school band and choir students performing with the KSO, workshops with the KSO Assistant Conductor Barry Ross, an Instrument Petting Zoo, and Youth Concerts attendance. Five of the counties involved in the program are designated as underserved in the arts by the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs.

The Rural Community Partnerships program exemplifies the KSO’s value of promoting cultural growth through regional collaborations that featured shared experiences, performances, and facilities. The program also builds community support for school music programs.

The project involved the coordinated and collaborative efforts of the KSO, the participating schools and their communities. “Access to the arts and arts education is important for everyone, not just those in urban areas. With over 5,000 participants this past year, we know we’ve gained many new fans for the KSO and orchestral music and that’s wonderful!” said Stacy Ridenour, KSO Executive Director.

The Rural Community Partnerships program is one example of how the KSO is putting arts advocacy into action. In March 2008, the KSO will observe Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) for the fourth successive year. This annual event, sponsored by theNational Association for Music Education, exists to promote and support school music programs. The KSO’s observance includes sending MIOSM promotional materials to area schools and increasing awareness at all their March concerts.

Last fall, the KSO launched their Harmony in Community initiative in support of Greater Kalamazoo’s desire to become “The Education Community.” Throughout the season, the KSO has raised awareness of The Promise of a Greater Kalamazoo economic development efforts and encouraged patrons to participate via the Volunteer Center, Kalamazoo Communities in Schools, and other volunteer-based organizations. The Arts Presenters/MetLife Award recognizes the depth of the KSO’s commitment to encouraging student success through the vitality of art.