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The Contemporaries of the Cultural Activities Center
The Contemporaries are a dedicated group of women who since 1969 combine time, energy and talents to provide support for The Cultural Activities Center in Temple, Texas. We were one of the first womens groups formed in the US to support an Arts Center!
Our missions are to financial support the CAC and to provide arts education and opportunities for children in our area.
We are the major financial contributor to the Cultural Activities Center. Each year since 1978, we have had a major fundraising event to raise money for the CAC and have contributed over $2,183,411 since that time. Last year, 2015, we contributed over $65,000 to the CAC. This year our major fundraiser "Lone Star Nights" will be held at the CAC on Saturday, January 28th 2017.
The children's art programs we implement and support are as follows:
We create and implement a very successful program called "Hands-On" and the beneficiaries are the third grade students from Temple, Belton and other area schools, including private schools and home schooled students. Approximately 2,000 students participate in this program each year. It is a two hour program with each student spending 30 minutes in an art activity, 30 minutes participating in a theatre production, 30 minutes in a gallery setting, viewing and learning about art in its various forms, and 30 minutes in music and movement. The program revolves around a theme. This year it was Japan. The Contemporaries write, produce, and work the program each session. We paint the scenery, create the props, record the music, make the costumes, gather and display the gallery items and any other job it takes to make this program work. But the most fun and rewarding activity is working the sessions with the children, as they enthusiastically participate. For some, it is their first experience with the arts, especially a hands-on one. It's great!
The Contemporaries also assist as docents in the "Arts-In-Education" Program at the CAC. Twenty thousand area students in grades K- 8 will attend professional theatrical performances this year at the CAC. The Contemporaries arrange the seating plan and work the performances as ushers. Two professional programs are scheduled for this upcoming year with each program showing 4 to 6 times. Many of the children have had no other experiences with LIVE performance except for their attendance at the ones at the CAC. The hugs The Contemporaries receive from the children as they leave and are boarding their buses, the sound of their excited voices as they discuss what they have just seen and their bright smiles are testimony to the success of this endeavor.
Along with the important job of raising funds, we are constantly looking for new, innovative and exciting ways to bring the arts and participation in the arts to the children of this area. It is a fulfilling and future building part of our mission.
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