January 12th, 2008
Application deadline January 21, 2007
Community Organizer — The community organizer will work to bring the performing arts community together to identify opportunities for mutual self help. This contract will last between three and four months and it is expected to require between 125 and 175 hours to complete. The position will start in February. The position will be heavily supported by volunteers.
To apply, and for futher information, click on the following link:
Click on this line to apply for the Community Organizer position
More news soon—7/15/08
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October 22nd, 2007
Performing Arts Groups, Theater Owners and Patrons,
Join us in celebrating our progress! In July we met in downtown Medford to begin our journey. We welcome our Theater Arts Community as we meet together again to celebrate the progress of Theater Quest. Come get an update on the grant application and plans for building community among arts organizations in the coming year. This update will also give groups a chance to network and give their input on this process as we move forward.
Theater Quest Community Meeting
Monday Evening, November 5th, 6:30 pm
Location: Main 1 Performing Arts Center
Kids Unlimited
821 Riverside Dr., Medford
Read the rest of this entry »
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September 29th, 2007
Thanks to Scott Wells for the link to this interesting article by his coworker at the Oregon Employment Department.
Ainoura Oussenbec is a workforce analyst for Jackson and Josephine Counties. In a Sept. 9, 2004, Oregon Labor Market Information System Feature Article, “Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Local Economy’s By-Product or its Catalyst?“, she writes:
Business or Arts, or Both…
With the continuing news of manufacturing and other jobs relocating overseas, economists, workforce professionals and the public face the challenge of deciding whether this change represents threat or opportunity for the future of the nation.
… … …
Is there a magic formula for developing, maintaining and enhancing the pioneering and creative qualities for which our nation’s workforce has been known? Is it only about increased funding for technical colleges, computer labs and science programs? Some argue that all of this alone, though essential, is not conducive to fostering creativity. Nor does technical training itself stimulate individuals’ ability to make a leap in consciousness and perception, which is one of the signs of a highly creative mind.
Just in time for this crisis, the works of Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class, appeared on the scene to give us the language to express what many have felt all along. There is a way – and it is in the arts.
No longer are the arts considered just an indulgence for the lazy, impractical, and rich. Research has shown that all highly creative people have similar artistic qualities and characteristics. The very definition of highly creative people has come to include more than artists, novelists and musicians. Engineers, computer wizards and even market research analysts are very much a part of the “creative class.” Their professional knowledge may come from formal education, their creative ability does not.
In this insightful article Ainoura relates The Rise of the Creative Class, a book by Richard Florida, to our local area. Ainoura talks about performing arts activities as a “magnet for the creative class” and how “not all creative magnets are big cities.”
You can read more about Richard Florida and the work he is doing at his Creative Class Group web site.
The Oregon Labor Market Information System web site home page is a great starting point for statistics on Oregon’s economy and labor force.
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September 28th, 2007
The Oregon Arts Commission has an Arts Builds Communities grant program and Theater Quest decided to apply for funding to help the Jackson County performing arts community and residents develop a long range plan: Asking the question, “What do we need now and what would we like to see in 10 years?”
By Thursday, September 27, the grant was almost done so a group got together at Grilla Bites in Medford to review, edit and evaluate the final draft. Pictured below from left to right are John Statler, Andrea Miranda (behind John’s head), Steve Reddell, Christina Duane, and Scott Wells.
Click on image to enlarge.
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August 19th, 2007
Would you like to come to our next meeting? Would you like to join our email list to keep up with our progress and find ways to help? Email us with the link at the bottom of this article and let us know. We would love to share our progress with you. If you don’t do much emailing you can send us your address and we’ll get you on a standard mailing list.
Our web site is just beginning and we could use your help. We are looking for the following:
- Assistance with site management
- Graphics (particularly a masthead graphic)
- Articles
- Interviews
- Photos
- Video clips (for YouTube upload, local performers would be great)
You can leave a comment here, or you can email us at:
Email Theater Quest [Email address: info2 #AT# theaterquest.org - replace #AT# with @ ]
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August 18th, 2007
Theater Quest is a group of Rogue Valley people interested in expanding and enhancing performing arts opportunities for performance venues, performance groups, performers and customers. The targeted area at this time is primarily Medford, but all areas of Jackson County, Oregon are considered within Theater Quest’s interest area.
The group is currently creating an inventory of venues and performance groups within Jackson County. The inventory for venues will include rental costs, seating, lighting and sound facilities, and availability. The inventory for performance groups will include a survey of their needs in terms of venue pricing, rehearsal space, and seating. The inventory, of course, is not limited to these areas.
Areas of interest to the group include:
- Development of a Performing Arts Center in the downtown Medford area.
- Performing arts education and venues for children.
- Creation of a Medford Theater Group.
- Enhance connections between existing venues and performance groups.
If you are interested in joining the group, or simply keeping informed about it’s progress please use the following email link:
Email Theater Quest [Email address: info2 #AT# theaterquest.org - replace #AT# with @ ]
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