At Fox Cities Performing Arts Center (FCPAC) in Appleton, Wis., community involvement plays an important role for almost every show performed at the facility. More than 70 percent of the performances on the venue’s main stage also have some form of community connection.
“We have a very strong connection and partnership with many in our community to deliver our mission,” said President Maria Van Laanen, “which helps us on the fundraising side as well. People see investing in the performing arts center as a sound investment in the community and they can see the rewards in that investment through the many partnerships that we have, both with other arts groups in the community as well as with other nonprofit service organizations.”
Through a partnership with Hyde Music, a local music store, FCPAC will often bring the musicians that will be performing to the store to offer music workshops. The artist will talk about his background and give instruction and pointers to first-time musicians or those trying to make it big themselves. When dance shows come to town, FCPAC partners with the local YMCA or other dance companies to bring artists to studios to teach master dance classes. If a cultural performance is coming to the community, FCPAC might partner with local cultural chapters to give deeper insight into the history of that culture and its connection to the community.
“If you help connect individuals to the art at a deeper level than just attending a performance and watching passively what happens on stage,” said Van Laanen,” and if you can help create those connections, it adds to the relevancy of that art form to their lives, which makes them more excited to engage in more opportunities. They want more of those experiences.”