Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center (KVPAC)MISSION STATEMENTEducating, Healing and Unifying through the Arts. KVPAC HISTORY IN THE BEGINNINGKVPAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in its 7th year of operation. The original location was a warehouse in downtown “Old Katy” with no store front referred to as ‘the hole-in-the-wall’s hole” because one had to walk through a dance studio’s waiting room just to get to the hallway that lead back to KVPAC. From this humble beginning, support from students, parents and the community increased enrollment and led to a move to a historic house two blocks from the warehouse. Although charming, we out grew the house within a year and moved to a central, more convenient location in Katy at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center (GSWEC) where we have been located for the last 3½ years. To accommodate the increased demand for services, in June of 2006, KVPAC moved to another location within the GSWEC. The 4,700 square foot former veterinary clinic was renovated for human habitation. Horse stalls, treatment rooms and indoor equine showers were removed and the building was transformed into a beautiful ADA compliant facility with a professional quality stage, rehearsal hall, additional classrooms, a music room, an outdoor playground and an office. Relocation/rehab expenses were approximately $250,000. Funding and contributors included: $108,000 from Mike O’Connor of O’Connor Ventures (the property owner), $ 25,000 from Houston Endowment Inc for furnishings and equipment, $15,000 earmarked for the stage from the Jerry and Teresa Kennedy family, $6,500 from British Petroleum Foundation. Kvpac Operating receipts made up the shortfall. In-kind donations included: $4,000 Baby Grand piano, $3,000 Upright piano, $20,000 (appraised value) in 8 professionally painted door murals (these were auctioned later at our gala). More than 1600 hours were volunteered to construct the stage platform, build and set up the tech booth, and install the stage lighting system. It was quickly evident that after only a few months in our new building, the effect of the relocation had been phenomenal, measured in terms of increased income opportunities, outreach programs, the number of people served and by attracting additional qualified staff. In the past, KVPAC has spent thousand of dollars annually to rent performance venues. Now those funds are able to be retained and used for other purposes. The Community has benefited from access to a professional quality Performing Arts venue. The stage and rehearsal hall has been a tremendous asset to support partnerships and collaborations with other organizations. As a professional courtesy, the facility is made available to a number of non-profit groups at-no-charge. A few examples are Katy Music Teachers Association, Katy Community Theatre, Artists@Work, Lone Star Art Guild, MADD (Mothers of Drunk Driving), Bo’s Place, and SIRE (Equestrian therapy for disabled persons). COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMSKVPAC acts as a dynamic catalyst by partnering with non-profits, local businesses and corporations to initiate, provide and sustain Community Outreach programs/services to underserved populations including financially disadvantaged, At-risk youth, as well as mentally and physically disabled residents of all ages. Eighteen Community Outreach programs were provided during the past year focusing on each of the three parts of our mission: Educating, Healing & Unifying through the Arts. A list of partners and a few specific program examples can be found in our annual report. PARTNERS & POPULATION SERVED Brookwood - A residential community for mentally and physically disabled adults A FEW PROGRAM EXAMPLES…EDUCATING "Books Alive! Literacy through the Arts" presented live musical theatre productions based on children’s literature every month during the school year in two branches of Fort Bend and Harris County library systems and at KVPAC. Presentations were free, open to the public and very well attended with average attendance of 90 per event. HEALING KVPAC recognizes the therapeutic value of the Arts to uplift, edify and encourage people in varied circumstances and has developed the "Healing Arts" programs. One notable example with academic, vocational and creative applications is “Hands on the Arts.” This semester long program is taught at the Town Country Campus of Houston Community College System for students ages 19-30 with mental and physical disabilities. Students enjoy cross-curriculum instruction and practical applications in visual arts, theatre arts and computer literacy training concluding with a gala performance and art exhibition for family and friends. UNIFYING The program having the most impact in terms of the number of residents served is "ARTS for ALL!" Every month, KVPAC provides at least one Visual Arts Workshop and/or Theatre production free to the public. There were 20 ARTS for ALL! events during the past fiscal year. The ARTS for ALL! Family Festival in August doubled as our grand opening celebration with live performances, food & drinks and a variety of activity centers: face painting, professional artist demonstrations and art projects. More than 1,100 people attended and HEB supported the event with a Community Development grant.
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