The Homewood Arts Council will lease the village auditorium for art events and activities starting in the fall.
A lease between the village and the HAC was approved at the Aug. 10 board meeting. It will allow the HAC to use the auditorium for one year, furthering its mission in supporting local artists and exposing the community to arts and culture.
The Homewood Arts Council will lease the village auditorium for art events and activities starting in the fall.
A lease between the village and the HAC was approved at the Aug. 10 board meeting. It will allow the HAC to use the auditorium for one year, furthering its mission in supporting local artists and exposing the community to arts and culture.
“Having that opportunity gives us a wide range of chances to reach out to the community rather than just doing things online,” President Tim Campos said. During the COVID-19 pandemic the council shifted to online activities such as holding a mask-drawing competition and providing students with scholarships.
“But this (lease) gets us back into the community, face to face and having somewhere that’s more of a destination for people to go,” Campos said.
That will be realized through a slew of programs, events and activities not only geared toward artists but community members. The auditorium will serve as gallery space for artists to showcase their work, a place where artists can host lectures and where they can practice and develop their skills through rehearsals and workshops.
Residents will be able to experience live music performances during the holiday season, Campos said. Throughout the year, the space will also be open to the public.
“The goal is to keep networking and collaborating with local performers and entertainers throughout the area,” Campos said.
It will also serve as an opportunity for children to try their hand in the performing arts. That’ll happen through one of the programs the HAC wants to implement in October, JUMP START! It’s a four-week performing arts program for children ages 9 to 14. Students can sign up for classes centered around acting, improv and singing.
The program will be run by adults with professional experience in each of these areas as well as experience with working with children. The program will end with a family-friendly comedy improv show. Classes will be held on Fridays, starting on Oct. 8 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The improv show will be held on Oct. 29 from 7:30-9 p.m.
Other possible programs include a sketch writing and stand-up class for children 9 years old and up, a high school improv group and recurring improv shows.
However amid the COVID-19 pandemic, plans are tentative.
“It’s hard to say how much we can do right away, with the COVID guidelines, but our plan is to start small and gradually grow as things open up a little more.”
Campos said the HAC has been trying to find a permanent home to further its mission. Though the lease is a year long, he said he hopes the HAC can use the space for as long as possible. He hopes to get the keys to the auditorium by the end of the month.
He’s looking forward to “being out and about and appreciating art with people again.”
“Just that community aspect of art appreciation and the enjoyment of participating, volunteering or being around others with art at the center of it is pretty exciting,” he said.