Community Arts Access
Overture Center for the Arts is committed to supporting area non-profit organizations that present community performances and events that develop audiences for the arts through high quality outreach and programming. Through the Community Arts Access program, Overture provides rental and equipment subsidies as well as professional advice from Overture staff.
Community Arts Access projects supported during the 2011/12 season include:
(Applications are still being accepted check back for updates)
University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for First Year Experience's Wisconsin Welcome for First Year Students
FRI, SEP 2
A Sea of Puppets
Presented by Taiyuan Puppet Theatre Company
SAT, SEP 17 | 9:30 & 11 AM | Rotunda Stage
A Sea of Puppets by Taiyuan Puppet Theatre Company presented by the Taiwanese Association of Madison & Overture Center for the Arts
A Sea of Puppets is a traditional Taiwanese glove puppet show performed on a beautifully carved wooden stage. With amazing skill the puppeteers bring the exquisite puppets with embroidered costumes to life. They perform delicate gestures, and exciting fighting scenes and acrobatics. The story is a romantic tale where a young man saves a girl from the hands of a villain (clown character). In the show we will see all the characters of traditional Taiwanese puppet theatre: the young lady, the scholar, the clowns the villains and an old man smoking a real pipe. The show has been performed in over 30 countries. In this fascinating performance we will see the virtuosity of the Taiwanese puppet performance accompanied by traditional music.
The show is without words and suitable for all ages.
Workshop & demonstration on the tradition of Taiwanese puppetry by Taiyuan Puppet Theatre Company Presented by the Taiwanese Association of Madison Sunday Sept. 18, 11:00 am, MMoCA Lecture Hall, 227 State St.
Wisconsin Book Festival
WED, OCT 19 - SUN, OCT 23
Various Spaces
This annual festival celebrates Wisconsin's rich literary heritage, brings some of America's finest writers to our state and encourages Wisconsinites of all ages to read widely and participate in the dynamic, interactive literary events. Each author offers compelling work that relates in some way to this year’s Festival theme, BELIEFS.
Geoffrey Keezer
Madison Music Collective
FRI, NOV 4 | 8 PM
Promenade Hall | $22
Jazz pianist/composer Geoffrey Keezer was nominated for Grammy awards in 2009 and 2010. Born in Eau Claire, WI, Geoffrey has performed and recorded worldwide with virtually all of the living legends of jazz. He will perform solo piano this evening in a program of jazz standards, contemporary pop songs and original improvisations, and will be joined by Lawrence University faculty Dane Richeson on percussion. Be there at 8:00 pm when Geoffrey starts off the evening with a pre-concert talk.
An Evening of Poetry with Fabu: Madison's Third Poet Laureate
FRI, DEC 2 | 6 PM
Rotunda Stage | Free
Fabu Phillis Mogaka, professionally know as Fabu, was appointed Madison's Poet Laureate in 2008 and will serve in that position through 2011. She will read from her new book of poetry followed by a book signing.
Patricia Johanson: Science, Art & Infrastructure
WED, NOV 16 | 6 PM Wisconsin Studio | FREE
Environmental Artist/Practiioner Patricia Johanson will walk us through the pages of her sketchbooks and through the processes that transform her art into major works of public infrastructure. Project includes: Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility - Petaluma, CA, Fairpark Lagoon - Dallas, TX, Mary's Garden - Scranton, PA and the The Draw at Sugar House - Salt Lake City, UT.
Opera for the Young: Hansel and Gretel
SAT, JUNE 2
Playhouse Theater and Rotunda Stage
Join Opera for the Young for a family day at the opera. Come for preshow activities where you can make costume accessories, participate in a group voice lesson, and learn the choruses so you can sing along from your seats during the performance.
Opera for the Young is joined by staff from the Madison Children’s Museum and the Madison Youth Choirs for a wonderful day of operatic proportions.
To receive Community Arts Access support, proposed events must address aspects of our mission and strategic plan that Overture feels are under addressed or better served through community partnerships.
These priorities are:
- Build relationships with local ethnic communities
- Connect Overture to existing community cultural events
- Leverage the strength of UW programs while building Overture affinity in the UW community
- Play a role in success of relevant downtown and State Street projects
- Position and elevate community events, through presentation in quality venues, particularly those that are free and have low cost
Learn more
Get the support your event needs. Learn more about the Community Arts Access guidelines and criteria, including submission guidelines, deadlines and Overture’s application review criteria.
Download the Community Arts Access application form here
This program is supported in part by contributions to the Ovation Fund. Learn how you can be part of supporting Overture’s community and education programs by clicking here.