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RiverbendAcademyArts.com : About Us
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| Who We Are & What We Do |
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Riverbend Academy, School of Visual & Performing Arts, is a 501(c)3 organization that seeks to become the premier education resource for arts in the region. With the intent of serving all, Riverbend serves those who show interest and commitment regardless of age, race, ability or circumstance.
As an inclusive organization, Riverbend teaches the arts in various disciplines. Comprised of institutes in the areas of Performing Arts, Music, Visual Arts, Culinary and Literary, Riverbend educates while mentoring and providing healthy alternatives to those taking lessons. In turn, Riverbend brings about hope, transforms lives and fuses various people and abilities while generating talented new artists and in some cases, forming new career paths.
In its unique model, Riverbend Academy advances life in our region through premium instruction while remaining dedicated to Henderson, Kentucky’s downtown. Riverbend furthers the economics of Henderson with a portion of its students traveling as much as an hour away for lessons. Riverbend also provides satellite programming outreach in various facilities and schools where there is identified need.
Riverbend Academy focuses on enduring relationships that will further the preservation, appreciation and advancement of the arts that subsequently will broaden, shape and build healthy, strong individuals - as well as the community as a whole. Riverbend is ultimately about health and well-being of community with excellent art instruction as the means.
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| Who We Serve |
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Riverbend serves a number of infants, children and young adults, but the academy is not just for young people! Everyone at any age or ability needs a healthy outlet and arts programs can fill a void. Ages presently range from newborns to those in their 80’s. All forms of art, music and performing arts with Riverbend’s mentoring instructors have therapeutic and value-building opportunities for all ages boosting personal growth and exploration. Whether you wish to take ballroom or tap dance for exercise or learn to paint to fill time and relax, Riverbend has something for everyone. Ladies up to their late 70’s tap and one in 80-year-old is taking piano for the first time. Even those battling a life-threatening disease, depression, addiction or a disability, Riverbend can provide a healthy release and alternative. As a non-profit, every class an individual pays for fully goes back into the academy to make more available for others that can not afford such instruction otherwise. So please consider Riverbend for all arts instruction and you not only benefit yourself, but many others as well!
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| Collaboration |
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The arts are often exclusionary – reserved for those able to afford such instruction. It is the intent of the Academy to be inclusive not only in terms of the people it attracts and serves, but also it is the Academy’s intent to try its best not to duplicate or be in competition with existing services in Henderson. For example, a performing arts center is not part of the academy’s long-range vision, but rather the academy intends to take advantage of HCC’s existing Fine Arts Center, downtown parks and other performing venues for recitals. Riverbend will not be in the business of juried art shows or exhibits, but will look to OVAL and other organizations to have such presentations with more abundance in submission by those created out of the academy. The academy seeks to partner with existing arts organizations, civic groups, educators and businesses for the benefit of the greater good; raising the bar for Henderson’s artistic community together.
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| Our Current Board of Directors |
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Chair - Leanne Banna-Pritchett
Vice Chair - Sheryl Chapman
Treasurer - Debbie Dewey
Secretary - Judge Karen Wilson
Members:
Greg Pritchett
Steve Martin
Ray Fein
Jennifer D'Alto
Ellen Redding
Cindy Weaver
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| Since our founding in late July of 2006, Riverbend Academy (RBA) has achieved the following: |
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• Reorganized and named the organization Riverbend Academy – School of Visual & Performing Arts. (The school was incubated initially through St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Henderson as St. Paul’s School of Music.)
• Formed a working board that began with seven members; Comprised of nine presently with plans to grow to 15 members.
• Created the mission & vision and structure of the organization.
• Incorporated the new organization. RBA is presently a non-profit in good standing with the State of Kentucky and has obtained 501(c)3 federal tax identification status through the IRS.
• Began researching adequate downtown property upon learning RBA needed to move the existing two instructors and their students affiliated with St. Paul’s School of Music out of the Mann House due to ADA and safety restrictions. In the mean time, held existing classes at First United Methodist Church in downtown Henderson.
• Upon finding adequate space in the first floor of the Soaper on the corner of 2nd & Main Streets, negotiated terms, moved in items stored at the Mann House, painted, cleaned and updated the new facility to fit the school’s immediate needs.
• Began interviewing and recruiting new instructors. Formalized relationships with high quality instructors in a variety of disciplines to build a curriculum. Approximately 20 instructors serve RBA.
• Drafted financial proforma’s, instructor contracts, registration rules, payment structures and codes of conduct for both students and instructors as well as background checked all adults.
• Developed promotional materials and a regularly updated website www.RiverbendAcademyArts.org.
• Finalized the first a curriculum of course offerings for the Winter Spring Semester and launched the first public registration.
• Hosted a kick-off premiere, solicited start-up funding from individuals and heavily promoted RBA in media and speaking engagements.
• Kicked-off registration and started our first semester in January – of which we had close to 120 students enrolled; most of which will continue with ongoing classes with more adding each semester.
• Began full scholarships for five students and loaned donated instruments where needed.
• Through the help of anonymous donors, RBA received dance barres and mirrors for our dance room and received a stove and other kitchen items to get the kitchen fully operational for cooking classes.
• Began two pilot outreach projects for 2007 at The Central Learning Center (a Henderson public school that deals specifically with children involving behavioral and academic issues) and the Henderson County Detention Center. RBA has dropped in instructors to build self-worth through mentoring while teaching art, drama and cooking.
• Hosted volunteer recruitment and training and have a rotation of staffed volunteers manning the front desk.
• Began to rent out RBA facilities for events such a Chamber and Methodist Hospital meetings, private parties and weddings.
• Began dialogue with Henderson Community College & others regarding culinary programs to create a work options program for those getting out of rehab, incarceration or single moms in need of skills to garner better paying jobs. New Orlean's Café Reconcile and Denver's WOW are the models.
• Developed & launched a summer curriculum and summer camps/performances which builds upon the winter/spring classes, adds new instructors and classes.
• Added Kindermusik with a grant from Scripps Howard to jumpstart.
• Awarded a grant from Preston Foundation for instructional support.
• Entertained the crowd at the Tri-Fest in the first RBA student performance with dance, soloists, group choral and theatrics – an amazing showing for less than one semester of instruction. Hosted the first recital in May on site. Wowed the crowd with Thriller on Halloween.
• Developed & launched Fall curriculum with new additions such as dulcimer and harp. 15 scholarships have been extended.
• Exploring a relationships with other arts organizations regionally for increased school presence and instruction.
• Exploring expanding space as we have outgrown existing space
• Beginning online shopping/donor relationships, taking gifts online via credit card and starting electronic eNews.
• Launched the Winter/Spring 2008 semester and presently taking registrations.
The seeds have been planted, the need is ever present….the future depends on you……
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