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RAC Update
We are starting our next fiscal year on July 1 with a balanced budget, an approved three-year Strategic Plan, (2013-16), new faces on the Board of Directors, staff, and faculty, and the implementation of a robust community engagement program. We are excited to announce the appointment of Teri Gardiner for the newly created Marketing and Communications Manager position. She will lead the marketing team to help articulate, advance and enhance our communications and marketing programs. In the coming months, she will oversee the development of a comprehensive messaging and branding strategies plan in partnership with the Taproot Foundation; the redesign of our website and collateral materials; and the improvement our external communication efforts.
Looking ahead, we will be hosting a number of “meet and greet” events with RAC faculty and students to get their input on ways to improve our art studio facility and programs. Our Strategic Plan defines important goals for our esteemed studio program, striving to make it one of the best in the East Bay and at the same time, to ensure that it is self-sustaining.
Exciting new activities are taking place this summer! The Rosie’s Girls will be participating in a two-week workshop on metals/jewelry and screen-printing at the RAC this summer. We are also moving forward in developing and presenting a two-week pilot STEAM program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) in partnership with the Richmond Library and the Lawrence Hall of Science. This program will evolve into an afterschool program that will take place at the Art Center, at school sites, and in community centers as part of our new education program initiative in 2014. Our expanded outreach plans include school programs in two Richmond elementary and middle schools plus the Richmond Library and two community centers. Part of this effort will be the recruitment and training of teachers to support our growing outreach program.
UpCycle Richmond was a success!
We would like to thank the sponsors, (Kaiser Permanente, East Bay Municipal Utility District, RecycleMore, and Bay City Mechanical) for supporting the very successful inaugural family activity UpCycle Richmond. Seven partner organizations (NIAD, LBNL, California 4-H, Richmond City Rides, Scrapper Bikes, Bridge Arts Space & Urban Tilth) joined our faculty in presenting various art and science activities using recyclable materials with additional focus on healthy choices, throughout Art Center and grounds.
Finally I would like to acknowledge California Oils Corporation for their ongoing support of our Summer Youth Art Camp program. We were proud to honor their long term commitment to the Center at the Richmond Chamber Mixer hosted by the RAC on April 11th. Over the past seven years they have provided more than one hundred scholarships to local students and have made it possible to keep our program costs affordable to all.
Ric Ambrose
Executive Director
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