Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts 4th Quarter Report One year ago, I stood before you as Mabel Tainter’s new Executive Director To be honest, I was anxious, nervous, and somewhat intimidated by not only this assembly, but by the breadth and scope of the position and its responsibilities One year later, I am even more terrified because I know just enough to be dangerous, and through that education, I have learned just how important the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts is to our community For one year, I have sat behind Andrew Tainter’s desk that once resided in his house, and its austere beauty is a daily reminder of his and Bertha’s mission to unite our community through the arts I have also paid the bills, and they are a daily reminder of a more sobering charge, one that I am certain Andrew Tainter addressed many times on the very same desk This is why I can assure you that your continued support is integral to meeting the vast needs of MTCA and in promoting a world class destination for those from near and afar MTCA takes A.I.M at Children’s Programming We’ve provided a variety of entertainment for the community The Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts has partnered with UW-Stout and the Menomonie School District through Arts Integration Menomonie (A.I.M.) This ten-year commitment focuses on pairing artists with teachers to produce curriculum through the arts Just last night MTCA hosted Menomonie School District students who showcased their artwork and performances before their inspired parents and family members Last spring the Mabel Tainter hosted And Then They Came for Me, a holocaust play about Eva Schloss, step sister and playmate to Ann Frank Following the performance, Eva Schloss herself came out on stage to answer audience questions about the Holocaust In December, with your support as well as with a grant from the Xcel Energy foundation, 260 fourth grade students from the Menomonie Area School District attended a school performance of the Nutcracker For many of them this was the first time they saw a ballet or even been in the Mabel Tainter Free Docent Tours Every Thursday and Saturday Beginning in last May and throughout the summer and fall, MTCA offered free tours of our historical facility every Thursday and Saturday Thirteen of our most qualified tour guides lead 30-45 minute sessions for drop-in visitors Hundreds of visitors have benefitted from these knowledgeable professionals who love sharing our historic treasure Furthermore, additional tours are scheduled through our website for large and small groups, college students, secondary students, scouting organizations, church groups, and many others The Docent tours return this spring and may include an expanded schedule 125th Anniversary Celebrations MTCA celebrated 125 years of arts programming and community events last year While collaborating with the Wilson Place and Rassbach Museum, numerous activities were launched last May and continued through the fall They included: a book club, four Victorian teas, three rotating exhibits, and Mabel’s Fall Fling, which is scheduled for September 25 and 26 The Fall Fling encompassed downtown and provided live actors playing historical roles, children’s activities, a stage for music performances, horse and buggy rides, and tours of the Mabel Tainter The event culminated with MTCA’s fundraiser, “ A Night at the Mabel.” 2015-2016 PERFORMING ARTS SEASON PROGRAMMING The 2015-16 Performing Arts season consists of fourteen diverse artists/ensembles performing musical reviews, tributes to influential female vocalists over the past 70 years, Beatles music of the 60’s, a Veteran’s salute, classical Spanish music, Christmas music of the Memories, a classical ballet, an a capella ensemble, high energy jazz, a family friendly comedy duo, Irish music, the Blues, and Rock ‘n Roll Artists t include Ethan Iverson, Divas Through the Decades, The Bitins, The Cutaways, Sabor De Espana, the Memories, Continental Ballet, Tonic Sol-fa, Baby Boomer Comedy Duo, Ring of Kerry, Reverend Raven, and Songblast The season also includes numerous performances from homegrown talent: AN EVENING WITH COLE PORTER, a musical revue of theatre favorites, directed by Lucy Weidner with music direction by Dr Mark Pruett was produced in August, 2015; Ethan Iverson, born and raised in Menomonie, played to a sold out house August 31 with drumming legend Tootie Heath and bassist Ben Street; Dudley Markham and the Cutaways play tribute to our veterans in November; Eau Claire musicians Dr Namji Kim and Jeffrey Jaworsky deliver classical Spanish Music; and the Memories return to share holiday classics MTCA patrons adore our local talent JAZZ AND WINE Since September, 2013 the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts has provided monthly performing arts programming featuring local and regional artists JAZZ AND WINE AT THE MABEL performers have included Liscio Jazz; Take2Day, with Barbara Lyon on vocals and Patrick Pesek-Herriges on piano; The Big Deal, Rob Mondlock and the Gents, and the Tainter Trio We continue our partnerships with The Menomonie Theater Guild, the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and Menomonie Public Schools Having these partners brings more people to the theater and increases the visibility of this great building Even though we’ve made progress with increased attendance and interest in the building, we still have to what’s necessary to keep this building running with energy costs of $2500 per month, developing roof issues, HVAC concerns, just to name a few We whatever we can to treat her with tender loving care! Our Board of Directors has been working hard to make the Mabel the warm and wonderful grand old building that she is Many volunteer their time to help in whatever way they can Spreading the Word Many of our local businesses and organizations have partnered with MTCA to inform the community about the events and happenings at the Mabel Tainter We are grateful for the support of Barbara Lyon and the Dunn County News and Pam Powers and the Eau Claire Leader Telegram Local businesses help us spread the word too Likewise, you individually can help us alert the community about our national treasure by “sharing” our events on Facebook and other social media Thank you for your continued support and stop in and see us sometime, meet the new staff, and check out the changes that we’re excited about and proud of I would love to meet with you and show you Andrew’s remarkable and enduring desk, one symbol of the Mabel Tainter’s enduring legacyl Steve Renfree Interim Executive Director Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts