Payne Moses
After a year of rethinking programs and evaluating growth on several fronts, Marion Community School of the Arts (CSA) looks to strengthen a variety of opportunities they offer in 2022.
The Community School of the Arts was first established in 1996 and serves nine counties in Indiana but predominantly operates in Grant County. At all facilities, CSA retains the mission to provide arts education and enrichment with excellence and fiscal responsibility.
Katie Perez, executive director at CSA, has served in this dual-leadership role since 2014 alongside artistic director Shelly Inskeep. Perez is responsible for grants and organizational development.
“While the dynamic of co-leadership is not common in this community, it has provided for a unique collaborative and creative environment,” Perez said.
CSA believes everyone, regardless of age, skill or commitment level, deserves and should have access to the arts for an improved quality of life. Their programs include performing arts such as theatre, dance and music, classes in the visual arts, and culinary classes.
Since Perez’s arrival, she said the performing arts department has gone through the most expansion, specifically with the installment of the Theatre compANY in 2014. Additionally, recreational and pre-professional course offerings increased in large part to the number of students enrolling.
Over the past decade, the CSA Board of Directors aided the administration in creating a full-time staff of nine, up from just a few part-time employees. Also, over 25 contracted faculty members were hired and just in 2021, four new employees were added alongside seven faculty teaching artists to help facilitate new programming.
Two student-driven programs have been important pieces to CSA’s community footprint. The CSA Arts Academy, in partnership with Marion Community Schools, has provided a nontraditional and immersive opportunity for students pursuing a career in the arts. The Student Performance Series is a theatrical performance experience for grades 1-6 and launched in 2014.
Among new creations in 2021, CSA started the After School Arts Enrichment program, an after-school option for families at Marion Community Schools whose children are in grades 1-6. Students are transported by bus to CSA where they receive a snack, homework help, attend weekly classes in dance, pottery or mixed media and learn daily performing arts curriculum. Perez said this program was made possible by United Way of Grant County and Indiana United Ways and was funded through the Lilly Foundation.
“While the pandemic has absolutely impacted student enrollment, and the operational budget … CSA has worked to create new programming and expand on strengths and partnerships,” Perez said.
CSA acquired Marion Civic Theatre in 2021, a longtime nonprofit arts organization that provides opportunities for volunteer-driven theatre performance.
The organization also took ownership of James Dean Memorial Theater, along with all its programming. Through a crowdfunding campaign in partnership with Community Foundation of Grant County, CSA is investing more than $80,000 into refurnishing the space, comprising of updating the lighting and sound equipment, HVAC and masonry work and exterior renovation.
In 2022, CSA hopes to continue refining their programs at CSA’s Civic Theatre and to increase student enrollment. Perez said she is also focusing on expansion of their after-school program and tuition scholarships, such as Art Scholars Program, which both target students in challenging financial situations.
“Scholarships have been a part of CSA programming for 25 years and have given countless students at all levels of ability and interest the opportunity to discover, grow within and further develop creative talents,” Perez said.
CSA is available for all community members, whether it be through classes or just audience enjoyment.