Imagine…
Squeeze your eyes shut and imagine a community brimming with the arts
in its schools, in neighborhood centers, in shopping malls and parks.
Music, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, folk art, literature.
People using their imaginations and people applauding the imaginations
of others.
Now, open your eyes and watch the Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration
(KCIC) at Colorado Springs bring this image to life! Since 1986, the Imagination
Celebration has produced, presented and promoted programs that have nourished,
educated, and entertained thousands and thousands of children, teens and
adults. Come join us!
Why?
Because there is more to life than tests, work and video games. The arts
help us
to discover new worlds, understand each other and explore our own creativity.
The arts encourage children to love learning, to develop a strong sense
of self, and to "think outside the box." The arts are for everybody!
That's why we send artists into schools, make year-round programs free
or low cost, and stretch beyond the usual to serve the community with
diverse programming for a variety of audiences and age levels.
How?
During the past 17 years, the Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration has
forged partnerships with arts and cultural organizations (local, regional,
and national), schools, businesses, and government agencies with a common
cause to ensure that every child grows up rich in the creative experiences
of the arts. Our region has a wealth of talent - sometimes it just needs
a showcase or an opportunity to bloom.
When? All Year Long!
In addition to the Spring Festival of the Arts - a calendar-cramming festival
of 
performing
arts events, art exhibits, workshops, competitions and school activities
- the Imagination Celebration is busy year round organizing, producing
and presenting enriching content: a family theater season, workshops for
educators, creative and educational activities in schools, libraries and
at our new creativity space, "Celebration Place" at The Citadel.
Who
makes it possible?
Imagination Celebration would not be possible without the help
of generous businesses, foundations and individuals. The following have
provided major support to Imagination Celebration during 2004-2005.
- Seven Underwriters:
ABC Bank, The Citadel, Colorado Council on the Arts, Gazette Charities,
Lockheed Martin, Pikes Peak Library District, and Wendy’s of Colorado
Springs Inc.,
- Media Sponsors: KRDO
News 13/The Peak 95.1, The Gazette/ColoradoSprings.com.
- Additional Major Funders:
Anna Keesling Ackerman Trust, Bee Vradenburg Foundation, Guy Bennett/Agents
for the Arts, Binney & Smith, Inc., Colorado Council on the Arts,
Current USA Inc., Edmondson Foundation, Mrs. Elizabeth Francis, Gay
and Lesbian Fund, John Grossman and Kathleen O’Neil, John F. Kennedy
Center, The Marson Foundation, Myron Stratton Home Foundation, National
Endowment for the Arts, Nutrition Camp Foundation, Pepsi-Cola Bottling
Company of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Performance Company, Ruby’s
Diner, Target Stores, T. Rowe Price, US Bank, Wal-Mart and Wells Fargo.
- A 75-member Steering Committee of arts organizations, cultural institutions and com-munity leaders that meets year round.
- A128-member Working Committee
of school Mini-Sites, Crayola® Dream-Makers, Outpost Sites, and
Alumni-Sites. This group brings together teachers, principals and parents
with community volunteers and organi-zations to focus on the arts and
education.
- Rick Holland, owner of Wendy’s
of Colorado Springs, who has donated free office space to Imagination
Celebration for the sixth year.
- The Macerich Company, who
continues to donate free space in The Citadel for "Celebration
Place."
- Current USA Inc., who underwrote
and produced another Michael Hague Imagination Celebration dragon poster
(the 16th in the series)
- Thousands of volunteers who help in schools and at public events, including volunteers from Bank of America and Colorado Springs Utilities.