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MSA ARTS & CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
Marin Society of Artists
Below is a sampling of arts and cultural programs and services Marin Society of Artists partners in and promotes to engage and support the communities it serves.
MSA partners with an array of local organizations to broaden arts availability to all members of the community. Our Crossroads Program implements MSA’s Equity Statement of Purpose. Examples of our activities include:
CanalArts with Kids Group – A bilingual Facebook group for immigrant children confined to home by the pandemic. Adult artists post “how to” videos for young artists. Youth artists publish their work to the group.
Canal Arts Initiative – Led by Storek Studio/Architecture, MSA partners with Canal Alliance and participating organizations to bring public art and cultural education to the immigrant Canal neighborhood of San Rafael, engaging the community through art. CAI also supports arts-related employment for artists of color.
Downtown San Rafael Arts District (DSRAD) – With DSRAD and other partners, MSA fosters arts/culture events. E.g. Celebrating Community Arts events; Dia de los Muertos alters; West End Celebration.
Blue Light at the Gallery & More – MSA housed adult and youth spoken word, poetry slams and musical performance.
Crossroads Program - Outreach to bring arts into the community, and to bring the community into the Art Center.
Makers Moment- Bi-weekly free Zoom gatherings inviting “makers” of all disciplines and skill levels in every location to “create in the presence of others” including as many communities and cultures as possible. Dual goals are cross-cultural inclusion through the shared human desire to create; and to stimulate mental and emotional health during pandemic induced isolation by creating a supportive virtual “creative community.”
Blind & Vision Impaired Workshops: Pre-pandemic MSA provided space, supplies and 1-to-1 aides for artmaking workshops for blind and vision impaired artists. Program will be re-instated when possible.
Art Exhibits: Online & gallery exhibits of community art, accessible for free to the general public. Artist participation is affordable or free.
Workshops; Cultural Enrichment: Free and low cost space for community arts and cultural enrichment activities.
Artist in Residence: Fostering and providing work space for artist of color.
Differently Enabled Artists: Example: Provided Alchemia.org studio space and exhibit opportunities for 5 day weekly arts programming for physically and developmentally challenged Alchemia artists.