Foundation’s ArtWorks grant awards $10,000 for Dance & Fitness

Dance & Fitness Coming to Events Center

When Huntingburg Foundation convened with art enthusiasts in July of 2010, the idea to promote the arts reached deep into the group’s imagination, but making those ideas a reality fell short of anything concrete. Then the Foundation met Carolyn Randolph of Dance Central Academy, Rachel Berg of YMCA, and Julie Thompson, board member of the Huntingburg Event and Community Center.

“These ladies were determined to bring dance, fitness, and creative movement to the community,” said Brad Ward, Executive Director of Huntingburg Foundation. “If it were not for their determination, the ArtWorks Initiative would have died on the vine.”

Over sixteen months ago, the Huntingburg Foundation announced funding of $20,000 to promote the arts in the Huntingburg community, which was awarded from the Community Impact Fund, an endowment designated to the continual betterment of Southwest Dubois County.

Starting this coming January, the Huntingburg Event and Community Center will host a ten week session of dance and fitness classes provided by Dance Central Academy and YMCA.

“ArtWorks will expose all ages to dance or fitness,” said Carolyn Randolph, lead volunteer for the project.

Dance Central Academy will offer classes ranging from ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop, clogging and rhythm tap sessions for preschoolers and up. The YMCA is hosting Pilates for ages 13 and up, as well as a program designed for ages 55 and up known as “Enhanced Fitness,” which currently takes place in a smaller group setting at Salem Church in Huntingburg.

The general public is invited to experience the offerings at an open house the first week in January at the Event Center. Parents and the public will be able to register for classes, ask questions, and learn more about the offerings.

The Foundation’s grants committee is actively reviewing proposals for a Jazz & Wine Festival on the grounds of the Old Town Hall this April, as well as a potential arts festival on Fourth Street next fall. “Dance and Fitness seems to be just the beginning,” stated Ward.

“The real challenge becomes sustainability,” said Kurt Fuhs, Foundation Board President. “The $20,000 grant is set to expire next fall, which will require a renewed interest from donors to keep alive the opportunities presented by ArtWorks.”

“At this time, no donors have expressed interest in continuing ArtWorks, but it’s a fairly new concept and the rewards of this effort are first being seen” Ward said. “The Foundation is hopeful donors will seek to continue the promotion of arts in Huntingburg after the public takes stock of what is possible.”

To learn more about contributing to the future of promoting the arts in Huntingburg, contact the Huntingburg Foundation at 683-5799. If interested in the dance and fitness hosted at the Event Center, contact lead volunteer, Carolyn Randolph at 630-4418 or visit the Foundation’s website, www.huntingburgfoundation.org for tentative class schedule.