April Update: The play-at-home edition 
APRIL 01, 2020

Okay. This is tough. We know it will get even tougher, but we're impressed daily by the immediate response and flexibility of our arts and cultural organizations, the creativity of our artists and local leaders, and the generous spirit that times like this illuminate in our neighbors and in our community.

At Roanoke Arts & Culture we've been busy monitoring the work of City-funded arts and cultural groups. We've reviewed applications for the coming year.  We're still advancing some public art projects while postponing others. Every step of the way, we've asked, "What's important? What's essential? What's meaningful?"

And the response, across the board, has been, "this."

Whether it's STEAM education of elementary school students, neighborhood-driven improvement projects, or monumental art installations marking community hopes and progress, the work of the Roanoke Arts Commission and it's wide array of partners is important. The participation of residents in improving their place is meaningful. The ability of each of us to contribute to a stronger community for all of us is essential, and our arts and cultural organizations are an avenue for that.

In that spirit, here's this month's newsletter. Among the updates are tools and resources gathered to advance our collective work and provide updates on opportunities for artists and creative changemakers throughout our community. And we've added ways for you to continue connecting from home.

Be home. Be safe. Be creative.

Roanoke Arts & Culture News is a service of the City of Roanoke's Office of Arts and Culture. Click here for more information. Submit potential content to Arts and Culture Coordinator Douglas Jackson.

PUBLIC ART UPDATE

Tour the Elmwood Artwalk with Otocast

The Elmwood Artwalk features work from both the permanent collection and pieces on loan for the "Roanoke Rising" exhibit. Pictured above is "Altered" by artist Alec Aita.

Roanoke has partnered with Otocast to bring you a tour of the walk available on your phone. Read about the works and hear from the artists in audio clips.

What you can do at home:

Download Otocast and take a remote tour.

• Download Otocast at Google Play.
• Download Otocast at the Apple Store.

Grab this interview with Napoleon Jones-Henderson
Shaping your art and purpose in relationship to others

On January 17, Roanoke installed its most recent addition to the public art collection. Listen to a half-hour interview with sculptor Napoleon Jones-Henderson, the creator of "Rhapsody in Knowledge." The sculptural series that now sits beside the Melrose Branch of the Roanoke Public Library.

In the interview, the artist talks about the new work and the role that books, mentors, and trusted colleagues have played in the developmet of his art. “All artists start out with a place they want their work to go," says Jones-Henderson. Only through the interaction and relationship with others does that work actually grow and manifest into what you want it to be in the end.”

What you can do at home:

• Subscribe to the podcast from BOOK CITY Roanoke wherever you stream your podcasts (Apple, Google, Stitcher, etc...), or listen to the episode here.

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Inlet Art Delayed

Stay tuned for word on new dates for the 2020 Stormwater drain inlet art project. Just before the COVID-19 restrictions, we received applicants for the painting of six Roanoke drain inlets. The popular project will continue once our gathering limitations have been restricted. Thanks to all the applicants. We hope to communicate more soon.

What you can do at home: 

• Doodle your own message in chalk on the sidewalk in front of your house. What are you grateful for? What do you love about this city? 

WRITER BY BUS To return in 2021

The City of Roanoke Arts Commission, Ride Solutions and the Greater Roanoke Transit Authority have cancelled the Art by Bus project for 2020. We'll return in 2021 with an application process to be the Writer by Bus. Until then, take some time and read the work of past Writers by Bus. All five chapbooks are available for free download. Perfect reading for a COVID-19 homestay and inspiration for your 2021 application!

What you can do at home:

• Download chapbooks by the past Writers by Bus. There's poetry, fiction, and essays. All for free.

Roanoke Arts POP! a success.

The Taubman Museum of Art hosted Roanoke Arts POP! in early March, inviting the community to interact with performers, artists, and leaders from a variety of arts organizations. More than 2,300 community members came out for the weekend full of activity.

Pictured above are (from left) Southwest Virginia Ballet Artistic Director Pedro Szalay and Roanoke Arts Commissioner William Penn with SVB dancers decked out in 40's garb, ready to cut a rug in honor of Nelson Harris's history of The Roanoke Valley in the 1940's which was launched at Arts POP! to benefit the Roanoke Public Library Foundation.

What you can do from home:

• Catch the virtual spirit of Roanoke Arts POP! Check out the Taubman's ongoing virtual programs with museum and community partners, available also on their Facebook and YouTube channel daily. Catch exhibition tours, educational programming for youth, and collaborative presentations with regional non-profit and arts and culture organizations.

APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

What you can do at home:

• Watch local leaders recite poems during last year's poetry month.
  • City of Roanoke Vice Mayor Joe Cobb
  • City of Roanoke Council Member Michelle L. Davis
  • Soul Sessions’ Harvest Blaque (a.k.a. Bryan Hancock)
  • City of Roanoke Director of Libraries Sheila Umberger
  • Writer Sandee McGlaun
  • Roanoke County Director of Library Services Shari Henry
  • Former Arts & Culture Coordinator Susan Jennings
  • Brad Stephens
• Read a poem out loud to your family or pets.
• Memorize a poem.
• Write a poem.
• Watch this year's Poetry Out Loud recitations from Virginia High School Students (Facebook)
• Contact Douglas Jackson about sharing a poem that inspires you now.

COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES

• City of Roanoke Economic Development resource notice
• City of Roanoke updates
• Roanoke Region Responds website & survey
• Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center response page
• Virginia SBDC Disaster Assistance Webinar recording (March 23)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge COVID-19 Page
• National Endowment for the Arts aggregation of listings for artists and arts organizations
• The Small Business Guide to the CARES Act

CULTURE NEWS 

• "Arts organizations move focus online after shutdown" by Mike Allen in The Roanoke Times
• "Roanoke Children's Theatre plans for statewide branding" by Mike Allen in The Roanoke Times
• "Back to back ballet collaborations" by Mike Allen in The Roanoke Times
• On the role of the arts in the future: Roanoke Times Editorial "Twenty questions the pandemic will answer
• "Roanoke 7-year old shares smiles through Raye Raye's Reading" by Ralph Berrier, Jr.
• "Roanoke harpist plays to strength on social media," in The Roanoke Times

(Mostly) FREE CULTURAL EVENTS ONLINE 

• The Taubman Museum of Art celebrates Dorothy Gillespie's centennial this year. On Facebook? Check out the installation video, a gallery tour of work from regional private collections, and make a paper version creation for yourself! This exhibit received city funding through the Roanoke Arts Commission.
• Hear all eight red wolves howl at Mill Mountain Zoo.
• Get in-home instruction for children and families on Facebook from Roanoke Children's Theatre.
• Take part in the KidsSquare Virtual Easter Egg Hunt
• Engage in a little Music Lab-style education on the Godfather of Soul from Jefferson Center.
• Follow Olin Hall Galleries at Roanoke College on Instagram for upcoming workshops. 
• Recording of the pay-what-you-will Corey Hunley Facebook concert at The Spot on Kirk. You can still donate!
• Watch the high score get beaten in The Starcade!
• Sounds of the Mountains online music & storytelling festival, April 3
• The Open Studios (Virtual Tour) on Facebook April 25 and 26

OPPORTUNITIES

• Get listed on the Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge Artist Directory. Free for local artists. Sign up here.
• Register as an Artist for the Earth. Earth Day is April 22nd.
• Apply to serve on one of the City's appointed boards and commissions.

VISUAL ARTISTS

• 2020 slots available for Brandon Oaks Exhibiting Artists: Contact Katherine Devine
• Plein Air Roanoke (The Little Gallery): Save the Date - 5/11 - 5/16, 2020
• Have you considered joining the League of Roanoke Artists? 

WRITERS

• Get listed on the writers inventory.
• Opera Roanoke is seeking a marketing and communications coordinator.

PERFORMING ARTISTS

• Try your spoken word at Soul Sessions
• Tell a story at Hoot & Holler.
• Join the Roanoke Valley Community Band.
• Try out for a production at Showtimers, Attic Productions, Off the Rails or another of our local theater groups.  
• Performing groups: Send your audition calls.

ARTS LEADERS

• Opera Roanoke is seeking a marketing and communications coordinator.
• Register as an Artist for the Earth. Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22.
• April is national volunteer month. How are you recognizing your volunteers? (National Volunteer Week in April 7-13)
• NEA grant opportunities
• Nonprofit organizations: Be part of the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign. Apply by May 31.
• Economic data on arts and culture in Roanoke from Americans for the Arts and the Roanoke Cultural Endowment.
• Apply for to serve on one of the City's appointed boards and commissions.