A New Venue for Our Community
As the designated arts council for Tulare County, the Arts Consortium brings together art lovers, community organizations, creators, and local businesses to advocate, promote, and provide opportunities to celebrate creative expression.
We are committed to preserving our cultural and creative diversity by building a community where creative expression is a vital part of everyday life - sparking conversation, promoting well-being, expressing emotion, inciting change. The Arts Consortium has already developed a number of large-scale signature events for the region, and we support a number of local programs for people of all ages, through all walks of life.
Now we want to create a space that brings people together through the arts.
With your help, we can complete the conversion of an underutilized meeting space in our building into a place where people come to develop their skills through the My Voice Media Center, explore various modes of creative expression, expose themselves to new ideas through dynamic exhibitions and programs, and engage with the community.
The Nitty Gritty
In the hundred or so years our building has been around, it's served as a meeting place for church goers, Pro-Youth Heart students, and even a few stray cats. It's outdated. The carpet is stained. A few of the blinds don't open all the way. The fluorescent lights give the space an eery glow, and the laminate wood paneling just isn't doing it for us anymore.
We've recruited volunteers to help with demolition, but in order to complete this project and turn it into the state-of-the-art facility our community deserves, we need to call in the professionals to help with:
- Insulating throughout
- Running new electrical wiring to accommodate a multi-use facility
- Installation of new drywall, including cost of labor and materials
- Painting
- Carpet removal and refinishing/repairing of wood floor
- Materials and labor for construction of moveable display walls
- UV protective window film
- New folding tables and stackable chairs to replace the bulky, outdated pieces that will be tricky to store during exhibitions
- Track lighting system with energy-efficient LED lighting
Yes, this is an expensive project. But that's where you come in!
Every dollar helps...really!
Chances are you've heard this before. But think about it...if you could spare just $1, and then convince 5,999 of your closest friends and family to do the same, we'd have this project paid for in no time!
Why should you care?
This space will contribute to the beautification and revitalization of the Visalia Art District, improving the quality of life for residents and making the area more attractive to new business. This space will be open to the public for multi-use purposes so that the Visalia Opera Company can continue to rehearse for upcoming performances, local authors may host readings, and the My Voice Media Center can promote well-being through studio art training. This space will exhibit not only the work of our talented local artists, but also guests artists and lecturers brought in to educate and inspire members of our community.
But even if the satisfaction of contributing to our city's cultural landscape isn't enough, don't worry - we've assembled some great perks for you, which includes hip t-shirts, greeting cards designed by local artists, original prints, naming rights, permanent recognition on our gallery wall, and more!