CHAMPIONS OF THE ARTS 2008

Embassy Suites Hotel - Saturday, January 24 2009 - 5:00pm 

A Benefit for

Professional Artists in the Schools 

 “Developing Literacy, Creativity, and Lifelong Learning Through The Arts”

Literature * music * dance * poetry * drama * painting * sculpture *film/video/photography

The Champions Each year the Arts Council for Monterey County encourages and promotes excellence in the arts by recognizing outstanding organizations and individuals from all areas of our region. Last year we honored: renowned cartoonist GUS ARRIOLA for the Lifetime Achievement Award, ELSIE DILL as a Champion/ Friend of the Arts, and speaking poet RIC MASTEN as our Luminary. We also presented awards to Todd Kruper - Professional Artist, Bruce Graham - Arts Educator, Aromas Hills Artisans -- Nonprofit, Orlando Castro - Volunteer, and Kim and Gina Weston, Philanthropist.  Sponsors are welcome to select and personally present an award at the event.  

The Event The “Champions of the Arts” event premiered three years ago and each year garners rave reviews. “The Champions” is a wonderful experience for our guests from the first cocktail during the reception to the last few sips of gourmet coffees and teas. This year, our guests will be greeted with a commemorative wine glass by the waterfall in the atrium. Serenaded by a string quartet, they will have a chance to bid on fantastic fine wines, fine dining, fine art, romantic adventures and unique, creative items and services in the silent auction. An elegant dinner will be served in the ballroom set to the classic and contemporary swing music of Andrea’s Fault. A special performance will be followed by a lively tribute video and dramatic presentation of awards, making this year’s “Champions” even more distinctive and memorable. After the awards, everyone will be encouraged to stay just a little longer for desserts, dancing and more.  

TICKETS - $75.00 per person includes complimentary valet service. $600 to reserve table for 8; $750 to reserve table for 10. To reserve yours today, call 831-622-9060.  

Monterey County Youth Benefit All proceeds benefit the Professional Artists in the Schools Program – developing literacy and creativity since 1988. The Arts Council program director staff selects, trains and matches professional artists with host classroom teachers in schools all over the county with a special focus on those with the greatest needs and fewest resources. As a team, these dedicated instructors design 12-week courses that feature in-depth fine art and music classes, literacy through the arts, and arts-integrated science classes. We expect to serve at least 10,000 children this year in thirty schools. Most of our students are from low-income families with limited English proficiency. For many reasons, they are at great risk for dropping out. Through Professional Artists in the Schools, however, they become adept at innovation and problem-solving. They develop patience and persistence and they begin to enjoy school. Our experiences support national research results -- students who participate in the arts succeed in a wide variety of classes and graduate on time. Our students are the engaged audience members, creative workers, and active parents of tomorrow.