The Chelsea Center for the Arts (CCA) — a non-profit community organization founded in 1994 to develop, foster, and promote art and music in Chelsea and the surrounding areas — has been awarded a grant of $60,000 from the Worthington Family Foundation to fund materials, equipment, and services to enhance arts programming for youths. This funding will both assist with currently operating programs, and support new programs to provide instruction in the arts, nurture artistic interests, and prepare committed high school students for art and music education at the college level.
“The grant is a much appreciated acknowledgement of the important role of the CCA in the community and the high quality of its programming. We have many exciting plans for additions which are already underway.”
Facing a challenging financial situation, Lisa Baylis Gonzalez began working on the grant application shortly after assuming the role of Interim Executive Director for the CCA in April. “This funding is critical to both stabilizing what has been a difficult financial situation at the CCA, and greatly assisting the organization in its efforts to provide engaging and meaningful art and music programs for the youths of Chelsea and surrounding communities.” Michele McLaughlin, CCA Board President added, “The grant is a much appreciated acknowledgement of the important role of the CCA in the community and the high quality of its programming. We have many exciting plans for additions which are already underway.”
The goal of this project is to support and expand art experiences for youths at the CCA by adding equipment, materials and supplies, and services required to expand and improve youth programs, including classes, workshops, family programs, summer camps and after school clubs. There will be new offerings for teens, including visual arts classes in drawing, painting, ceramics, digital photography and video production, and opportunities for gathering around the arts for camaraderie, mentoring, and inspiration. Funding provided by the grant will also help with marketing efforts, so that the community might be better informed of the many unique and high quality programs, activities and events offered by the CCA.
The Worthington Family Foundation is a small family foundation which was created to distribute funds to charitable institutions, with special emphasis on the arts, and the physical, mental and character development of children. The foundation was created from the legacy of Betty O’Leary (1923 – 2008), to honor her memory. She will be especially remembered as an energetic, well-read, and intellectually curious person. Betty was married but never had children. She asked her sister, Ruth M. (Miesel) Worthington, and Ruth’s children, to create the Worthington Family Foundation upon her death.
The foundation was created to honor the memory of Betty O’Leary (1923 – 2008), who will be especially remembered as an energetic, well-read, and intellectually curious person. She asked her sister, Ruth M. (Miesel) Worthington, and Ruth’s children, to create the Worthington Family Foundation.
Chelsea Center for the Arts’ focus is to enhance the quality of life in Chelsea and the surrounding areas through programs which encourage participation in and appreciation of the arts. The CCA offers classes, workshops, private lessons, after school art clubs, summer camps, outreach programs, exhibitions, performances, and special events for youths and adults. Collaborative programs produced with community partners such as the River Gallery, the Chelsea District Library, and the Chelsea District Public Schools further enhance the capabilities and impact of this important cultural resource, which also contributes to the vitality of downtown Chelsea and supports local and area artists.
For further information, contact Lisa Baylis Gonzalez (lisabg@chelseacenterforthearts.org) at (734) 433-2787, or go to www.chelseacenterforthearts.org.
Picture caption: CCA Board President Michele McLaughlin (left) and Interim Executive Director Lisa Baylis Gonzalez (right) accept a check for $60,000 from Doug Worthington, Treasurer and Board Member of the Worthington Family Foundation.