Arts Jam 2004 Rocks!
Nearly $17,000 was raised at Arts Jam 2004!   The proceeds will help support
arts education in the Grand Rapids Public Schools!
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Click here to read the review in the Grand Rapids Press.
Click here to view the Arts Jam 2004 Photo Gallery

Arts Jam 2004, held on February 22, 2004 at St. Cecilia Auditorium, brought in nearly $17,000 in proceeds! That included donations, ticket sales and floor cloth sales. The concert drew nearly 450 paying customers. Both attendance and proceeds were more than twice the totals for the previous year.

Arts Jam has always been about consciousness-raising, and increasing recognition of the need to support the arts in GRPS. The 2004 event generated much more in corporate and individual support, as well as media publicity, than ever before. Again, this goes to growing recognition of it as a quality event worthy of community support.

Individual thank-you's will be going out soon, but we should mention a few vital players here. The organizational support of the Arts Council, St. Cecilia Music Society and the Grand Rapids Musicians League was crucial to our success. These highly respected cultural institutions have committed to be our partners for the long run, and this says a lot for both our organization and the cause we are advancing.

Kendall College, The Grand Rapids Press, WFGR-FM and Structure Interactive all stepped up with major gifts of finances and/or expertise. These truly are gifts to our students and teachers, and will not be forgotten. Half a dozen business provided food for the post-show reception, as well. We can't list here all the individuals who gave above and beyond the ticket price, but they are many and include influential givers from the arts and corporate communities.

Certainly we are indebted to the fine musicians and dancers who gave valuable time to produce a great concert. The same is true of all the artists, teachers and professionals who produced more than 100 beautiful floor cloths -- every one of which sold! And WZZM's Kim Covington was the consummate hostess, gracing the event not only with her personable charm but her show-stopping vocal talent.

Many students gave up a Sunday afternoon to come perform before and after the show and during intermission. We wish we could showcase their talents and commitment even more. The ongoing support of the Greater Grand Rapids Area PTA Council is of vital importance. As our parent organization, they have quietly provided the nonprofit status, financial services and credibility we need to be a thriving concern.

Finally, one big hug to the dozens of teachers, parents, arts professionals and plain old good people who volunteered their time to make the whole event work. They covered everything from ticket-selling, ushering, stage and sound management to complex auctioneering and a first-rate reception. Because of your dedication to this good cause, Arts Jam has the look of a professional production -- which is exactly what our students and teachers deserve.

We can all celebrate the best Arts Jam yet, and look forward to a better future for the arts in GRPS! Thank you, all of you, for caring AND making it happen!

Charley Honey - Chairman, Arts Jam 2004