Got Arts, Maricopa? Proposed expo turns to crowdfunding

Arts patrons can be hard to come by.

An arts spectacular that is planned to be a three-season expo in Maricopa is turning to crowdfunding. Supporters can go to its page on HatchFund.org and pledge any amount of money. If the requested total is not met by a certain date, no money is given to the project.

Maricopa Arts Council wants to raise $8,000 by May 9 through HatchFund.org for its ambitious “Got Arts, Maricopa?” exposition. The real crowdfunding goal is $11,800. Ultimately, MAC is trying to raise $51,000 for the entire enterprise.

Plans are to start the Arts Expo in September, introducing three new events to Maricopa as it runs through spring 2017. MAC will also incorporate ongoing arts-related events under the umbrella of “Got Arts, Maricopa?”

All funds raised through HatchFund.org go to venue rentals, videography and sound recording, publicity and printing, instrumental rentals and artist fees.

The expo is built to capitalize on home-grown talents, seed arts happenings all around the city, and introduce several kinds of arts experiences to the community.

John Janzen, a member of the MAC board, said the expo is a way to bring attention to all of the artists living in Maricopa, many of whom other residents are unaware. “And we’ve got a lot.”

Janzen is director of Maricopa Chorus.

“It will delight, excite and amaze and permanently invigorate the city while launching a new era in Maricopa arts,” said Judith Zaimont, a MAC director and composer.

She said there are already many arts-related events throughout the year, but they are sporadic and only a few people seem to know about each one. The goal of the arts expo is to bring all of those events to a broader audience.

New events include a free October Performance Showcase featuring Desert Sun Performing Arts, Maricopa Music Circle Chamber Orchestra and Maricopa Chorus, a World Music Showcase with Taiko drumming and a Native American ensemble, and a free Studio Crawl, a drive-yourself tour of seven artist studios with on-site receptions.

A Poetry Slam with adult and student competitors will be introduced. Copa Shorts Film Festival will also debut. Look for the Chalk Arts Weekend at UltraStar Multi-tainment Center and a new Student Choreographers competition.

“Got Arts, Maricopa?” will also include established events like Art on the Veranda, Maricopa Community Theatre productions, Maricopa High School Theatre Company, DSPA’s recitals, Maricopa Chorus, Maricopa High School and MMC concerts.

HatchFund.org/project/got_arts_maricopa

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This story appeared in the April issue of InMaricopa.