Phippen Museum Hosts World Premiere Exhibition

Prescott, AZ – The Phippen Museum will host the world premiere of Portraits of the West: The Kenneth M. Freeman Legacy Exhibition. The exhibition opens to the public on June 26 and runs through October 24, 2010. This exhibit is a travelling retrospective that provides a tribute to an internationally recognized Western artist and illustrator.

A Kiowa poet once remarked that the American West is a place that has to be seen to be believed, and it may have to be believed in order to be seen. Ken Freeman had the talent to draw, paint and sculpt the West as he had seen and experienced it. His unique combination of light and depth of color, together with rich cultural heritage, has left us with a body of work that connect with the soul and spirit of the American West.

A temporary studio replica of Freeman’s own workspace serves as the centerpiece of this exhibition, providing intimate insight to the artist’s creative process. The unfinished Impending Decision IV, the final piece Freeman was painting at the time of his passing, will be on display to clearly illustrate Freeman’s painting technique. Earning scholarships to study at the American Academy of Art, Freeman studied techniques of the European masters. Capturing the rich heritage of the many varied peoples he encountered in photographs, Freeman brought the personalities of these models to life.

“Ken’s old masters’ technique was very time consuming but the outcome is extraordinary,” said Edward Holmes, president of Western Artists of America whose organization presented Freeman with a Lifetime Achievement Award. “It is the only way to achieve the depth of colors and warm layers of content that will pass the test of time. This painting technique will last for hundreds of years,”

“Ken Freeman was a wonderful artist.” Phippen Museum curator, Deb Bentlage, said. “He appreciated the art and the heritage of the American West, which is the mission of the Phippen. We are so proud to host this world premiere.”

Phippen Museum hosts a special evening with Cowboy Artist John Coleman

Prescott, AZ – Join us for a very special private dinner with award winning Cowboy Artist John Coleman and his wife Sue at their beautiful studio in Prescott, Arizona on Saturday July 31st at 6pm. Guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner with the Coleman’s and a private tour of the Studio. Space is limited and the cost is $125 per person. To reserve your place at this exclusive event or for more information please call the Phippen Museum at (928) 778-1385.

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Arts Industry Facing Crisis

Arizona arts organizations are facing complex issues as they cope with the changing economy:

• Free Arts of Arizona, an organization that provides critical services to thousands of abused, neglected and homeless children annually, has cut nearly 20% of their staff and has significantly reduced their operating budget. Free Arts of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that brings the healing powers of the creative arts to children by partnering with group homes, treatment centers and shelters in Maricopa County.

• In January of 2009 the Arizona Museum for Youth, which operates as a public/private partnership between the City of Mesa and the Arizona Museum for Youth Friends, Incorporated, faced a 30% budget cut after the city experienced a serious decrease in sales tax. This, after the Museum dealt with a 50% budget cut only three years ago, left Executive Director, Sunnee Spencer, with no other choice but to lay off staff. Spencer says, “This will have a significant impact on the quality of services we are able to provide to our community members.” The Arizona Museum for Youth provides a creative place for families with children under the age of 4 to explore self-expression through interactive exhibits, classes and workshops.

• To prepare for the current economic situation, The Bead Museum, located in Glendale, Arizona, cut their operating budget by 37% in part by eliminating and combining job positions to reduce labor costs. Kelly Norton, the museum’s Executive Director, says, “The bead museum is struggling as are most organizations these days. We are in jeopardy of closing our doors.” The Bead Museum is now the only bead museum that showcases beads and beaded artifacts from around the world. The loss of this invaluable institution would create a world-wide gap of historical and cultural significance.

• Executive Director of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, Laura Kelly, says that many of their supporters are unable to make a contribution but continue to demonstrate their commitment through concert attendance. As the Symphony enters its 60th year they have suspended their Young People’s Concert program, along with Fourth of July and Labor Day events.

• Borderlands Theater, a Tucson-based professional theater company focusing on border issues and The Latino/Chicano voice, faces hardship as they struggle with less than 1/3 of their annual contributions. Barclay Goldsmith, Borderlands’ Producing Director, is sorting out the realization of at least two new projects, both of which the organization has received funding for and one of which is transnational and brings recognition to Arizona. Unfortunately, Borderlands’ reduced operations budget nearly renders the staff unable to accomplish these projects. The organization’s two employees’ hours will be reduced by 60% as of April 1.

These and other Arizona arts and culture organizations generate significant benefits to their communities, cultivating development opportunities through the arts and increasing the availability of arts education.

Arizona’s nonprofit industry is a primary provider of Arts programs related to the education of our children. Though the Commission has not yet formally surveyed local providers of arts education programs, it is clear that these programs are severely at risk, as evidenced by increasing daily calls to the Commission.

Public funding plays a distinctive role in the budgets of Arizona arts organizations, providing aid in leveraging additional financial support, ensuring equitable distribution of public dollars, and providing resources to ensure that all Arizonans can learn in, through and about the arts.

The Commission will continue to monitor the economy’s affect on arts organizations, by way of surveys and other evaluation techniques, to reveal trends and opportunities in the field. Survey results will also guide the Commission as it adjusts and develops programs to best serve the evolving needs of the statewide arts industry.

To view a comprehensive summary of survey results, visit the Commission’s website, www.azarts.gov.