GENEVA CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION OF GENEVA
In my school years, from elementary through college, and beyond, I was always involved in the performing arts. It is one of my true passions in life to perform and entertain. The joy of working with like-minded creative people and talented directors to create entertaining programming is a fantastic experience full of learning and self-expression. There is no doubt that the performing arts benefit not only the performers, but their audiences as well. The City of Geneva wanted to bring more rewards to the community through the performing arts and various other art forms, and in 2006, created by ordinance the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission (GCAC). The purpose of GCAC is to recommend policies and programs supporting the arts, sponsor public art programs and projects, create an arts center and develop a business plan for the arts that contributes to the economic development of Geneva.
For performing arts, they have developed programs such as Shakespeare in the Park where local or regional Shakespeare troupes come to town for summer performances. In early March, Geneva holds a Film Festival featuring a variety of film styles from new and upcoming filmmakers across the U.S. and overseas, and every Sunday evening in July, music fills the air at their RiverPark Summer Series along the Fox River where each week, a different musical genre is featured.
The GCAC also wanted to incorporate physical art into their civic landscape. Annually, an artist is commissioned to design and fabricate a functional sculptured bicycle rack to replace the generic ones currently in place. Later this summer, the third location of one of these racks will be at the Post Office along James Street. “The commission is really excited about this piece as everything about it says GENEVA,” says Tim Vetang, GCAC Chair. There is also a program that was created for Geneva High School and Middle School artists to design and decorate Pace Bus Shelters along Randall Road. Each art panel is 6 x 10 feet and is very visible from the road. Residents have jumped into their Art on Fire program where they can reserve a fire hydrant anywhere in town and design and paint it. “Throughout the year, participation is strong for our events, and we regularly get ideas and suggestions from the community,” says Tim. “We take those very seriously and try to incorporate them into our programming.”
For more information on events and participating in the GCAC events, visit them at www.geneva.il.us/114/Cultural-Arts-Commission.
Mindy’s August Giving Inspiration: Tip a cab driver or Uber driver generously.
ABOUT THE WRITER Mindy Kyle is the owner of Be Inspired Studios and is passionate about helping people discover what brings them joy and to live a full, healthy and happy life. She has her Masters in Fine Arts degree in creative writing from DePaul University and lives in Naperville with her husband, three children and the cutest dog in the land.
