FAC 2020 Update
Over the past several months, our teams have adapted to a new means of producing programming for our audiences, with a focus on the digital space, to maintain connection and engagement with the community.
Hear more from FAC Director Idris Goodwin on what we’ve been up to and what we have planned for the fall and beyond:
Update & summer 2020 highlights
Summer Highlights — By the numbers
558 students attended 21 online classes offered by Bemis School of Art
120 kids made art and acted in the forest at La Foret
7 new collections launched on eMuseum with 220 works
Over 25 FAC Connect features released
500 tickets purchased for the streaming performance of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
And over 1,000 people viewed our first live Q&A with the creative team and acting company
The FAC Theatre Company brought home 10 Henry Awards from 21 nominations for the 2019/2020 season – Including Best Play and Best Musical!
100 students attended virtual Theatre School over the course of 9 weeks
Over 30 artists engaged in 3×3 Projects producing work through isolation
Over 400 local teachers will take the online course “Introduction to Arts Integration” created by the FAC Museum Education & Kennedy Center Partners
Over 350 CC students have engaged in virtual classes with exhibitions and artists
7 experiences offered by the Museum Education team for community learning and remote museum access — 2 available in Spanish
A series of 3 video projects from the 2019 Youth Repertory Ensemble were created in quarantine and released on FAC Connect, the newest section on the FAC website.
The FAC Theatre Company Photo Gallery launched with pictures and stories from every production from the last 15 years
6 writers were commissioned for Of Spacious Skies, a 12-episode radio play series set to release in September
Over 100 audition slots filled up in less than 30 minutes for Of Spacious Skies
190 members of our military attended Military Artistic Healing programs offered by Bemis
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
“Thank you again for thinking outside of the box to create these amazing programs so the kids can continue to do something they are passionate about while keeping all involved safe and healthy!”
“When I heard that the FAC was putting on virtual summer camps, it was the only organization that I trusted fully enough to create a quality product that was going to worth my money and my children’s time. THANK YOU!”
“Thank you for continuing to support the veteran community and military families in the Pikes Peak region.”
“…an amazing experience for my daughter. She was hesitant to try an online art class, but she connected with her peers and instructor, even in the virtual classroom. I hope they offer this class again … Kudos to this instructor for changing my daughter’s life.”
“Thank you in particular for the thoughtfully prepared imagination packs, the engaging and just long enough online sessions, the excellent communication and fun optional at home projects, and the well planned end of week show. We loved the whole experience!”
“My daughter loves art and we have always wanted to take a course through Bemis. With the option to take this course online, it made it more accessible for us, and we were finally able to sign her up!”
“Thanks again for all of the time and heart that you all put into these camps! [We] are so grateful that you have designed programs to run in a safe manner so that our children can continue to experience the joy that the FAC theater programs bring them!”
“The imagination kits were awesome and well thought out! Both girls thought there was some great stuff in there!”
“Thank you for making this happen! This camp has been the highlight of A.’s summer and although this was a different year, it did not disappoint. “
“I want to commend Rebecca and Jesse for getting the camp off to a great start-not that we had ANY doubts about their abilities to teach over this platform … they took time to make sure each kiddo had a voice- whether through their computer mic or over chat … dealt with internet hiccups (freezing screens, audio glitches) with humor and grace so the kids would be comfortable and not feel awkward when they happened – I could go on and on as watching the smile on P.’s face grow bigger with each activity and interaction made this Mama’s heart so happy!!!”
“I just wanted to tell you – and please pass this on to all of the instructions- that the girls had a wonderful time in their respective camps today! “
Thank you for your continued support through these unprecedented times, whether it be through engagement with our digital offerings, membership, subscriptions, class registrations, donations, or positive vibes. We feel it all and appreciate you.
FAQs
When will the FAC reopen?
We are planning for an exciting grand reopening at 30 W. Dale for in-person programming Summer 2021. Until then, we look forward to seeing you online and out in the community.
Why summer 2021?
We’ll be out in the community with arts programming before next summer but setting that as our goal for opening our physical space allows us to get through the 2020/2021 school year and accounts for longer lead-times required for building our in-house programming. Should circumstances change we’ll reevaluate.
Other museums and performing arts venues have reopened, why not the FAC?
Yes, some have reopened but many remain closed, others have sadly closed for good as a result of the global pandemic. Each institution facing a unique set of circumstances as they navigate these decisions. For us, as part of a college, we have a population of students living on campus to consider. Keeping them, as well as our staff and community healthy and safe is a key priority.
Have another question that isn’t answered here?
Or thoughts or ideas on what you’d like to see from the FAC in terms of digital or community programming?