Welcome to this edition of "Inside MBT!"
Each month of 2019 we're exploring and celebrating the impact of the arts through "The Arts + Social Impact Explorer." This month we look at how the arts affect the concept of "community cohesion." We'll then look at how MBT contributes to that effect, and spotlight ways we're always trying to grow our MBT community.
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| COMMUNITY COHESION
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"A community is at its best when it feels coherent, collaborative, and safe. Social tensions created by an influx of new people, economics, environment, or any number of factors can disturb citizens’ sense of self and stress the threads that bind them. Arts participation contributes to social cohesion by reducing isolation, encouraging cooperation, and building community networks.
Involvement in the arts helps build individual identity, as well as group solidarity. Arts participation helps to resolve conflicts and increase tolerance and cross-cultural understanding by bringing together people from different backgrounds and providing opportunities to recognize the contribution of many segments of the community.
Arts participation crosses barriers of social class and ethnicity and leads to residents learning about each other and other neighborhoods. People involved in the arts meet more people, and participatory arts projects make marginalized groups more visible and promote positive community connections."
*Americans for the Arts
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IMPACT
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9 Out of 10 Say the Arts Increase Connection to Community
- New friends and connections are a primary positive outcome of arts participation and help to reduce social isolation. In the UK, 91 percent of participants reported making new friends by participating in arts activities.*
| Our STARS volunteers not only connect with Theatre patrons but also with each other!
| Maureen S, STARS volunteer since 2009, "Volunteering is giving back to my community. In the process, I both give and receive great joy and energy. I've made great friends and have the opportunity to share both my love of the theatre and the history that connects the community."
| David W, STARS Volunteer since 2011, "Volunteering at MBT gives me a sense of purpose, a feeling of accomplishment, and surrounds me people who quickly become friends."
80% of People Explore New Places for the Arts
- Arts participation crosses barriers of social class and ethnicity. A Philadelphia study showed that 80 percent of participants traveled to another neighborhood to take part in arts activities.*
| Our Education Series serves 5 counties and delivers the awe of a heritage facility to many kids for the first time. Around 1/3 of every audience in general in our building is attending from out of town, hopefully exploring Bellingham with an anchor positive experience at MBT.
Arts Participation Unites Generations, Reduces Fear, and Empowers Citizens
- Arts participation has a positive effect on social cohesion by bringing generations together, encouraging partnerships and intercultural understanding, reducing fear of crime, and fostering organizational skills. People report feeling more in control of their lives and more activated as citizens.*
| MBT exists as a facility that is open to all legal renters for any sort of event. The City of Bellingham uses this facility for events like the Mayor's Arts Awards and MLK Day festivities to celebrate culture and diversity. Inspiring speakers such as Dr. Jane Goodall, presented by WWU, and various authors who come as a part of Whatcom Reads give front line access to idea makers.
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"When I heard the Mount Baker Theatre was starting a new meet up group for solo theatre goers, I was instantly drawn to the purpose. Everyone should be able to access the arts whether or not they have someone to attend with! The MBT Meet-Up provides a fantastic opportunity to foster connections between community members and bond over a shared love of live theatre!”
-Mandy of KAFE 104.1
"Hosting these Meet-Ups has been a really fun new connecting tool. It goes without saying I love attending events and promoting the Theatre—but as a full-time working mom I don't often get the chance to get past the first layer of duties in my life. Last week at Los Vivancos, I met two folks who both had interacted with the theatre in the past in different ways, and during the course of conversation we realized we were all passionate about another art form. We've now made plans to enjoy this activity outside of the Theatre. Through that, of course, we also all just forged a new happy memory about the Theatre."
- Amy Guerra, Associate Executive Director |
SUPPORT MATTERS
This month Mount Baker Theatre introduced a fabulous new reason to join as a Member!
Every individual who makes an MBT Membership donation by February 28, 2019 is automatically entered in a drawing to win two tickets to Legally Blonde – The Musical on March 24, 2019. This bonus benefit has been engaging our online community and expanding our family of caring supporters all month long (and there’s still a bit of time left to take part)!
The winner will be drawn at random from the qualifying pool on March 1st and posted on Facebook—be sure to Like and Share when you see it. And keep an eye out for similar opportunities to enjoy fun theatre experiences in the future . . . |
| | EXCEPTIONAL OUTINGS COMING SOON! |
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Get in Touch Ticket Office Hours
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104 N Commercial Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
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Box Office: (360) 734 - 6080 |
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Mon-Fri: 10am - 6pm or to showtime
Sat-Sun: 2 hours prior to showtime
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Mount Baker Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the performing arts.
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