“The Thornapple Arts Council has played a vital role in Barry County for many decades.”
Impact Statements
On TAC’s importance…
“The Thornapple Arts Council has played a vital role in Barry County for many decades. Their dedication to helping the community see, hear, taste, touch, and experience the fine and performing arts is unmatched by any other organization in our community.
“As one of the band directors in this area, I rely on the support of TAC to help my students grow in many ways. TAC has provided thousands of dollars in scholarships to students attending summer music camps. TAC has provided thousands of dollars in sponsorships to the Hastings Bands to help purchase much-needed instruments for the program. TAC has provided thousands of funding dollars to support the Hastings City Band, which allows for students and adults to come together and perform music all summer long. Without the support of TAC, the Hastings Bands would have a tremendous gap to fill for support. We are thankful for and dependent on their annual support!”
-Spencer White
Director of Bands, Hastings Schools
Poetry Books
Made possible by a Minigrant from TAC to a local elementary school
On the TAC Jazz Fest:
“We have taken away some great pedagogical concepts from the clinicians, and the three-day opportunity to listen to other jazz groups of all ages is unparalleled anywhere around. The all star bands have given students a chance to work with our teaching all stars here in Michigan.”
-Ray Rickert
Music teacher, Thornapple Kellogg High School
Clay Pieces
Made possible by a Minigrant from TAC to a local high school art program
On the Sue Drummond Arts Education Scholarship:
“The Sue Drummond Scholarship has been integral to my growth as a violist and musician. I received the Sue Drummond Scholarship in 2016, 2018 and 2019, and it allowed me to attend music camps that I otherwise would not have been able to afford. In 2018 and 2019, the scholarship allowed me to move on to a more rigorous camp experience that has brought my musicianship to the next level and has allowed me to advance my musical career by making connections I would not otherwise have been able to make. I am grateful for the opportunities the scholarship has made possible.”
-Jonah Evans
Sue Drummond Scholarship Recipient
Thank You Note
From the Director of the Middleville DDA
On TAC’s influence in Middleville, MI:
“On behalf of the Middleville DDA and our community as a whole, I just wanted to say a “big thank you” for all your help with Spring Fest and Art in the Air. I don’t know if these events would have come together without your support and partnership. Art means so much to the community. One resident said they “used to think that only big cities could have public art, but it is so cool to see that even small towns like us can have art.
Thank you for being a part of bringing art to our small town!”
-Katherine Schmidt
Director, Middleville DDA
Grand Rapids Art Museum
Student visit made possible by a Minigrant from TAC
On the Financial Assistance Fund:
“Each year, funding for the arts program changes and shifts depending on the economic situation of the school. At best, I am able to cover basic supplies (like paint, drawing tools, and paper); at worst, the budget cuts leave me wondering how I will survive the school year and have enough supplies to reach June.
“I teach a wide range of students, 3rd grade through high school. In our worst years, when the budget is cut so low that I don’t even have money to buy paper, let alone the materials to draw with, the Thornapple Arts Council has let me raid their pantry to get crayons, markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, and more. In the best years, when I have a decent budget, TAC has given me grants to be able to afford the “extra things” like clay, glaze, tools, stained glass, and more.
“The help in this area has made sure that my students get hands-on experience with multiple different medias. Those same students have gone on to compete at the state level in competitions like MITES and swept the competition taking 1st-4th place.
“From paper and pencils, to clay and glass, TAC has been a wonderful blessing. I could not do what I do without the help they have given us. The support of this organization has touched many students and has given them opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible.”
-Jessica Droscha
Art teacher, Maple Valley Schools
Mitchell Arganbright
Former student performer at the TAC Jazz Fest
On the TAC Jazz Fest:
“I thought you might like to know that the drummer of tonight’s headlining group, Gold Company, got his start at The TAC Jazz Fest. While he is a drummer now, Mitchell Arganbright was in your All-Star Band, playing piano way back in 7th grade. He’s now a sophomore at WMU studying Jazz Performance and Multimedia Arts Technology.
“We’ll be in the audience tonight, as will his high school band director, James Ross. Mitchell is so excited to be playing the fest, since this is where it all started. Mitchell loves this festival and we have been there many times. He has performed there numerous times, but even when he’s not performing, we love seeing his friends perform, other schools perform, and the pros. It’s fun to just spend the day wandering to the various venues to see what you’ll find. We especially enjoyed the jam session that used to happen at the top of the Waldorff. Where else can students get a chance to sit in with the pros? Great memories and look at the result — he’s making a career of it.
“Can’t say enough about this gem of a festival and who would have thought all of this would come out of little ol’ Hastings, MI? Bravo Thornapple Arts Council for putting on a quality event and giving people an excuse to come and enjoy Hastings!”
-Kelly Arganbright
Mother of Mitchell Arganbright
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