Copyright-2008
ARTS Obispo

Why Join ARTS Obispo?

by Steve Bland, ARTS Obispo Board President

When I moved to San Luis Obispo six years ago one of the first events I attended was the Open Studios Art Tour. It was a wonderful event and I was curious as to who made it all happen. Just about the only person I’d met in SLO was Shelley McConnell Concannon who was then operating the wonderful and now much missed McConnell Gallery. It turned out that Shelley was the board president for the Arts Council and I told her how much I loved the Open Studios Tour. Always one to grab a volunteer she said, “Great, you can be on the committee.” So, I joined the planning committee then co-chaired the event for 2 years and also joined the ARTS Obispo board. The more I became involved with the organization and its many excellent programs, the more impressed I became. My work with ARTS Obispo makes me feel like I’m making a positive impact on our community. Plus, it is very enjoyable and the people involved from staff to volunteers to fellow board members are the greatest!

Every day I encounter people who tell me how much they appreciate the work done by ARTS Obispo. Then I ask if they are a member and the answer if often no. We love having fans (check out our Facebook page to become one) but we sure do need the valuable financial and volunteer support of our members.

When you join ARTS Obispo you can easily choose your level of involvement. Maybe you just want to join to support us financially. Perhaps you’re an artist and would like to be a part of the artists’ directory or help plan the Open Studios tour. If you enjoy organizing and setting up special events, we’ve got a place for you too! Are you a techie anxious to share your knowledge? We would love to absorb some! Do you have a business you’d like to promote by sponsoring one of our events? We have some great ways for your business to get exposure.

If you are considering joining ARTS Obispo ask yourself these questions:

• Do you love attending the Open Studios Tour?
• Do you enjoy the monthly Art After Dark events in downtown SLO?
• Do you think it’s great that 1400 area high school students participated in Poetry Out Loud and the local winner went on to receive 3rd place in the state competition?
• Do you appreciate the public art seen around San Luis Obispo?
• Isn’t it great that the SLO County Arts Administrators Talk Sessions enables arts leaders from around the county to gather monthly and share ideas and work together to strengthen the arts in SLO County?
• Would you like to receive artists’ opportunities emails?
• Do you want to be sure and receive the informative online ARTS Obispo News?
• Would you like to be stimulated by a lecture in the Ruth Fash Memorial Lecture Series?
• Would you like to know about rewarding literary achievement with the Ingrid Reti Literary Grant?
• Do you think it’s important to have a group advocating for the arts in SLO County?
• Do you think it helps local artists to provide mini-grants?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of the questions above, then ARTS Obispo is for you!

ARTS Obispo members also receive special members- only discounts and invitations to events. You will be the first to know about upcoming exhibits, lectures, seminars, gatherings and workshops. The online ARTS Obispo News will also be emailed to you as a privilege of membership. We have several membership levels and you can choose the one which works best for you. Whatever level you choose you can be sure that those of us at ARTS Obispo will greatly appreciate your support. You can join online at www.artsobispo.org, on the phone at 805-544-9251 or come by the office at 570 Higuera Street, Suite 175.

Join before September 15, 2009 and your name will be entered in a raffle for a special prize. If you are already a member and you upgrade your membership to a higher level, you’ll also be eligible for a prize. And if you’re a member and you sign up a new member, that makes you eligible for a prize also.

ARTS Obispo has been advancing the arts in SLO County for 28 years and it is our members who have kept us going. Join us.

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