Park districts celebrate the arts!

By Matt Ellmann

The general public may not be aware that park and recreation agencies have been actively involved in arts programming. In many areas, the park and recreation agency may provide the only access to arts experiences. Because these agencies have the task of providing low-cost cultural programming, it is in the best interest of recreational personnel to be trained in, and committed to, providing quality cultural experiences for their constituents.

Agency assistance

The Arts in the Park Month Committee is committed to giving park and recreation agencies the support they need to promote the arts each summer, primarily in the month of July. The month-long celebration of the arts also increases public awareness of park and recreation agencies by integrating the arts into all facets of their programs.

Recreation agencies throughout the State have received an Arts in the Park Month packet which includes clip art, arts programming ideas, sample press releases, and information for ordering posters and balloons. Interested individuals who did not receive this information are encouraged to contact Matt Ellmann, chairperson of the Arts in the Park Committee, at the Westmont Park District, 75 E. Richmond St., Westmont, IL 60559. Phone (312) 963-5252.

in the park

Committee efforts

In 1983, the Arts in the Park Committee was founded under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association's Public Awareness Committee. Its purpose was to direct and promote arts programming through park and recreation agencies during July.

The development of a new logo was a primary function of the committee in 1985. This logo, created by artist John Deom, has been utilized by agencies such as the Palatine, Glen Ellyn, Bensenville, Westmont, Medinah and Schaumburg Park Districts — to name a few. It is hoped that the widespread use of the logo each year will bring instant recognition of the Arts in the Park theme and encourage greater agency participation.

Presently, the Arts in the Park Committee is under the auspices of the Recreation Section's Arts in Recreation Committee. The committee is taking steps to increase agency awareness of the available information and services.

Future plans

The Arts in the Park Committee will continue each year to promote July as Arts in the Park Month. It is the committee's intension to increase attendance at, and public awareness of, quality programs, concerts and special events which are sponsored by recreation agencies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Matt Ellmann is the cultural arts supervisor at the Westmont Park District and chairperson of the Arts in the Park Committee.