ArtPower Impact Report 2018–19

2018–19 YEAR IN REVIEW I M PAC T A N D H I G H L I G H TS

T

hank you for supporting ArtPower and allowing us to engage, energize, and transform the diverse cultural spirit of UC San Diego and our surrounding communities.

Thanks to our family of enthusiastic supporters, the 2018–19 season marked ArtPower’s 15th anniversary year — a celebration of how the arts connect, engage, and enrich our community.

Throughout 2018–19, ArtPower presented groundbreaking public performances and engagement events including chamber music, jazz, dance, Americana, global music, and more.

As our partner, your generous support made performing arts and artists accessible, emphasizing ArtPower’s position as a valued asset in our community and in the lives of all attendees.

There is much to be proud of when reflecting back on ArtPower’s 2018–19 season. As a member of the ArtPower family, we are thrilled to share with you the enclosed stories. Together— as patrons, performers, and partners — our artistic influence on campus and across San Diego enhances our community, one performance at a time.

MESSAGE FROM JORDAN Our 15th season leaves me grateful for the support of every donor who has contributed throughout our history. Philanthropy helps ArtPower give opportunities to immerse the UC San Diego student body and the greater community in the arts in unprecedented ways, including performances like Manual Cinema’s puppetry bringing to life Gwendolyn Brooks; Ariel String Quartet’s elegant inauguration of their Beethoven Cycle; the fireworks from Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez’s sold-out duets; the raw athleticism of Ephrat Asherie Dance Company; and Petra Haden’s tear-provoking vocal performance of “We Shall Overcome” at the close of Bill Frisell’s concert. Every time ArtPower artists take the stage, we can be certain a special moment will resound.

Access to the arts and artists remains fundamental to what we do– it is a part of ArtPower’s DNA. Through ArtPower, UC San Diego and the larger community share these experiences.

Our impressive student attendance rate means students are able to enjoy the arts because of our generous donors like you. What is more, many of our students will have the opportunity to work with artists to learn about their culture, approach to art-making, and lives. Your philanthropy keeps ArtPower affordable both for our students and our many visitors: we have decreased student ticket prices by 25 percent since I began at ArtPower and our goal is to establish a UC San Diego Ticket Endowment to make this offering sustainable in perpetuity.

We are grateful for patrons who go beyond purchasing tickets and make donations that support students and artists and share our programs and performances with friends.

Thanks to your philanthropy, ArtPower presents 30 annual events and dozens of engagement activities each season. Your advocacy and generosity make a difference in the lives of students—both at UC San Diego and across the county—as well as in the cultural landscape of San Diego.

Thank you for all you do to help us make the arts accessible to young people.

With gratitude,

Jordan Peimer Executive Director, ArtPower

Back Row: UC San Diego’s Tom S. Tseng, Jeffrey Goldman, Eric Lasley, ArtPower’s Jordan Peimer, Christopher Weil, UC San Diego’s Carolena DeutschGarcia, Sharon Perkowski. Middle Row: Art Power’s Joanna Szu, Jack Lampl, Judith Bachner, ArtPower’s Molly Clark, Joan Bernstein Front Row: Phyllis Epstein, Edith Sanchez, Joyce Axelrod, Bobbie Gilbert, Pat Weil

$100,000 PowerPlayers Match completed PowerPlayers are ArtPower’s lead supporters and advocates. Last season, members suggested that ArtPower launch a matching gift effort to encourage new patrons to support the program. Shortly thereafter, the $100,000 PowerPlayers match was formed and completed during the 2018–19 season.

The $100,000 PowerPlayers match was comprised of gifts from our lead PowerPlayer members and shared via ArtPower’s various messaging channels and live at performances.

This collective effort resulted in more than 57 new ArtPower supporters. Thank you and welcome to all new donors.

And thank you to our PowerPlayers for leading the charge. We appreciate you!

S T U D E N T E N G AG E M E N T I M PA C T A N D PA RT I C I PAT I O N The 2018–19 ArtPower season was a banner year for student engagement.

2,093 Students attended ArtPower performances throughout the season.

800

100

UC San Diego students participated in the ArtPower-led Celebrate the Arts Day!

Up to 100 public performances and campus engagements every year.

Molly Clark accepted to the Association of Performing Arts Professional’s Leadership Fellows Program

APAP Leadership Fellows Program Cohort IV

Molly Clark, associate director of artistic planning and education, has been accepted to the prestigious Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) Leadership Fellows Program. In partnership with the Arts Leadership Program at the University of Southern California (USC), APAP developed the Leadership Fellows Program (LFP) to make a long-term impact on professionals in the field. Leadership Fellows work to create a dynamic knowledge network, enabling APAP members to exchange information and ideas across sectors, cultivating more effective leaders in the performing arts presenting industry.

20% Increase in student attendance since 2017-18

23% of our total audience are students

Molly is part of the Leadership Fellows Program’s Cohort IV, joining distinctive international leaders in the field. For her Action Leadership Project she has highlighted the San Diego-Tijuana region with a cross-border concert from Choir! Choir! Choir! as a part of the 2019–20 ArtPower Season. As an APAP Fellow, Molly will receive further training to increase ArtPower’s ability to positively impact our community through meaningful artistic engagement. Thanks to your support, her Action Leadership Project can do just that!

Please join us in congratulating Molly Clark on this exciting accomplishment!

Because of you, we can continue to subsidize a greater portion of student ticket costs, offering $9 tickets throughout the year, and $5 tickets during the first week of each quarter.

E X PA N D E D A RT P O W E R O U T R E A C H A N D PA RT N E R S H I P S C A M P U S PA R T N E R S • Black Resource Center • LGBT Resource Center • Department of Theatre and Dance • Department of Music • Department of Visual Arts •A frican and African-American Studies Research Center • Raza Resource Centro • Division of Arts and Humanities • Stuart Collection • Finesse Dance Company • UC San Diego Extension • UC San Diego Zor • The Blue Poets Society’s Passion and Purpose • Ché Café • OMOLO Company 157 • Triton Arts • KSDT Radio • Musicians Club • Muir Musical • Chinese Dance Association • The Intermission Orchestra • Symphonic Student Association • Institute of Arts and Humanities • Thurgood Marshall College • Chinese Studies • Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion • Office of Admissions

ARTPOWER STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE This was ArtPower’s first year assembling a Student Advisory Committee, which includes one student representative from the following UC San Diego colleges and departments: • Revelle College • LGBT Resource Center • Warren College • Women’s Center • Black Resource Center • Muir College • Marshall College • Roosevelt College This committee provides ongoing input to ArtPower on performing arts programs at UC San Diego and in the San Diego community.

COMMITTEE OBJECTIVES • Make recommendations to ArtPower on the delivery of various performing arts programs, activities, and policies.

• Receive, evaluate, and present feedback from the student community on issues relevant to ArtPower’s programming.

The committee influences how ArtPower markets programs to students and integrates students

C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S

more deeply into ArtPower’s performing arts

• TranscenDANCE Youth Arts Project • Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Center • La Jolla Symphony and Chorus • La Jolla Playhouse • San Diego Unified School District • Chula Vista Elementary School District

experiences. Stay tuned for committee updates throughout the season.

UC San Diego student survey assessments

ADDITIONAL FOCUS G R O U P A N E C D OTA L TA K E AWAY S

ArtPower conducted two focus groups with ten undergraduate and graduate students in spring of 2019 following their attendance of one or more performances to gain their impressions of ArtPower’s programs.

“ArtPower performances have the power to bring you out of your current state of mind.”

Students see attending ArtPower performances as a method of self-care — something they do for themselves that makes their academic experience more sustainable. Attending ArtPower performances is a nurturing activity that keeps their minds active and leaves them feeling rejuvenated and inspired.

“Whenever I go to an ArtPower event, I feel like going to UC San Diego was the best choice.”

ArtPower conducted a student survey assessments targeting all students who attended ArtPower performances throughout the year.

Nearly 70 students participated in the survey and provided powerful feedback about their experiences.

Q: How has your participation in ArtPower positively affected your experience at UC San Diego? » It leads to better, creative discussions among friends. » It made me feel more connected to and proud of UC San Diego.

“It shifts my perspectives. I often sit in performances and think ‘this is transcendent’.”

“Each ArtPower performance I have attended has blown my mind.”

“ArtPower brings current issues to the stage.”

» I felt belonging to the school. » I feel like because I am exposed to different cultures through performances, I consider myself more aware.

Q: How do you believe your experiences with ArtPower will continue to impact you once leaving UC San Diego? » I t brought awareness and understanding of African-American culture in the U.S. » I will continue to support and attend the arts. »M y exposure to many artists will continue to impact me because now I can have diverse conversations with people discussing various types of artists from all around the world. » I will remember the performances I saw and the ways in which they impacted me and opened me to new modes of expression.

“It’s something very different from my work and study, and that’s why I’m drawn to it.”

“The quality of performances is so good. I feel fine going to any performance, even if I don’t know who the artist is in advance.”

“ArtPower is something I choose to do for myself. It keeps my academic experience more sustainable.”

» My favorite and best experience of my UC San Diego career.

“I have an extra boost of creative juices after seeing an ArtPower performance.”

ARTPOWER ACCOLADES IN THE SAN DIEGO PRESS

“…one of the most diverse lineups in the history of this proudly diverse music, dance, spoken-word and multimedia performance series.”

– San Diego Union Tribune

“…cellist Matt Haimovitz and pianist/composer Vijay Iyer—both internationally acclaimed award winners—will blur, leap and smash the boundaries that often confine adventurous musicians.”

– San Diego Union Tribune

“UCSD’s ArtPower will warm the new year with African soul” – La Jolla Light

“...the willingness to ride the edge and sometimes you go over, is one of many thrills the New York company delivered in a show presented by ArtPower.”

– San Diego Story on Dorrance Dance

“In the evening-length ‘Odeon,’ the seven-member company (which includes Asherie) explodes onstage with fast feet, pirouettes, scissor arms, Latin hips, acrobatic scrambles, sharp isolations, and basket-weave arms like quotes from ‘Swan Lake.’”

– San Diego Story on Ephrat Asherie Dance

Student engagement programming highlights ArtPower’s robust student engagement program includes activities ranging from master classes, to workshops, to conversations at the International Friday Café, hosted by UC San Diego’s Division of Global Education. ArtPower also expanded the program’s breadth by taking its impact off campus to the Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Center.

Dahlak Brathwaite Workshop at Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Center The narrative of Spiritrials is an adaption of writer and performer Dahlak Brathwaite’s lived experience through the criminal justice system. Using his text as a model, 20 incarcerated youth were encouraged to reimagine their personal trauma using fictional characters and self-directed humor. The goal of the workshop was to give participants tools to deal with the shame and confusion that result from trauma through creative expression.

Habib Guitar Workshop Students learned tips and techniques from acclaimed Malian guitar virtuoso Habib Koité. Playing their guitars along with Habib, they explored the various musical styles that form the roots of African blues.

David Roussève Talk on Social Activism and Engagement through the Arts Award-winning choreographer David Roussève met with students in Thurgood Marshall College’s Dimensions of Culture Program to discuss how his artistic work has tackled issues of diversity and justice, as well as how he fosters social activism and engagement through his creations for the screen and stage.

Donors making a difference This was a special year for ArtPower, with longstanding supporters making estate gifts to establish endowments for ArtPower’s programming in perpetuity. ArtPower has meaningful and successful funding partnerships, which support programming and bring new audiences to our theatres.

Ruth Stern, creating a personal legacy at UC San Diego Philanthropy runs in Ruth’s family. Following the death of her first husband–a founding faculty member in the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences–she created an endowed chair in his name. More recently, Ruth became interested in creating a legacy on campus which reflected her own personal passions. When the opportunity to fund a student engagement program at ArtPower became available, Ruth made an annual commitment, in addition to creating an endowed fund in her estate to support the effort in perpetuity. In April of 2019, she established the Ruth Stern ArtPower Student Engagement Fund.

Ruth shared that, “My parents were, as I am, philanthropic beyond the expectations of someone of their means. My father was a rabbi, so they gave very strongly to Jewish and community causes. If I have money, I don’t want to spend it. I want to give it. I’m most passionate about doing something that’s big enough that it makes a difference, and personal enough that I can see the results. Giving to ArtPower at UC San Diego is a good example of that.”

Bobbie Gilbert, welcome to the UC San Diego Foundation Board Bobbie and Jon Gilbert have been long-time supporters of ArtPower. Since 2006 they have provided the program with critical funding for performances and student engagement activities.

We are proud to welcome Bobbie as she begins her tenure on the UC San Diego Foundation Board this year.

Daniel and Phyllis Epstein committed gifts to UC San Diego to fund a variety of causes. (Photo provided by Daniel and Phyllis Epstein)

The Epsteins, a campuswide campaign contribution to UC San Diego During the summer of 2018, Phyllis and Daniel Epstein announced their campuswide campaign gift to UC San Diego. The gift was established to impact several areas on campus, including ArtPower. Their funding for ArtPower will provide support over four years to endorse specific performances that resonate with the Epsteins.

Donor Events

11.05.18 David Roussève Salon at The Greenberg Residence On November 5, ArtPower supporters enjoyed an intimate salon and conversation with acclaimed choreographer and academic David Roussève moderated by ArtPower’s Jordan Peimer. David discussed the artistic vision and process for his most recent project, and in particular, his long relationship with both Billy Strayhorn’s music and social dance.

From left to right: Jim Allison, Renita Greenberg, David Rousseve, ArtPower’s Jordan Peimer

04.27.19 St. Lawrence String Quartet at The Agarwal Residence On April 27, Suzanne and Sanjay Agarwal hosted an intimate house concert featuring the St. Lawrence String Quartet. Guests were delighted by the moving performance from the acclaimed ensemble. Guests mentioned how significant it was to be so close to the performers during their concert — that the opportunity to see their passion up close and feel the force of their music is something most people rarely have the privilege of experiencing.

The Agarwal Family

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GENEROUS A RT P OW E R D O N O R S T H I S PA S T Y E A R

A RT P O W E R D O N O R S 2 0 1 8–19 C ATA LY S T ( $ 2 0 , 0 0 0 + )

CONTRIBUTOR ($500–$999)

Judith Bachner and Eric Lasley Bobbie and Jon Gilbert Joan and Irwin Jacobs Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation

Constance and George Beardsley Teresa and Sam Buss Janice and Nelson Byrne William J. Coltellaro and Eric A. Cohen Turea Erwin Pariya Ghayyem Nora Jaffe Phyllis and Edward Mirsky Sharon Perkowski Douglas and Eva Richman Jodyne F. Roseman Jeanette Stevens Joyce R. and Edward M. Strauss Elizabeth G. Taft Carey G. Wall Gabriele K. Wienhausen

C R E AT O R ( $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 – $ 1 9 , 9 9 9 ) Bjorn Bjerede and Josephine Kiernan Phyllis and Daniel Epstein George Clement Perkins Endowment A D V O C AT E ( $ 2 , 5 0 0 – $ 9 , 9 9 9 ) Joan J. Bernstein ArtPower Student Engagement Endowment Fund Maureen and C. Peter Brown Anne Marie Pleska and Luc Cayet Elaine Galinson and Herb Solomon Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation Renita Greenberg and Jim Allison Kimberly Godwin Hamburger Chamber Music Series Endowment Fund Jack Lampl Nancy McCaleb Marilyn and Charles Perrin Kim Signoret-Paar Ruth S. Stern ArtPower Student Engagement Fund Barbara and Sam Takahashi Molli M. Wagner GUARDIAN ($1,000–$2,499) Janice P. Alper Joyce F. Axelrod and Joseph J. Fisch Janice Steinberg and John J. Cassidy Elizabeth Clarquist Alain Cohen and Denise Warren Elizabeth and Wayne Dernetz Wita and Ed Gardiner Kimberly and Jeffrey Goldman George and Maryka Hoover Edward and Arlene Pelavin Robert and Lauren Resnik Judith and Lee Talner Zelda J. Waxenberg Patricia and Christopher Weil of The Weil Family Foundation

S PA R K ( $ 2 5 0 – $ 4 9 9) K. Andrew Achterkirchen Paulyne Becerra Mary Beebe Francine Deutsch and Carole A. Leland Jennifer and Barry Greenberg Robin B. Luby William L. Michalsky Nessa O’Shaughnessy Penelope H. and John B. West Patrice and Douglas Ziedonis YORK SOCIETY Donors who make provisions for ArtPower in their estate Joyce Axelrod and Joseph Fisch Judith Bachner and Eric Lasley Ruth S. Stern Kathryn Sturch

A R T P O W E R S TA F F D O N O R S

C O R P O R AT E S P O N S O R S

Molly Clark Carolena Deutsch-Garcia Jordan Peimer Kathryn Sturch Joanna Szu

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

P O W E R P L AY E R S PowerPlayers are an exceptional group of donors that have made a three year commitment to support ArtPower. This multi-year support is crucial to ArtPower’s continued success and growth.

Joyce Axelrod Joan Bernstein Alain Cohen Martha Dennis Phyllis Epstein Elaine Galinson Bobbie Gilbert Jeffrey Goldman Renita Greenberg Eric Lasley Kim Signoret-Paar Edith H. Sanchez Molli Wagner Zelda Waxenberg Pat Weil and Christopher Weil

A portion of funding for ArtPower is provided by the UC San Diego Student Services Fee Committee.

Donor list and PowerPlayer list reflecting gifts and pledges allocated for July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.

($5,000–$9,999) New England Foundation for the Arts UC San Diego Parent Fund UC SAN DIEGO PARENT FUND

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS ($2,500–$4,999) Consulate General of Israel Murray Galinson San Diego Israeli Initiative

Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles

At the University of California San Diego, challenging convention is our most cherished tradition.

Your donation to ArtPower also is part of the Campaign for UC San Diego — our comprehensive fundraising effort concluding in 2022. Together with our philanthropic partners, we will continue our nontraditional path toward revolutionary ideas, unexpected answers, lifesaving discoveries, and planet-changing impact.

To learn more about ArtPower, please visit artpower.ucsd.edu.

ArtPower at UC San Diego | 9500 Gilman Drive #0029 | La Jolla, CA 92093-0029 (858) 855-534-TIXS | artpower@ucsd.edu | campaign.ucsd.edu