November 7, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourarvadanews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 9, Issue 24
Going solo: Arvada Center eyes becoming separate entity By Crystal Anderson
canderson@ourcoloradonews.com
Pianists Olga Kern and her son, Vladislav, receive a standing ovation at a benefit at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Arvada. Photos by Crystal Anderson
A gifted performance Virtuoso Olga Kern performs benefit concert By Crystal Anderson
canderson@ourcoloradonews.com
M
usic is passion. With the help of nonprofits, such as the Aspiration Foundation, young musicians are being inspired to pursue their ambitions. World renowned Russian pianist Olga Kern and her son, Vladislav Kern, played an intimate benefit concert Nov. 1 in the sanctuary at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 7555 Vance Drive. Kern performed the benefit as a fundraiser for her organization, the Aspiration Foundation, and choose to perform at Trinity becuse of a connection with a friend and a connection with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. “She has a strong hurt for kids and education,” organizer Robin Olschner said. “It’s lovely to serve in that capacity and to give someone, like Miss Kern, a place to serve in ways that fit her.” Formed in 2011 by Kern and her brother, conductor Vladimir Kern, the Aspiration Foundation assists children and musicians by offering master classes, concerts, tours, exhibitions and by helping them participate in Russian and international competitions. Along with these offerings, the foundation provides financial assistance to those artists who may, for a variety of reasons, not be able to afford to pursue their craft. “I know how important it is to help students, and they want to get better and better,” said Olga Kern, “It’s a very big inspiration when someone believes in you.” The benefit, which lasted about 90 minutes, featured selections by composers Sergei Rachmaninoff, Franz Liszt, Carl Czerny and Heitor Villa-Lobos. In between pieces, Kern recounted fond stories about accomplishments in her life and career that related to each piece. She and son, Vlad, performed a number of selections with energy and passion. “I don’t know what connects me,” Kern said, “I always connect with the composer, and this energy comes to me in that moment; the music always keeps me going.” After the benefit, Olga and Vlad spent more than an hour greeting and conversing with about 100 fans, students, and friends. All of the evening’s proceeds will go toward helping musicians and the Aspiration Foundation. Kern, began playing the piano when she was 5. Now, 38,
Olga Kern happily converses with guests throughout the meet and greet portion of the benefit. Here, she laughs while autographing a CD for Centennial resident Karl Stecher. Kern has won eleven international competitions — such as the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition — and concertized all over the world. “So many people in this world that need help, and we try to help them; I love to do this and I will always do this,” Kern said. For more information or to donate to the Aspiration Foundation, visit www.kernfoundation.ru.
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities may eventually become a separate entity after 37 years as a department of the city. The center held a public meeting Oct. 30 to discuss the findings and recommendations of the center’s ad hoc task force. The meeting, held in the Arvada Historical Museum, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., detailed the recommendations from two studies by the Kellogg Organization and the center’s task force. Through these studies, the task force ultimately recommended the Arvada Center transition to a nonprofit organization rather than continue to be a department of the city. “The new structure will allow the city to focus on core services and programs while keeping the Arvada Center for community and regional use,” said Philip Sneed, executive director of the Arvada Center. According to the presentation, this change will allow the city to stabilize its annual $4 million contribution, and allow the Arvada Center to have more control over the activities and programs offered at the center. This proposal, while not yet approved, is projected to take three to five years to complete. Along with this change, the task force recommended the installment of a new board consisting of non-elected, influential community members; the transition of current and future Arvada Center employees to the nonprofit; the relocation of the Arvada Department of Hospitality to a location outside of the Arvada Center; and an operating and lease agreement be established between the City of Arvada and the Arvada Center nonprofit. Around 50 community members attended the meeting, including former Arvada Center executive director, Gene Sobczak, Arvada City Council members Shelley Cook, Mark McGoff, and City Council candidate John Marriott as well as other city staff, Arts Council members and Arvada residents. Overall, the residents at the meeting expressed support of the changes and excitement for the future. “I think this is a phenomenal plan, and hope it moves forward as quickly as possible,” said former member of the Arvada Center Board of Directors Alethea Smock. The recommendations will be presented to the city council at the Nov. 25 workshop. To best address these changes, the Arvada Center encourages residents to send in any comments, questions or concerns they have. “We urge people to continue the conversation, that’s why we are having these conversations, we want to know what matters,” Sneed said. For more information or to submit a comment, call 720-898-7200 or email info@arvadacenter.org.
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