Providing Inspiration from Home In March, amid government recommended closures and the mandated cancellation of all public events due to the coronavirus pandemic, performing arts organizations in Spartanburg were forced to cancel concerts and shows, effectively limiting our community’s access to quality, live arts. Seeing the need for continued inspiration while our friends and patrons were staying at home, the Spartanburg Philharmonic, Ballet Spartanburg, and Spartanburg Little Theatre, and later, the Spartanburg Art Museum, came together to form a new partnership – Together SpARTanburg. What followed was a digital performing arts series that engaged and entertained viewers of all ages in fun and meaningful arts experiences. Though difficult, each organization’s choice to cancel was a necessary one, driven primarily by each group’s commitment to doing their part to keep Spartanburg safe. However necessary, the results of these decisions are also felt by the artists and larger Spartanburg community. Even this fall, it is a reality that continues to linger as, “Across the world, we are seeing arts organizations and artists making impossible decisions about their concerts, work and livelihoods while prioritizing the health and wellness of our communities,” says Kathryn Boucher, Spartanburg Philharmonic Executive Director. “Together SpARTanburg aimed continued on page 50
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“The Video Introduction was the hardest part of the filming process. I thought it would be neat for the camera to pan around my studio while I was playing an improvisation on my cello. I completely underestimated the amount of time that it was going to take for the camera to move around. Every time I thought the camera was done moving, I would start to wrap up the piece, only to find out that it was not done yet. By the time the camera and I would finally meet up, I would forget my opening lines!” - Ben Smith Cello
watch Ben’s video online:
my.sphil.org/TS4
