The annual Arts Fund campaign has officially kicked off.

Returning Arts Fund co-chairs Rich and Barb Crumley announced this week that early solicitation has raised $40,365 towards their goal of $212,500. “With this trend, we are very optimistic of reaching our goal,” they said.

This year’s funded non-profit agencies include Creative Arts Productions, Performing Arts Association, RiverSong, St. Joseph Community Chorus, Saint Joseph Symphony and the Allied Arts Council.

The arts in our community are very important to the Crumleys. “We appreciate what St. Joseph offers in the way of arts and we want it to continue. We just want to have fun along the journey, enjoy every step, and help our community,” said Barb.

The arts in St. Joseph are a $10.9 million industry– one that attracts audiences, spurs business development, supports jobs and generates government revenue. Over 138,000 adults and 25,000 children attend Arts Fund sponsored events, which provide over 33,870 hours of volunteer services for 2,700 volunteers. Agencies rely on Arts Fund money for roughly 25% of the dollars necessary to provide top quality arts programming in the St. Joseph area.

“Everyone we contacted said yes to being a part of this campaign. “Our current cabinet is awesome and all new members are enthused to help reach our goal of $212,500,” according to the Crumleys.

This year’s cabinet includes: Lisa Sprague, Shanda Parrish, James Fisher, Larry Stobbs, Denise Meyer, Jon Rhoad, Ron Auxier, Dr. Gordon Mapley, Darren Verbick, Laura Donaldson, and Dr. Scott Wade.

To contribute to the Arts Fund or for additional information, please visit www.stjoearts.org, call the Allied Arts Council office at 816-233-0231, or visit the office at 118 South Eighth Street in St. Joseph.

(News Release)