Skyscapes created at Cape Ann Museum, with instructor Cathy Kelley
Cape Ann Arts Alive Mission
Our mission is to foster children’s appreciation for the unique environment, history and culture of Cape Ann, as well as a sense of belonging to the ongoing story of this magnificent region. Through the creative disciplines of music, visual arts, theater, dance, and connection with the people and places of the area, we strive to cultivate curiosity, encourage artistic expression, build confidence and a desire to enage generously with peers and community.
Who We Are
We are musicians, artists, educators, and lovers of Cape Ann. Many talented people have graced us with their time and expertise since 2016. Click here to read more about the people that make it happen.
How We Got Started
Our initial collaboration began when children’s choir directors, Mark Nelson (St. John’s Episcopal Church), Kathleen Adams (Annisquam Village Church), Patti Pike (St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Rockport), and Kristina Martin (First Congregational Church of Rockport) combined their choirs for holiday concerts at St. John’s Church for the Middle Street Walk, as well as for spring concerts at the other churches. The teamwork was fun, expanding and empowering to both directors and singers.
In 2016 Mark was approached by the North Shore Mission Hub of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, offering a 3-year stimulus grant to create a low-cost, non-denominational, educational opportunity for local children. With a congenial team already in place, they brainstormed on an experiential program that could teach choral/performance/artistic skills grounded in the magnificence of Cape Ann. ”Cape Ann Arts Alive ~ Music & More” was launched.
What We Have Accomplished
Since that time, we have exceeded the original outreach goals of the grant with four successful seasons in 2016 – 2019. After a two-year hiatus due to Covid, we were back up and running in August, 2022. We hope to continue this uniquely local enrichment program, providing meaningful, civic-minded and low-cost choral/arts experiences to all resident or visiting children of Cape Ann. Here are the themes we have explored thus far:
2016 ~ Dogtown and the Beauport Sea Serpent ~The legends of Cape Ann woodlands and sea
2017 ~ Joan of Arc and the Bells of Cape Ann ~How Anna Hyatt Huntington’s statue came to Washington St. in Gloucester
2018 ~ The Statues of Cape Ann ~The Sculptures and their Sculptors
2019 ~ A Heartbeat from the Sea ~The History of Cape Ann from 10,000 years ago until now
2022 ~ The Boats of Cape Ann ~ Seafaring vessels through the ages
2023 ~ The Gloucester 400th ~ Celebrating the many voices of Gloucester
Where We Are Going
We have seen how a chorus of children’s voices, singing songs that connect them with their surroundings and with their community can inspire. We have watched children beam at the appreciation expressed by their audiences. We envision a Cape Ann children’s chorus performing at community events throughout the year, singing songs that celebrate the richly diverse cultural and environmental essence of Cape Ann, starting with some of the programs planned with the Gloucester 400+ organization this coming fall.
Donate
We strive to keep our tuition cost low, while providing top-notch, experienced staff, published sheet music, art supplies, effective publicity, excursions, daily refreshments, and other necessities for adequate safety and comfort. Your support will help us to offer low tuition, scholarships and family discounts, as we honor our mission and commitment to Cape Ann citizens of all ages.
We are growing, too! Your support will help us build our next program—“The Cape Ann Arts Alive Singers” !
