Director's Note: Honoring Supporters and Advocates

This week, Piedmont Arts honors those who advocate for and support the arts in Martinsville-Henry County. The annual Clyde Hooker Awards’ are named after J. Clyde Hooker who demonstrated throughout his life what it meant to be a philanthropist and advocate for his community.  Clyde knew the value of such organizations as Piedmont Arts and how they raised the quality of life for those living and working in Martinsville-Henry County. We are fortunate to have the same support of such individuals as Will Gravely and corporate partners like Tacoma/Taco Bell, this year’s honorees of the 13^th Annual Clyde Hooker Awards.

Individuals and corporations in our community have many choices when deciding where to invest their philanthropic dollars. I believe those who invest in Piedmont Arts see the intrinsic value of arts and culture in our society.  Experience in the arts, including dance, drama, music and visual arts helps to create well-rounded citizens who understand the historical context of the arts and the role arts play in their everyday lives.

According to the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network, arts education plays a vital role in student development and success. “Not every child learns the same way. The arts by their very nature embody multiple learning modalities—visual, auditory and kinesthetic/tactile—helping all students learn.” The report from the Kennedy Center also points to the fact that when the arts are connected to other subjects, such as math, language arts and science, students develop a deeper understanding and learn to see the connections across disciplines.

We also know that the arts help develop life skills such as critical and creative thinking, problem solving and collaboration. “Arts experiences that develop skills of communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity are needed for students to succeed in the competitive global economy and workplace. Companies like Tacoma/Taco Bell recognize the need for arts education and support it through their support of Piedmont Arts and other arts and cultural organizations in the Martinsville-Henry County community.

John F. Kennedy once said, “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.” Will Gravely is someone who is himself an artist and comes from a family of creative individuals. He knows that we must cultivate and nourish the roots of arts and culture in our community. He has lovingly restored the Little Post Office in Martinsville and is turning it into another venue to artists to display their work. He has also been a long-time supporter of Piedmont Arts.

Without the philanthropic support of individuals and companies in our community, as well as the investment of time and talent, Piedmont Arts and other arts and cultural organizations in our community would not be able to thrive. Thank you Will Gravely and Tacoma/Taco Bell for your ongoing support of the arts!

Above image: Clyde Hooker Award winners Will Gravely (left) and Will Pannill of Tacoma/Taco Bell (right) with Piedmont Arts Executive Director Kathy Rogers.

Director's Note is a monthly blog by Piedmont Arts Executive Director Kathy Rogers, examining the impact of the arts in our community. 

Contact Kathy at kathyrogers@piedmontarts.org.