Creativity and Festival of the Arts

Nationally, children today are not engaging their minds with creative activities according to Search Institute research. Huntsville is unfortunately in line with this trend. According to the Search Institute survey of Huntsville, only 19% of Huntsville children and youth have the developmental asset “Creative Activities”.  This is the second lowest percent among the 40 Developmental Assets for building a healthy community for Huntsville kids. Participating in creative activities can help increase test scores according to “What Teens Need to Succeed”.

Saturday, October 30 from 10-4, the Huntsville’s Promise Arts Committee is sponsoring the second Huntsville Festival of the Arts. The Festival is an opportunity to highlight many of the talented artists and art organizations in Huntsville and share the arts with youth. The Committee hopes that youth will then decide to take part in creative activities throughout the year either by joining one of the groups at the Festival, or just by gaining an increased appreciation for creative activities.

The Festival of the Arts will include a full day of performances at the Town Theater, featuring local groups ranging from youth groups to SHSU groups to performances from adults in our community. There will also be a Hip-Hop Summit beginning at 3:00. The Festival also has Church choir and Gospel performances scheduled all day in First United Methodist Church, and off and on in the Gazebo on the Square. In addition to performances, there will be arts and crafts for the kids and vendors throughout the day as well as a chance to help design and create an Enchanted Forest, which will come alive for Scare on the Square that evening. At 7:00 p.m., Melvin Mason and Jan Cole will present a documentary about Martha Mitchell to be followed by an ice-cream social.

The Arts Committee hopes that everyone will come to the Festival to support the youth of the community in their performances. They always appreciate performing to enthusiastic audiences. We also hope that families will bring their children to participate in the arts and to watch talented local performers. As an incentive for groups and organizations to publicize this event to their members, First National Bank of Huntsville has generously donated two $100 prizes. One prize will go to the organization, group, or club which brings the most people to the event. Sign up sheets will be located around the Festival, and we ask that people sign their name and the organization they are representing. A drawing will be held for the other prize, with the funds going to the organization, club, or group of the winner’s choice.

The Festival is a one day event to highlight creative activities for young people, but there are many groups which strengthen creative activities for Huntsville young people throughout the year. Groups such as the Huntsville Youth Orchestra, Huntsville Children’s Choir, Voices of Inspiration, Ballet Folklorico and church specific groups such as the Greater Zion Drill Team allow young people quality outlets to work on creative activities. Other local entities such as the Town Theater, and local historical sites allow kids in Huntsville a chance to see performances and witness history on a continual basis in Huntsville. There are many opportunities for young people to take part in creative activities in Huntsville. It just takes our commitment to help them become aware and involved.

10.24.04