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Our Story & Background

  • Rise Up Community Arts, Inc. was originally founded in 2016 as Rise Up Chorus Inc in order to bring our Community together through singing. Our organization came about after a lot of soul-searching and thinking about the importance of music in our own lives. Why is music important? What is its purpose?

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    Rise Up Community Arts was created to fill a void. It was developed to serve a purpose. It was constructed with love to serve others.
     

    The arts are more than just things that we "do"; they are a deep part of who we are. The arts are personal, yet communal. They bring people together in a way that nothing else on earth can do. Yet, so many artistic experiences fall short of building community. So often, the arts are not done in a way where there is a place for everyone and all are welcome. The name "Rise Up Community Arts" came from the idea of a phoenix "rising from the ashes". We reimagined the traditional arts program and have developed an artistic experience with a focus on our Community.

    Who we are.

  • We have three main programs: Rise Up Chorus (the "OG" and our community choruses for adults and youth), Rise Up Presents (our performance series), and Phoenix Rising (our educational programming).

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    Our longest and "original" program, Rise Up Chorus, is near and dear to our hearts. The choruses rehearse on Friday evenings from September - June with two ensembles: a Youth Chorus (for students in grades 3-8) and an Adult Chorus (for adults and high school students). The thing that makes Rise Up Chorus so unique, besides the top-notch musical and ensemble experience is our social programming.

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    Here's the other thing that makes Rise Up Chorus so special, and this part excites us almost more than any other part. Rise Up Chorus is TUITION-FREE. We feel that this experience is way too important to make it only for those with "financial means". We are an organization for EVERYONE. If able, we ask our families to make a donation in any amount they can to Rise Up Community Arts to help defray our significant operational expenses. If they can pay the full cost to put themselves or their children through the program (or more), that's wonderful!  If a family can only pay a small portion (or nothing at all), that's totally fine, too. Since we are a recognized 501(c)3 organization, all donations to Rise Up Community Arts, Inc. are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

    Our programs.

  • The Rise Up Community is me; it's you; it's us together. Through our musical, artistic, and educational programs, we have developed a Community with deep and far-reaching connections -- sincere bonds that keep us coming back to each other.

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    RUCA provides mentorship programs that foster a deep sense of Community among its members and encourages artistic endeavors that meet the needs of human beings at all levels, understanding that the arts exist in all areas of our lives. Through participation in our programming, participants will:

    • Understand that we all have value

    • Understand that WE ARE the arts, not just makers of art; the art is borne of our life experience.

    • The arts are not limited to rehearsal, performance, the gallery, or the studio; they envelop our lives and become an integral part of who we are.

    • We use the arts to do good in the world.

    • We use the arts for healing.

    • We use the arts to serve others.

    • We are a place for everyone.

    • We break down barriers and do the right thing every time.

    • We embody the fact that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them.

    • We teach life skills through experiences in the arts:

      • collaboration

      • partnership

      • mentorship

      • apprenticeship

      • friendship

      • family

    • We celebrate unity through our diversity.

    Our Community.

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