platform art information

8/6/2019 Platform Art Information

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Our Mission:Platform Art, Inc. is a 501c (3) not-for-protorganization committed to cultivating an understandingand appreciation of art in its many forms throughproduction of multiple art events yearly. Platform eventsshowcase regional and emerging talent in the elds ofvisual arts, lm, fashion, sound and performance whileexposing and growing a wider audience for all culturalarts organizations.

Our History:Platform Art, Inc. was created in 2003 to ll a void

in community-based cultural arts projects for adultpopulations, specically those with a multi-disciplinaryfocus. A comprehensive planning process withcommunity stakeholders was used to develop theconcept for the Platform Art organization.

Platform Art cultivates an understanding andappreciation of art in its many forms. Platform Artshowcases regional and emerging talent in the eldsof visual arts, lm, fashion, sound and performance,while expanding audiences for all culturalorganizations in Polk County and beyond.

Platform Art held two inaugural events in 2003 gearedtoward young adult and adult audiences. The conceptwas enormously successful, with over 40 artists, 500attendees and two partnering cultural organizationsparticipating in the rst years events. The events continueto grow in popularity and attendance each year, with over1,500 participants in 2010. It is now one of the most wellattended cultural art events in Polk County, with over 600people participating in each Platform Art event.

Further input from community leaders, local artists,local cultural organizations and school district personnelidentied a need for more quality arts programmingto supplement current school arts curriculum. Fromthis emerged Platform Arts annual Platform.5 Youth& Art program geared to students in grades 1-12and their teachers. The rst event, held in 2008, wasenthusiastically embraced by school district personnel,teachers, students, family members, community partnersand corporate sponsors. It continues to grow in popularityand participation annually.


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Who We Serve:The beauty of the Platform Art concept is its ability toattract multigenerational audiences. The events appealto a broad spectrum from young adults through seniorcitizens. The racial and ethnic make-up of our participantsclosely mirrors the make-up of the Polk County communitywhich is currently made up of 25% ethnic and racial

minorities. 35% of the population is currently between theages of 18 and 49 and 31% are 50 and older.

Platform has established a special niche in Polk Countythat allows us to capture both young, as well as olderadults. In fact, parents and grandparents often attend theevents with their young adult children or parents.

Polk Countys average household income is lowerthan the average for the state. Therefore, offeringevents that are affordable is essential to thiscommunity and Platform Art does just that.

The Platform.5 event provides a mechanism forus to reach children in the K-12 range througha program that has many of Platforms uniquequalities, while remaining age appropriate. PolkCounty grew by a rate of 23.34% over the past tenyears, signicantly higher than the state averageof 18.13%. Therefore, the potential for continuedaudience growth is tremendous.

What Makes Platform Art Unique: Each Platform Art event is held in a different location.

Events have has been held in warehouses, emptyofce buildings, the local airport, a baseball stadium,community colleges, a local historic museum and atchurch facilities. These diverse locations allow us toreach all segments of the community and continue todevelop new audiences.

Platform Art is a taste of all the arts in one evening,a great value for a modest charge that featureseverything from visual arts to dance to fashion.

Platform Art is unpretentious and offers an opportunityto experience art in its most organic form.

Each themed event is dynamic and edgy.

Platform Art collaborates with cultural organizations,local government agencies and regional businessesto produce unique events that help promote all of ourcultural venues and businesses.

Platform Art attracts a multi-generational audience,from young students to senior citizens.


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Platform.5 Youth Program & Event:There are currently over 160 school sites and centersand over 90,000 students in the Polk County PublicSchool System and numerous others in private andalternative schools.

The Platform.5 Program serves students, teachers, andfamilies from throughout our diverse geographic region.

In FY 2010, 30 schools participated, including severalwith the majority of low-income students on free orreduced lunches.

Our partners also include schools specically designedas alternative schools for at-risk students in jeoporady ofdropping out of school. Over 500 students attended theevent and over 1,000 were impacted by the program andparticipated in producing artwork in their classrooms.

Teachers select works to show at the juried showand in some schools, multiple students producea collaborative piece, such as a large mural. ThePlatform.5 projects underlying philosophy is oneof inclusion.

While at-risk students are a major focus of theprogram, it is by no means limited to just at-riskstudents. All students are welcome to participateand learn from each other, regardless of race,

economic circumstance or academic achievement.

National studies have proven that arts instruction andengagement in the arts by students, improves academicperformance, leadership skills, self-esteem, and a desireto achieve. Platform.5 provides just such an experience.

The program has been embraced by students, teachers,

community leaders and local businesses. It is seen asa valuable supplement to existing Polk County SchoolDistrict and private school arts curriculum.

Platform.5 Youth Program & Event provides qualitylearning experiences, engages students, teachers andfamilies and improves the overall academic success ofour countys students and directly furthers the goals ofthe Florida Department of Educations Sunshine StateStandards in the areas of visual arts, dance and music.


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Why Support Platform Art:Platform Art contributes to the cultural and economic vibrancyof Polk County by lling a unique niche that no other culturalorganization alone can. We partner with other cultural entitiesin the community to benet all of our respective organizations.

Philanthropic funding is essential to sustaining and expandingthe Platform program to meet community needs.

Our annual expenses to underwrite Platform Art are $111,000.While earned income, generated through a small eventadmission fee and through ancillary sales of food, beverageand artworks, provides a modest income for the program,more is needed. A philanthropic investment, no matter howsmall or large will help us to achieve our mission.

Where Your Funds Will Go:

Fees for commissioning artists and performers for Platform Art events

Support for artist-in-residence who work with students in the classroom for the Platform.5 Program

Curatorial staff to coordinate juried Platform Art and Platform.5 shows

Higher Education Scholarships for winning students at the Platform.5 juried show

Underwriting and sponsorship of Platform.5 Youth program and event

Underwriting of rental fees and contract labor for event venues

Program marketing and promotional costs

Materials and supplies for classroom art projects for the Platform.5 Youth Program and Event

Underwriting of nancial awards to winning students and schools for the Platform.5 Program

Project Coordinator for Platform Art Events and Youth Coordinator for Platform.5 Program

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