From an international jazz festival, to a staging of John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men,” to a young people’s music competition—arts programs in the Temecula Valley were given a boost with $40,000 in grants to seven organizations. The grants are part of a two-year statewide initiative funded by The James Irvine Foundation to strengthen and promote the arts—theater, dance, music, and visual arts such as painting and sculpture—and make them accessible to everyone.

Musicians Workshop. Their primary purpose is to expose children and adults to music; to encourage people of all ages to perform, and to provide them with the opportunity to perform. They currently offer 15 after-school and performance programs, including the popular Temecula Valley International Jazz Festival. Several of the program participants have gone on to perform with professional music organizations and appeared on national television. The $7,500 grant will help fund the upcoming Jazz Festival.

Murrieta Repertory Theatre. The MRT provides professional quality theatre training to the Inland Valley region. They have brought Shakespeare and other literary classics to local community elementary, middle, and high schools, and have won 10 Inland Theatre League awards for Excellence in the Performance Arts. The $5,000 grant will help fund their production of “Of Mice and Men,” part of their American Classics series of productions of plays based on American literary classics.

Golden Valley Music Society. The Music Society’s purpose is to promote a wider appreciation of orchestral and chamber music through public concerts, festivals, and performances at community schools. They have formed the California Consort Chamber Orchestra, which presents concerts throughout the region. The $5,000 grant will help fund their “Advancing the Arts Through Awareness and Audience Building Program,” a campaign to build audiences of all ages throughout the area to promote awareness and enjoyment of chamber orchestra music.

Broadway High Children’s Theatre Arts Academy. The Academy’s mission is to provide a world-class theatre arts experience for children of all walks of life—from age four to teenagers and young adults. They have presented two major musical productions every year since 2002, winning numerous awards from the Inland Theatre League. The $7,500 grant will help fund their community outreach program. The goal of this project is to serve the disenfranchised and underprivileged residents of the Temecula Valley.

Dorland Mountain Arts Colony. The Dorland Mountain Arts Colony is Southern California’s only residential artists’ colony. Situated on 300 acres in the mountains east of Temecula, the center has supported the development and work of artists in a retreat setting. In 2004 all ten structures on the site were destroyed by wildfires. Rebuilding is underway and the Colony plans to offer a series of workshops and other activities. The $5,000 grant will help fund a brochure to let the public know of the rebuilding work and the new activities being offered.

Inland Valley Symphony. The Symphony brings together musicians, including both professionals and students, from across the Inland Valley for “the joy of making music together.” Over the last six years since their incorporation they have presented a series of three to five musical programs each season, often featuring world-class guest artists. The $5,000 grant will help fund the 2007 Young Artist Competition and Young Person’s Contest, open to musicians age 18 and under in the Temecula Valley. The winners will get the opportunity to perform a solo work with the Inland Valley Symphony as well as a cash prize.

Temecula Valley Art League. The purpose of the Art League is to provide instruction, developmental support of artistic skills for the beginning as well as the professional artist. They have sponsored numerous art shows and other community events that showcase and promote local artists. The $5,000 grant will help fund an informational brochure to promote awareness of and participation in their programs.