At the July 16 Westbury Arts General Meeting, we gathered around tables in groups of five or six to have a collaborative brainstorming session. The idea behind this collaboration was to get a clear picture of what programming our membership and our community want.

Each person was given a paper and asked to list three ideas for programming. The paper was then passed to the right and the next person either added to the ideas or let them inspire an entirely new idea. The papers keep passing to the right until everyone had their own paper again. We shared some of the best ideas with the group and below is a recap of what we came up with. Thanks to all of our members who attended and shared their ideas.

Note: Even though the request was for programming ideas, a number of people included ideas for the physical space – I am not including those here. I have also grouped similar ideas together and edited where necessary for brevity and clarity

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Programming Ideas

(in no particular order)

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Theatrical Performance

1. Original plays/musicals
2. Staged Readings
3. Bring speakers in for discussions (performers, directors)
4. Start acting and movement classes that could develop into #5
5. A resident Theater Company or Theater group
6. Improv Theater Lab to teach the art of acting
7. Visiting artists to teach different methods and approaches to acting
8. Stand-up Comedy revue or open mic comedy club
9. Magicians, Mimes, Dance
10. Revive the Asbury Players
11. Invite community theater groups to perform
12. Children’s Theater
13. Teach acting theory while producing a play
14. Do an annual musical

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Film and Film Related

1. Long Island Filmmakers Showcase, Full length or short films
2. Multi media art exhibits
3. Films that feature social themes, justice
4. Bring in speakers relevant to the subject of the film
5. Show movies, short films, foreign films
6. Host book and movie talks
7. Film Festival in collaboration with The Space
8. Partner with an existing film festival like the Hamptons to have a stop for their festival in Westbury
9. Short film & discussion (with producers or others associated with the film)
10. Trip to the North Shore Film Festival

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Workshops and Teaching related

1. Include instruction and education in the arts, all types; music, dance, art, cooking, language, with food, art, with cultural aspects interrelated
2. Classes headed by noted artists
3. Local Farmers Market with food, art and cooking workshops
4. Art classes, cooking classes
5. Vegetable garden, gardening classes
6. Workshops for kids
7. Arts Camp
8. Flower Arrangement
9. Make Arts fun for kids, low pressure
10. Saturday Jewelry Making Classes for students
11. Many different arts & crafts classes
12. Classes in the evenings
13. Forums and seminars on timely topics and provocative/controversial issues
14. Script writing class
15. Songwriting class
16. Music classes/lessons
17. Master classes
18. Monthly demonstration by different LI artists
19. Inviting artists to come and teach children
20. Coding for adults
21. Music production classes
22. Video editing classes

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Art Related

1. Rotating gallery shows of local art/artists on a regular basis with an opening reception for each one
2. Visiting artists to exhibit or lecture
3. Exhibit of art featuring winners of a contest or open call for proposal
4. Student art show
5. Member art show
6. Group painting events or parties for team building
7. Themed nights
8. Include fashion exhibits
9. “Art of the Past” create a fun way to do a historical perspective
10. Artists Convention
11. Art in the Garden
12. Art exhibit of electronic art or have a digital art show
13. Art Library
14. Free walking art tours of Westbury for out of towners
15. Art & Craft exhibit with demos of the crafts
16. Art lectures (art history, artists, etc) by local docents

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Music Related

1. Jazz club or intimate music performance
2. Folk/Rock Night
3. First Friday Folk Nights
4. Anyone can sing, create an instant chorus
5. Karaoke night
6. Singing workshop
7. Classical music session
8. Creative open mic night
9. Jam sessions
10. Jazz session
11. Improvisational workshops, vocal, instrumental, solo or group
12. Student recitals; instrumental or vocal

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Community Outreach

1. Field trips and programs at local schools
2. Adult and children’s programs, museums or theater
3. Teach elementary school children about an artist and then do a project in the style of that artist.

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Other

1. Poetry Slams
2. Poets corner, dramatic poetry readings/discussion
3. Teach elementary school children different styles of poetry
4. Lecture or presentation by local artists in any genre about their creative endeavor and how they got started to encourage others to try
5. Talent shows or competitions, “Westbury’s Got Talent”
6. Culinary art “Art on the Plate” cooking, hands on
7. Artists Brunch
8. High end market featuring the work of artists, designers with a fashion show
9. Cooking/Food Truck day
10. Story telling
11. Opportunities for seniors to engage with youth
12. Facilitated conversation forum on pertinent topics
13. Panels on new trends in music, art, dance etc.
14. An annual arts affair bringing all arts councils together for an event with Westbury Arts as the lead
15. Arts club/circle devoted to trees; saving, respecting, acknowledgement
16. Town hall type meetings
17. Meetings of local community organizations
18. Wine and cheese artists’ and writers’ forum
19. Book talks with a moderator
20. Dance programs
21. Environmental Education, wildlife rehab, mature tree conservation

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Notes:

• Include programs for the differently abled.
• Include programs focused on young adults and children
• Make efforts to reach the entire community especially those just moving in.
• Include classes in other languages – or in English but conducive to learning a new language.