Painting on a canvas, strumming a guitar, or writing poems in a journal — “there are just so many different ways to find joy through the arts,” says Sheree Boegner, executive director of The Arts Council of Brazos Valley. The nonprofit organization works to create an environment where the arts are accessible to everyone in the Brazos Valley, all 350,000 residents in seven counties. Since its start in 1970, the Arts Council has contributed over $4 million in support of art organizations in the Brazos Valley.
The board of directors is focused on creating a community that is arts and culture friendly. The nonprofit does this through programs such as the Artists in Residency program, which houses creatives from around the nation, giving them the opportunity to focus on their craft. Another program, Arts Reaching Teens for Life, is a youth program in which artists mentor juveniles in detention and probation, providing them with an outlet for creativity. “The work that we do with Art for Life helps them with personal growth,” says Boegner. “They do that all through learning about how art works and how to make better decisions.”
Through an application process, nonprofit arts, culture, and heritage organizations can become affiliates of the Arts Council and receive support for their organization that can come in the form of professional support, a meeting space, advertising, or funding. Some of these affiliates are the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, Brazos Writers, George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Navasota Theater Alliance, and Brenham Fine Arts League. “Most people don’t know how much the arts help contribute to our economy and how many people come to our town to visit all of our museums and things that we have going on,” Boegner says, “There’s just so much that the arts do for our community — it’s just an amazing thing — from our economy to healing kids.”
The Arts Council of Brazos Valley helps support its general programs, children’s programs, and affiliates in many ways, including hosting fundraising events. One of these events is Boots and BBQ. The annual benefit combines live country music with barbecue and a silent auction, works by local artists, and more. “The arts are so diverse, so we wanted it to be a relaxing, fun way to get to know the Arts Council and all that we do for our community, especially for those who don’t know much about us,” Boegner says.
Due to COVID-19, Boots & BBQ has been delayed until next January 2022.
Another annual fundraiser sponsored by the Arts Council is Empty Bowls Jr., an event that raises money for the arts council children’s programs as well as school pantries while bringing awareness of food insecurity to Brazos Valley. Children from Brazos Valley schools create colorful pottery bowls for the event. “It's just a really unique way to support our community through art,” Boegner says. The soup is donated by restaurant owners “with huge, huge hearts,” she says. Empty Bowls Jr. is held outside at Allen Honda in College Station, following social distancing guidelines.
Apart from fundraisers, local donors also show support for the Arts Council year-round. This allows the council to award $2,000 to $5,000 scholarships to Brazos Valley artists who plan to pursue a college education and, eventually, a career in the arts.
“I think people, especially now, need to feel joy and happiness, and the arts can supply that for them,” Boegner says.
For more information, visit acbv.org.
