from the UDJ: Shade sails project completed at SPACE in Ukiah

Trite but true, it still takes a village.

While grappling with its survival as a small-town, performing arts organization during a global pandemic that, according to Americans for the Arts, has brought a total loss of $1.75 billion to the almost-20,000 art and cultural organizations throughout the United States, the School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education continues to strive and thrive in bringing dance, music and drama to children in our community.

Their most recent innovation, outside shade sails, were installed two weeks ago with the help of a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Mendocino County providing the funding to support SPACE in continuing its operations throughout the pandemic by allowing students to have classes outdoors in the spring and summer.

“Our COVID-19 grants are to help non-profits operate and make sure they still exist when it’s over; what we’re seeing is that the pandemic is forcing businesses to become innovative,” says Rose Bell, project manager for the Community Foundation.