01 & 14 (38)Public Comment
From:
Samantha Harper <
Sent:
Wednesday, April 21, 2021 5:09 PM
To:
Public Comment
Subject:
Anaheim Ballet
Dear Mayor Sidhu and Council Members,
I have been a fan of the Anaheim Ballet for many years. Although I live across the country, I have seen their great work through
their pioneering YouTube accounts and podcasts. Their material inspired me a young dancer and so many others. Affordable
housing is an admirable goal, but I struggle to believe you are supporting anyone if you can only provide by taking away a
cultural support system. This isn't support for low-income citizens, it's an attack on them. Do you not think the people living in
this new housing deserve free access to the arts?
The arts are an important part of any community, and for more than 20 years, Anaheim Ballet has been a valued arts force and
presence in Anaheim. Anaheim Ballet provides free community-based after-school programming, workforce and recreational
training, bus -in presentations, lecture/demonstrations and concert performances and has been recognized both locally and
internationally as a point of pride to the City.
The Anaheim Cultural Arts Center (the current home of the Anaheim Ballet) is slated to be demolished without plans for a new
Cultural Arts Center or home for the Anaheim Ballet. If the City demolishes this architecturally unique building, you will be
removing the only Cultural Arts Center in the City and displacing the City's treasured arts organization. It is best for the
community, and especially for our underserved youth, that Anaheim Ballet remains in its current accessible location!
Please vote in support of the Cooperative Agreement with Anaheim Ballet. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Samantha Harper