01 & 14 (74)Public Comment
From:
Tara S <
Sent:
Thursday, April 22, 2021 10:45 PM
To:
Public Comment
Subject:
Anaheim Ballet/Cultural Arts Center
Dear Mayor Sidhu and Council Members,
I am saddened to hear that the Anaheim Cultural Arts Center and current home of the Anaheim Ballet, who
has served our community for over 20 years, is slated to be demolished without plans for a new Cultural Arts
Center or home for the Anaheim Ballet. We need culture and arts in our community, not more apartments.
This building, and Anaheim Ballet are special to so many people in Anaheim and surrounding areas. It is here
where so many students young and old learn the art of movement, build confidence, learn discipline, and
experience the sheerjoy of dance in a positive and supportive environment. The kids that have learned to
dance here move on to be successful and productive members of our society, the life lessons that dance
teaches us carries on whether one chooses to pursue a career in dance, or another field. During this
pandemic, Anaheim Ballet has been a beacon of hope for me and countless others in our community by
offering online classes, and later, outdoor classes in the park next to the center. Students were thrilled to be
able to continue to dance during this challenging and stressful time, and those out for a walk got to stop and
enjoy watching the beautiful movement that is ballet, bringing some hope and happiness to their day as well.
I have been dancing at Anaheim Ballet for almost three years and words cannot describe how much focus,
confidence, wonder, and enrichment it brings to my life. Our young students get to experience this same
thing but twice as early as I do as an adult dancer; what a gift to our future! Having a creative outlet for the
community to gather in a positive environment and express themselves through dance is vital! We cannot
continuously take from the arts; it is not an afterthought and is so important to our society. The arts are
bursts of color and rays of hope in the drabness of everyday life, we need it now more than ever.
Please vote in support of the Cooperative Agreement with Anaheim Ballet. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Tara Steven