Statements
Mission
OZ Arts supports the creation, development and presentation of significant performing and visual art works by leading artists whose contribution influences the advancement of their field.
Through performances, exhibitions, and community events, OZ Arts focuses on producing and presenting the work of local and visiting artists who reflect our diverse society, utilize new artistic forms and technology in creative ways, and provide opportunities for meaningful engagement with audiences, students and cultural and civic leaders.
Background
Nashville continues to be in the national spotlight, topping such lists as the best places to live and work, most creative cities, most popular tourism destinations, among others. No longer does Nashville's reputation stem from country music, instead, we are incredibly fortunate to boast a thriving arts scene with diverse performance options for eager arts audiences -- both new and tenured. Contemporary Art is making a difference in Nashville, increasing the attractiveness of our city for businesses, students, young professionals, and families.
OZ Arts entered Nashville's cultural landscape by launching our inaugural artistic program in February 2014. Since then and today, we have worked with alongside our community partners, audiences, and artists to curate contemporary works for OZ's customizable performance space that bring something new and different to Nashville, complementing the arts presented by other area venues while filling a much needed gap in the local arts landscape.
We seek to maintain and develop diverse and daring audiences who attend our performances, eager for both challenge and inspiration.
Impact
OZ Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2012 and located in West Nashville just a 15-minute drive from downtown.
The OZ Arts inaugural artistic season launched in February 2014, presenting visiting artists who are innovative leaders in contemporary performing art, as well as showcasing local artists and fostering unique collaborations.
OZ Arts has played to sold-out audiences and received local and national accolades with ongoing diverse presentation of dance, theater, and multimedia performances. Highlights from past visiting artist programs include Kid Koala, Renee Fleming, Bassem Youssef, STREB, Phantom Limb Company, Camille A. Brown & Dancers, Wayne McGregor - Random Dance, Peter Brook's Theatre des Bouffes du Nord, Philip Glass and Tim Fain, Tim Robbins' The Actors' Gang, BANDALOOP, Vijay Iyer, Laurie Anderson, the Trisha Brown Dance Company, Kyle Abraham and Abraham.In.Motion, and SITI Company.
OZ Arts also provides an essential platform for innovative local artists to present their work, develop new audiences, and collaborate with others through our season of performances. With each presentation, we invite the artist or ensemble to transform our 10,000-square-foot warehouse space into a wholly unique vision, often creating opportunity for collaboration with artists of differing disciplines. Past and current programs have created unique pairings between visual artists, choreographers, theatre directors, filmmakers, musicians, and photographers. Featured local artists have included New Dialect, Herb Williams, Tony Youngblood, Stephanie Pruitt, FALL Contemporary Aerial Dance, Abigail Washburn, Wu Fei, Southern Word, Bryce McCloud, and more. With this diverse and multi-faceted series, OZ Arts spotlights the artist, while encouraging experimentation and the creation of new works of art.
To increase the impact of the artistic program beyond the performance hall, OZ Arts education and engagement works in careful coordination with underserved audiences such as public schools, community centers and/or other nonprofit organizations to implement outreach components complementing the featured artist(s). Recognizing the dearth of arts curricula in K-12 classrooms, we seek to meet this need by providing direct interactions with living and working creators, and developing arts integrated curriculum for local middle schools We believe through participation in the arts, young people develop such life skills as teamwork, critical thinking, creative writing, problem solving, and communication.
Needs
- General Support and Individual Membership -
Individual donors who are able to contribute unrestricted charitable funding to OZ Arts mission and programming. Experiential membership benefit packages for individuals giving at levels $500+. Special $100 membership level for young professionals, artists and art advocates.
- Season Ticket Holders -
To grow art support, OZ Arts invites season ticket holders to discounted packages as an acknowledgement of their loyalty and trust of the OZ curatorial performance process. Please consider joining us!
- Sponsorship Support -
OZ Arts is reliant on corporate, public, and private foundation partners to underwrite a portion of our program and artists expenses. Sponsorships invite local and national partners and OZ Arts artists, programs and audiences to collaborate, participate and mutually benefit.
- Volunteers & Interns -
OZ Arts seeks interested and committed community volunteers and interns who are passionate about the arts. Opportunities to support the organization include but are not limited to ushering, arts administration, front desk, event set up/breakdown, etc.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Arts & Culture |
| Secondary Category: | - |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Wilson |
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Davidson |
