Idyllwild Arts Academy (IAA) held a 24-hour fundraiser over the weekend called “One World. One Idyllwild.” The virtual fundraiser brought students, faculty, staff and visitors back together after having to leave campus in March as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe.
The fundraiser was successful, raising over $250,000 from noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday.
Image courtesy of Idyllwild Arts Academy
While overall the event went smoothly, there was a small glitch when the fundraiser began.
“The site was a bit overwhelmed at first with the number of people watching, but we fixed it quickly,” said Windy Winks, vice president of marketing and communications at IAA.
The fundraiser showcased art from students, alumni and special guests from all over the world. Much of the art was in video form — music, dance, multimedia and creative writing — and speakers, current IAA students and professionals, discussed their education and careers in the art world.
Image courtesy of Idyllwild Arts Academy
According to its website, IAA reached out to its students, alumni, families and friends on six continents in 35 countries and 198 cities.
“Thank you to everyone who helped us raise over $250,000 in support of student scholarships and educational programs for our citizen artists,” said Pamela Jordan, IAA head of school. “We are grateful to you for your generosity.”
Musician and American Idol contestant Casey Abrams, artist and skateboarder Shepard Fairey, American inventor Clay Alexander, Film Producer Angelina Burnett, and musician Evan Christopher were some of the alumni who participated in the fundraiser. They spoke about how IAA impacted their lives, shared their talents and all of their successes since their time at IAA.
Special guests like musician Yve Evans, American Conductor Grant Gershon, American actress Wendie Malick, and American composer Eric Whitacre also spoke. With careers spanning the art world, they shared their experience and how they support IAA students.
“Thank you to everyone who shared their talents with us and the world,” Jordan said. “As we continue to face challenges affecting our health, way of life and civil liberties, we must not lose sight that art itself is not the sole outcome of a creative life, but rather the means to constant and necessary growth.”
Encouraging artists to continue to create art positively can impact the world. The arts have no boundaries. It’s the universal language that brings us all together.
