Laguna Arts Organizations Featured on <a href=”http://SparkOC.com”>SparkOC.com</a>

SparkOC.Com Ignites Orange County Arts Scene, Features Laguna Beach Arts Organizations

It takes just one spark to ignite the creativity that can change peoples’ lives. Experiencing the arts can provide just that kind of spark. That’s the idea behind SparkOC.com (www.sparkoc.com), the new online source for everything creative in Orange County. A joint project between Arts OC and the Orange County Community Foundation, SparkOC.com makes its online debut November 11 replete with all the information residents and visitors need to experience and participate in arts and cultural events throughout the county.

“The goal of Spark OC.com is to inspire a groundswell of creativity and imagination throughout Orange County by increasing involvement with the arts,” said Richard Stein, executive director of Arts Orange County. “SparkOC.com allows everyone to be in the know about the Orange County arts scene.”

Laguna Beach arts organizations including Art-a-Fair, Festival of Arts, Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Playhouse, Sawdust Festival, and Laguna College of Art & Design are featured on the site with event information and ticket offerings.

This new online resource is expected to become the “go-to source” for all performance and exhibition information for theatre, dance, music and visual arts offered by more than 140 participating arts organizations and venues in Orange County. Additional sections focus on kids and family events; classes and workshops; poetry and literature; festival’, “unique OC” (including History & Heritage and Science & Nature; as well as free public events in all categories. The site also includes listings of special events and fund raising galas offered by participating organizations.

One of the highlights of the new site is the opportunity to subscribe to a special free weekly e-newsletter, Spark-e!, that points subscribers to half-price ticket offers for selected events in an exclusive discount ticket marketplace, called SparkTIX.

Encouraging Participation in the Arts

A landmark 2006 “Cultural Indicators” study commissioned by Arts Orange County and OCCF found that 92% of residents agree on the importance of a vibrant cultural sector in Orange County, and that 63% of residents attended a live performance during the prior 12 months.

The 2006 study also showed that 98% of residents agree arts are critical for the education and development of children.

The site will be of particular interest to parents who want to provide their children with family and kid-friendly arts and cultural activities.

Other sponsors of SparkOC.com (www.sparkoc.com) include the James Irvine Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Pacific Life Foundation, The Boeing Company and Fluor Corporation.

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