MONROE — The town’s group for the arts is still producing events while waiting eagerly for the end of the pandemic.
The Monroe Arts Council is an umbrella organization for the Monroe Community Band, Sky Performing Arts theater group and Split Second Improv, which lately has been producing an internet podcast show.
The 50-member community band has more virtual productions coming this year, and the Sky theater group is thinking of a spring show, council group president Robert Bogue said.
It’s waiting for an all-clear from the school district for when events can return to the Wagner Performing Arts Center on Main Street, group representatives said. The district owns the building.
Social distancing can be done. “We have plenty of space in that theater” because it’s so spacious, Bogue told the Monroe school board last week.
In the downtime, on top of continuing with virtual entertainment, they’ve “made some good goals toward improving our space” at the Wagner Center, including fixing the bathroom plumbing and removing asbestos from the 1939 auditorium at 639 W. Main St.
New is an art hanging system in the lobby. An exhibition of sketches of local landmarks is planned for the future.
They’re investigating whether the Wagner Center can be designated a Snohomish County historic landmark. If it gets the designation, it can go a long way in obtaining grants.
Bill Bylund gets a lot of credit for donating his time as project manager, Bogue said.
Almost $28,000 worth of grants and funds the past two years have helped keep the group healthy, and the group saw $6,600 worth of ticket sales and donations between Sept. 1, 2019 to the end of February, the council said.
Much of a $10,000 county grant fixed the plumbing, Bogue said.
The Monroe Arts Council also gave two scholarships to Monroe High School students who have committed intent to careers in the arts, Bogue said.
To connect with the Monroe Arts Council, call 360-799-3434 for its message line or send an email to info@monroeartscouncil.org
