A New Idea For Private Funding of the Arts - the Charleston, SC Jazz Alliance, Inc.

A new non-profit organization works to support the arts and bring more live jazz to Charleston, SC via a unique mechanism of public and private funding with a marketplace approach. Monty Alexander Trio in concert as the first event of the Charleston, SC Jazz Alliance.

Charleston, SC (PRWEB) November 7, 2003 --The Charleston, SC Jazz Alliance is a new type of non-profit arts organization which strives to be a model for private support of the arts and for empowering patrons to bring more music entertainment to their area.

On Thursday, November 13th, jazz pianist and Telarc recording artist Monty Alexander will perform at the Sotille Theatre in downtown Charleston, accompanied by Hassan Shakur on bass and Quentin Baxter on drums. Proceeds from the concert will be used to help fund future events.

The Jazz Alliance concept is based upon the successes of the Nature Conservancy, a unique, privately funded environmental organization. Unlike most environmental conservation groups who primarily serve as lobbyists, the Nature Conservancy empowers itself to protect endangered species and habitats by participating in the marketplace. After careful consideration by scientists and other experts within the organization, the Nature Conservancy uses pooled contributions from its members to directly purchase lands it seeks to protect, placing them in stewardship.

The Charleston, SC Jazz Alliance has been set up to support the jazz arts via a similar mechanism. The Alliance, through a selection process to be guided by its members, will choose jazz musicians and artists to support through performance grants. Members, sponsors, and the general public can then make tax-deductible contributions to the Alliance. The Alliance then commissions the selected artist to create and/or perform live in the Charleston area a particular composition relevant to the culture, history, or jazz music interests of Charleston area residents. The musician or band, based on scheduling opportunities and the needs of the Alliance, then performs the commissioned work and other materials in concert in the Charleston area so as to fulfill the obligations of grant acceptance. The performer charges no fees to the Alliance. The Alliance makes no profits on any transactions. Instead, proceeds from any ticket sales or corporate sponsorships go into an interest-bearing account used to fund future performance grants, scholarships, and workshops.

The beauty of the Alliance concept is four fold: Selected artists are supported via tax-deductible performance grants; Alliance members become direct benefactors of the arts and are empowered to bring more jazz performaners to their area; Member donations to the Alliance fund are tax-deductible; Live performances, scholarships, and other events help nurture the local jazz scene and support the growth of the art form generally.

For more information on the Monty Alexander concert and the Charleston, SC Jazz Alliance please visit http://www.charlestonjazz.com or call 843-343-1672.

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