Explanation
The Harmony Project is a non-profit organization committed to diversity, philanthropy, community service, the environment, and the celebration of the human spirit through the performing arts. In 2008 and 2009, the organization was selected by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities as one of the best arts-based non-profits in the nation.
The Harmony Project shares its name and purpose with its 135-plus member choir which blends diversity, philanthropy and music. The choir is open to anyone, and has attracted diverse participants from throughout central Ohio. Through two performance seasons, The Harmony Project has been successful in meeting its mission and has made exceptional contributions to the Columbus community through hands-on volunteerism, and through charitable fundraising. Among these contributions, The Harmony Project, through performances and fundraising efforts, raised $47,000.00 - including $17,000.00 to cover staff and supplies for an academic enrichment and fitness program at Champion Middle School, and painted and landscaped Blackburn Recreation Center. The Harmony Project also raised $15,000.00 to purchase a grand piano for the Lincoln Theatre, $10,000.00 to buy trees for the City of Columbus Department of Recreation & Parks, $40,000.00 for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, and collected thousands of toys for the Salvation Army's Toys for Tots program.
The Harmony Project has launched a new initiative - Project Hope - designed to build bridges between underserved children in Columbus who lack music resources in their schools and communities with children who are the beneficiaries of schools and community-funded arts programs for the purposes of interaction, education, and personal growth. Targeted areas for Project Hope are Southside Settlement House, Central Neighborhood Community House, Neighborhood House and Gladden Community House. The program will promote positive child development through weekly music lessons, conversation, and art and service projects, culminating in a live concert performance.
To this point, The Harmony Project has been funded through the financial support of generous corporate sponsors, including Limited Brands, Wal-Mart, and The Dispatch Printing Company. Additionally, ticket sales for performances, and the individual fundraising efforts of choir members, comprise a significant portion of the total dollars raised by the organization. The Harmony Project is seeking financial support from the City of Columbus to assist in leveraging additional financial contributions from the private sector. The total operating budget sought is $75,000.00 which would fund staff and programming costs. The Harmony Project has requested $25,000.00 from the City of Columbus to match commitments being sought from private sources. Expenditures will be detailed in an audited, annual report.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk and the Recreation and Parks Director to enter into contract with The Harmony Project for the purpose of targeting at-risk youth by providing positive youth development through year-round music lessons and to authorize the Department of Recreation and Parks to monitor the contract; and to authorize the expenditure of $25,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The Harmony Project is a non-profit organization committed to diversity, philanthropy, community service, the environment, and the celebration of the human spirit through the performing arts. In 2008 and 2009, the organization was selected by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities as one of the best arts-based non-profits in the nation; and
WHEREAS, The Harmony Project shares its name and purpose with its 135-plus member choir which blends diversity, philanthropy and music. The choir is open to anyone, and has attracted diverse participants from throughout central Ohio. Through two performance seasons, The Harmony Project has been successful in meeting its mission and has made exceptional contributions to the Columbus community through hands-on volunteerism, and through charitable fundraising; and
WHEREAS, The Harmony Project will enter into contract with the City Clerk in the amount of $25,000.00; and
WHEREAS, City Council amended the 2010 budget to further emphasize the importance of targeting at risk youth for the purpose of promoting the healthy growth and development of children through the study, practice and performance of music, to build healthier communities by investing in the positive development of children through music, and to develop children as musical ambassadors of peace, hope and understanding amongst people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and beliefs; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to enter into said contract so funding is in place for said expenditures and programming can continue uninterrupted; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to contract with The Harmony Project to target at-risk youth by promoting positive youth development through on-going year-round music lessons and youth orchestra participation.
SECTION 2. For the purpose of paying the costs thereof, the sum of $25,000.00 is hereby authorized to be expended from City Council Department No. 20-01, the General Fund, 010-100, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 200105.
SECTION 3. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
SECTION 4. That for the reason stated in the preamble here to, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.