2014-353 Arts - SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals for Spring 2014 Arts Grant Agreement $1,500

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SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals Grant Application May 23. 2014 Orange County Arts Commission Application Narrative Page 2 Current Programs and Services As mentioned above, the primary program at SECU Family House encompasses our operations: Everything that we do is focused on how we can provide a positive, safe, comforting and comfortable experience for the families staying with us. From utilities to sheets and laundry to housekeeping and maintenance, all of the costs that you associate with your own home are costs that we face herE�. on a larger scale. Our fundraising efforts are geared toward ensuring that families can pay what they can afford, whether$5 nightly or $50. The bulk of our funding requests—grant or otherwise—seek unrestricted funding that helps us meet urgent needs as they arise, while also meeting the costs to operate the house (e.g., utilities). The Music & Arts Program is the only program for which we seek restricted, dedicated funding. 'Mile some performers are happy to donate their services, as we outline in the following section, mane need—and all appreciate—the small stipend we are able to provide to them. Proposed Uses of Grant Funds Our Music & Arts Program is now in its fifth year, and it continues to thrive. Historically, the program has been run by a dedicated volunteer, who actively recruits artists and performers to the HOUSE:' While we lost his services for some time last year when he moved away, he has returned this year and has our program running stronger than ever. Guests at Family House are served dinner most weeknights at 6 p.m. in our kitchen, and so it's a natural progression into our Great Room to listen to evening entertainers. Acts are asked to be SUI up to start at 7:00 p.m., and to perform for about an hour. We have a piano on site and two music stands, but otherwise acts bring their own equipment as needed. As we shared in our last application, the vast majority of our artists are local—from Orange County or surrounding environs. They represent a diverse range of genres jazz, folk, pop, a capella, guilar, ensembles, soloists, quartets and even a magician and tap dancing troupe. Recently, we have had some high school students requesting to perform as an opportunity to practice live performance. The audience can range from just a couple of guests to a room filled with 20 or more guests—family members, patients and caregivers staying at the House. Our guests, who comprise the audience for this program, are largely from North Carolina and cane from across the state and beyond. While they represent a diverse range of ages, illnesses, inccrnes. races and more (we do not track most demographic information of our guests), they all share in common that they are facing the illness of a loved one. During this stressful time, a song or act can provide relief or release, helping people to escape or confront complex emotions. Of the families who rated the Music & Arts Program in the guest survey we distribute to all guests upon checkout, 87%who had taken advantage of the program rated it "Great," and 97% rated i-: "Great" or "Good."