April 27 - Opening Night

April 28 - Art Night

April 29 - Dance Night

FOCUS ON THE ARTS 2009
HISTORY & MISSION STATEMENT

In 1964, Highland Park High School developed the concept of a unique arts outreach program that would expose students and the community to the world of visual and performing arts.  The mission of FOCUS has always been to increase appreciation and understanding of the arts and of the professionals engaged in them. Highland Park is a community rich in tradition, ethnic diversity and heritage.  FOCUS seeks to address and represent Highland Park’s multicultural and multigenerational community by educationally presenting art forms that engage people of widely diverse backgrounds. FOCUS has been the impetus for careers and the inspiration for a lifelong interest in the arts for many people. It is our goal to continue this tradition of creating the artists and art audiences of the future.

During the 22nd biennial FOCUS ’09 (April 27-30) … A Journey of Discovery, we will once again explore the many facets of art; not as distant, esoteric disciplines, but as the day-to-day creativity of truly gifted, diverse people. FOCUS will educate & communicate the universal arts language to HPHS students, as well as surrounding communities including Highland Park, Highwood, Fort Sheridan and the entire (underserved) Chicago Metropolitan area.  Participating students will experience many forms of art themselves, thus expanding and enriching their lives forever. 

Volunteers (including PTO members, HPHS staff & faculty, students, and community members) work together to coordinate more than 200 artists to present workshops and performances in their areas of expertise, over the period of three days and three evenings, all free of charge and open to the public.  Spanning three evenings, our special events include: 1) an Opening Night celebration performance (Music); 2) Art Night, which transforms the high school into a living art institute, where people interact with visual artists who exhibit and demonstrate their work, providing a “hands on” experience for their audience; 3) Dance Night featuring an array of professional dance troupes in our auditorium, exploring different cultures and dance forms.  All of our evening events reach an excess of one thousand people per night, and feature professional performers.  Daytime events include master classes, hands-on workshops, demonstrations, lectures and performances including the entire spectrum of the arts with an emphasis placed on participation by all in attendance.

The FOCUS budget has developed through contributions from Highland Park High School and its PTO, private individuals, civic agencies and organizations, local businesses and private corporations.

FOCUS culls a nucleus of talented and skilled leaders from the community, faculty and students. This group gives thousands of volunteer hours to launch a consistently well-conceived, well-regarded program. In past years, FOCUS has been the impetus for careers and the inspiration for lifelong interests in the arts.