Friends of Olympia Station

Friends of Olympia Station, better known as Tandy Beal and Company, presents multicultural performances of dance, music, circus arts, and theater. The Santa Cruz organization reaches audiences of all ages, but the majority are K-12 students in school settings. School-based programs serving over 15,000 students each year include performing artist residencies and performances, as well as workshops in empathy and kindness. The organization trains teaching artists and classroom teachers to integrate arts-based learning into classroom curricula, in alignment with the State of California’s education standards. Friends of Olympia Station also presents the work of its founder, Tandy Beal, a choreographer and dancer. This grant supports the Performing Arts Program’s Communities strategy.

Friends of Olympia Station (doing business as Tandy Beal and Company) is a multifaceted arts organization committed to providing high-quality multicultural arts programming to the Santa Cruz and Monterey regions. For more than forty years, this celebrated dance company has developed a unique voice for itself that integrates theater, music, and circus arts to generate imaginative and thought-provoking new works. Reaching more than 10,000 students annually, ArtSmart is the organization’s layered and responsive arts education program focused on reaching underserved students. Based in Santa Cruz, Tandy Beal and Company is a respected local community partner and cultural anchor, offering a range of services and support, including artist mentorships and a seasonal family performing arts concert series. If approved, the grant will be used to strengthen the organization’s operational and fundraising capacity.

Since 1974, Friends of Olympia Station (doing business as Tandy Beal and Company) has developed a unique performance style that integrates theater, music, and circus arts to generate imaginative and thought-provoking new works. Each year more than 10,000 people experience the company’s multicultural arts programming, which includes a family concert series showcasing a variety of Santa Cruz and Monterey county artists. Its ArtSmart program annually reaches students in more than 30 schools, and trains artists and classroom teachers to integrate arts-based learning into the school day. Renewed funding will enable the organization to expand its arts education offerings to meet increasing demand, and build staff capacity.