We have a Creative Services Director who contacts artists and facilities to assess artist availability and schedule the best possible programs. She schedules more than a dozen programs each month, rotating among the 60-plus facilities we serve. Confirmation letters are sent to both parties; program fliers are created to acknowledge funders and promote the artists. Surveys are sent to facilities for feedback. Artist stipend postcards are sent to the artist. Payment is made when postcards are sent back to TAO after a program (so please don’t lose your postcard!).

Confirmation calls are made to artists and to activities directors a day or two before a program is to take place. If an artist has an illness or emergency and cannot keep a date, TAO will either send a replacement or reschedule the artist, depending upon the needs of the facility and other factors. Follow-up calls and emails are exchanged after the program. The facility and client satisfaction surveys are important program components that are used to continually strengthen our offerings.

We fundraise so that we can pay artists and provide arts supplies. Fundraising activities include our annual Twilight Golf Tournament and our Sea Level Singer/Songwriter Festival. We also are funded by grants from area foundations, corporations, arts commissions, rotary clubs and more. We invite the facilities where we send artists to partner with us by making a small annual contribution, which is augmented by our other funding, to provide the highest possible caliber of experiential performances, programs and activities.

We post our schedule of programs, performances and workshops at the beginning of each month here. We extend an invitation to TAO supporters to attend an upcoming TAO program, so they can see firsthand what the magic is about. Email us at [email protected] if you are able to attend a program and we will gladly make arrangements for you. NOTE: the best programs to participate in are at dependent care programs, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Many shelters are small and some are confidential, so they are often not appropriate places for visitors. Please always call or email TAO before attending a program.

Finally, we need volunteers to serve as program hosts at our senior care programs, to serve as event support staff at special events and to provide clerical and administrative expertise as office support. Volunteers are a vital part of Tidewater Arts Outreach. They help to bring more music and arts activities to people who deserve the community’s goodwill and the joy and healing power of the arts in their lives.