Positively Arts, a Las Vegas-based 501c3 dedicated to providing performing arts training to children across the Las Vegas Valley regardless of their ability to pay, has announced its 2020 “Get Launched Vegas” program will be virtual.
The event will combine a voice competition and fundraiser featuring talented students from the Las Vegas community. The top 20 finalists will be announced July 2 and the competition will stream online beginning July 16. The top five finalists will perform the finale at The Space on August 3.
The annual Positively Arts “Get Launched Vegas” program provides emerging youth singers a month-long mentoring opportunity with industry professionals, such as strip headliners and performers, show producers and directors, dancers and musicians as well as Broadway and Disney performers. During the program, young artists are given one-on-one coaching to hone their artistic abilities to deliver performances with confidence. This year, due to social distancing restrictions, and because the show must go on, a significant portion of the event will be conducted virtually and streaming online for audiences.
A panel of judges will select the top 20 contestants and, in true American Idol fashion, provide performers critical feedback after each performance round.
The finale will be held at The Space, featuring the final contestants and local artists performing. The competition will stream live via Facebook, Instagram and the Positively Arts website. Prizes, including recording sessions, scholarships and mentorship will be awarded throughout the competition.
“Positively Arts provides students with a safe and caring environment to develop their talents and self-confidence to perform in front of audiences, life skills that benefit kids no matter which profession they chose to pursue. We strongly believe that students deserve equal access to arts training and programs, despite their financial limitations,” said Pilita Simpson, president Positively Arts. “As the entertainment capital of the world, it’s just as fun watching our extraordinary performers work with the next generation of talent as it is watching them perform, so we hope the community takes advantage of watching Get Launched Vegas go virtual.”
As a nonprofit, Positively Arts relies on community support to produce programming and scholarships. Most recently, Mark Shunock, owner of The Space, home of Monday’s Dark, donated the facility to Positively Arts for classes and programming. In past years, summer camps have been the predominate fundraiser, however, due to COVID-19 and limitations on summer camps, the organization has incorporated a fundraising component to the “Get Launched Vegas” program enabling students, families and local businesses an opportunity to give back to the community by supporting the arts. Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the participation fee if selected.
“Now, more than ever we need the community’s support to help our children grow into self-assured leaders in our community, whether it be on Broadway or in the boardroom,” concluded Simpson.
For those who wish to donate, donations are being accepted at www.positivelyarts.org/donate-now/.
For more information about Positively Arts or Get Launched Vegas, visit PositivelyArts.org.
