OVERVIEW: The mission of the Arete Living Arts Foundation is twofold: #1 - The first is to create art works in a variety of mediums that are innovative in form and/or carry a positive social message or present a unique and original vision #2 - The second is to support economically disadvantaged emerging artists who are dedicated to those goals through computer training, career support, and by providing work experience. PHILOSOPHY: It is our belief that the over-commercialization of the arts has led to a degradation of quality within most forms of art. Innovation of form has been hampered in favor of formula. Artists are taught that new ideas are not valued as highly as works that imitate the current trend. Further, art that is socially conscious, provides political criticism, or displays real depth, is discouraged in favor or art that is shallow, conformist, and appeals to the lowest common denominator of society's baser instincts. Unfortunately, artists who try to experiment within their medium to create progressive innovations are usually not backed by the mainstream media corporations. This is especially true of artists who express a strong social or political message in their work. The end result is often that the artists who are most dedicated to upholding the artistic integrity of their work find themselves unable to find funding and are unable to get their work to an audience. GENERAL GOALS: It is our goal to promote artists and works that uphold artistic integrity instead of conforming to market demands, and to promote the idea that high quality work should be valued more than work that is produced solely for economic gain. TOWARDS THE CREATION OF ARTWORKS: Arete Living Arts works to fund and create both group and individual works in the areas of film & video, live multimedia performances, music and music recordings, theater, dance, poetry, literary works, fashion and costume design, web design, and internet radio broadcasts. TOWARDS SUPPORT FOR EMERGING ARTISTS: Arete Living Arts provides support for emerging artists through project funding, training, by providing work experience, and through career promotion. Many of the artists that Arete supports come from an economically depressed background or belong to a minority group that has limited opportunities for career advancement. PROJECT PLANS: Computer Training: Arete offers computer training to economically disadvantaged artists on creative software including graphic design on Adobe Photoshop, video editing on Adobe Premiere, HTML programming and web design on Macromedia DreamWeaver, and special effects and flash animation on Adobe AfterEffects and Adobe LiveMotion. Live Performances: Arete Living Arts presents live multimedia perofrmances as well as poetry events, fashion shows, and art exhibitions. Radio Broadcasts: Arete currently operates a 24 online radio station that will soon begin weekly live broadcasts with artist performances and interviews. The broadcast will also include discussions on social issues with educators, authors, and activists. Film & Video: Arete is involved with a wide variety of video projects which include documentary films and TV productions. Music & Recordings: Arete has and continues to produce recordings by a variety of artists and poets.