Our Program
Our Mission Statement
Smith Fine Arts Series believes that live arts are essential and have the power to enrich and improve people’s lives. By presenting a renowned performance series that is diverse, inclusive, and accessible; and through our educational outreach initiatives, we connect the community with performing artists from across the world.
Our Vision Statement
We envision a world where the Smith Fine Arts Series is the cultural heart of the Mid-Willamette Valley. We are a community connector in this region that embraces and
promotes the transformative power of live performing arts in an atmosphere that is diverse, inclusive, and affordable.
Our Guiding Values
Inspiring Live Arts
• We are champions for live performing arts events because we believe live arts make lives better.
• We regularly present a diverse array of world-class music and dance performances to the Mid-Willamette Valley.
• We directly connect audiences with performing artists through educational workshops, lectures, and discussions in order to inspire a new generation of artists and promote life-long learning and appreciation for the performing arts.
Fostering Community
• We welcome everyone.
• We infuse the performing arts into the lives of people across the Mid-Willamette Valley.
• We believe in authentic representation, empowered participation, full access, and true belonging.
Cultural Diversity
• We are committed to inclusive arts programming that celebrates and involves artists and/or communities from a range of national, ethnic, or cultural groups.
• We celebrate variety, multiplicity, multidisciplinary, and inclusivity.
• We celebrate the essential power of live arts to illuminate our common humanity.
Exceptional Experiences
• We create inspirational performance and educational experiences
• We break down barriers by engaging, inspiring, entertaining, and challenging audiences with unforgettable performances that inform and inspire.
• We believe in the transformative power of live performing arts.
Affordable for Everyone
• Our Educational outreach initiatives (including workshops, interactive demonstrations, and discussions with Smith Fine Arts Series’ performers) are made available at no cost to students in elementary through university, as well as to the wider community.
• Our efforts to make live performances accessible include fundraising to reduce all ticket prices, and offering free tickets to students attending Western Oregon University.
• We faithfully, and tirelessly fundraise in order to offer live performances to rural communities at a price much lower than performances in nearby larger cities
ABOUT US
Smith Fine Arts Series contributes directly to WOU’s growing reputation as a center for the Arts in the mid-Willamette Valley. Dr. Edgar H. Smith, a leading arts advocate and educator, established the Series in 1976 to inaugurate the opening of Rice Auditorium. After Dr. Smith’s death in 1979, the Series was renamed to honor his memory.
A board of passionate Arts advocates from Monmouth, Dallas, Independence, and Salem advises our Series, serving three-year terms. The SFAS board includes representatives from the business community, both active and retired; government and education sectors; and University faculty, staff, and students. It is a working board, with each member actively participating in committee assignments and board responsibilities throughout the year.
SFAS is curated in collaboration with the board and staff by Dr. Dirk Freymuth, a WOU music professor and professional musician. Season programming includes world-class performances across a variety of musical genres, as well as dance, from cultures around the world. Artists travel from across the US and beyond to perform here on campus, often sharing their talents and knowledge with students of all ages and the wider community through free educational outreach sessions.
A typical season includes six shows and related outreach activities between October and June. The 589-seat Rice Auditorium on WOU’s campus serves as the performance venue and outreach facility; WOU supplies the venue, including management and technical support. Ticket sales account for less than 25% of funding; SFAS relies on individuals, businesses, and funding organizations to help make up the difference thorough donations, sponsorships, grants, and participation in our annual fundraising auction.
