Chamber music, jazz, fiddle music, blues, and dancing are on the schedule this year for the 25,000 – 35,000 people who annually attend Centrum’s workshops, festivals and special programs. For the past 30 years, people from around the nation have traveled to Port Townsend to participate in the many activities offered by this center for the arts and creative education.
Centrum hosts arts workshops and festivals for people of all ages and skill levels concentrated during the summer months (see schedule below), although they offer programs throughout the year.
In addition to festivals, the center holds workshops corresponding to its festival offerings. To encourage participation in the arts, workshops are offered at half or less of actual cost to students in need and full scholarships are provided for 20 percent of youth participants.
Fort Worden State Park is the state park system’s leading revenue generator and the center’s programs are the largest contribution to that revenue stream. Funds for education programs have leveraged more than an equal matching amount from the corporate, foundation and private sectors. Centrum estimates that the direct and indirect economic stimulus it provides generates at least $2.6 million in income for Jefferson County.
The Washington State Arts Commission, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction founded Centrum in 1973 and it has been a statewide center for creative education ever since.
Centrum’s Summer Schedule
For more info: www.centrum.org
Events
July 4, 5
Festival of American Fiddle Tunes
July 11-19
Port Townsend Writers Conference Readings & Lectures
July 24-27
Jazz Port Townsend
August 1-2
Blues & Heritage Festival
August 8
Dances from Centrum Workshops
June 29-July 6
Fiddle Tunes Workshop
July 20-27
Bud Shank Jazz Workshop
July 28-August 3
Port Townsend Country Blues Workshop
August 3-10
Bill Evans Dancers and Dance Teachers’ Intensive
August 17-23
Intergenerational Elderhostel