Kitoba Dot Com

Goals & Values

1. Universal

   To please God through a combination of self-expression and service to humanity.
   
   We view being true to oneself and supportive of others as sacred duties.
   

2. Global

   
   
   • To promote the arts and the humanities.
     The arts and humanities represent the best in human nature and the fullest flowering of human potential.
     
   • To replace war with artistic competition. It is part of human nature to compete –to strive to excel. But we do not have to compete through violence and force.
     
   • To create new arts styles and genres. History shows that great art and great innovations most often emerge from members of localized communities that compete and collaborate with each other.
     
   • To reduce materialism and consumerism. Art proves that the most valuable things are not always those that consume the most resources. By promoting a non-consumerist ethic, we contribute to conserving the earth's natural resources.
     
   • To produce life-changing, world-changing performances. We believe art can --and should-- change the world.

3. Local

   • To become a premiere destination for Columbus arts, drawing an audience from the entire Central Ohio area. A strong center city is essential to the success of the whole region.
     
   • To serve as a model for programs citywide. A network of similar programs could compete and collaborate in ways that would multiply the benefits of any given program.
     
   • To improve neighborhood pride. The South Side neighborhood is often associated only with poverty and violence. We want to change that.
     
   • To provide a forum for neighborhood artists. Our community has a wealth of talented people who deserve to be seen and heard. We want to change the truism that Columbus has "more talent than audience".
     
   • To provide a venue for local community members to experience high quality art. We want to bring cultural experiences within the geographical and fiscal reach of our whole community.
   
   

4. Program

   • To help each participant realize he or she is a valuable person with irreplacable talents to share. Everyone has something important to contribute.
     
   • To support and mentor area youth, and help them develop their talents in a positive direction. Studies have shown that arts programs have a positive impact on youth academic achievement, and dramatically reduce discipline and behavioral issues.
     
   • To create a nurturing, intergenerational, arts community. Our program is intended to function like an extended family. One of our biggest successes to date is in fostering connections and positive interactions between people of very different ages.

5. Session

   
   
   • To make everyone feel comfortable and welcome as performers and audience members. Everyone can be a creator of art, and not just a consumer.
     
   • To help people become better performing artists. Everyone has the potential to improve with practice, training and self-discipline.
     
   • To teach people how to be good audience members as well as good judges and appreciators of the performing arts. Being a good and an informed audience member is a learnable skill, and a crucial part of the performance experience.

6. Personal

   To teach and to learn, to improve as a performer, to help others, and to gain a sense of personal empowerment. This entire program is a learning experience, and every piece of it should be treated as a teachable moment. The goal of every participant is to become a leader, and the goal of every leader is to train someone to take over his or her position, and to do it as well or better.