About ATARA

MISSION: To encourage artistically gifted observant Jews to develop and express their gifts.

ATARA is the Arts and Torah Association for Religious Artists, a group which supports the work of creative and performing artists according to the values of the Torah.
ATARA facilitates community-building among artists with the common value of Torah observance by hosting a bi-annual weekend of workshops and performances for women to meet the needs of women who observe legal injunctions relating to modesty, and by maintaining a monthly email update with news about events, classes and announcements promoting arts created according to the values of Torah and the work of Shomer Shabbat artists.
ATARA aims to provide resources and opportunities for artists in the Torah observant community to continue their work. Resources include a list of training opportunities and performance outlets meeting the needs of halacha as well as agency-performer placement services. In development is a script database for plays and musicals suitable for a Torah-observant audience. Opportunities for recording artists include a bi-annual CD compilation of "Emerging Artists" original music. In development is a publication welcoming articles on the topic of The Arts within a Torah framework.

CORE VALUES

• Industry ATARA encourages the utilization of creative talent in the service of religious values to bring meaning and beauty to others.
• Community ATARA encourages relationship building, social networking and professional collaboration.
• Advocacy ATARA promotes the creative and performing arts as acceptable ways to communicate and the halachic system as a standard.
• Quality ATARA supports artists in maintaining the quality of both their art and their religious life.
• Sensitivity ATARA demonstrates sensitivity to both the creative needs of artists as well as a range of religious outlooks among audience members.