DESIGN GUIDE: MUSIC AND DRAMA CENTERS
DG 1110.3.120
CHAPTER 2: ARMY PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM
JANUARY 1981
A. SUBPROGRAMS
competitions, showcase performances, and the
like.
There are four categories into which Army Per-
forming Arts programming falls. These are called
B. COMMUNITY AND SKILL
subprograms since, at many installations, they
DEVELOPMENT
are individually organized and operated as com-
ponents of the overall Performing Arts Program,
They frequently work together and share tech-
Programs in this larger category include Per-
nical resources. However, in terms of program-
forming Arts; Visual, Applied and Industrial Arts
ming each tends to appeal to a specific segment
and Crafts; Dependent Youth Activities; and So-
of the military community.
cial Recreation.
1. Music Subprogram
These programs reinforce each other in basic
All forms of locally produced vocal and instru-
objectives but remain distinct in emphasis, with
efforts directed toward experience in respective
mental music, music listening/appreciation, and
music-related technical activities are included.
categories. In particular, Performing Arts ad-
dresses the objectives of life-enhancement and
2. Theater Subprogram
personal development through cultural and cre-
All forms of locally produced drama and musical
ative activity, and skill development supported
theater auditing/appreciation, and theater tech-
by recognition and practical training opportuni-
nical activities are included.
ties. The discipline of the Arts is emphasized
more than consumption of leisure time. Com-
3. Unit Level Entertainment Subprogram
This is composed of an organized set of music
munity and Skill Development Activities is one
of the three core programs whose overall objec-
and theater activities programmed to fit the per-
sonnel in a specific unit (e.g., if the unit works
tives reflect the mission of Morale Support.
at night the activities will be programmed for the
Other core programs are Physical Activities,
day). The activities included will generally em-
which include athletics and outdoor recreation,
phasize music, but may be a comprehensive
and Library Activities and services.
mixture of music, theater and dance to suit the
unique and often diverse needs of the unit.
C. MORALE SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
4. Commercial Entertainment, In-coming Tour-
ing Show Subprogram.
At the installation level, MSA is usually a divi-
Activities may be in any performing arts disci-
sional element of the Directorate of Personnel
pline. They may be either professional or ama-
and Community Activities. MSA's mission is to
teur. However, the distinguishing characteristic
increase Army effectiveness and combat readi-
is that these activities are not produced locally,
ness by assisting commanders in maintaining
but by another military installation, or commer-
morale, mental and physical fitness.
cially, or by a civilian community or school.
It is worth noting that dance is not presently
identified as a separate subprogram. However,
dance is one of the fastest growing performing
2-3. ESTABLISHING
arts activities in the United States. The historic
absence of dance as an activity locally produced
PROGRAM GOALS
on military installations should be viewed care-
fully. The absence of suitable facilities has
impeded commercially produced dance concerts
as well as local development, but a growing
number of Army dance enthusiasts has been
Policies governing MSA are found in AR 28-1,
discovered over the past twelve years.
and require that programs adhere to several
major objectives that have general implications
Of the four subprograms, all but Unit Entertain-
for the direction of installation programs. These
ment are immediate candidates for the MDC fa-
in turn have impact in the qualities and func-
cility. The Unit Centers benefit indirectly from
tional requirements of performing arts facilities.
heightened community awareness and the use
of the installation MDC for inter-unit and district
A. RELATIONSHIP TO MSA MISSION
2-4
Previous Page
