Mission Statement:

The mission of SOJA is to encourage the growth of jazz through educational programs and performance, focusing on its history and continued development.

As a means of advancing its mission, SOJA will have the following goals: 

• Initiation of programs that will provide educational experiences for people of all ages.

• Creation and presentation of performance based programs.

• Provision of educational outreach at the local, state, and regional levels.

• Active support of all related art forms, i.e., photography, visual arts, dance,
  theater, poetry and historical displays.
  
  Further, SOJA will promote collaborations between arts councils, universities, corporations, the media, and other non-profit arts organizations and will act as an advocate in all appropriate forums, thereby building a larger, active and more informed jazz community.
  
  
  

Course of Action:

SOJA’s mission statement and by-laws aptly display its mettle and openness to coordinate all elements of jazz performance and education with intent on preserving jazz’s history while making every conceivable effort to further its development. The education of an audience, as well as, that of developing musicians are the key ingredient at SOJA’s core. The members of SOJA adhere to the philosophy that jazz is a living art that will continue to thrive, but only if nurtured in a very focused, organized manner.

SOJA will seek to have a fully functional education and concert center, headed by a paid executive director and volunteer staff with its own classrooms and rehearsal space, internet radio station, CD and DVD library and a regional Jazz history museum. This facility will accommodate meetings, workshops, performances, and jazz related artistic displays for both SOJA and other jazz organizations from throughout the regional area and beyond.

Membership:

Membership in SOJA is open to all individuals, groups, and corporations in the geographical region that are in support of our organization’s mission.