GLAM Youth Choir is just one of the many arts groups that owe their well-being to the Jon Sims Center.

Jon Sims Center for the Arts has appointed a new executive director, Troy Coalman. He comes at a time when the JSC is struggling financially, and he is faced with the task of raising $50,000 immediately. Coalman invites the community’s support to help the JSC get back on its feet. Toward this goal, a performance series will be held to benefit the JSC.

Without this effort, JSC leadership fears that San Francisco will risk losing an historic and influencial queer cultural space. JSC, founded in 1978, has served the community for almost three decades, promoting and encouraging emerging queer artists, donating rehearsal space and technical expertise, and supporting the idea that LGBT art by and for the LGBT community is important. It also offers low-cost studio rental to groups and individuals for meetings, rehearsals, classes, and workshops. The Center’s long-standing policy of no one being turned away for lack of funds keeps art and art-making accessible to the whole community.

The first concert of the JSC Benefit Series was on Aug. 22 and was, significantly, the first full concert ever presented by GLAM (Gay, Lesbian & Allied Musicians) Youth Choir. It was significant because Jon Reed Sims founded the queer choral movement, and GLAM attributes its existence to Jon Sims. GLAM, which started in February this year, has performed as the guest of other organizations, but this was the group’s first concert featuring GLAM-only. They will repeat the Aug. 22 concert on Aug. 29, featuring soloists from within the group, as well as the ensemble as a whole. Consisting of singers and instrumentalists, GLAM Youth Choir welcomes new members and volunteers by emailing GlamYouthChoir@yahoo.com.

The Jon Sims Center for the Arts is named for the trail-blazing, openly gay conductor, Jon Reed Sims (1947-1984), who started the LGBT band and choral movement. JSC’s new board president, Stephanie Smith, has recruited an enthusiastic board of directors, all of whom are committed to keeping the Center alive and thriving. “Jon Sims started it all,” Smith proclaims. “Back in the 1970s, he founded San Francisco’s Freedom Band, the Gay Men’s Chorus, and the Lesbian/Gay Chorus–-all world firsts. Who can tell just how many thousands of lives he profoundly influenced?”

“I am very excited about this venture,” says new Executive Director Troy Coalman. “The new board of directors will provide a leadership core that is grounded in the arts as well as various other professional arenas.” He added, “While the organization recently has fallen on hard times, I feel confident that this is an opportunity to bring about a new identity as well as breathe new life into Jon Sims’ vision of a Queer Arts Center.” Coalman said the goal is simple: to make the Jon Sims Center the central and premier queer arts space in San Francisco as well as the Bay Area. Donations to the Jon Sims Center will be gratefully accepted at jonsimsctr.org.

Following is the information for the JSC Benefit Series, held at Jon Sims Center for the Arts, 1519 Mission at 11th Street. For advanced tickets, call (415) 865-ARTS (2787). All concerts are in Studio 3 for $15, $20, $25 sliding scale. Remenber that no one is turned away for lack of funds. Concert 2 is Friday, Aug. 25, 8pm with Jill Sizemore in concert. Concert 3 is Saturday, Aug. 26, 8pm with Improv and Stand-up Showcase. Number 4 is Tuesday, Aug. 29, 8pm with the GLAM Youth Choir Cabaret. Concert 5 is Fridays and Saturdays, beginning September 1 through Sept. 30, 8 pm, with the hilarious musical comedy, Group Therapy, by June Bonacich, featuring the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco.