Fort Wayne Starving Artist Coalition

Infobox musical artist
Name = Fort Wayne Starving Artist Coalition
Landscape = yes
Origin = flagicon|USA Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
Years_active = 2003–2005, 2007-Present
Current_members = Alan Quandt
Past_members = Matt J Brown

The Fort Wayne Starving Artists Coalition (also called FortSAC) is a non-profit organization residing in Fort Wayne, IN focusing on the support and progressive movement of the arts and music scene in the largely conservative city.

History

Origin

FortSAC was created in late 2003 by local music promoters and musicians Alan Quandt and Matt J Brown. While Alan Quandt was finishing his final months in college in Orlando, FL he decided to create an all inclusive arts organization upon returning to his hometown of Fort Wayne, IN. He consulted good friend and musician Matt J Brown (of now defunct band Sealing Pandora) for assistance in the new venture. Matt had recently began setting a donation jar out during his performances in order to raise money to promote local all ages shows. He labeled the cause "Starving Artists Coalition". After talking with Alan about the cause he offered the title up for his up and coming organization.

Sunset Hall Era

During the majority of 2004 the majority of FortSAC events were held at a north eastern Fort Wayne venue called Sunset Hall (sometimes just called Sunset). The relationship between Sunset Hall and FortSAC started when Alan and Matt met the owner of hall's son Armand Trevino while in high school. Sunset had previously made a name for itself as a major player in the local all ages scene during the 1990s hosting many events featuring national acts.

Alan and Matt hosted several local and national concerts at Sunset Hall throughout 2004. This helped bring life back to the dwindeling all ages scene in Fort Wayne as well as help revive Sunset Halls name back to the local entertainment community.

Whiskey and Art Nights

With the growing success of FortSAC music events at Sunset Hall, Alan wanted put his influence in to the art scene as well. In late 2004 Alan created "Whiskey and Art Night" with a handful of local artists and friends. The event occurred every Monday night in a run down motel that Alan also used as a home for his current musical projects.

This event was for ages 21 and up and invite only and those who were asked to participate had only two rules. In order participate in the event you needed to drink from the community whiskey and continuously make art. If you did not follow the simple rules you were not asked back the next week.

As of Sept 8th 2007 WAAN officially started meeting at Sunset Hall on a bi weekly basis. The current roster (not including guests) of artists now includes the following people.

1. Alan Quandt2. Nate Ochoa3. Renee (last name unknown)4. Kate Krouse5. Armand Trevino

Due to not having the amount of time needed to successfully plan the event Alan Quandt recently passed the responsibility of hosting and planning the event to Renee.

Fallout With Sunset Hall

Early in 2005 items were stolen from a FortSAC event which lead to accusations against the founders of FortSAC. Though Alan still denies all counts the situation ultimately led to the ties being severed between FortSAC and Sunset Hall.

Hiatus

Soon after the fallout with Sunset Hall FortSAC suffered severe financial difficulties which led to Alan and Matt pursuing other ventures to stay afloat. No official statement was issued about the return of the organization until May 2007.

Return of FortSAC

After focusing on personal music and art related projects and moving to Las Vegas, Alan returned to Fort Wayne with the plan to revived the organization.

Alan Quandt's official statement:

"I will be returning to my hometown of Fort Wayne, to breath life back into my organization. I have had time to revise my ideas and let them mature. We will start with some of the core members while looking for new faces to join the team. I am very excited to bring FortSAC back."