ABOUT > BACKGROUND

Muse Machine is a nationally recognized arts education organization annually serving 70,000 students and their teachers in 10 counties in southwestern Ohio.

Since its inception in 1982, Muse Machine has produced 25 annual musicals and 13 summer concerts, and engaged thousands of students through arts-integrated classroom instruction, interactive workshops and professional development for teachers.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

In the case of Muse Machine – incongruity! The typical reaction of the uninitiated to hearing the oxymoron “Muse Machine” over the phone or across the table is “The what machine?” At the same time confusing and intriguing, the name is a description of our mission. First, a look at the components of the name:

Muse—one of the nine daughters of Zeus, each of whom presided over a different art or science. It is also a source of inspiration, especially of a poet. “Muse” evokes visions of diaphanous dancers, divine tragedies, and haunting melodies. To “muse” is to meditate, to while away the time pondering classic truths, the human soul, the memories of western civilization—certainly not to think about a…

Machine—a system formed and connected to alter, transmit, and direct applied forces to accomplish a specific objective.

Muse Machine then, is a system designed to transmit or direct the inspiration of the Muse.

Muse Machine’s goal is to savor the beauties and truths of the arts by supporting them with dollars and fresh young audiences who need a machine to introduce them to their Muse.