Arts Council begins drive to add new members
By Winkie Lee
Published in News on April 29, 2005 1:49 PM
The Arts Council of Wayne County's membership campaign has begun.
The goal is $100,000, and the first step is the mailing of letters to Arts Council members and supporters.
The Arts Council board heard the details of the campaign during its monthly meeting Thursday at noon at the art center.
A press release has been written about the campaign and will soon be distributed. In May, the Arts Council plans to conduct a follow-up of people who did not respond to the first mailing.
Gwyn Wilson, board treasurer, encouraged board members to give.
The campaign is titled "Art Works in Wayne County," a theme inspired by an economic impact study conducted by the North Carolina Arts Council. The study showed the state's art industry contributes significantly to the economy.
"That study reflects the positive cultural impact of the arts in Wayne County," Arts Council Executive Director Alice Strickland said. "The arts are creating a vibrant quality of life through its new arts center programs and services, and through the professionalism of many talented artists, the seven affiliate arts organizations and multiple arts education programs in the schools."
Among the activities and programs supported by the Arts Council are the eight-week children's summer art and music camp, the annual National Juried Art Exhibition and services provided to the affiliate art groups.
*In other business, the board discussed the high expenses the Arts Council has had over the past several weeks. Fixing the boiler was among the reasons for the total, as were payments to teachers of art classes. Fees paid by the students were recorded in the budget a couple of months earlier.
*Ms. Wilson said that annual requests for money from the city and county have been made and Mrs. Strickland reported an application has been submitted for Grassroots Grant money from the state.
*The board discussed the possibility of having a garden program in June. Possible activities include a tea party, music, building of birdhouses and a garden-themed lecture. A committee was formed to look into planning such an event.
*A committee is being formed to recommend people to nominate as new officers and board members. Five people are scheduled to rotate off the board in June.
*Mrs. Strickland said she has met twice with representatives of the Arts Council's affiliate groups to discuss schedules and needs. She plans to use information from the meetings in a report that will be submitted to the Paramount Theatre Performing Arts Committee.
"The affiliates want the Arts Council to speak for them with one voice," she said.