The Comprehensive Arts Plan: One Year Out

It’s been over a year since the Loudoun Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Comprehensive Arts Plan (CAP). How’s it going? On June 17, at the encouragement of Loudoun Arts Council, the Loudoun County Parks, Recreation & Community Services (PRCS) Arts and Culture team presented an update of CAP progress. Here is a recording of the presentation.
 
Of the 22 strategies proposed, the following seven are in the implementation stage:
 

·      Support findings from Eastern Loudoun Community Arts Center Study and coordinate to support the vision of the Community Arts Center.
·      Complete an inventory of current facilities and programs to determine current areas of service and programming capacities.
·      Work with Loudoun County Public Schools to assess any gaps in scheduling and hosting performances for local organizations.
·      Expand the Arts Advisory Committee’s role.
·      Support the Arts Advisory Committee in hosting a quarterly gathering of arts organizations to allow for an  information and idea exchange.
·      Launch a Community Grant Program that focuses on supporting local arts and culture organizations.
·      Staff the Public Art Program.

Regarding areas where CAP strategies are still in development or exploration, Mary Sellers, Arts Program Manager, (PRCS), noted that funding for the Plan is subject to approval from the BoS as part of the County’s annual budget cycle, which begins on July 1. For much of the past year, therefore, resources necessary for progress had not been secured.
 
LAC Board members attended the program. Board President Teresa Crane had this to say about the CAP Update: “The Loudoun Arts Council is very pleased to see forward movement, public reporting, and continued commitment from the Board of Supervisors in support of the Comprehensive Arts Plan. We encourage and welcome opportunities for even more collaboration and partnership to realize greater impact, cost effectiveness, speed and community coherence in the CAP’s implementation. Let’s make this happen!”

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Loudoun Arts Council Announces New Board of Advisors

At the Annual Members' Meeting on February 23, the Loudoun Arts Council (LAC) announced the formation of a new Board of Advisors, composed of LAC Professional members who serve as heads of the community's leading independent arts organizations. The Advisors include:

  • Andy Bluhm, Loudoun Symphony Association
  • Vanessa Borg, Craft Theatre Company
  • Gil Corella, Loudoun Community Band
  • Sandy Danielsen, Artists in Middleburg
  • Peter Fedders, Loudoun School of Ballet
  • Pam Furneaux, Loudoun Sketch Club
  • John Geddie, Sterling Playmakers
  • Mark Irchai, Loudoun Lyric Opera
  • C. Damon Moore, MasterSingers of Virginia
  • Lisa Newton, South Loudoun Youth Chorale
  • Matt Ogden, Catoctin School of Music
  • Laurie Stefanelli, Encore Chorale of Ashburn
  • Jerri Wiseman, StageCoach Theatre Company

"We are so grateful this group of distinguished professionals has offered to lend their insights and expertise to inform our advocacy and communication plans," said LAC President Teresa Yancey Crane. "We have many innovative ideas that will be very beneficial to the arts community as a whole, and a 'litmus test' through these Advisors will ensure that we are setting the right priorities and that Loudoun Arts Council's proposals and partnerships are feasible and have optimal outcomes for Arts in our community."

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LAC Annual Meeting Installs New Board Members

The Loudoun Arts Council held its Annual Meeting at Douglass Community Center on February 23rd. After introducing the LAC's new Administrator, Kellan Hogye, members heard a presentation about arts programs for incarcerated learners by Christina Schmidt, The President also introduced attending members of the new Loudoun Arts Advisory Committee, a group of volunteers drawn from Loudoun's leading arts organizations, followed by annual reports from the President & Treasurer. A lively question and answer session and Board elections followed. The new Board includes:

  • Teresa Yancey Crane, President
  • Betsy Scotto-Lavino, Vice President
  • Margaret Brown, Treasurer
  • Kristin Sawyer, Secretary

Former Treasurer Haig Evans-Kavaldjian and former Vice President Owen Palmiotti will join Jill Evans-Kavaldjian and Brian Kirk as aAt-Large Board Members. Complete meeting minutes will be published in early March.

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