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!”