TONAC meeting today

Once a year, representatives from the Arts Councils in the Thompson Okanagan region get together for a networking meeting. That is a fancy way of saying "full day of visiting, bragging, whining and laughing." We spent three hours on item 2 of the agenda, which was "highlights," interrupted by a dreadful lunch at the bistro at Rotary Centre for the Arts. At the end of the day, we skipped items 3, 4, 5 and 6, and moved on to item 7 which was determine the date and place of the 2011 meeting. Does anyone else operate like this?

The Paper Newsletter

Now is the time to let me know if you actually read this blog. The Arts Council is considering the elimination of the hard copy Umbrella newsletter and going to an online newsletter only. Currently, the monthly one-page newsletter is distributed free of charge throughout the downtown, malls, schools, hospital, etc - a run of about 600 copies. About a dozen volunteers pick up their "route" and deliver within the first few days of the month. The cost per year - about $1500 in printing, and maybe $4000 in wages for the crazy person who puts it together. The big question is "Do we need it?"

The Umbrella newsletter began 20 years ago in response to a lack of effort by local newspapers to cover/publicize arts and cultural events. Now we have four community newspapers, most of which do a reasonable job of such. SDAC stopped mailing out the newsletter to members when it became a monthly, and at the request of a few members who simply didn't want more mail. Now some are asking for just the simplified online version, "Artscape."

What to do? Please, give me your thoughts about this dilemma. The Umbrella has gone through several evolutionary changes over the years, but this is a biggie. We should know what the community wants and needs before making this decision.

General Meeting Doesn't Appeal

Today was the bi-annual General Meeting of the Arts Council. Each year, we call this meeting to hand out the co-sponsorship grants and give opportunity to arts groups to network, compare event dates, brag about accomplishments. This particular meeting was also meant to share information on the recent cuts to Direct Access and BC Arts Council. We announced that the two co-sponsorship grants given out this year would be our last. Funny thing was, hardly anyone turned out to hear the news. In fact, the two groups who were to receive money didn't show up. What this says about the Arts Council's purpose in the community, I don't know. What was decided by 6pm while Delores and I cleaned up the coffee and cookies... this was our last General Meeting.

News about Direct Access

Recent news from Rich Coleman indicates that arts and culture programs have been cut from Direct Access. He stated something about not being able to justify supporting certain programs. I wonder if he's ever lived in a community where the volunteer sector and non-profit organizations make the quality of life so vibrant. Oh well, his loss, I guess. There was a slight hint that some children's programs might still be eligible. Since the gallery's Family Saturday program is geared toward kids and parents spending some creative time together, I'm not sure that we'd qualify for any dough. I long ago gave up on Direct Access. While others said "next year," I said "they just won the lottery, why would they give it back?" The real question is, why is this government using gaming profits for essential programs, like health and education? That's a little scary, if you ask me, and certainly not fiscally responsible.

Great idea from another gallery

Took a one day trip to Williams Lake and back yesterday to deliver artwork for a three-gal show at the Station House Gallery (opening March 4). After a nice visit with the assistant there, I learned that we here at SAGA are missing a key element in our art offerings - the lay-away plan. Not everyone can shell out $500 for a painting they've just fallen in love with. A 30% non-refundable deposit, plus a personalized plan for payment will help many bring home the piece they love.

Coffee Break

I am sitting in the foyer of the art gallery, updating membership files while visitors enjoy our free coffee break day, hosted and sponsored by the Arts Council. This is a cheap and easy program, costing us only about $40 per event. However, it would be nice to see more donations on the day. Typical door donations at the gallery total about $20 per day. On a slow day we might get nothing at all. There are a few people we only see on the third Thursday of each month, come to get their free cookies (eating one, pocketing two) but most are surprised by the offering and stay longer to view the exhibition.

Where Did January Go?

My life skipped a beat there... I was basking in my holidays, then lurched back into the pace of the gallery, trying to get the postcard exhibition installed and ready for opening on January 22. Then, meetings with DIA, OCP, OCAC - the month just whipped past.

The most excellent recent news is that the Downtown Improvement Association has enthusiastically agreed to partner with the Arts Council on Wednesday On the Wharf Summer Concert Series. They will provide the Coordinator (and pay his or her wages) for the five month position. The Arts Council has merrily brought WOW to the community for sixteen years, without too many hiccups, breaking even each year. However, with the loss of BC Direct Access, that meant that the $3000 or so for a seasonal Coordinator was not going to be forthcoming. Not only was a financial partner needed, but a human resources one. The seasonal Coordinator was changing each year, and often candidates had great skills in music management but very little in administration and promotion. Or, the other way around. This is why the partnership with DIA is so perfect - their promotions position already manages music events that happen in the downtown. I'm breathing a sigh of relief right now, and can't wait to get started on the 2010 season!