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22 <br />ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS INPUT <br />FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' ANNUAL PLANNING RETREAT <br />The Board of Commissioners welcomes input from various advisory boards and commissions in <br />preparation for its annual planning retreat. Please complete the following information...: <br />Board/Commission Name: Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) <br />Person to address the BOCC at Retreat (if requested by BOCC) and contact information: <br />Leah Rade, Chair, Work # = 919/471-6443 x 0681; Home # = 919/428-7918; <br />leah@newhorizonchurch.ty <br />Primary County Staff Contact: Martha Shannon, 919/968-2011, mshannon@co.orange.nc.us <br />How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special meetings <br />and sub-committee meetings? <br />2"a Monday each month (except for July) at 6 pm at various sites <br />Brief Statement of Board/Commission's Assigned Charge and Responsibilities: <br />Our mission is "to promote and strengthen the artistic and cultural development of Orange County <br />North Carolina." Since 1985 the OCAC has served as the countywide arts agency providing funding <br />and support for high quality arts programs. OCAC is the Designated County Partner for NC Arts <br />Council's state Grassroots Program funds in Orange County. We also award county arts grants, <br />sponsor programs, promote the arts and serve as an arts information clearinghouse. <br />What are your Board/Commission's most important accomplishments? <br />In addition to our annual programs listed below, the Arts Commission has recently: <br />• Coordinated Orange County's participation in a statewide arts economic impact study by <br />Americans for the Arts (AFTA) entitled "Arts & Economic Prosperity IV -The Economic Impact of <br />Nonprofit Arts & Culture Organizations & Their Audiences." - ECON. DEV. <br />• With the help of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, launched an online arts calendar <br />for Orange County artists & arts organizations (www.ExploreChapelHilIARTS.com). Began training <br />artists & arts organizations on using this online resource in October, 2011 - ECON. DEV. <br />List of Specific Tasks, Events, or Functions Performed or Sponsored Annually. <br />• Administer two grant programs (spring and fall) that fund artists, schools, arts agencies and <br />nonprofit organizations sponsoring art projects <br />• Lead two grant-writing workshops for artists & organizations prior to OCAC grant deadlines <br />• Apply annually to NC Arts Council for Designated County Partner renewal <br />• Sponsor Quarterly Artists' Salons, featuring speakers on professional development for artists <br />• Write and distribute press releases, online newsletters, monthly e-newsletters, grant <br />guidelines/applications and other occasional publications <br />• Serve as clearinghouse of arts information on/for Orange County by responding to artists, non- <br />profit organizations, schools, and the public via phone, email, mail, social media, etc. <br />• Update and maintain website with information on our programs and services including a <br />searchable online local arts directory utilizing our database <br />