Agenda - 10-01-2013 - 4b - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 1, 2013 Action Agenda Item No. 4 -b SUBJECT: Arts & Humanities Month — 2013 Piedmont Laureate John Claude Bemis DEPARTMENT: Orange County Arts Commission ATTACHMENT(S): Press Release PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No INFORMATION CONTACT: Martha Shannon, 968 -2011 1 PURPOSE: To introduce and hear a brief selection from Hillsborough resident and children's book author, educator and presenter John Claude Bemis, the 2013 Piedmont Laureate, during National Arts & Humanities Month (October). BACKGROUND: The 2013 Piedmont Laureate Program is co- sponsored by the Orange County Arts Commission, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, the Durham Arts Council, United Arts of Raleigh and Wake County and the Alamance County Arts Council. In its fifth year, the primary goal of this program is to promote awareness and heighten appreciation for excellence in the literary arts throughout the Piedmont region. The Arts Commission participates so that Orange County writers can apply and Orange County sites can host the Piedmont Laureate free of charge. The Piedmont Laureate is contracted for 25 events (readings or workshops at public sites) and at least 5 media appearances throughout the four - county area during calendar year 2013. The application process was open to all writers residing in Orange, Durham, Wake or Alamance counties who met the guideline criteria. For 2013, applications were accepted from children's book authors only. In addition to the program sponsors, the selection panel included Clay Carmichael (Children's Book Author and Illustrator), Susie Wilde (Children's Book Author and Columnist), and Susan Wright (Manager, North Regional Library, Durham). Three finalists were selected and interviewed by the program sponsors, and Mr. Bemis was chosen for the position. As his special project this year, Mr. Bemis is hosting a series of roundtable talks at independent book stores with area children's book authors about creativity, story craft, & the magic of writing for children. Mr. Bemis will be in Orange County on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 2:00 pm, Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill) FINANCIAL IMPACT: Orange County's portion ($1,350) of the 2013 Piedmont Laureate's stipend and website (www.piedmontlaureate.com) expenses was paid primarily from FY13 state Grassroots funds. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Interim Manager recommends that the Board recognize John Claude Bemis, the 2013 Piedmont Laureate.