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NAME OF BOARD /COMMISSION: Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) 43 <br />Report Period: 2014 <br />ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS <br />ANNUAL REPORTIWORK PLAN FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <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, limited to the <br />front and back of this form. Other background materials may be provided as a supplement to, but not <br />as a substitute for, this form. <br />Board /Commission Name: Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) <br />Person to address the BOCC at Retreat - if applicable - and contact information: <br />Devra Thomas, Chair, 919/619 -0697, Stubborndev @gmail.com <br />Primary County Staff Contact: Martha Shannon, 919/968 -2011, mshannon @orangecountync.gov <br />How many times per month does this board /commission meet, including any special meetings <br />and sub - committee meetings? 2nd Monday each month (except for July) at 6:30 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 <br />County, North Carolina." Since 1985 the OCAC has served as the official countywide arts agency <br />providing funding and support for high quality arts programs. OCAC is the Designated County Partner <br />for NC Arts Council's state Grassroots Program funds in Orange County. We also award county arts <br />grants, sponsor programs, promote the arts and serve as an arts information clearinghouse. <br />What are your Board /Commission's most important accomplishments? The Arts Commission <br />continues to remind and train artists & arts organizations on the use of our online arts calendar <br />( www .ExploreChapelHillARTS.com).— ECON. DEV; In 2014, we funded 11 grants to schools <br />throughout Orange County for performances, artist residencies, and workshops.- QUALITY OF LIFE <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 />• <br />Sponsor Quarterly Artists' Salons, featuring speakers on professional development for artists. <br />2014 Salon topics: Artist & Venue Matchmaking (2/21), Market Your Events & Artists Galleries on <br />ExploreChapelHillARTS.com (5/16); Market Your Art With Fine Photography (8/22); Growing An <br />Art Business Takes Money— Community Financing Can Help (11/21). <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, 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 />• Coordinate 4th U.S. Congressional District High School Arts Competition for Orange County; <br />participate in the district -level competition <br />