2016-446-E Arts - Preservation Chapel Hill - Spring 2016 Arts Grant Agreement

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DocuSign Envelope ID:CF9CCDA7-654A-4636-8636-D086CDC8600C NARRATIVE ORANGE COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION GRANT APPLICATION-SPRING GRANT 2016 APPLICATION FROM PRESERVATION CHAPEL HILL ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE Since the inception of the organization in 1972, Preservation Chapel Hill, in addition to its work preserving historic buildings and districts, documenting slave cemeteries and educating the public about the Town's history (including that of Carrboro) has had two major cultural programs-The Art Program and the Music Program. The 40 year Art Program has spawned many prestigious art careers as testified in Preservation Chapel Hill's 40th"Anniversary's retrospective art exhibition four years ago which was supported by an OCAC grant. Preservation Chapel Hill has a membership of close to 350 local people whose support over the past forty years has enabled the Society to function and support its many community impacting endeavors, including its Art Program. Sadly In March 2016, the Board of Preservation Chapel Hill, for financial reasons, decided to terminate its position of Executive Director given the high costs involved of employing a full time staff person. Since then, the organization has become all volunteer, employing a site manager who works on an hourly basis at events (wedding parties and our art receptions) and a book keeper who works for the organization 8 hours a month. By eliminating the position of Executive Director, the Board of Preservation Chapel Hill hopes to recoup its financial losses rapidly and sustain its existing programs, Art, Music and the preservation of local historic buildings and neighborhoods(including Traditional African American communities) using local professional volunteers. The House is rented out for a few events and weddings a year but the cost of preserving the building weighs heavily on the annual budget. CURRENT PROGRAMS THE ART PROGRAM As noted, the Art Program is forty years old. Starting from humble beginnings in 1972 it has blossomed into one of the Triangle's most important art venues. Preservation Chapel Hill's Art Committee comprises 10 members- all credentialed working artists. It is Co-Chaired by 2 of these members whose job it is to coordinate the 10 one month-long exhibitions staged at the Horace Williams House. These exhibitions are the result of an application process and selection by the Program's 10 member committee. These exhibitions are diverse and in 2016/2017 include photography, painting, book art, ceramics and installations by emerging and established artists including UNC-CH Professor Jina Valentine, whose August 2016 installation explores media coverage of black males killed by gun violence. Each show is curated by a Committee member who works with their particular selected artist on exhibition details and publicity, from making studio visits all the way through to helping out at the artist's reception. Because of the historic nature of the art venue, Preservation Chapel Hill employs a professional exhibition installer who hangs each show carefully with lines from a