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51 <br />our community. We will also continue to contribute to community cultural events and <br />programs that enrich our lives. <br />What are the concerns or emerging issues your board has identified for the upcoming year <br />that it plans to address, or wishes to bring to the Commissioners' attention? <br />• Funding <br />o In order for the arts commission to serve the arts community in a more impactful <br />way, additional funds are needed. Currently, the OCAC is funded by approximately <br />9% of the Occupancy Tax under the Visitor's Bureau. We have approximately $25k <br />in "programming" funds that are primarily used for advertising and promotional <br />efforts. Following models such as the Raleigh Arts Commission and the Town of <br />Cary, an ideal scenario would involve finding a greater source of public funds that <br />could be allocated to the arts without increasing the tax burden on residents. The <br />funds could then be used to provide additional operating grants to our key arts <br />organizations, offer infrastructural support for current or future arts spaces, and <br />provide programming funds for the OCAC to provide programs needed for the well- <br />being of our arts community. <br />Fundraising ideas have also been discussed, and pursued in the case of our recent <br />plein air paint -out; however, it puts the OCAC in the awkward position of competing <br />for the same resources as the organizations we are trying assist. <br />We have submitted a project proposal to the UNC Public Policy Capstone to help us <br />identify a feasible source of public funding for the arts based on other similar <br />communities as well as our local tax structure. <br />