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22 <br /> programming for Orange County through the ArtsCenter's Arts in Schools program, <br /> as well as through our grant program and involvement in other school initiatives. <br /> o The OCAC will strategize, with our community partners, ways to offer more, high <br /> quality arts experiences for residents of all ages, races, and socioeconomic <br /> backgrounds within Orange County through our grants program. <br /> • Parks/Recreation <br /> o Worked in partnership with Orange County Department of Parks and Recreation to <br /> determine needs of new stage and infrastructure in River Park. Convened meeting <br /> of stakeholders to gather input and ideas. Have offered input and guidance in using <br /> River Park and Blackwood Farm Park for future festivals and events. <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 OCAC to serve as the Local Arts Agency for Orange County <br /> (comparable to Durham Arts Council for Durham County, or United Arts of <br /> Raleigh/Wake County) additional funding is needed. Currently, the OCAC is funded <br /> by 10% of the Occupancy Tax under the Visitor's Bureau. The future goal of the <br /> OCAC is to become a public/private partnership. We intend to create a 501(c)3 <br /> nonprofit arm in 2019, allowing the OCAC to fundraise through traditional channels, <br /> as well as apply for additional grant funding. We also hope to identify a greater <br /> source of public funds that could be solely allocated to the arts without increasing <br /> the tax burden on residents. This combined pool of private and public funds could be <br /> used to provide: <br /> ■ Additional operating grants to arts organizations and artists <br /> ■ Offer infrastructural support for current or future arts spaces <br /> ■ Provide programming funds for the OCAC to provide programs needed for the <br /> well-being of our arts community <br /> Together with a committee of community partners and arts leaders, we plan to use <br /> the findings from the UNC Public Policy Capstone Study as well as additional <br /> research to identify a potential solution. At that time, we will present our findings to <br /> the BOCC for input and feedback. <br /> • A report of OCAC findings will be sent to the BOCC in early January, 2019. This report for <br /> further explain the primary concerns of the arts community and OCAC and our plan to <br /> address them. <br />