Proposed statement of mission and goals

Community members,

Here is the first document we offer for your perusal and comment, from the task force work so far this summer. It is a proposed statement of mission and goals for the proposed new arts and culture support organization.

You'll note that we have adopted as a working name for the new organization, Whitewater Valley Arts Fusion. Why that name? First, we wanted to build on the cooperation already begun by the Richmond group also called Arts Fusion. It is a composed of representatives of several major arts and culture organizations. Several members of that group, including its chair, serve on our task force, and the other members have been consulted about the overlapping name. Second, we wanted a name that would underscore the importance of regional thinking, because arts and culture activity that enriches our community is not limited by city or county lines.

We're eager to have your feedback and suggestions as planning proceeds.

Len Clark

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Name -- Whitewater Valley Arts Fusion

Mission

To nurture the region’s vibrant arts, culture, and creative industries.

Goals

1. Goal -- Promote area arts and culture organizations and individuals to reach all demographics of our population.

Objectives

• 1.a. Develop Arts Fusion brand (likely using current as a base)


• 1.b. Develop website, using Arts Fusion site as a base


• 1.c. Develop common calendar and strive to become “official” calendar


• 1.d. Add events among other area calendars (i.e., Pal-Item, Waynet, city websites in region), striving to automatically populate from our calendar and/or encourage other calendars to link/populate from our.


• 1.e. Write frequent press releases, if organizations support, to announce events, activities, grants, etc.


• 1.f. Create educational and social events to communicate the arts and cultural organizations and constituencies to new members of community.

2. Goal -- Enhance financial support and stability for regional organizations

Objectives

• 2.a. Research grant availability


• 2.b. Apply for grants, in cooperation with recipient organizations


• 2.c. Manage awarded grants, where recipient organizations need


• 2.d. Seek funding from area’s larger employers and key individuals


• 2.e. Develop financial metrics to demonstrate success/failure of organization

3. Goal -- Actively advocate for public resources and funds

Objectives

• 3.a. Monitor proposed local, state, and federal legislation that will affect arts and culture


• 3.b. Formally and directly comment on the proposed legislation


• 3.c. Communicate proposed legislative changes to key constituents with a “call to action” for those constituents.


• 3.d. Actively attend and represent our area at legislative and advocacy events for arts and culture.

4. Goal – Provide technical support for and encourage cooperation among area arts and cultural constituencies.

Objectives

• 4.a. Develop resource list in areas such as website development, supplies, legal expertise, accounting/financial expertise, marketing, personnel management.


• 4.b. Create or enhance mechanism(s) for communication and sharing between organizations.


• 4.c. Create mechanism/process to match organizations’ volunteer and board member needs with interested and capable individuals.


• 4.d. Provide consulting and/or research assistance to assist area individuals and organizations with issues and ideas.