An Important Message from the Huntingdon County Arts Council

An Important Message from the Huntingdon County Arts Council

Dear Fellow Arts Council Members:

I am writing to apprise you of forthcoming changes at the Huntingdon County Arts Council. It will come as no surprise that the Council’s activities and budget have suffered along with those in the private and public sectors. The cancellation of Folk College, our collaborative fundraiser with the County Library, and our Summer Solstice fundraiser – all significant sources of revenue – have constrained our operating budget. Further, we have been unable to maintain our connection with the public through the usual channels, including exhibitions, concerts, and the Art Station at the County Fair.

As often happens, constraint encourages innovation and creativity. The Board of the Arts Council has used this circumstance to renew its vision and goals for promoting the arts throughout Huntingdon County. As part of this process, we have decided to relinquish the Art Space on Fourth Street as of August 1.

While reducing our financial overhead, this move will encourage us to form new partnerships that help us to connect with you in more places county-wide. We will seek to find sustainable ways to position ourselves as a hub for arts engagement, your go-to source for quality programming and resources that will enrich the lives of our community.

The Art Space has been a kind and collegial environment for hosting exhibitions and our annual Holiday Shoppe. Rest assured, these offerings will continue, though in different locations. As part of our renewal, we also have hopes for more workshops and presentations that have fit less well in the Art Space; we will work to identify facilities in the broader geographic area that can host such programs. Please watch for communications from the Arts Council or check our website for the latest information about future events.

At this time, we are grateful for your support, as well as your ideas. We understand the desire to have a physical space for the Arts Council, and a “permanent home.” We share that goal. To that end, we need to expand awareness of our value and diversify our revenue stream to assure we can achieve our mission for the long-term. You are part of that strategy. As we gradually become more active, get involved. Share arts experiences with your friends and family. Take a class. Advocate for arts in our schools. Attend a performance or exhibit. Most importantly, make a commitment to bring along someone who has never before enjoyed the benefits of the arts.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to email us at [email protected].

With regards,

Kathryn Blake
President, Board of Directors