The names of five prospective board members will be submitted for a vote by the membership. Nominees for an initial term include Dave Hood, Tom Fonner, Micheal Hood, Carolyn Sterns, and Chad Edwards. Board members to be elected to another term include Scarlet Hood, Clara Glover, and Jane Knight.

During the annual meeting, the board will take a look back at the past year’s successes and reflect on the history of the organization. They anticipate a good turnout of members so they can seek input on goals and activities for the coming year. The public is urged to attend. Also, Carla McBee, manager and trainer at CAM Safety, will be speaking about safe driving and sharing the road with the big trucks in the area.

Since its inception 16 years ago, ArtsLink has had many successes, starting with the $100,000 renovation to the Francis Creative Arts Center, named for the late Elizabeth Francis. The building was donated by her husband Jack Francis, to West Virginia Northern Community College for use as an arts center . An annual Concert Series, art exhibits, classes and other arts activities have delighted audiences annually, as have children’s theater productions. A mini-grant program gives financial support to local artists and arts organizations. Major partners include West Virginia Northern Community College and the New Martinsville Parks and Recreation Commission. Additional support for ArtsLink’s activities is provided by WETZ & WYMJ Radio, Ohio Valley Online , the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, and the Stealey Community Fund .

Much of the success of the organization can be attributed to its over 200 members and generous donors, including EQT Foundation,  Dominion Foundation, and John J. Mensore, whose major donation was honored with the naming of the downstairs gallery the “John C. and Catherine Mensore Gallery.” Event sponsorships are matched with grants from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

Following the annual meeting, the new board of directors will meet to elect officers.

Additional information concerning ArtsLink is available online at www.artslinkwv.org. ArtsLink is committed to making the arts accessible to all. Those needing assistance to take advantage of ArtsLink’s activities are invited to call 304-455-2278 for more information.

ArtsLink is the arts council for Wetzel and Tyler counties and is committed to making the arts accessible to all. Upcoming activities include the Summer Coffeehouse Series and the Wayward Players production of Seussical, JR.

Support for ArtsLink’s programming is made possible with financial assistance from West Virginia Northern Community College, the City of New Martinsville Parks and Recreation Commission, WETZ/WYMJ Radio, EQT Foundation, Dominion Foundation, Ohio Valley Online, Libby’s Kids Ministry, and the Wells Inn. ArtsLink is committed to providing universal accessibility wherever possible. Persons with special needs may contact ArtsLink at 304-455-2278 for assistance.

ACTION NEEDED: ASK LEGISLATORS TO RESTORE FUNDING FOR THE ARTS

I'm writing with urgent news. Budget plans introduced by our legislative leaders would eliminate all funding for the West Virginia Commission on the Arts competitive arts grants that ArtsLink relies on to deliver programs to our communities.

The current 2017-18 budget bill before the West Virginia Legislature (SB 199/ HB 2018) and the plan introduced by the legislative leadership on Monday eliminate public arts funding for grants and other programs that ArtsLink and other nonprofits depend on to provide programming.

Legislators need to hear from constituents that arts funding must be restored to the budget. Please call and email legislators asking them to fund the arts.

These key legislators need to know that a vibrant arts community is critical to the economic health of the area and is a major attraction for visitors:

House of Delegates

Tim Armstead, Speaker  304-340-3210  armstead@wvhouse.org

Eric Nelson, Finance Chair  304-340-3230  nelson@wvhouse.gov

Senate

Mike Hall, Finance Chair 304-357-7901  mike.hall@wvsenate.gov

Please also contact your legislative delegation and any legislators you know personally. For phone and email information for all members of the West Virginia Legislature, visit

http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Educational/membership_directory_2017.pdf

The budget bill eliminates all funding for competitive grants such as the Community Arts Support Grant, which supports ArtsLink’s concert offerings, Missoula Children’s Theatre and our mini-grant program. The budget bill also eliminates all funding for Fairs and Festivals. The Fairs & Festivals budget line provides support for 75 events and programs, including the annual WV Oil & Gas Festival in Sistersville.

In addition, the proposal eliminates funding for competitive historic preservation grants funded by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. These grants have been critical in helping the City of New Martinsville preserve our nearly one-hundred-year-old Lincoln Theater building, which is a significant structure in New Martinsville’s historic district. It is vital that we preserve this iconic structure, which is a part of the West Virginia Historic Theater Trail and a major attraction for visitors to the area.

The proposed cuts in SB 199/ HB 2018 would amount to over $14,000 from ArtsLink’s current budget, nearly 20 percent. While we have sustained repeated cuts in state funding for the last several years, eliminating all state funding and grant opportunities would be devastating for ArtsLink, which serves a largely rural and often underserved population.

Last year ArtsLink provided arts education to nearly 1,000 students through school residencies by concert artists and the Missoula Children’s Theater production. ArtsLink served more than 1,400 adults through concerts, classes, workshops, and special events in the area. These opportunities would not be available without ArtsLink.

ArtsLink creates an economic impact in our region several times its budget. According to Arts Advocacy of WV, Every grant $1 leveraged $28. Grants leveraged additional funds from businesses, donors, foundations, and local government totally $20,294,891.

So, please contact as many legislators as you can, either by phone or e-mail and ask them to please fund the arts!

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ArtsLink receives a donation from Dominion
Resources Services. Pictured left to right are, Carolyn Hizer, Mary Rohrig, Amanda McPherson, Miranda Rogers, Barbara Vincent, Scarlet Hood, Jane Knight, Larry Tackett, Clara Glover, and Brian Rogers.

  Comments and Suggestions can be sent to: 
Webmaster  --  Mark Carl Fawcett  --  artslink@artslinkwv.org