In the last five years, donors and funders in Napa County have invested close to $150 million dollars in the arts — without an overarching plan. The result? 

• World-class venues, but not enough local audience to fill them

• Numerous arts organizations, but a tough financial climate: At least 12 galleries and theater groups have closed since the fall of 2004

• A wealth of individual artists of all disciplines, but few who can make a living in Napa County

• Committed and passionate arts supporters, but significant fatigue and uncertainty within the donor pool

•  4.7 million visitors per year, but most of whom don’t know about all we have to offer in the arts  

This is the assessment of Michelle Williams, director of Arts Council Napa Valley, who is leading an effort, in concert with arts organizations, community members and civic leaders in Napa County, to create what she describes as a road map — a cultural plan — for “a healthy and vital arts and culture sector that represents what the community wants to see, hear and experience.

To accomplish this, the Arts Council needs Napa County residents to get involved and speak out for the arts.

“Napa County is home to world-class performance venues, numerous galleries and arts collectives and hundreds of individual artists, yet we have no long-range plan for the arts, no public arts policy and no public funding for the arts,” Williams said. “Since late 2004, Napa Valley has seen the closure of 12 arts organizations, and many arts organizations are under-funded and over-stretched.”

The  Arts Council Napa Valley has contracted with consultant, Morrie Warshawski, a resident of Napa who has worked on other cultural planning processes, most recently for the city of Flint, Mich., and the state of Mississippi. He is also the husband of Evy Warshawski, executive director of the Napa Valley Opera House.

“We did a nation-wide search for a planning consultant and Morrie’s proposal was head and shoulders above the others; and since he knows the unique challenges facing this valley, we’re thrilled to be working with a local,” Williams said.

The first step is creating a database for Napa County, Williams said. This will be followed by community input on local arts, obtained by interviews, surveys, focus groups and “town hall” meetings. The information gathered will be made public for further feedback; once that is completed, the recommendations will be crafted into the cultural plan.

This planning process is partially funded by the Community Foundation of Napa Valley, as well as individual donors. “The Community Foundation is excited to support such a forward-thinking, strategic project,” said Terence Mulligan, president. “By investing in ACNV now to start this project, we have the possibility of saving millions of dollars in arts investments.”

The Arts Council’s Web site, www.artscouncilnapavalley.org, will soon have a section dedicated to this process, which will include a calendar of all meetings. The public will be able to follow the planning process by reading the “Strengthening the Arts in Napa County” cultural planning blog at www.nvartsplanning.blogspot.com.

 “The Arts Council is asking that any and all creative people, arts collectives, arts instructors of any discipline, and owners or operators of any venues that support the arts who are not yet involved with ACNV get in touch with the organization, to ensure that the needs of the entire creative community can be addressed in this planning process,” Williams said.

For more information on the Arts Council Napa Valley, to donate or volunteer, to learn more about cultural planning or how to get involved in the process, call 257-2117 or e-mail info@artscouncilnapavalley.org.