New arts commission takes shape — finally

By KEVIN COURTNEY
Register Staff Writer

A new organization, the Napa County Arts and Culture Commission, will take life this spring after a three-year gestation.

The nine-member commission, composed of people who work in the visual and performing arts, will be charged with elevating the role of the arts in community life.

The commission was formed Wednesday by the Napa County Transportation and Planning Commission, with staffing provided by Arts Council Napa Valley.

The idea for an arts and culture commission first took form three years ago when former Napa Mayor Ed Henderson helped create the Mayor’s Round Table for Arts & Culture to raise community awareness of the arts.

In search of a sponsor, round table members first approached the Napa County Board of Supervisors, which suggested that the Napa County League of Governments take over the role.

When the Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency recently expanded its mission to become a forum for countywide issues, the arts community asked to be taken under the agency’s wing.

Organizationally, the new commission will be another advisory group much like the Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Paratransit Advisory Committee.

The new commission’s arts advocacy will be entirely funded through Arts Council Napa Valley, which has a $200,000 budget from grants and memberships, said Michelle Williams, the council’s executive director.

Eventually, the cities and the county may want to discuss setting aside a portion of hotel tax revenues to promote the arts, Supervisor Bill Dodd, an agency member, said.

A vibrant arts scene could generate more tourist spending, making the arts a bigger revenue generator for Napa County, Williams said.

“This will create the infrastructure so arts and culture can flourish here,” Williams said. Many communities have such organization and most of them receive government funding, she said.

Arts Council Napa Valley is in the process of creating a cultural plan for the county with recommendations for arts policies and programs such as a possible county arts festival.

The new commission will be composed of one artist from every community, appointed by city councils and the board of supervisors. The Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency will appoint three members.

The goal is to have a broad selection of people from the arts world, including filmmakers, writers, sculptors, painters, actors and dancers.

People interested in serving on the commission can contact Williams about how to proceed. Her number is 257-2117.

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