Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 01/11/2011 10:32 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 01/11/2011 10:34 AM
Expires: 01/01/2016 12:00 AM
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Penny West Resigns from Calaveras Arts Council
Penny West is leaving the Calaveras County Arts Council (CCAC), a private, public benefit non-profit organization, where she has served for over two decades. She began working at the CCAC as Executive Director in 1989. During her 21-year tenure, she brought the organization, which had a zero budget then, to where it is today, a successful agency that connects the arts with local residents. Mary Jane Genochio who had been job-sharing with West for four years, and then was appointed to Executive Director a year ago, will continue at the helm. Ed Cline, volunteer President of the Board of Directors, will also continue his leadership role.....
West credits the various members of the council’s Board of Directors, staff and volunteers through the years as helping her to create the many programs that exist today to promote the council’s mission. These include the hugely popular free Music in the Parks; an award-winning Arts in Education Program; a gallery that has been in business for 20 years; a winter performing arts series, Ovations, that brings high-quality concerts to Angels Camp; an annual Artists Studio Tour; Artists Scholarships; an annual high school art competition and exhibit; plus many other programs and well-known fundraisers. The State Arts Council has recognized the CCAC as a model rural arts agency.
West is starting an Arts Consulting business with the goal of sharing her skills with public agencies, non-profits, and private businesses. "When you’re in charge of a small county arts council, you wear a lot of hats," says West, "and I just don’t mean those crazy ones we wear at Music in the Parks." She’s referring to her abilities at marketing, writing grants, brochure copy, media releases, proposals, and expertise of event and concert planning. She’s excited that her first client is the Amador County Arts Council.
According to West, having the arts be a part of a community makes a huge difference in the way people feel about themselves. Going to a concert, admiring "Painted Frogs," or murals, seeing the way different artists create, allowing kids to learn through the arts, listening to poets and reading local authors’ works, these are all examples of how the arts make us feel good.
In summary, West states, "I am extremely grateful to all the people in the community, County government, and a great many artists, who have made my job so satisfying." West’s last day at the Calaveras County Arts Council will be January 26.
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