November 6, 2014
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The public is invited to offer suggestions, comments and observations about the grant programs and services offered by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History Arts Section (www.wvculture.org/arts) at a public meeting on Tuesday, November 18, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Culture Center on the State Capitol Complex in Charleston. Members of the Arts Section staff and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts will be on hand to listen to the public.
“This meeting gives West Virginia arts organizations an opportunity to review their accomplishments and discuss their plans for the upcoming year. It provides the public with time to make recommendations that the commission members and our staff can take into consideration as we establish the state arts plan,” said Arts Director Renee Margocee. “Our programming includes grants, youth programs and arts community services that reach many areas of the state. We welcome comments that will help us strengthen our programs so that they serve West Virginia in the best ways.”
Public comments will be in 10-minute intervals and the comment schedule will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis as long as time is available. Anyone who cannot attend the meeting but would like to offer suggestions may do so by sending written comments.
“Although registration is not required, we encourage anyone who would like to speak to register in advance to make certain they are included in the schedule,” said Margocee. “All comments which are submitted in writing will become part of the public record of this meeting.”
The Arts Section annually oversees the distribution of $1.91 million in federal and state funds for grants for cultural facilities, artists, arts community and arts education programming. It is responsible for youth arts programs that include Poetry Out Loud and VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s musical instruments grant program. Additionally, the section manages the biennial Governor’s Arts Awards program. The West Virginia Commission on the Arts is the citizen advisory board that provides guidance to the Arts Section in establishing To schedule a comment time, contact Robin Jones, administrative secretary, at 304-558-0240. Written comments from those who are speaking and who are unable to attend must be submitted by Wednesday, November 12, to the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Attn: Arts Section, The Culture Center, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston WV 25305 or to Robin.L.Jones@wv.gov.
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is an agency within the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts with Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary. The division, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, brings together the past, present and future through programs and services focusing on archives and history, arts, historic preservation and museums. For more information about the division’s programs, events and sites, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
