Funding for Orange County Arts

[Wendy Smith]

Dear Orange County Commissioners,

First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude for the funding the Arts in Orange County has received through the years from Orange County. As the former Executive Director of The ArtsCenter and a board member of The Orange County Arts Commission, I have seen first hand the impact The Arts have on our community. The Arts help us tell our story, understand our past and connect with people of diverse backgrounds. Whether it is a child of two discovering the joy of coloring or an elderly person struggling with dementia but finding a connection to their past through a favorite song, the Arts impact our lives at every age. The Orange County Arts Commission offers our community multiple avenues to engage with the arts that are both accessible and enlightening. And... They tell our story every day in a beautiful and memorable way. 

But every day is a struggle in the Arts. Funding does not come easily and every dollar must be creatively stretched. ( no pun intended!) On a good day, you are simply trying to find a new way to bring in more funds and support more artists. On a bad day, your facility floods and your world is turned upside down and yet you persevere and offer your community an amazing community wide outdoor arts festival that is accessible to all and supports the participating artists. Learning of the cuts to the budget that will impact the Orange County Arts Commission, very much feels like the kind of day we had when Chantal flooded the Eno Mill. The county has been so helpful and generous as we overcame the  flooding . Please don't withdraw your support now. It will be devastating to so many.

Sincerely,

Wendy Smith