“Art is the signature of civilization.” – Beverly
Sills
“As the arts inspire creativity in each of us individually,
they breathe life into our communities.” – Julia Garnett
“Arts are the glue that hold a community together.” –
Lorraine Wojahn
The above quotes were shared by facilitator Jay Baksa at the
Gilroy Arts and Culture Commission’s Second Annual Roundtable
Forum.
“Art is the signature of civilization.” – Beverly Sills
“As the arts inspire creativity in each of us individually, they breathe life into our communities.” – Julia Garnett
“Arts are the glue that hold a community together.” – Lorraine Wojahn
The above quotes were shared by facilitator Jay Baksa at the Gilroy Arts and Culture Commission’s Second Annual Roundtable Forum. The theme of this year’s forum was “Continuing to build the arts through community… A vision for the Arts – Art & Community Partnerships.” It was the springboard for questions concerning public awareness of the arts and how partnerships and community support can not only affect the future of the arts but also affect the future of our city.
As leaders of the Gilroy community responded, it was obvious that the arts in Gilroy are valued and recognized for their economic impact as well as raising the quality of life.
An awareness of the arts in our community continues to increase due to the efforts of several groups.
The City of Gilroy Arts and Culture Commission, in partnership with the City Council, promotes the arts in the Gilroy community. They strictly abide by city rules and regulations. A Strategic Plan written by the commission in 2010 includes goals through 2020. To date, the commission is on target for reaching these goals and, in some cases, has surpassed them. Copies of the Strategic Plan and a Historic Reference Guide are available for checkout from the recreation office in City Hall. The Arts and Culture Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month in City Council Chambers. Meetings are open to the public.
The City of Gilroy Public Art Committee (PAC) works in partnership with the City Council and the Arts and Culture Commission. Their vision is to introduce and encourage high quality public art into the community, inspire residents and visitors and enhance the civic environment. Included in the many accomplishments of PAC is the creation of bronze statues that enhance downtown.
The Gilroy Arts Alliance (GAA) is an independent, non-profit organization. The original GAA, an outcome of the City’s Cultural Center Task Force, merged with the Theater Angels Art League, forming a new organization whose mission is to build a collaborative arts community and promote and support multicultural art around Gilroy.
Currently, GAA operates the Interim Gilroy Center for the Arts on the corner of Monterey and Seventh streets. They meet at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the center and welcome volunteers.
The Gilroy Foundation, operating since 1980, is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that works to create opportunities for all Gilroy area residents. Foundation grants have helped sustain the arts over many years. Through an endowment by the Connell family, the foundation distributes funds to the school district for elementary music instruction.
The foundation also manages an endowment that will allow non-profit artists to use the future Center for the Arts at a reduced cost. Contributions to a foundation endowment will assure that the arts in our community will be funded in perpetuity.
San Jose based Arts Council Silicon Valley is dedicated to fostering a dynamic local arts environment by providing funding, advocacy and support services. The council maintains six granting programs for small and mid-size organizations. Two thirds of their programs are for youth.
“Gilroy’s accomplishments give the Arts Council Silicon Valley the energy to do what they do,” said Audrey Wong, the grants program manager,
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