Hollister
– The fledgling San Benito County Arts Council is looking for an
executive director and hoping that an unexpected donation of
$30,000 from Arizona-based developer DMB Associates will be enough
cash to catch some talent.
Hollister – The fledgling San Benito County Arts Council is looking for an executive director and hoping that an unexpected donation of $30,000 from Arizona-based developer DMB Associates will be enough cash to catch some talent.
Getting the council into full swing has been a slower process than many proponents first expected, said Mike Smith, a board member and one of the council’s founders. Grant writing, community outreach, soliciting donations and organizing events are all tasks better left to an expert, he added.
“I had an ambitious schedule,” Smith said. “But … it took a little more time than we thought. We want to hire someone who has a passion for the arts, and with that comes the responsibility to raise money and raise awareness.”
DMB plans to donate the money to the art council through the Community Foundation of San Benito County, which will have direct oversight of the grant.
“The Community Foundation will be our financial steward for the first year,” Smith said.
DMB has plans for a 6,800-house mini-city in Northern San Benito County, between highways 25 and 101. The company had heard that the council needed a director last year.
“Its certainly something we wanted to support,” DMB spokesman Ray Becker said.
The council elected a seven-member board in March and the state officially recognized the arts council as a nonprofit in January. Since then, the council has explored various ideas for increasing the role of art in the county, including renovating the Granada Theater in downtown Hollister with money from the city.
But securing cash from the local redevelopment agency – or from state and federal grants, which is another council desire – is a tedious process, Smith and board member Dan De Vries both said.
“We need someone to do the heavy lifting – just to coordinate,” De Vries said, referring to an executive director.
Smith said he wants to fill the spot by Sept. 1.
Both members are eager to establish an artistic presence in the county. They both mentioned possible arts and wine festivals with local wineries, after-school and summer programs for kids, talent shows and maybe a concert venue somewhere.
De Vries said a community needs a strong art presence for two reasons.
“It will bring tourism and economic benefits, and art makes a healthy community,” he said.
Banks Albach covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335, or ba****@fr***********.com.
