The group of artists and art enthusiasts who have spent the
better part of a year working toward the creation of a countywide
arts council to organize and promote plays, concerts and other arts
events saw their goal become a reality this month.
Hollister – The group of artists and art enthusiasts who have spent the better part of a year working toward the creation of a countywide arts council to organize and promote plays, concerts and other arts events saw their goal become a reality this month.
On Jan. 19, the Secretary of State’s office officially recognized the San Benito County Arts Council as an incorporated nonprofit organization, according to Hollister resident and county Planning Commissioner Mike Smith – who has led the charge to establish an arts council. But, he said, becoming an official nonprofit is just the beginning and there is still a lot of work to do.
“I don’t think it will be easy,” Smith said. “But I think we have the leadership, experience and passion in the community to work hard and make it happen.”
Now that it’s incorporated, the arts council needs to elect a board of directors. And, just as important, it needs to find a home. As for electing a board, Smith said there will soon be an announcement of a meeting where officers and board members will be elected.
“We would like as many interested people to participate as possible,” he said.
The arts council is making progress on finding a home, as well. Smith said that he and others involved in the council recently had a meeting with a representative of Premiere Cinemas, which runs the Granada Theater in Downtown Hollister, to discuss the possibility of using the theater as a location for a variety of local arts events.
Premiere Cinemas representative Ted Intravia said that his company is interested in working with the arts council.
“We told them to tell us what you want to do and we’ll try to accommodate you,” he said. “We just want to be able to help the community and have the Granada run smoothly.”
As it is, the Granada is not ready to serve as a home for the arts in San Benito County, Smith said, adding that the building would need new plumbing, electrical wiring and other renovations. But, he said, it may still be a good location.
“I’m told it is still more cost-effective to use the existing building than to build a new facility to anchor the arts in downtown Hollister,” Smith said.
Smith said the council has plans to seek some funding from the Hollister Redevelopment Agency to help pay for renovations to the Granada. Bill Avera, RDA director, said that RDA funding for the renovations is a possibility but it’s still too early to know if the RDA will contribute.
“I believe that there are other communities in California with redevelopment agencies which have participated in projects of this nature,” he said. “It certainly has the potential to bring people downtown for events. It certainly gives us an opportunity to invest in a property that is downtown.”
It has been more than four years since San Benito County had an arts organization. The county enjoyed an arts council that thrived for 20 years, but it was disbanded in 2001 due to financial woes. Without an arts council to write grants, no money has been available to local artists. In April, Smith organized an informal group of local artists and art lovers and began meeting with the goal of reestablishing an arts council in the county.
Smith said that the council will partner with the California Assembly of Local Arts Agencies and seek state and federal grants to pay for programs like concerts, plays, visual arts displays and arts programs for the local youth and seniors. Many in the community are eager to see that happen.
“I think it’s great. It will provide an element to the community that it has lacked for so long,” Supervisor Jaime De la Cruz said. “I think the county should have a commitment to the organization and try to support it any way we can.”
De La Cruz said that arts education will expand kids’ minds and help keep them out of trouble. Also, it will serve as an economic boon for the county by drawing people in to attend arts events in San Benito.
Local artist Shannon Grissom said she is very supportive of the burgeoning arts council because it will bring artists together and give locals an opportunity to enjoy art.
“I’m stoked,” she said. “This is going to be a way to unite all the artists.”
Anyone interested in the arts council can contact Mike Smith at sb***************@ya***.com
Luke Roney covers local government and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@fr***********.com
