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“Elkins is
our fastest growing arts community in the state,” said Randall Reid Smith, Commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. “It is rich with historic buildings and cultural assets.”
“We are all very excited about this special recognition from the state,” said Victor Thacker, chairman of the RCCAC board of directors and the provost and dean of faculty at Davis & Elkins College. “It's an official signal that Elkins is a distinctive arts community. And, of course, I'm especially proud of the Arts Center staff for taking the lead in submitting the application.”
“The spirit of cooperation among the arts organizations and individual artists as well as the support of the arts by both our city and county government reflects the treasured place the arts hold within our community,” RCCAC Executive Director Beth King wrote in the application.
“The very existence of our own organization is a testament to this. We are very fortunate to be part of an arts community where people work together to promote the arts across the board,” King wrote.
The West Virginia Certified Arts Community designation is for communities that have realized the benefits of cooperation between arts and humanities groups, business leaders and jurisdictional agencies. The designation offers no monetary compensation but allows a community to develop signage and other promotional measures.
One of the key factors in being selected for the designation is a resolution by the local governing body supporting the arts in a specific community. “The designation is a wonderful thing and it just reflects what Elkins is all about, a great town with a lot going on,” said Elkins Mayor Duke Talbott, who signed a resolution in support of the application.
“I’m excited about this designation,” Talbott said. “It’s a great opportunity for our town. It’s one of those quality-of-life issues that really sets Elkins apart, and could bring a lot of people to our area.”
The request highlighted the activities of local organizations including The Augusta Heritage Center, Davis & Elkins College, The Old Brick Playhouse and ArtsBank, as well as the RCCAC.
“We are a community united by the arts,” said Joyce Rossbach, the executive director of the Augusta Heritage Center and a member of the RCCAC board of directors. “Because of our vibrant arts community, people are drawn to this town.”
Also included in the application was information about arts-based groups and businesses in Elkins, as well as a listing of the schools in the community that make annual applications to WVCA for Arts in Education projects.
The application also detailed how the community has benefited by involving artists on planning committees for beautification projects and other civic projects, and how the community practices coordinated cultural planning.
An important requirement of the application process is to describe the growth of a local arts council. The Elkins application detailed the founding and development of the RCCAC, which was incorporated in August 2000 to save the historic St. Brendan Catholic Church and fill a need for arts education and performances in Elkins and the surrounding areas.
"Elkins can be very proud of earning this designation,” said Jeanne Mozier, an arts activist in Berkeley Springs and a former member of the WV Commission on the Arts active in establishing and promoting the Creative Arts Community program. “To the world, it identifies Elkins as a place to find quality arts activities.
“Based on the process of getting certified, it also means that local government recognizes the value of the arts to both the economy and quality of life,” Mozier said. “With that recognition, it is easy to be optimistic about a thriving future for the arts in Elkins.”
The RCCAC is a non-profit organization promoting and supporting the arts in Randolph County and the surrounding areas. The RCCAC is supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the National Endowment of the Arts and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Call the RCCAC office at 637-2355 for information on its arts education classes, exhibits, concert series, and children’s concert series.
RCCAC is committed to providing accessibility to individuals with disabilities. If you are in need of an accommodation, please contact our office in advance. Call the RCCAC office at 637-2355 or log onto www.randolpharts.org for more information.
