Seasons
greetings!
On behalf of the Board of
Directors of the St. Johns Cultural Council, I'd like to take
this opportunity to thank
you for your continued support and provide
a Summary of Highlights for
2007.
This
has proven to be a remarkable year of growth and prosperity
for arts and culture in St. Johns County.
We would like to honor and thank
those groups and visionary leaders that have helped us in
making our 7th year of operation, by far, our most
successful.
We'd
first like to
recognize our elected
officials. They deserve a "standing ovation".
Both County and City Commissioners as well as our
School
Board officials and Sheriff's Department are listening to the
arts community. Cultural constituents throughout the county
are starting to receive the support that they have needed
for so many years. We look forward to expanding these new
partnerships as we move ahead in 2008!
Another round of applause goes to
our past and present Board
of Directors for all of their tireless work to help
promote and support the mission of the Council.
Our members, donors and friends in
the media all deserve our applause, respect and appreciation
as well. You've believed in the Council, our mission and
have given us the resources and support to help us
accomplish such great progress in 2007!
And, of course, none of our work
would be possible without our volunteers: They're the ones
that keep this whole machine running and operating! Simply put, without their help, nothing
would happen. Bravoes go out to you all!
The highlights
of the year are so numerous, it would
be impossible to mention
them all here.
However, the two most significant accomplishments are:
1) Our recognition by the Board of County Commissioners as the
designated Local Arts Agency for St. Johns
County and 2) The three
regional Arts Assessment Workshops we held throughout the county.
Both of these accomplishments will help us achieve our near term
goals: To identify the community's arts and cultural needs
while establishing the necessary means to help achieve these
needs through the county.
Other highlights from 2007
include:
· The arts
community's role in helping to re-open the St. Augustine
Amphitheater.
·
Activities at the
St.
Augustine Beach Cultural
Center continue to grow:
The Dance Company now serves over 250 students each
week and numerous independent wellness
instructors offer weekly classes to the public.
· Our expanded
relationships with St. Johns Board of County Commissioners,
County Administration and in
particular, the new Quality of
Life Department.
·
A new working
relationship with the Tourist Development Council and Visitors
and Convention Bureau. This expanded dialog will help advance
and highlight the important connection and common goals
between the arts, culture, and entertainment industries along
with our attractions, food & beverage, lodging, and
retailers: All which make up the county's largest single
industry - Tourism.
·
Advocacy and
support of After School Arts Programs in both Hastings at the
O.U.R.
Center and in West
Augustine at the American Legion Post 194.
·
Weekly
Arts and Entertainment Newsletters and On-Line
Calendar continue to expand their reach throughout
the county.
·
If you would like
to read more about the Cultural Council's newsmaking events in
2007, please
visit our Newsroom, by clicking here.
A Great 2008!
Moving forward, we
are committed to advancing the cultural environment throughout
all parts of St. Johns
County.
On behalf of our board of directors, we thank you
for your continued ideas, interest, participation and
support.
From our family to yours, we wish you a healthy,
prosperous and arts-rich New Year!
Philip McDaniel,
President, Board of Directors
