New Orange County Arts Council holds reception

Sugar Loaf—Nearly 100 business, governmental and arts community leaders attended a reception June 8 to learn more about the new Orange County Arts Council and how to get involved. The Orange County Citizens Foundation hosted the reception at the Seligmann Homestead in Sugar Loaf. David Church, Orange County’s Commissioner of Planning, announced at the reception that County Executive Edward Diana and the Orange County Legislature had reviewed and approved an Arts and Cultural Plan for the County. The Plan calls for the development of an arts council to serve as an umbrella organization for the public and the arts and cultural organizations in the region. The County’s acceptance of the plan clears the way for the Citizens Foundation to request funding from the County in 2007 to continue the progress of the Council. Gordon Rauer, Chair of the Citizens Foundation Cultural Affairs Committee, commended the County leaders for backing the Council. “Funding the Council on an on-going basis shows a true commitment to helping this organization succeed for the long term,” he said. “With this type of support, we expect the Arts Council to catapult Orange County’s rich cultural community into the spotlight.” Walden Savings Bank and Hudson Valley Showcase sponsored the reception. Prior to the program, guests were treated to performances by KerryDance, led by Kerry Gleason of Warwick and the Bruderhof Youth Choir of Chester. The Citizens Foundation is a membership-based public policy organization that advocates for the greater public good in Orange County. For more information call the Citizens Foundation at 469-9459.