About Us
What is an Arts Council?
What is an Arts Council: a group formed to advise on matters concerning the arts, including various forms such as painting, dance, music, poetry, theatre, photography, etc. The council is primarily funded by government agency and serves to support artists, arts organizations, and artistic programming throughout the community. Membership into the council is often determined by a Board who serves to administer events, festivals, and other projects that gather educational resources, showcases the talents of its members, and encouraging others to join in efforts to advance the arts.
Governance
PWC Arts Council is governed by Board of County Supervisors. The Arts Council Board are volunteer members that serve as the decision-making body for the Arts Council membership not to conflict with County policies or guidelines granted by the Prince William County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. All Arts Council account activity functions are administered by the Arts Recreation Specialist.
Board of Directors
History of the PWC Arts Council
The Prince William County Arts Council was created on October 28, 1992, by the PWC Park Authority Board (Res. #92-042) “to establish a single citizen council, appointed by the Park Authority Board, to serve as an advisory group to the Park Board.” The Arts Council members would be knowledgeable about the visual and performing arts, devote its attention to stimulate growth and excellence in the visual and performing arts arena, and to make the arts accessible to all citizens of Prince William County.
The Council was empowered to provide services for the local arts – coordinating public facility use for arts groups and advocating for the needs of the local arts community. They were to serve as the single re-granting organization of County funds by establishing criteria and standards for grant applications.
As Prince William County grew in population, so too did the demand for visual and performing arts enrichment and the level of support necessary to encourage our arts community to flourish.
In March of 2012, the Board of County Supervisors, with the support of the Park Authority Board, unanimously passed a resolution dissolving the Park Authority and creating the Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation. The Arts Council was transitioned with the department.
Today, the Prince William County Arts Council is renowned for its arts offerings.
The Council is a membership organization serving the Greater Prince William Area, including Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park, and is the go-to resource for the local arts. The Arts Council provides members with networking, development, marketing and grant opportunities. Membership includes non-profit and for-profit arts organizations, individual artists as well as civic groups and businesses that support the arts in our community.
Our annual Arts Alive! festival provides visitors and residents alike, the opportunity to discover the diverse burgeoning art forms that are Prince William County.