HANCOCK COUNTY — Everything old is new again. With recently elected president Katie Ottinger leading the way, the local arts council has a new name, a new vision and mission statement, and a plan for moving Hancock County’s premier arts organization into the future.
Formerly the Hancock County Arts and Cultural Council, the group has replaced this longer title with the more streamlined Hancock County Arts.
In addition to a new moniker, the board unveiled a new vision and a new mission statement.
“The two are different,” Ottinger explains. “A vision statement is why you exist; a mission statement is how you get there.”
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The board’s vision of a vibrant community where arts and culture flourish and are widely embraced will be achieved through the group’s mission statement: Hancock County Arts will provide leadership for the creative community by encouraging, celebrating and promoting arts and culture throughout Hancock County.
Ottinger heads up a 15-member board of directors that includes vice president Staci Starcher, treasurer Cindi Holloway, secretary Kitty Smock and 11 at-large members: Phyllis Arthur, Carol Barrett, Sharon Beatson, Mark Dudley, Alice Hedden, Rachel Holmes, Bob Hunt, Jessica Lacy, Steve Smith, James Snellenberger and Joan Webb.
From hours of meetings and discussion, the organization restructured its committees and hammered out a five-year strategic plan that will guide the group through the year 2024.
One of the council’s immediate concerns was how to fund the organization’s current projects, including the ongoing Will Vawter art exhibit and the Twenty North Gallery.
With the leadership of fundraising and membership committee chairperson Alice Hedden, Hancock County Arts now boasts a tiered-membership framework. Membership levels range in price from $10 for students to the $1,000 Diamond Gallery Sponsor. Each level of membership offers a variety of perks. All levels feature a monthly email, invitations to special events and gallery recognition. Artist members with websites or a social media presence will be linked to the Hancock County Arts website. The Patron level at $100 earns a membership certificate, recognition at all Hancock County Arts events and an original drawing by Hedden herself.
In just the few months since the announcement of the new membership campaign and its perks, 17 individuals have joined or renewed, Ottinger reported.
Carol Barrett, as head of the Gallery and Special Events Committee, has a full slate of exhibitions for 2019 at the Twenty North Gallery, with an additional goal of displaying worked priced for the average art enthusiast. Currently, art from the Will Vawter competition is on display.
The year rounds out with a woodcarving show in June and a “Faces and Places” art show in July and August from artist Sandy Hall and friends. September will feature a photography show, and in October, the fiber artists will return.
Artist Steve Smith and Bargersville-based artist Roy Boswell will present a joint show in November, and in December the gallery will be filled with Santas created in all different media.
Another goal outlined in the strategic plan calls for community arts leadership.
“We want to get out and try to be the connector,” Ottinger said. “Cross-promotion, cross-communication.”
Discussion is underway with ideas on how to involve children in Arts Council events, how to boost Second Fridays in downtown Greenfield and how to be more visible during the annual Riley Festival in October.
“Another goal,” Ottinger added, “is to build relationships with other organizations in the community by getting representation from throughout the county on our board.”
“Already, we’ve added board members who represent New Palestine, Cumberland, Fortville, McCordsville and Greenfield,” said Kitty Smock, secretary for the group, “and we’re halfway toward our membership goal to keep these efforts sustainable.”
Local artist and arts activist Sandy Hall applauds the plan.
“There’s momentum there,” Hall said. “I’m glad to see that. We’re driven by volunteers, and it’s important to have everybody on board, including the artists.”
Ottinger credits her hard-working board of directors.
“We have board members who are really hitting the pavement hard,” she said, “who love the arts and love this community. They’re doing great things now, and they’re going to continue building on the progress they’ve made.”
