Delaware Arts Alliance members support each other

Nov 24, 2009 — Dover Post

Sarika Jagtiani

Dover, Del. -

The state’s arts community has a new support system. The non-profit Delaware Arts Alliance formed as a response to the fiscal downturn of 2008, when it looked like the state’s arts funding might be cut. A steering committee made up of representatives from arts organizations throughout the state has been meeting to determine the best way to weather the financial storm.

“There’s really no one out there to speak for the arts agencies, the arts cultural groups and so on,” said Dr. Donald Parks, programming and development director for the Schwartz Center for the Arts.

Parks said the group would like to hire a leader who is familiar with the legislative system so when the joint finance committee works on the state budget, the cultural community will be represented.

“It’s the arts that really stimulate the economy,” Parks said.

He explained that hosting arts events means money goes to local advertisers, vendors, theater technicians, artists and others in the community.

Robert Grenfell, president of the First State Ballet Theatre, said the non-profit group formed, in part, to share expenses, marketing efforts and more. It’s essential for the group to bring organizations throughout the state together, he said.

Parks said that hiring one lobbyist to work for all the groups makes more sense than each of them spending money separately.

And getting funding is a key element to the new group’s success. The Delaware Division of the Arts works for the cultural community, but can only do so much when it comes to financing, he said.

“The DDA is out there, but their hands are tied when it comes to talking to the legislators because they’re a member of the state agencies, whereas we’re not,” Parks explained. “So we’ve become a separate voice.”

The Delaware Arts Alliance Steering Committee includes leaders from the following organizations: Chapel Street Players, Christina Cultural Arts Center, city of Wilmington/CityFest, Delaware Art Museum, Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Delaware Children’s Museum, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Theatre Company, First State Ballet Theatre, Grand Opera House, Milton Theatre, Opera Delaware, Rehoboth Art League, Rehoboth Beach Film Society, Schwartz Center for the Arts and Wilmington Renaissance Corporation.

For more information on the Delaware Arts Alliance, call 302-425-5500.

Email Sarika Jagtiani at sarika.jagtiani@doverpost.com