A Call To Action!!! | Eastern North Carolina Now

 This message may be long, but it is important. Please take a moment to read the following in its entirety.

 The City of Washington (COW) has asked that Arts of the Pamlico (AOP), formerly Beaufort County Arts Council, present its funding request for fiscal year 2016-2017 to Council at their upcoming meeting on Monday, February 8. The meeting will convene at 5:30PM.

 AOP is issuing a call to action for all stakeholders (including members, patrons, business partners, benefactors, artists, and board members) to attend this meeting. AOP would like to fill Council chambers with a standing-room-only crowd of supporters to help make our case that increased COW support is vital to our sustainability.

 I will present our case by telling our story and how we got to where we are today.

 COW was the starting point in 2013 in the process of AOP's eventual decision to purchase the Turnage. COW was an important part of our 3-year Strategic Plan that was developed over several months prior to the purchase of the theatre, and was involved and informed of the process at every step. Though no formal commitments were made, it was strongly indicated at the time that COW would be financially supportive of our efforts. Today, while we still have some capacity building to do among private support, our 3-year plan is on track — except for the glaring deficit in support from COW.

 Three City Managers and two Mayors later, we find ourselves in the position of having to defend ourselves to sustain our funding. AOP, along with all outside agencies, has been informed "future funding would most likely be significantly reduced and/or eliminated over the next three years". AOP believes that it is important that COW be reminded of our story, and that it is entirely likely that we would not be the owners and custodians of the Turnage were it not for their strong encouragement in the decision-making process.

 COW's continued and increased support is vital to our mission moving forward. AOP has taken this wonderful asset that is the Turnage Theatre and made it an active and thriving cultural community center for all. AOP serves a demographic that reflects our community by bringing services to young and old, black and white, and from all economic backgrounds. Our efforts bring tens of thousands of people to our community each year, along with economic benefits that ripple out to merchants, businesses, tourism, and community visibility.

 Please make plans to be at the City Council meeting to show your support. Help us convince Council that the Arts Work for Washington and Beaufort County.

• Sincerely,
•  Joey Toler
•  AOP Executive Director