Established at a public meeting
in May 1977, the non-profit Morgan Arts Council has produced more
than a thousand programs with nearly 2400 artists, benefitting thousands
of visitors and residents including students in all county schools.
Presentations have included concerts, arts workshops, pageants, entertainment
at the Apple Butter Festival, craft studio tours, professional art
shows, storytellers, theater and video festivals.
All these activities -- and
more -- are aimed at accomplishing MAC's stated mission:
GETTING
ART OUT THERE
The official arts council of
Morgan County, MAC has more than 450 individual and family members.
MAC is governed by an elected board of artists and business people
and staffed by a professional arts administrator. A corps of dedicated
volunteers work in all areas, from booking artists to curating gallery
shows to staffing the box office at concerts and plays. New volunteers
are always welcome.
MAC's leadership
extends beyond arts programming. In 1993, MAC hosted the first West
Virginia Arts Assembly. In 1995, it brought a Benedum Foundation project
to the area which provided $80,000 in project grants to 39 groups and
organizations from the Humane Society to the Boys and Girls Club. In
2000, MAC directed development of a county cultural and recreation plan.
Financial support derives from West Virginia Commission on the Arts
and National Endowment for the Arts grants, hotel/motel taxes, fundraising
activities, membership fees and admissions.
