YAC IS BACK: Arts council makes changes in wake of funding cut

Roxanne Delage
YAC IS BACK: Arts council makes changes in wake of funding cut

CORNWALL, Ontario – After facing a few challenges, earlier this year, Your Arts Council Cornwall and the Counties (YAC) is back up on its feet and poised to move forward and grow.

The organization was dealt a road block, earlier in the year, after the city had originally cut its budget to $12,000 – a fraction of what was requested, said Richard Salem, YAC facilitator. “We did have some original cuts to what we had asked for from the city,” he said, but after a petition was launched, city council reconsidered and fully funded them at $35,000.

Salem explained that at the same time, YAC executive director, Bruce Davis, was beginning a personal four-month leave of absence, but it was still presumed that they would be able to match funds with grants, which paid for his salary. The program expired, and most of the alternative granting programs were closed, as well.

“We got caught without the matching funds we had hoped for, so the board deliberated and decided that with the funding from the city, we couldn’t maintain the position of executive director, said Salem. “We had to tell Bruce that we can’t bring him back; we just don’t have the budget for it.”

The board decided to hire a contract administrator a part-time basis, which, for now is Salem, who calls himself a facilitator.

“So we closed the position of executive director,” said Salem, who is in for the interim, to get things back up and running. “Eventually the board is looking to hire a part-time general manager.”   

In the meantime, the organization continues its work, including the addition of a third space within the Incubator Program, which offers affordable studio facilities for visual artists.

As well, YAC now provides three galleries for local artist to exhibit, including the third floor at YAC office, in the Aultsville Building; the Aultsville foyer gallery, which is in the process of expansion; and at the Grind Café. Cornwall Tourism is now on board as a circulating gallery. They will also be providing a partnership with the Apples and Arts Studio tour, in the fall.

YAC will be at the International Plowing Match, in September, in partnership with Cornwall Tourism, providing performance opportunities for local acts.

Other changes to the group include a new and improved website and the elimination of the annual membership fee. Visit www.yourartscouncil.ca, for further information or to register.  The “Let’s Talk” community meeting sessions will reconvene, later in the fall.

“The top most objective of this organization is that artists are successful; It’s that simple,” said Salem. “That’s our purpose; that’s what I’m continuing to do here.”

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