ACT

The Arts and Culture group went the the City Council meeting on May 3 to provide them with information about the the Portable Performance Stage, potential ideas for use and to get not only city support, but propose that the City of Annandale have ownership, provide storage, and possibly cover it under their insurance umbrella. The council members asked many good questions and are very interested. The City has agreed to write a letter of recommendation, that along with several others we will have available for any proposals we make showing community support.

We will be preparing a proposal letter for grants, we have a list of several foundations that give grants for performing arts, we will be applying to many of them. Some of them we have missed their 2004 deadlines, but will keep the information and send them in at a later date, if necessary. Many grants require groups be a 501 c 3, charitable organization, since the City of Annandale acts as the fiscal agent for ACT, we can use the city status.

We would like to go to the next City of Plymouth city council meeting to give them our proposal and some possible options in hopes we can secure some type of commitment with them in purchasing the stage. We realize we are not able to come up with the funds in the next few months, but hope they will consider holding the stage for us until we are able to get funding.

For our 1st fund raiser we will be selling advertising space to local business owners, the outside of the stage has space available for advertising, so when in transit as well as in use, advertising will be visible. Keep in mind if you are business member that this is great exposure. There is limited space so only a certain number of spaces will be sold. The cost will be $550, (adverting for 5 years and cost of lettering etc). The money will be refundable if we are unable to purchase the stage.

If any other members have any possible fund raising ideas we would be very interested in hearing them. We really need to start to take a more aggressive approach in obtaining and securing funds, this would only prove that we are very serious about this venture.

I realize this is a very busy time of year for everyone, but it would be wonderful if we could encourage a few more members attend some of the upcoming meetings. The more people we have involved the more ideas will flow, we value everyone's thoughts and opinion. So please if possible we would love to have one and all attend.

We feel there is some urgency to keep on task so we have scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday May 11 at 5:00 at the Methodist Church.

I know some members have indicated that Tuesdays is not a good day for them to meet, but if you have any thoughts or comments please feel free to e-mail them to me and I can bring them up at the meeting.