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About WWAC |
West Windsor Arts CouncilMission Statement Brief History of the West Windsor Arts Council Staff and Board Recent major accomplishments Alexander Road Firehouse - A Permanent Home for the Arts Website and Calendar Partnerships and Collaborations Mission StatementThe mission of the West Windsor Arts Council (WWAC) is to establish and manage the West Windsor Arts Center and provide professional quality community arts programming in order to support, educate, inspire, and promote the arts and art appreciation in the greater West Windsor community. In addition to the mission, the WWAC has established the following guiding principles: WWAC programs will reflect high professional standards; high regard for cultural diversity; and equitable and fair payment for artists. Brief History of the West Windsor Arts CouncilThe West Windsor Arts Council began in the fall of 2001 when West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh encouraged interested community members to develop a plan to utilize the historic Princeton Junction Firehouse as an arts center. Subsequently, he formed the Mayor’s Art Center Formation Task Force. After approximately one and a half years of meetings and planning, the West Windsor Arts Council was formed as an outgrowth of the task force with its mission to establish an arts center at the old firehouse and provide community arts programming throughout West Windsor. Starting in early 2002, the volunteer group began to produce arts programs at various venues throughout West Windsor. In July, 2002, the group voted to establish the new arts council as a non-profit organization. There was consensus that the official name of the arts council would be the West Windsor Arts Council and that the primary purpose for the arts council would be to establish and manage the West Windsor Arts Center. A board of directors was created to oversee development of the new arts council. In May, 2003 the West Windsor Township Council, in response to a presentation and proposal from the WWAC board, voted unanimously to accept a resolution to establish a new arts center in the old firehouse, with management provided by WWAC. With the Township Council’s resolution as an official endorsement of the WWAC plans, the WWAC board filed for non-profit status and in January 2004 received the IRS’s determination letter declaring the West Windsor Arts Council a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization. Staff and Board:Executive Director: Eduardo Garcia Board Members: Ilene Dube, President Lisa Weil, Vice President Brenda Engels, Secretary Ruth Kusner Potts, Treasurer Paul Cerna Diane Ciccone Jerry Fields Amy Frankel Elane Gutterman Bhavana Joshi Heidi Kleinman Allen Marx Dick Snedeker Karen Yee Recent major accomplishments
Arts Programs at the West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market - May through October The West Windsor Arts Council offers an informational booth throughout the months of the market’s operation, and features special arts events, such as art exhibits, interactive craft activities, and musical performances. Summer Solstice Poetry Our annual June poetry event has featured poets such as Verbal Mayhem, Susan Wheeler, Doc Lang, and J. Simone. An “open mic” for members of the audience is part of the event at Nassau Park Pavilion, West Windsor. Midsummer Music Series Programs have featured the New Jersey Opera and music festivals. In 2006, a variety of artists performed on string instruments ranging from the banjo to the Chinese zither at the “Global String Thing”. The 2007 festival presented “The Power of Percussion” with a focus on drums. The concerts take place at Nassau Park Pavilion, West Windsor. West Windsor Film Series Each year, we screen of three films around a particular theme, such as “Large Events through Small Eyes” in 2006 and “The Force of Family” in 2007. Each film is accompanied by a distinguished speaker knowledgeable about the film or the film topic who facilitates animated discussions with audience members. The series is presented at the West Windsor Public Library. Autumn Arts Afternoon Our annual hands-on visual arts festival in late fall, during which established artists interact with the public of all ages, draws several hundred people each year to the Nassau Park Pavilion, West Windsor. Sunday Sampler Series This performing arts series was newly created in 2007, featuring artists from Young Audiences of New Jersey. The Arts Council offered ten performances at the Millstone River School in Plainsboro, West Windsor - Plainsboro School District. Performers include Taikoza, Dance China New York, the Thunderbird Dancers, Mexico Beyond Mariachi, and Exit 9. Mercer County Juried Exhibition - The Gallery at Mercer County Community College. West Windsor Arts Council has given a cash award to an outstanding West Windsor artist for the last five years, and plans to continue doing so. Arts ConneXion An evening for artists to share their artistic talents with other artists. Artists are given the opportunity to exhibit visual artwork or to perform, be it through spoken word, music, or dance. INTROS The West Windsor Arts Council initiated the first INTROS in 2006, which gave local arts and cultural organizations the opportunity to introduce themselves to the public and to each other. The Executive Director of the West Windsor Arts Council and his fellow colleagues from arts and cultural organizations based in West Windsor participated in this event. INTROS 07 was designed in the format of a volunteer fair at the West Windsor Senior Center, to which the public was invited to explore volunteer opportunities in arts and cultural organizations in West Windsor. Communiversity The Arts Council participates in this annual town-gown festival in Princeton by hosting interactive art at its informational booth. Alexander Road Firehouse - A Permanent Home for the ArtsIn September 2006, a major step towards acquiring a home for the Arts Council was taken when the Mayor of West Windsor signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the use of the Alexander Road Firehouse between West Windsor Township and the West Windsor Arts Council. At a meeting of the Township Council, approval was given for the completion of the archictectural analysis. In January 2007, approval was given by the council for Jim Foran to develop specifications on what will have to be done to bring the building up to code. The Arts Council has been invited to work with the architect on interior design concepts to make the building an exciting, vibrant arts and cultural center serving all of West Windsor. Even though the Arts Council will only be a tenant in this Township-owned property, it will be a home for the arts in every sense of the word. Approval for capital expenditures was passed by the West Windsor Township Council and sent out for bids in 2008. The Township rejected the original bids and a new bid process will take effect mid-2009. It is projected that construction will begin during the summer of 2009 and completed for an opening late in 2009 or early 2010.Website and CalendarWith our website, we aim to provide an overview of our goals and programming to the public, but also to offer links to other arts and cultural organizations and local instititutions. One outstanding feature of our website is the West Windsor Arts Council’s Calendar of Cultural Events, which lists information on events to take place in West Windsor, as well as events that feature West Windsor-based artists in other locations.Partnerships and CollaborationsSince we were established, we have been able to collaborate with a variety of West Windsor-based groups. We have worked with the Gallery at Mercer Community College for the Mercer County Juried Exhibition. We cooperate with the West Windsor Library and the Friends of the Library for our film series. We collaborate with New Jersey Opera in the presentation of our Midsummer Music Series at the Nassau Park Pavilion. And, finally, we have partnered with the West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, where we regularly arrange for art shows, musical performances, and interactive art events as well as present information on the Arts Council to the public while the market is in session from May through October. Please visit us again for the latest information on upcoming events and plans for the future. |
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