Community arts council takes shape

A new group has emerged with the intent

of providing support for the Whitefish arts community and

venues.

The Whitefish Arts Council, made up of

about 15 members, has several goals toward supporting Whitefish

arts.

“We want to promote and facilitate a

strong and vibrant artistic community,” Carol Atkinson, the groups

de-facto leader, said.

Atkinson, along with David Pickeral, is

spearheading the group. The council is a committee of people “who

have an interest in the arts,” which includes business owners,

representatives from the city, school and arts groups.

“We’re a group of creative people

sitting down and trying to make some decisions,” Atkinson said last

week.

The council has met a half dozen times

to begin constructing goals and objectives. Eventually the council

expects to form articles of incorporation, bylaws and apply for

non-profit status in the coming months.

The main goals of the group are to

maintain the arts venues, coordinate the arts organizations,

promote the arts and be an advocate for the arts organizations.

The specifics of what this will mean

for Whitefish is still being determined, according to Atkinson. A

few ideas have risen to the top including creating a comprehensive

arts calendar, fundraising to assist with maintenance and creating

a wish list of needs for the art facilities.

Atkinson, who along with her husband

Richard, and John Kramer, led the fundraising effort for the

Whitefish Middle School auditorium, which resulted in $5 million in

donations.

“It’s an incredible facility, but now

what?” asked Atkinson. “The logical step is for me to take care of

it. When you fund raise for seven years, you get attached. I want

to see it maintained and used in the best way it can.”

Maintenance is a big deal for all of

the facilities in town. From light bulbs to chairs, there are items

that over the years need replacing.

“We (the council) raise the money,”

Atkinson said, allowing the groups who operate in the facilities to

concentrate on their productions.

Atkinson also sees the council

promoting Whitefish arts. She points to the size of the middle

school auditorium with roughly 450 seats, as the potential spot to

attract large acts. She said folks would travel from Missoula or

Spokane to attend these events bringing money to the community.

“There is an ability to market this

area from an arts point of view,” she said. “Why not? We’re already

a tourist community.”