New Castle Creates Arts and Culture Committee

Last night the New Castle Town Board approved a resolution creating the Town of New Castle Arts & Culture Committee, Supervisor Rob Greenstein writes.

The DeWitt Wallace Auditorium, originally to be demolished, will be donated to the Town of New Castle.

Attending last night’s town board meeting were many performing arts organizations excited and anxious to use the venue, Greenstein said.

“John Fanelli, Founder & Artistic Director of Mainstage Shows, and Standing Ovation Studio Productions, spoke of his very positive experience using the theatre for a recent production of Peter Pan and High School Musical. Mr. Fanellli said it would have been a crime to tear down the theatre.

““New Castle resident Thomas H. Kasulka talked about the possibility of bringing summer stock to the theatre,” Greenstein said. ”This is a big day for New Castle. We are already known for great schools. Soon we will also be known for great Arts & Culture! The historic DeWitt Wallace Auditorium will be a priceless cultural resource, Our mission is clear “we will improve our entire community’s quality of life by enhancing culture and the arts in and around New Castle.”

Here’s the mission statement for the committee:

The New Castle Town Board is interested in creating a New Castle Arts & Culture Committee (“NCACC”) dedicated to advancement of the arts in the New Castle community. The NCACC is envisioned as a gathering of diverse community stakeholders dedicated to improving the quality of life for the entire New Castle community by enhancing culture and the arts in and around New Castle.

The mission of the NCACC shall be to support, develop, propose and raise awareness of events and programs on art, music, dance, theatre, film and all other cultural art forms taking place in and around the Town of New Castle. Events and programs of interest shall include theatre productions, arts series, art auctions, concerts and shows, art exhibits, children’s art programs and community creative festivals.

To achieve its objective, the NCACC will serve in an advisory capacity to the Town Board and other departments within the Town to foster collaboration between the Town and third parties on events and programs dedicated to the arts. The NCACC’s specific functions shall be established by the Town Board, but shall include (i) collaboration with third parties to develop presentations to the Town Board for proposed events and programs; (ii) researching other events or programs taking place in the region which may be of interest to the New Castle community; (iii) helping to promote Town-sponsored events and programs; and (iv) act as liaison between the Town and the public for feedback on past and future events and programs.

The NCACC shall consist of 5 to 9 members appointed by the Town Board for two (2) year terms. Membership on the NCACC shall be on a volunteer basis, and members shall serve without compensation; provided, the Town may establish an annual budget to cover the NCACC’s costs and expenses.

Members of the NCACC shall be Town residents or area residents with an expressed interest in advancement of the arts and culture within the Town of New Castle. NCACC members should have a demonstrable professional or personal interest in the arts. A degree or formal background in the arts shall not be a requirement of NCACC membership.