Lincoln Council for the Arts announces new slate of off icers and future plans

The Lincoln Council for the Arts had their first live meeting since March last week, although they met via a Zoom meeting in April to discuss the cancellation of the Lincoln Arts and Music Festival.

Annette Gardner presided over her last meeting as president before introducing a new slate of officers. Gardner, who has been the organization's president for many years, stepped down this year, but will serve in an ex-officio position to help the new board since she has had so much experience with the organization.

The new slate of officers are: President Lee York, Vice President Toni Austad, Secretary Tammy Jordan and Treasurer Julie Zarske.

The council discussed the cancellation of all their 2020 events, including the Missoula Children's Theater at the School, the Lincoln Art & Music Festival and the block party trailer. They also had a new discussion about the possibility of an Art Walk in collaboration with the Lincoln Valley Chamber of Commerce for the weekend the Art and Music Festival had been planned for.

The idea is to have artists and local businesses work together to bring people to town that weekend and promote artists and commerce in the Lincoln valley. Arguments were made both for and against the event and the directors decided they would revisit the idea for further discussion at their next meeting, after seeing how the state's re-opening proceeds.

The organization is also considering director and officer insurance for the board, which it currently does not have. Judy Spath has been gathering information about various policies. The organization had several questions about the insurance that couldn't be answered at their monthly meeting. The directors are planning a separate meeting with an insurance person to discuss their options and their questions. This meeting will be open to all members of organizations in Lincoln who have questions as well. The meeting date and time will be announced soon.

One of the struggles of the Council for the Arts, like many other organizations and businesses in Lincoln, is their financial responsibilities. Fundraising opportunities for the organization have been put on hold until the end of the year. Their annual coupon book will be on hold until next year.

"We didn't feel it was in good taste to approach local businesses this year with everything going on, and hope to work with those businesses again next year when we resume the annual coupon book," said Gardner. A letter will be going out to the businesses that had coupons in last year's book with more information.

The Art's Council welcomes feedback from local businesses and asks any additional businesses to contact them if they are interested in having a coupon in the book next year.

There was also a proposal at the meeting to increase member ship dues in January 2021 from $5, which it has been for the last several years without an increase, to $25 per year, to cover the organization's expenses.

Other fundraising opportunities will be discussed at future meetings.

The Lincoln Council for the Arts meets the third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the back room at Lambkins Restaurant. All are welcome to attend. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 15 where discussion pertaining to insurance, the art walk, and updates to the bylaws will be addressed.