To the Editor:

The evolution of Northern New York Arts Councils and their new roles as recipients of New York State moneys through the North Country Regional Economic Development Council

Since the North Country Regional Economic Development Council has recognized arts and culture in its strategic plan as a strategic cluster industry alongside advanced materials, manufacturing, aerospace, transportation equipment, agriculture, food, bio/health, clean energy, defense, distribution, higher education, wood/paper, it is important for people and organizations in the arts to be aware of some history, especially the history of arts councils as it pertains to the NCREDC’s work.

If you are involved in the arts and you want to secure its future for your business or your organization you may find an article I wrote about arts councils in Northern New York interesting. You may be securing state funding through arts councils, through local governments, and through your local businesses.

The North Country Regional Economic Development Council may be your conduit to New York State moneys.

For the complete article on the history of the St. Lawrence Valley Arts and Humanities Council, the Tri County Arts Council and the St. Lawrence County Arts Council please contact me via email: joe@norwoodvillagegreenconcertseries.org

The article is about the evolution of arts councils in Northern New York from 1970 onward, especially the Arts and Humanities Council of the St. Lawrence Valley, the Tri County Arts Council and the St. Lawrence County Arts Council. Having been involved` with all three I have a unique perspective. I share some of it in the following two paragraphs.

There is no doubt that of the three attempts to establish an arts council to serve Northern New York and St. Lawrence County specifically, the St. Lawrence County Arts Council has had the best results. I consider the arts council movement as evolutionary and I look forward to its continuing process as the St. Lawrence Count Arts Council, having evolved from the Tri-County Arts Council and founded in 1995, celebrates its 16th anniversary year.

As the St. Lawrence County Arts Council celebrates its 16th anniversary as an organization, I look forward to the evolution of the arts council movement in St. Lawrence County and throughout the North Country. I thank all previous contributors to the arts council movement in New York States’ northern tier from the 1970’s to today and beyond for their contributions to its continued vibrancy.

Joseph M. Liotta

Norwood