Arts Commission
Mission
The Bellingham Arts Commission serves as advisors and advocates for the
enhancement and integration of the arts in the community.
Goal
To enhance opportunities for an enriched and diverse cultural experience
for the entire community.
Objectives
- Raise public awareness of the need to integrate aesthetic aspects of
design into the cityscape.
- Establish and maintain communication systems within the arts community
so that activities can be identified and coordinated among public and
private agencies, organizations, and individuals concerned with the
arts.
- Develop a broad base of financial support for local arts and artists
through public agencies and private donations and through a "percentage
and/or a per capita for the arts" program.
- Develop strong relationships with the City of Bellingham, including
the Mayor, Council members and City departmental representatives,
serving as consultative resource on matters of aesthetic and artistic
importance.
- Contribute to the economic vitality of the community by working with
Planning and Community Development, the Tourism commission, The Port of
Bellingham and other agencies, businesses and organizations to integrate
arts into the downtown / waterfront areas and all public projects
throughout the City.
- Advise the City on art acquisitions, historic landmarks, and citywide
art issues. See
Arts Commission FAQs for details.
Time Requirements
Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month in the Mayor's Board
Room at City Hall. Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. and last approximately one to
two and one half hours. Time spent outside of meetings may be as much as
five hours a week depending on involvement in the Commission.
Membership
The Commission consists of eleven members including three lay members. The
other eight should be made up of one City historian, and others from the
following disciplines: painting, sculpture, music, literature, architecture,
and landscape architecture. Terms of office are three years and no
compensation is paid to members of this Commission. No City official or
employee can be a member of the Arts Commission nor may any citizen having a
conflict of interest. Members must live or work in Bellingham.
