The City of Cranbrook made its annual contribution to the Cranbrook and District Arts Council Thursday, June 6, at a special reception at the CDAC gallery on 10th Avenue South.
Mayor Wayne Stetski presented CDAC President Mitchell Pocha with a cheque for $20,350 — which includes $2,000 earmarked for the East Kootenay Performing Arts Festival.
Stetski detailed City funding for the Arts Council over the past few years: $13,350 was presented in 2010 and again in 2011, $18,350 in 2012, and this year's total of $20,350.
Stetski added that the RDEK is contributing $5,000 this year, with Rob Gay, Director of Area C, adding a further $1,500 from Columbia Basin Trust's Community Initiative Grants, which will be applied to the Arts Council 40th anniversary celebrations.
Pocha said these celebrations include the current "Bygone Days" exhibition, the Art in the Park event scheduled for August 27, and the gala celebration held at the Ktunaxa Gym in Cranbrook on May 17.
In related news, the Cranbrook and District Arts Council held its annual general meeting last week. Seven new members joined the board, and Mitchell Pocha took over the helm as President.
The board now includes: Mitchell Pocha, Jenny Humphrey, Mark Duckworth, Howie Mason, Tessa McGregor, Landon Elliott, Bill McColl, Louie Cupello, Vine Madder and Sioux Browning.