About the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission
Cultural Arts Commission Chairman Tim Vetang talks about the great community events and importance of enhancing the arts in Geneva. This video aired on Geneva Broadcast Network in July 2015.
The Cultural Arts Commission meets the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 109 James St. in Geneva. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, call Geneva City Hall: 630-232-7494. Agendas and meeting minutes can be found in the Agenda Center.
Annual programs include the RiverPark Summer Concert Series, Shakespeare in the Park, Geneva Write Now Writing Contest, Steeple Walk Concerts, Art on Fire Hydrant Paintings, Bike+Rack=Art Functional Sculptures, Gimme Shelter Bus Stop Murals and Select Public Art Projects. The Commission also proudly supports the artistic endeavors of the Geneva Foundation for the Arts.
The Geneva Cultural Arts Commission and Geneva Foundation for the Arts work hand in hand to promote a thriving arts community in Geneva. As a result of a retreat in November 2017, the two organizations signed a Statement of Cooperation to better define their responsibilities. The Commission was formed by City Ordinance in 2006 as an Advisory Commission to make recommendations to City Council, to serve the community by providing information about art groups/activities, and to provide guidance in establishing a Community Arts Center. In its tenure, the Commission's mission has evolved, to lead and support diverse cultural arts experiences that enrich the community. Seeing the need and benefits of establishing a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, members of the Commission formed the Foundation in 2013. Its mission is to acquire and manage funds to promote a thriving arts community in Geneva with the vision to establish an endowment to support major cultural arts projects and a Community Arts Center. Contributions and grants will be sought from various sources including public, private and governmental. In September 2021, the Geneva Center for the Arts opened its doors at 321 Stevens St. For more information about the new community arts center visit genevaartscenter.org.
Mission
Our mission is to create diverse cultural arts experiences that engage the community by: pursuing the active participation and cooperation of the arts community, government, business, education, and the public; providing resources and opportunities for both the arts community and art patrons; and developing new and exciting cultural initiatives that encourage economic and social growth.Meetings
The Cultural Arts Commission meets the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 109 James St. in Geneva. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, call Geneva City Hall: 630-232-7494. Agendas and meeting minutes can be found in the Agenda Center.
Cultural Arts Commissioners
| Tim Vetang, Chairman |
Kent Gallagher |
Kevin Heckman |
| Jennifer Paolello |
Amy Cook |
Michael Ploszek |
| Dana Teichart |
Jan Schmuckal |
Kathy Sabaini |
History
The Geneva Cultural Arts Commission was formed in 2006 with the goal of creating a regional model for promoting the arts within the community. The Commission consists of a nine-member committee and executive chair, which functions as an auxiliary body of Geneva's city government. Plans for creating the GCAC started in 2005. Organizers envisioned it as a resource for artists and groups, and the Commission would also create a cultural arts center and a business plan that would highlight how the arts would contribute to the City.
Annual Programs
Annual programs include the RiverPark Summer Concert Series, Shakespeare in the Park, Geneva Write Now Writing Contest, Steeple Walk Concerts, Art on Fire Hydrant Paintings, Bike+Rack=Art Functional Sculptures, Gimme Shelter Bus Stop Murals and Select Public Art Projects. The Commission also proudly supports the artistic endeavors of the Geneva Foundation for the Arts.
Business Plan for Community Arts Center
The Geneva Cultural Arts Commission has worked with community stakeholders to create a Business Plan for a Community Arts Center to be located in Geneva. The City of Geneva in cooperation with the Commission retained Public Research Group in 2010 to survey the community to understand its cultural needs and to gauge public interest in building a Cultural Arts Center. The results of this study can be found online.The Geneva Cultural Arts Commission and Geneva Foundation for the Arts work hand in hand to promote a thriving arts community in Geneva. As a result of a retreat in November 2017, the two organizations signed a Statement of Cooperation to better define their responsibilities. The Commission was formed by City Ordinance in 2006 as an Advisory Commission to make recommendations to City Council, to serve the community by providing information about art groups/activities, and to provide guidance in establishing a Community Arts Center. In its tenure, the Commission's mission has evolved, to lead and support diverse cultural arts experiences that enrich the community. Seeing the need and benefits of establishing a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, members of the Commission formed the Foundation in 2013. Its mission is to acquire and manage funds to promote a thriving arts community in Geneva with the vision to establish an endowment to support major cultural arts projects and a Community Arts Center. Contributions and grants will be sought from various sources including public, private and governmental. In September 2021, the Geneva Center for the Arts opened its doors at 321 Stevens St. For more information about the new community arts center visit genevaartscenter.org.