PROGRAM MISSION: To use the power of the arts to transform lives, build communities and make Arlington a great place to be. The Division provides programs and services that encourage the growth and development of the arts and that are focused on meeting the needs and interests of the Arlington community.

Administration, Marketing and Advancement Program mission: To provide oversight and leadership to the Division, promote Arlington as an innovative community that values the arts as an essential part of life, and advance the arts through entrepreneurial partnerships that enhance economic and community development. In addition, marketing staff provide services to Arlington arts organizations and to the Division's programs to increase audience attendance and participation at arts events. This section supports the County Fair and oversees the events offered through the Rosslyn BID, Arlington Arts al Fresco and the Division's special presenting programs.

Facility and Technical Services Program mission: To manage arts facilities and provide technical services that support arts programs throughout the County. Technical Services Section fosters excellence and professionalism in the technical production qualities of the arts in Arlington. This section manages the County's costume and set construction shops at Gunston. This section also provides technical assistance at numerous countywide public events. The Facilities Management Section oversees the management of all Division facilities including five theater facilities, the Ellipse Arts Center, the Lee Arts Center, Lubber Run amphitheater, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association conference center, and various school facilities. This section also manages the Division's facility rental program.

Cultural Development Program mission: To enable artists to produce high quality work that reflects the diverse interests of the Arlington community. This section develops programs that sustain traditions and encourage cross-cultural appreciation and understanding for all Arlington residents. This section also provides a comprehensive program of support and services to individual artists and arts organizations, including ethnically specific cultural groups through the County's Arts Incubator program. Services include facilities, funding, technical and administrative assistance. This section is responsible for attracting and maintaining a diverse mix of quality arts organizations in Arlington, administering the County's artist grant program and providing various training programs and consulting services targeted to assist arts organizations and artists with their artistic and managerial development. This section oversees the Sister Cities Program, Heritage Arts Program,Lee Arts Center and the Ballston Art Market.

Community and Public Art Program mission: To increase citizen access to the arts and contribute to the development of attractive residential and commercial neighborhoods.  The Community and Public Art Section manages the County's public art program by implementing County initiated projects in public spaces and overseeing public art amenities negotiated as part of the County site plan process.    This section also manages the Ellipse Arts Center's exhibition and community arts programming.

SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

• Increase in personnel is due to normal step increases and 1.1 FTE increase. Increase of 1.1 FTE is due to transfer of 0.5 FTE from Community Recreation Service Areas and 0.5 FTE from Supplemental Fees Program for better organizational alignment, and an additional 0.1 FTE for Rosslyn BID to enhance recruitment efforts.

• Increase in Intra-County Charges is due to increase in RBID charge back.

• Increase in revenue is due to transfer of facility rental revenue from Supplemental Fees Program ($24,000) and Rosslyn Spectrum ($12,000).

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Mission outcome measures reflect the Cultural Affairs Division's direct involvement in supporting new arts organizations and expanding cultural activity in Arlington

• Amount requested declined in FY 2004 reflecting Arts Commission limiting amount of project grant requests to $10,000 (previously not limited), and reflects economic downturn following September 11, 2001. Grant requests received declined in FY 2005 when the Arts Commission limited applicants to one project grant request.

• Customer measures are new and no historical information is available. Data collection for these measures began in FY2005.

• Increase in FY 2005 estimate for Artist studio visits at Lee Arts Center is based on the new minimum use policy implemented in winter of 2005.

• Drop in FY 2005's estimated attendance at cultural heritage events is based on the end of the Cultural Affairs-sponsored concert series at the Rosslyn Spectrum and because the County did not sponsor a 9/11 commemorative concert.

• Increase in FY 2004 actual for Cultural heritage events presented is due to new presentation of a series at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre and the Hearabouts pilot project for professional development of Heritage Arts groups. In FY 2005, the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre will no longer be presented.

• Drop in Number of County Public Art projects in development does not correlate to fewer staff hours – the scope of the proposed project at the Water Pollution Control Plant required staff to decrease the number of projects under development.

FUTURE BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS;

• Ongoing growth of the arts in the County has resulted in increased demand for facilities, services and funding. The growth and development of numerous heritage/traditional arts groups has resulted in a need for additional funding for facility monitors to support various arts activities presented by these groups.

• Resources available from the private sector for free outdoor programming have been cut over the last three years and as a result program offerings at numerous outdoor locations including Lubber Run have been significantly reduced.

• The Arlington Commission for the Arts and the arts community continue to identify the need for additional resources in the area of publicity and marketing in order to develop cooperative marketing programs and to implement a paid advertising program focused on marketing the arts to increase tourism and to develop a regional audience for Arlington arts events.