West Valley Arts Council presents programs, commission discusses outreach and cultural calendar

Kathy Knecht, executive director of the West Valley Arts Council, told the Surprise Arts and Cultural Commission on Feb. 3 that the council is expanding programming across the West Valley and using Surprise as a hub for gallery exhibitions, public art and arts education.

"When it comes to arts and culture, more is more," Knecht said, summarizing the council’s approach to growing audiences and opportunities across 13 West Valley cities. Knecht said the West Valley Arts HQ gallery in Surprise hosted nine rotating exhibits in 2024, drew about 4,600 visitors and supported artists through roughly $27,000 in retail sales, of which she said 75 percent goes back to the artists.

The presentation outlined several ongoing programs and partnerships. Knecht described Gallery 37, a youth public-art program coordinated with Estrella Mountain Community College that selects a cohort (about 15 students) to design and produce a public artwork, earn college credit and receive a stipend. She also noted the council’s work placing murals and commissioned art for private developers and businesses, citing recent and upcoming projects with Desert Diamond Casino and Kroger.

Knecht said the council mounted 19 live gallery performances last year with about 2,600 attendees and operates a creative-aging program serving roughly 100 senior participants. She also previewed a grant-funded mural by Eric Exedy and a court mural scheduled for installation in March that will not be publicly viewable until the new pool and court facility open.

Commission discussion after the presentation centered on outreach and the commission’s cultural-support calendar. Commissioners and staff brainstormed tactics to broaden audiences and engage specific groups: homeschool co‑ops, youth via the Surprise Youth Council, and residents in the Original Town Site (OTS) neighborhood. Suggestions included targeted monthly email blasts for homeschool groups, inviting co-op leaders to commission meetings, piloting a traveling sketching tour to bring events into different neighborhoods, and coordinating youth-led mural work tied to the planned removal and replacement of an existing mural.

Julie (City staff member) told the commission that a VISTA study being compiled by a consultant is approaching its final phase and could be ready for public release in late March or early April. Knecht said the council’s final report and digital materials are designed to be easily shareable with cities and business partners.

The commission also reviewed the cultural-support calendar and upcoming events in Surprise. Knecht invited commissioners to the traffic-cabinet artist reception Feb. 12 and noted Actors Playground’s grand opening March 15. She reminded commissioners that the West Valley Arts HQ gallery is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Procedural action: Commissioners moved and seconded approval of the Jan. 6, 2025, Arts and Culture Advisory Commission minutes and the motion passed by voice vote; the transcript does not record individual roll-call votes.

Why it matters: The West Valley Arts Council is the nonprofit regional partner that helps place public art, curate gallery exhibitions and run youth and aging programs throughout the West Valley. Commission interest in targeted outreach — to homeschool co‑ops, youth and the Original Town Site — reflects a push to broaden who attends and participates in Surprise arts programs. The consultant VISTA report and the court mural installation are near-term items that could shape local programming and public-art placements.

Looking ahead: Knecht said the council will finalize its report for public release by late March or early April if no additional changes are required. The commission asked staff to consider adding Original Town Site activation and youth partnerships into the FY27 public-art planning, and members discussed inviting homeschool co‑op leaders and the Surprise Youth Council to future meetings or events to support outreach and student involvement.