Feasibility study recommends independent arts council and a public art commission; council told consultant work will follow

Community leaders and city staff presented a feasibility study on April 8 recommending two complementary steps to strengthen arts coordination: stand up a public art commission to manage the city’s public art collection and create a separately governed local or regional arts council to coordinate funding, communications and services across the local arts ecosystem.

Maureen Dondek, executive director of New City Arts, summarized the study’s findings: Charlottesville has substantial arts activity but lacks coordinated infrastructure. The steering process — she said — engaged 464 participants, 49 local organizations and produced recommendations for governance, staffing and phased funding. The study team recommended beginning with a small operational core (roughly two to three full‑time positions) to lead coordination, communications and…