Arts Council asks Hagerstown for closer partnership and ex officio seat

Katherine Gratton, who said she stepped into the executive directorship of the Washington County Arts Council on Jan. 19, pressed the mayor and council to deepen a partnership with the city to support downtown arts programming and public art.

Gratton told the council the Arts Council maintains an anchor presence downtown and has “over 160 artists in our shop” and “over 1,200 on our mailing list,” which she said gives the nonprofit reach to amplify city-led initiatives. She said the nonprofit has re-granting capacity that channels state and county arts funds to local artists and organizations and that the State Arts Council approved the organization’s budget for the coming year.

“Where does the city see the most opportunity for arts programming and support downtown in a vibrant and economic way?” Gratton asked. She also requested that a city representative — “someone from the city and the council, the mayor even” — serve as an ex officio member of the Arts Council board to improve communication and collaboration.

Council members and staff responded with practical questions about past engagement and current staffing: a council member noted that many downtown events are coordinated through city staff and highlighted the recent mural work as an example of staff-led initiatives, while Gratton said she had already begun outreach to staff members Brittany and Leah and to other local organizations, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Western Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

No formal council action was taken at the work session. Staff and Gratton agreed to pursue more regular coordination, and council members encouraged the Arts Council to stay connected with event calendars and city initiatives so the organizations’ efforts are not duplicative.