About Us

MISSION STATEMENT:
The Greater Oro Valley Arts Council (GOVAC) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Oro Valley by promoting and sustaining the arts and culture of our community.

GOVAC will be central to enriching the region through the arts by:

• cultivating and securing financial support for the arts;
• advocating for arts education in all our schools;
• embracing and supporting the works of individual artists and community arts organizations;
• perpetuating the growth and ethnic diversity of the arts in the community;
• providing lifelong opportunities for the residents to experience the arts.

Vision Statement of the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council

With arts and artistic expression central to the human experience, we seek:

• development of Oro Valley as a principal center for the arts in southern Arizona;
• enhancement of the community's vitality, beauty and economic development through the promotion of the arts and collaboration with the artistic community;
• artistic entertainment and enrichment for residents and visitors of all ages;
• promotion of education in and through the arts in our local schools;
• extolling and encouraging the creative spirit throughout the community, always recognizing and honoring the region's natural beauty and cultural potential

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 Over the past 10 years, GOVAC has experienced immense growth in many of the following areas:

January 1997- June 30, 1998:

1. GOVAC was incorporated in December 1997 as a not-for-profit, 501 (c) (3). The event marked the culmination of a long-range plan by the Oro Valley Arts Advisory Board with support of Mayor and Council;
2. Assumed responsibility from Oro Valley Advisory Board to plan and implement the Oro Valley Jazz Festival, Arts & Music Festival, and Concert of All Ages Choral Festival.

July 1, 1998-June 30, 1999:

1. Entered into an agreement with the Town of Oro Valley designating GOVAC as the official arts agency for the Town of Oro Valley;
2. Hired first paid employee, Executive Director, Carmen Feriend;
3. Conducted several board retreats with facilitators to create a vision and mission statement; created a five-year plan; instituted a Cultural Diversity Plan, Revised Bylaws to structure the organization;
4. Presented the TSO's MasterWorks Series in Oro Valley.

July 1, 1999-June 30, 2000:

1. Presented the TSO "Just for Kids" Family Concerts in Oro Valley, making this program accessible to the rural communities in our area;
2. Presented the complete TSO MasterWorks Series in Oro Valley;
3. Presented a music appreciation series entitled "Exploring Music;"
4. Appointed a development committee and instituted a corporate giving campaign;
5. Responsible for the administering the Summer Youth Public Art Transportation
6. Project for the Town of Oro Valley which employs 10 youths, ages 15-18 for eight weeks to create public art;
7. Published the first GOV AC Newsletter & Calendar of Events.

July 1, 2000-June 30, 2001:

1. Presented the 1st Annual Oro Valley Independence Day Concert-more than 5000 people were in attendance;
2. Added 1-FTE to paid staff (administrative assistant);
3. Provided "Musicians-in-Residence" at Wilson and Cross Middle Schools;
4. Presented for the first time a free "COO Riverfront Park Outdoor Concert Series;"
5. Added .5 FTE to paid staff (program supervisor);
6. Presented the 1st Annual "'Art in Oro Valley" Art Contest, Exhibition and Reception.

July 1, 2001-June 30, 2002:

1. Program Supervisor promoted to full-time;
2. Increased services for "Musicians-in-the-Classroom" to include new Ironwood Ridge High School;
3. Administered six public art projects for the Town of Oro Valley;
4. Board of Directors re-structuring for equal representation for programs and development;
5. Planned and implemented two successful mini-gala fundraisers; and
6. Kicked-off a Major Gifts Campaign.

July 1, 2002-June 30, 2003:

1. Produced & presented the 1st Annual Comcast Community Celebration: A Tapestry of Holiday Traditions (sold-out performance); and
2. Increased Musicians-in-the-Classroom services at Ironwood Ridge High School.

July 1, 2003-June 30, 2004:

1. Due to the reaching audience capacity at CDO H. S. Fine Arts Auditorium, the Pops Concert was moved to a larger venue which enabled the serving of a Boston-Pops style dinner;
2. Added part-time, temporary staff to assist pr/advertising efforts;
3. Kicked-off new "Friends" giving levels and benefits;
4. Renewed operating agreement with the Town of Oro Valley; and
5. Provided Musicians-in-the-Classroom services to Coronado Middle School

July 1, 2004-June 30, 2005:

1. Moved to new office facilities, in Oro Valley, more than doubling space to 1,337 square feet;
2. Implemented new budget review criteria;
3. Created new policy for reviewing and approving new project proposals;
4. Added new program, Chamber Music Light;
5. Added new program Opera 101;
6. Revised Mission Statement;
7. Approved new Strategic Plan;
8. Applied for higher level of GOS (III) funding from Arizona Commission on the Arts;
9. Created "GOVAC Playbill" which included paid advertising and
10. Conducted first annual Gala and Silent Auction with net proceeds of more than $22,000.