Who We Are
The Orange County Arts Council is a private, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to meeting the growing need for local arts advocacy and serving as a county-wide arts resource. A diverse Board of Directors made up of community leaders, business leaders, arts enthusiasts, and professional artists oversees the Orange County Arts Council. Many of our programs are designed and implemented by volunteers serving on various committees.
Our Mission
Orange County Arts Council supports and empowers artists, fosters diverse forms of expression and promotes access to the arts through educational programs, cultural events, public projects and participation that is integral to the economic development and collective well-being of our community.
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Goals and Objectives
1. Invest in Orange County by championing the arts
2. Build new and more diverse audiences while deepening their engagement with the arts
3. Foster community engagement in arts and culture
4. Extend and strengthen the presence of the arts in Orange County
5. Support initiatives that nurture thriving arts and cultural sectors
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Directors
Anthony Davidowitz
Lotus Do
Jonathan Gatsik
Gilbert Guaring
Barry Lewis
Chris DeFilippi
Jennifer Schneider
Patricia Phillips
Marsha Talbot
Jonnie Wesley-Krueger
Executive Committee
Janet Howard-Fatta, President
Stuart Sachs, Vice-President
Michelle Figliomeni, Secretary
Tom Kennedy, Treasurer
Gary Schuster, General Counsel
Programming Committee
Janet Howard-Fatta
Regina McGrade
Barry Lewis
Marsha Talbot
Jennifer Schneider
Chris DeFilippi
Governance/Nominating
Gary Schuster
Anthony Davidowitz
Development
Gilbert Guaring
Finance
Our Staff
COMMUNITY ACTION COMMITTEES
ARTS OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Evelyn Albino, Goshen, Cornerstone Theatre
Mary Altobeli, Chester, Village of Chester Arts Group
Gloria Bonelli, Goshen, Goshen Art League
Maria Bruni, Middletown, Paramount Theater
Melinda Burgard, Greenwood Lake, Melinda’s Music Therapy
Vernon Byron, New Windsor, Artist
Mary Lou Carolan, Newburgh, Newburgh Free Library
Paul Ellis, Sugar Loaf, PEP Productions/ Ten Minute Play Fest
Jonathan Gatsik, Newburgh, Regal Bags Studios
Carly Glasse, Village of Goshen, Illuminate Goshen
Naomi Hersson- Ringskog, Newburgh, Dept of Small Interventions
Janet Howard-Fatta, Warwick, Committee Chair
Beth Kalet, Orange County, Times Herald Record
Maaike Leavey, New Windsor, Washingtonville
Jay Leroy, Cornwall, Cornwall Arts Collective
Dawn Liberi, Newburgh, Newburgh Community
Victoria Lichtendorf, Cornwall, Storm King Art Center
Ed Manner, Newburgh, Edison Projects
Rivera Marisa, Middletown, Cre845
Barbara Martinez, Middletown, Emporium Square
Sarah McKay, Orange County, Orange County Arts Council
Susan Miller, Sparrowbush, River Valley Artists Guild
Naomi Miller, Newburgh, Newburgh Arts and Cultural Commission
Sarah Pierson, Wallkill, WallKill River School
Rebecca Pry, Warwick, Illustrator/ Designer
Ger Russell, Newburgh, Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra
Stuart Sachs, Newburgh, Professional Sculpture
Bill Schill, Port Jervis, Port Jervis Arts Committee
Melissa Shaw-Smith, Warwick, Wickham Works
Lisa Silverstone, Newburgh, Safe Harbors
David Stevenson, Chester, Village of Chester Arts
Jonathan Talbot, Warwick, Warwick Community
Marsha Talbot, Warwick, Pine Island Chamber of Commerce
Michelle Tuck, Newburgh, Eventacy
Chris Van Vooren, Greenwood Lake, Do It For Dale Skate Park
Gretchen Weerheim, Greenwood Lake, Greenwood Lake Theater
Kevin White, Newburgh, Boys and Girls Club
Public Art Committee
Chair: Jamie Perrow
Education Committee
Chair: Mike Pacer
Glenn Arnowitz
Patricia Holden
Jay LeRoy
Mark Tortuelott
Gretchen Weerheim
Exhibition Committee
Lotus Do
William O’Keeffe
Music/ Performance Committee
Chair: Waylen Roche
Neil Alexander
Everrett Collie
Thomas Kennedy
Andrés Santiago
Gretchen Weerheim
VOLUNTEERS
Martin Dominguez Ball
Gloria Bonelli
Betsy Cameron
Kakyung Cho
Peter A. Kopher
Linda Mensch
Nicole McComick
Naomi Miller
Roger Moss
Barry Plaxen
Michelle Pfeffer
Tamara Rafkin
Samantha Ros
Kat Strickland
Mandy Sweikata
Chris Van Vooren
All of the programs and services of the Orange County Arts Council focus on CREATING a fertile and supportive environment for the arts, CONNECTING the arts community with other leading industries and INSPIRING the public to actively participate in the arts.
Orange County Arts Council is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and the Orange County Executive’s Office.
