ELKINS – The Randolph County Commission approved a funding request from the Arts Center during its most recent regular meeting at the James F. Cain Courthouse Annex.

Arts Center Executive Director Dani Cade provided an information presentation to Commissioners Cris Siler, David Kesling and Chris See during the meeting. Cade started off by talking about what the Arts Center means to the community.

“The Arts Center is a centralized hub in our creative community, nestled at the front of the historic Wees District on Randolph Avenue,” said Cade. “Our mission is to provide arts programming to enhance the cultural and economic life of our region. We do this by providing high quality arts programming and activities. We work with local artists and arts organizations to leverage our resources and promote the arts.”

Cade told the commission that the community is currently flocking to the Arts Center for classes, exhibitions, performances and other events.

“We host bus tours, community gatherings and provide space for rentals,” she said. “Our collaboration with artists, schools and non-profit organizations provide activities and improve the quality of life and education for all, to stimulate creativity in our economy.”

Cade said programming at the Arts Center benefits the community by extending its reach to state, regional and national levels.

“Our tourism efforts bring new dollars to the economy and residents,” she said. “Our community saw a need for an Arts Center 23 years ago and we have successfully provided arts programming since then”

Cade said the Arts Center offers after school arts classes, 12 gallery exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances and poetry. The center also hosts a free Brown Bag Concert once a month, affordable arts classes by professional artists, yoga and square dances classes, and community programs.

“These programs are vital to the community and are tailored to the needs,” said Cade. “This exposure to the arts is vital to growth and development in children, aiding in their self-confidence, communication, problem solving, all of which are valuable to our society… We are preparing the children to be our future leaders and arts are vital to their development.”

Cade said she is the only employee at the center and funding is needed to hire more staff. She said the center is also in need of repairs and maintenance to the building, which is 95 years old.

Kesling told Cade the County Commission already budgeted $15,000 to give the Arts Center during the current fiscal year. He requested that Cade come back during the next budget if more funding was needed.

All three commissioners unanimously approved $15,000 in funding to the Arts Center. The money will come out of the community development line item of the county budget.