The Northwest Alabama Arts Council’s annual membership drive is in full force. Headed by Vice-President Carrie Bolton and Public Relations Co-Chairperson Kimmy Vinson, the nonprofit organization is seeking new members.
Created in 2004, the arts council consisted of four counties – Franklin, Lamar, Marion, and Winston – but in a change to the organization last summer, members voted to reduce the boundaries and focus on one county – Marion County.
Bolton stated, “For the past two to three years, probably 90 percent of our membership and participation had been Marion County residents. We felt we should direct our efforts and programs toward the people who supported us. The change last summer made it easier to plan, implement, and carry forward our arts-related programs. While we welcome members from outside of Marion County, our plan is to emphasize and support our local communities and local schools.”
Annual membership fees are $25 for individuals and $35 for families. Active or retired arts-related educators can join at no charge. Prospective members can be artists, or simply someone who enjoys the arts; or members do not have to be artists at all. The arts council is looking for persons who want to be involved in a progressive, community-oriented volunteer organization. Vinson added, “There are no paid officers, directors, or board members with the Northwest Alabama Arts Council. Each and every member devotes his or her time, talents, and skills to whatever project we are working on.”
The arts council’s mission is to support the arts and art education. Most people are familiar with the arts council’s role as host of the Jerry Brown Arts Festival, a regionally-recognized juried arts festival held annually the first weekend of March in Hamilton, which generates the vast majority of funding for the organization’s programs throughout the year. In addition to the JBAF and its art education programs, some of the areas which the council promotes include visual arts, literary arts, and performing arts.
Goals for the arts council include expanding art education programs in the Marion County and Winfield school systems, the promotion of local artists and arts destinations with the Marion County Arts Trail, and the construction or renovation of a facility large enough to house the JBAF, an arts museum, and host other arts-related activities.
Interested persons may obtain more information and a membership application on the arts council’s website: www.NorthwestAlabamaArts.org, or can contact Bolton at (205) 468-1370 or Vinson at (205) 412-2999.
The arts council meets on the second Monday night of each month April through December, twice in January, and four times in February. Meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. at the Hamilton City Hall, which houses the offices of the Northwest Alabama Arts Council.

Brilliant Elementary School fourth-grade participants in the 2009 Molding
Hearts, Hands & Minds program receive their Certificates of Participation
from Ed Minter, Treasurer, Northwest Alabama Arts Council,
at their school’s Awards Day program.