The Adams County Arts Council held its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 12, featuring a program on the organization’s activities and financial position finishing 2024, the presentation of Applause Awards, and a presentation by Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia. Adams County Commissioner Randy Phiel was in attendance, as were members of the ACAC Board of Directors and more than 50 people from the Adams County community.
ACAC Executive Director Lisa Cadigan reported that ACAC finished 2024 in a net positive with strong participation numbers in a variety of arts education programs that were held throughout the County, serving 19,465 people across the calendar year. Future plans include development of a county-wide mural arts program, beginning with a mural at the Adams County Historical Society as part of the America/PA 250 Celebrations in 2026. ACAC has contracted with Mural Arts Philadelphia to assist with a strategic plan for the program and its pilot projects. Founding donors David LeVan, David & Cynthia Salisbury, and Sharon Magraw participated in meetings and activities across March 11 and 12, including the public Annual Meeting, a tour of potential mural sites in Adams County with Mural Arts Philadelphia staff, and a breakfast Wednesday morning to continue program planning.
Following Cadigan’s presentation, Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Executive Director Jane Golden gave a passionate and energetic presentation on the program in Philadelphia and the potential for art to not only transform the visual landscape, but also to unite communities and support economic development through active community engagement.
ACAC’s Annual Applause Awards were presented at the meeting to three recipients: Harry McCullough received an award for exemplary volunteerism, Suzanne Christianson received an award for exemplary volunteerism and sponsorship, and PA Humanities received an award for exemplary community partnership, which was accepted by PA Humanities Senior Manager of Programs, Jen Danifo, and Board Member, Safronia Perry.
The ACAC Board of Directors for 2025 was announced and introduced: President, Pauline LeVan; Vice President, Stu Kravits; Secretary, Robert Phillips; Treasurer, Donnie Sanders; and Directors, Nicole Bucher, Scott Coyle, Kim Flickinger, Robert Gillis, Andrea Singley, Lois Starkey, and Debbie Westmoreland.
For more information regarding programming at the Adams County Arts Council, visit www.adamsarts.org, call 717-334-5006, or visit the Arts Education Center at 125 S. Washington Street, Gettysburg, PA.
The mission of the Adams County Arts Council is to cultivate an arts-rich community.
PHOTO CAPTION:
ACAC Board of Directors, Applause Award Winners, and Mural Arts Philadelphia from Left to Right:
Kim Flickinger, Nicole Bucher, Suzanne Christianson (Applause Award Winner), Robert Gillis, Safronia Perry (Applause Award Winner-PA Humanities), Donnie Sanders, Jen Danifo (Applause Award Winner-PA Humanities), Andrea Singley, Lisa Cadigan, Jane Golden (Mural Arts Philadelphia), Harry McCullough (Applause Award Winner). Not pictured: Netanel Portier (Mural Arts Philadelphia), James Burns (Mural Arts Philadelphia), ACAC Board Members Pauline LeVan, Stu Kravits, Robert Phillips, Scott Coyle, Lois Starkey, Debbie Westmoreland.
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