We began with the belief that the arts and cultural activities are essential to building and maintaining a strong community. Although many and varied opportunities were available nearby, we realized that there was neither a place nor a plan for regular cultural activities in the Town of Woodside. Sharing the desire to change the situation, a small group of people began to explore ways to bring a range of high quality programs and events to their fellow residents and neighbors. Meeting at coffee shops and backyards, brainstorming sessions produced a number of great ideas and also a lot of questions. How much money would it take and where would it come from? Would local funding organizations understand the need, share the vision and be interested in a grant to get us started? Where could events take place? We knew that our efforts, in order to succeed, would require an effective organization and would need to draw from many different resources. Enter the new Town Manager who suggested forming a new Town committee. Shortly thereafter, The Art and Culture Committee was officially adopted by the Town Council and the vision became reality.
First order of business: a survey of residents to determine interest and focus the efforts of the committee. Although return rates are typically low, the Arts & Culture survey generated the largest number of responses of any previous Town survey. Residents told us they were interested in what our committee could bring to the community and what kinds of programs and events had the most appeal. Starting with this information, the committee created the First Friday Event program, a multi-faceted range of presentations, performances and exhibitions with noted local and nationally known presenters, performers, artists, authors and more.
Members of the Woodside Art and Culture Committee are your neighbors who volunteer their time and energy and collaborate with others in the community to provide programs that will educate, stimulate and add to the vitality of our community.
