As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
THE ARTS
Activities directly related to, but not limited to, music,
theater, dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, architecture, literature,
films and allied arts and crafts.
SUFFOLK COUNTY FORUM FOR THE ARTS or ARTS FORUM
A County agency consisting of a citizens' advisory arts
council and a program director with staff. Such organization shall
ensure the existence of a checks-and-balances system to unite objectively
the arts activities within the County.
The purposes of the Suffolk County Forum for the Arts are:
A. To offer Countywide services to all residents regarding arts information,
events and special programs and to act as a clearinghouse for cultural
information, making it available to all County residents.
B. To assist in the growth and development of the arts within the County
to promote and encourage a rich cultural life for the residents.
C. To encourage and enhance the freedom and discipline of artistic expression
essential to the well-being of the arts and to assist independent
artists toward dignity and just compensation for their products.
D. To strengthen Suffolk-based arts organizations through funding, information
sharing and other services.
E. To provide a forum for citizens and members of County government
to work together for the maintenance and growth of cultural life.
[Amended 6-26-1984 by L.L. No. 13-1984; 12-21-2010 by L.L. No. 9-2011]
A. There shall be a Citizens' Advisory Board consisting of 18 members,
with one member from each legislative district within Suffolk County.
The members shall have direct experience in one of the arts or in
the fields of education, law, nonprofit accounting, community planning,
public relations, business or a related field.
B. The members of the Citizens' Advisory Board shall be appointed by
resolution of the County Legislature, which shall be subject to approval
of the County Executive. Members shall be appointed for terms of three
years.
C. Members
of the Citizens' Advisory Board shall serve without compensation.
The members of the Board shall select its Chairman and adopt their
own rules of proceedings.
D. The Citizens' Advisory Board shall have the following functions,
powers and duties:
(1) Suggest, review and recommend arts policies and programs.
(2) Select candidates for the Program Director position, subject to final
approval by the legislative committee.
(3) Attend arts events within both the members' locale and the County.
(4) Meet jointly with the legislative committee and the Program Director
at least two times a year.
(5) Determine the conduct of its own affairs, including the power to
form standing and ad hoc committees, hold open hearings, seek consultants,
etc.
(6) Review funding applications as prepared by the Program Director.
(7) Work with arts organizations and agencies within Suffolk County toward
avoiding duplication of effort and toward increasing communications.
(8) Recommend, initiate and develop audience-oriented quality programs
that strengthen the growth of the arts within the County.
(9) Assist in the acquiring of outside funds for program expansion.
(10)
Contribute to the annual report and create other reports as
the need arises.
(11)
Plan for future growth, while meeting the needs of youth, senior
citizens and everyone, in order to make the County a fine place to
both visit and live.
[Amended 2-13-1979 by L.L. No. 4-1979]
A. There shall be a Program Director, who shall have business and arts
administration experience and knowledge of the nonprofit sector and
of the County itself and be capable of developing and implementing
a full-service arts program.
B. The Program Director shall be employed by the Commissioner of Economic
Development and Workforce Housing pursuant to the Civil Service Law.
[Amended 12-15-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1993]
C. The Program Director shall have the following functions, powers and
duties:
(1) To suggest and implement arts policies and programs.
(2) To recommend to the Commissioner members of the staff to be employed
and determine daily business.
(3) To review funded arts programs of the Arts Forum, both organizationally
and aesthetically.
(4) To meet jointly with the legislative committee and the Citizens'
Advisory Board at least two times a year and with the Chairman of
each group as necessary.
[Amended 6-26-1984 by L.L. No. 13-1984]
(5) To maintain a resource bank of information, statistical and funding
overview and such other activities commensurate with operating a County
service office.
(6) To instigate application to federal, state and other agencies to
increase the operating budget of the Arts Forum.
(7) To conjoin all factions of the arts community and the community itself:
BOCES, the Arts Council, facilities, artists, etc.
(8) To prepare and distribute a directory of all cultural groups and
organizations located in Suffolk County.