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BERKELEY SPRINGS NAMED WEST VIRGINIA'S FIRST CERTIFIED ARTS COMMUNITY

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The West Virginia Commission on the Arts voted recently to name Berkeley Springs as the state's first Certified Arts Community. "We consider Berkeley Springs the poster child for an arts community in West Virginia," said Susan Landis, Commission Chair as she accepted the group's vote to certify the Eastern Panhandle town.

Former Commissioner of Culture and History Troy Body established the certification program in mid November 2005. The designation offers no monetary compensation but allows a community to develop signage and other promotional measures. A process of documentation is outlined for the nomination. One of the key items is a resolution by the local governing body supporting the arts in a specific community. "The County Commissioners were eager to approve the resolution," said Jeanne Mozier who wrote the application for Berkeley Springs. The petition recognizes "the value of the arts to life in Berkeley Springs and Morgan County" citing a half-dozen reasons including tourism, economic impact and education enhancement for both children and adults.

The certification process requires indication of arts activity in several areas. "The Morgan Arts Council submitted the request," said Mozier, "but Berkeley Springs' success depended on more than just MAC's activities." The request highlighted the activities of a number of individual artists as well as arts projects of other groups like the Delectable Mountain Quilters and their Yard Square Quilts. The 2000 Cultural Plan and the emphasis on promotion of the arts by Travel Berkeley Springs as a tourist attraction were also important points in the successful application.

Mozier is pleased to have Berkeley Springs once again lead the way for other communities. "We're thrilled to be the first ," she said. "I hope others apply. It would be great to have West Virginia full of certified arts community."

BERKELEY SPRINGS NAMED WEST VIRGINIA'S FIRST CERTIFIED ARTS COMMUNITY
Calendar Dance Visual Arts Music Theater Arts Education About the Ice House About MAC Archives Directions Associated Links	The West Virginia Commission on the Arts voted recently to name Berkeley Springs as the state's first Certified Arts Community. "We consider Berkeley Springs the poster child for an arts community in West Virginia," said Susan Landis, Commission Chair as she accepted the group's vote to certify the Eastern Panhandle town. Former Commissioner of Culture and History Troy Body established the certification program in mid November 2005. The designation offers no monetary compensation but allows a community to develop signage and other promotional measures. A process of documentation is outlined for the nomination. One of the key items is a resolution by the local governing body supporting the arts in a specific community. "The County Commissioners were eager to approve the resolution," said Jeanne Mozier who wrote the application for Berkeley Springs. The petition recognizes "the value of the arts to life in Berkeley Springs and Morgan County" citing a half-dozen reasons including tourism, economic impact and education enhancement for both children and adults. The certification process requires indication of arts activity in several areas. "The Morgan Arts Council submitted the request," said Mozier, "but Berkeley Springs' success depended on more than just MAC's activities." The request highlighted the activities of a number of individual artists as well as arts projects of other groups like the Delectable Mountain Quilters and their Yard Square Quilts. The 2000 Cultural Plan and the emphasis on promotion of the arts by Travel Berkeley Springs as a tourist attraction were also important points in the successful application. Mozier is pleased to have Berkeley Springs once again lead the way for other communities. "We're thrilled to be the first ," she said. "I hope others apply. It would be great to have West Virginia full of certified arts community."