ABOUT THE INDIANA REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE

In 1997, the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) and twelve community-based organizations jointly established the Indiana Regional Partnership Initiative, a collaborative project to enhance support for arts and cultural activities statewide, especially in underserved areas. The partnership was developed to address issues that arose during the IAC’s most recent strategic planning process: 1) the desire for easy access to quality technical assistance that would further the financial, managerial, and artistic development of arts providers, and 2) the desire for more local control in the allocation of state resources for the arts.

Each of the twelve Regional Arts Partners (RAPs) works in cooperation with the IAC to provide four "core" services to artists, arts providers, and arts consumers in a specific multi-county region of Indiana. The core services are; Cultural Planning, Grantmaking, Information & Referral, and Technical Assistance. Regional cultural planning efforts began in 1998. The Regional Partners use information about the needs of local artists, arts providers, and arts consumers to develop and provide services on the local level.


MISSION OF THE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE
The mission of the Regional Partnership Initiative is to provide broad, local access to services and funding opportunities for the arts throughout the state of Indiana. Available services include but are not limited to information and referral, technical assistance, cultural planning, and regranting of state and federal funds. In collaboration with the Indiana Arts Commission, the Regional Partnership Initiative exists to promote participation in and advocacy for the arts in Indiana.

THE REGIONAL ARTS COUNCIL
is a body of individuals representing a variety of arts-related interests whose charter is to advise the South Shore Arts Board of Directors in matters relative to the delivery of the four core services mandated by the Regional Partnership Initiative. The following individuals are currently serving two year terms on the Regional Arts Council.

Myron Nidetz, Vice President of Regional Services
Jeff Casey
Amy Davis-Navardauskas
Linda Eisenhauer
Sabrina Fesko
Michelle Golden
Judy Gregurich
Trish Hales
Greg Hertzlieb
Kari-Anne Innes
J. Allen Johnson
Denise Kirkland
Elaine Kisisel
Anne-Marie Kuczora
Marilyn Leonian
Melinda Lunghofer
Kathie Mole
Eric Nordholm
Don Parker
Tracy Rongers
Cara Spicer
Debbie Thomas
Gloria Touhy
Rudolph Williams