Five people will be appointed by the board to fill its open roles
A topic originally discussed in late 2023, the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors opted to add an Arts and Culture Commission to its many boards in a recent meeting.
During its typically scheduled Aug. 20 session, the board approved Ordinance 418, which amended an Administrative Legislation section, to create a new portion labeled “Chapter 34.” The chapter established the commission, putting the proposal into reality.
“We’ve worked on this ordinance over the last couple of months,” said Whitpain Township Manager Eric Traub. “We’re happy to see it to the finish line now.”
Supervisor and Vice Chair Kimberly Koch moved for the amendment, allowing the commission to be created, with Chairman Scott Badami seconding the motion.
“We have been talking about this one for a year,” said Koch. “I am so excited to tap into our very lofty resources here in Whitpain Township for performing arts and visual arts, alike.”
According to the Article 34 language, the new Arts and Culture Commission is aimed at bringing more of the concepts to the township.
“The purpose of the Arts and Culture Commission is to organize and promote initiatives in the township to celebrate the rich, artistic and cultural heritage of Whitpain Township and provide meaningful artistic and cultural experiences to the residents of Whitpain Township,” said the ordinance.
Members of the commission must be residents of the township. They will be appointed by the supervisors. In total, there will be five vacancies with overlapping, three-year terms. In its first year, the commission will include one member appointed to a one-year term, two with two-year terms, and two with three-year terms.
The terms of the members will end officially on the first Monday in January following the last year of the term of office. If any vacancy should occur prior to a term’s end, the supervisors would refill the role with the newly appointment commissioner serving the remainder of the unexpired term.
Once the supervisors have named people to these newly created roles, the commission members will have 20 days to organize. The commission will be responsible for setting a member as char, vice chair, and secretary.
In addition to promotion and organization of arts and culture events, the commission’s members will also be asked to advise the supervisors on similar matters. They are to become a resource for township boards, committees, and commissions, to assist all staff and volunteers on matters of art and or culture.
While the supervisors retain the right to appoint funding to the commission, all expenditures must be approved by Traub prior to spending.
The motion passed unanimously.
Traub said that the next steps of the process will involve appointing various township residents to serve on the all-volunteer board.
