The WIAC History Project
Island Arts Council sponsors the creation of a Performing Arts Center
From the Grand Opening brochure, May 15-26, 1996
THE IDEA
In the mid 1980s, Whidbey Island performing artists Martha Furey and Jean Gaznier approached Don Azar to discuss the need fort performing arts center for Whidbey Island. Although there were many actors and directors on the Island, and several performing arts groups (First Street Theater, Island Theater, FOOLS, Whidbey Children's Theater, and more), there was no dedicated performing arts space for the talent.
COPAC AND THE DREAM
In 1987-88, a thirteen-member Committee on Planning for the Arts Center (COPAC) was formed. Over the next two years, COPAC members visited centers in Orcas Island and Friday Harbor and brainstormed facility needs. They agreed that the performing arts center should be located in Langley.
THE ISLAND ARTS COUNCIL CONNECTION
During early fundraising efforts it became clear that the project needed to be part of an organization with a history in the arts. In 1988-89, COPAC approached the Island Arts Council to become a sponsor of the performing arts center project, and the Arts Council agreed.
A site committee was formed to investigate location options and the Middle School Auditorium on School District land was selected. Some of the process (never a simple one) can be found in the following articles. In 1994, the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) spun-off into a separate nonprofit corporation to complete necessary funding, construction and operations.
From the Grand Opening brochure, May 15-26, 1996
THE IDEA
In the mid 1980s, Whidbey Island performing artists Martha Furey and Jean Gaznier approached Don Azar to discuss the need fort performing arts center for Whidbey Island. Although there were many actors and directors on the Island, and several performing arts groups (First Street Theater, Island Theater, FOOLS, Whidbey Children's Theater, and more), there was no dedicated performing arts space for the talent.
COPAC AND THE DREAM
In 1987-88, a thirteen-member Committee on Planning for the Arts Center (COPAC) was formed. Over the next two years, COPAC members visited centers in Orcas Island and Friday Harbor and brainstormed facility needs. They agreed that the performing arts center should be located in Langley.
THE ISLAND ARTS COUNCIL CONNECTION
During early fundraising efforts it became clear that the project needed to be part of an organization with a history in the arts. In 1988-89, COPAC approached the Island Arts Council to become a sponsor of the performing arts center project, and the Arts Council agreed.
A site committee was formed to investigate location options and the Middle School Auditorium on School District land was selected. Some of the process (never a simple one) can be found in the following articles. In 1994, the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) spun-off into a separate nonprofit corporation to complete necessary funding, construction and operations.