HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-06-2010 - 3aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 6, 2010
Action Agenda
Item No. 3 -Q
SUBJECT: Introduction of 2010 Piedmont Laureate
DEPARTMENT: Orange County Arts PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Commission
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Martha Shannon, 968-2011
PURPOSE: To introduce and hear a brief selection from Orange County novelist Zelda
Lockhart, the 2010 Piedmont Laureate, and to thank the Board of County Commissioners for
helping to make the Piedmont Laureate Program possible.
BACKGROUND: The 2010 Piedmont Laureate Program is co-sponsored by the arts
councils/commissions in the Triangle area (Orange County Arts Commission, City of Raleigh
Arts Commission, Durham Arts Council, United Arts of Raleigh and Wake County, Alamance
County Arts Council and Johnston County Arts Council). This is the second year of the
Program. The primary goal is to promote awareness and heighten appreciation for excellence
in the literary arts throughout the Piedmont region. The Orange County Arts Commission
participates in the program so that Orange County writers can apply and Orange County sites
can host the Piedmont Laureate. The 2010 Piedmont Laureate is contracted for 30 events
(such as readings or workshops at public sites) and up to 5 media appearances throughout the
participating counties during the contract period: January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.
The Piedmont Laureate application process was open to all writers residing in Orange, Durham,
Wake, Alamance or Johnston counties who met the guideline criteria. For the 2010 cycle,
applications were accepted from novelists only. In addition to the program sponsors, the
selection committee was composed of John Kessel (Director of Creative Writing, NC State
University), writer Susie Ruth Powell, and Banu Valladares (Literature Director, North Carolina
Arts Council). After review of the applications, several finalists were interviewed. Orange
County resident Zelda Lockhart was selected as Laureate.
Ms. Lockhart will read a brief selection from her recent work at the meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Orange County provided $1,350 in FY2009-10 to cover a portion of the
Piedmont Laureate's stipend and website (www.piedmontlaureate.com) expenses.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board recognize Orange County
novelist Zelda Lockhart, the 2010 Piedmont Laureate.