THE PUBLIC MIND: ARTS COUNCIL THANKS NEWSPAER FOR SUPPORT, COVERAGE

Dear Editor:

The Board of Directors of the SEMO Council on the Arts wishes to commend the Southeast Missourian for its support of the arts. We appreciate not only the excellent coverage of the many cultural events in our area, but also your editorial comments regarding the Council's endeavors.

Over the past year, one of the primary goals of the Arts Council has been evaluating the activities of the Council and the needs of the community. Last fall, a variety of individuals were invited to attend focus groups to provide input and make recommendations. In November, the Board of Directors held a retreat with our consultant in order to address the concerns of the focus groups. By May, the Council expects to draft a formal long-range plan and begin implementing its recommendations.

All of these endeavors are aimed at better meeting the area's cultural needs. Soliciting recommendations from our constituents and publicizing our programs are both activities that require the cooperation of the media. As a board, we applaud your assistance in the past and look forward to a continuing positive relationship.

Sincerely yours,

Ann Swanson

Chairman of Board of Directors