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| The village of Barrington recently created an arts council that’s designed to organize various cultural offerings in the village. Called the Barrington Cultural Commission, the village board unanimously voted for it this month, allowing Mayor Karen Darch to begin appointing 21 members to the commission. The group will be tasked with making an arts activities calendar, which would come out as early as October, Darch said. The group will likely raise funds at some point to put on its own events, but that’s down the road, after the commission has established itself, she said. Darch said the commission members will come from various local organizations, including the library, historical society and high school. By having at least one member from each of these groups, the commission will be able to network and work together on various events. The communication channels will be more open so collaboration can occur, she said. The calendar will be one of the first priorities of the group, she said. It’s expected to be published in the village newsletter, which goes out to every household in Barrington. “You will be able to see at a glance all the cultural offerings in the village,” Darch said. The group is expected to meet quarterly, but there has been no set date yet for the first meeting, she said. Barrington Library Executive Director Detlev Pansch said he’s looking forward to working with the other groups. He was recently appointed to the commission. The library frequently has art exhibits, which would benefit from getting the word out through the commission, he said. “It allows us to enhance our cultural offerings and work with other stakeholders in our community,” Pansch said. “I see it as a great opportunity.” Former Barrington Mayor David Nelson, who was also appointed to the commission, said the group could help the local economy too. Organizing the arts in the village could bring more people to the downtown, he said. “Maybe we can make this like an arts hub, so people don’t feel like they have to go to Chicago to get that,” Nelson said. |
| -By Sue Ter Maat, Triblocal reporter |