.png)
The Arts & Culture Advisory Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Village Board of Trustees and works to support and strengthen Saranac Lake’s vibrant arts and cultural community. Through collaboration with artists, cultural organizations, businesses, residents, and community partners, the Board helps advance initiatives related to public art, cultural programming, community engagement, creative placemaking, and arts-driven economic development. The Board also serves as a liaison between the arts and culture community and Village government while advocating for the implementation of the Village’s Arts and Culture Master Plan and supporting a creative, inclusive, and year-round cultural environment.
Village Advisory Board: Arts & Culture Advisory Board
Mission
The mission of the Arts & Culture Advisory Board is to support thriving arts, cultural, and community institutions in an inclusive environment that fosters the creative economy, community pride, downtown revitalization, and diverse year-round cultural offerings within the Village of Saranac Lake.
The Board operates in an advisory capacity to the Village Board of Trustees and works to facilitate implementation of the Village of Saranac Lake Arts and Culture Master Plan.
The Arts & Culture Advisory Board also serves as an avenue of communication and consultation between the arts and cultural community and Village government, including representation from disciplines such as visual arts, music, dance, performance, literature, film, history, and craft.
Duties & Responsibilities
The Arts & Culture Advisory Board is responsible for:
- Advising the Village Board of Trustees on arts and culture-related matters
- Advocating for implementation of the Arts and Culture Master Plan
- Supporting arts and cultural community engagement
- Assisting with arts funding and grant opportunities
- Promoting targeted arts and cultural marketing initiatives
- Supporting artists and arts organizations
- Encouraging arts-driven economic development
- Serving as a liaison between the arts and cultural community and Village government
- Promoting cooperation between public and private partners in support of arts and culture
Members
The Arts & Culture Advisory Board consists of up to nine voting members appointed by the Village Board of Trustees, along with one ex-officio Village Board liaison. Members serve staggered two-year terms. Members serve without compensation.
Appointments are made with the goal of representing a broad range of artistic and cultural perspectives as well as diversity with respect to age, ability, race, and gender. The Board also seeks representation from individuals with experience in marketing and business.
Voting members should be:
- Owners or representatives of arts or culture-related businesses or organizations
- Individuals with relevant arts, cultural, marketing, organizational, or business experience
Current Members
| Kirk Sullivan, Chair | 5/31/26 |
| Charlie Reinertsen, Vice Chair/ Secretary | 5/31/26 |
| Aaron Hobson | 5/31/26 |
| Julia Csanko | 5/31/26 |
| Vacant (remainder of Echo's term) | 5/31/27 |
| Alex Krach | 5/31/27 |
| Peter Seward | 5/31/27 |
| Anastasia Osolin | 5/31/27 |
| Ben Sitts | 5/31/27 |
Ex-Officio Member
Village Trustee Aurora White
Staff Liaison
Community Development Director
Meetings
The Arts & Culture Advisory Board meets monthly, with regular meetings held:
Third Wednesday at 5 PM
Village Board Room
39 Main Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
All meetings are open to the public in accordance with New York State Open Meetings Law unless otherwise noticed. Public notice of meetings is posted at least 24 hours in advance.
Board members may attend meetings remotely by telephone or video conferencing.
Bylaws
The Arts & Culture Advisory Board has adopted bylaws governing:
- Membership and appointments
- Officer roles and responsibilities
- Quorum and voting procedures
- Attendance requirements
- Meeting procedures
- Conflict of interest policies
- Public participation procedures
- Committee structure
- Adoption and amendment procedures
[Arts & Culture Advisory Board Bylaws]
Contact Information
Village of Saranac Lake
39 Main Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Phone: (518) 891-4150
Email: [email protected]
Join or Participate
Public participation and community engagement are important components of the Arts & Culture Advisory Board’s work. Artists, cultural organizations, businesses, residents, and community members are encouraged to attend meetings, provide input, and participate in supporting Saranac Lake’s arts and cultural community.