Fledging Santa Clarita Valley Arts Council Needs Money to Reach Goals

Civic arts groups have long graced such communities as Moorpark and Thousand Oaks. Last fall, Simi Valley got its own professional theater troupe.

Now the Santa Clarita Valley has its own arts council, a new organization that aspires to promote music, dance and theater in such communities as Newhall, Valencia and Santa Clarita.

“People have realized that there is a place and a need in our lives for cultural events,” said David Bozman, an engineer who is co-chairman of the fledgling organization. “People said, ‘Let’s go ahead and do it. The time is now.’ ”

The Santa Clarita Valley Arts Council’s long-range goals will be to arrange for regular arts performances in the valley and to help the city of Santa Clarita raise money for a performing arts center, Bozman said.

Santa Clarita’s recent cityhood inspired several residents to form the group. A little more than a month ago, flyers were sent throughout the valley to attract anyone interested in forming an arts council. More than 50 people attended the first meeting.

Council members now are wrestling with such immediate duties as drafting bylaws and electing a board of directors.

Once those tasks are taken care of, the council hopes to begin some small fund-raising efforts and organize a summer concert series that would showcase local talent. The group said it has already booked the San Francisco Opera Company to perform “Carmen” at William S. Hart High School for one night in March, 1990.

“It’s a big deal for us,” said Carmen Sarro, a Santa Clarita City Council aide and arts council member. “Now all we have to do is come up with the money for it.”

The council also has committed to offering the Nutcracker Ballet at the high school in December.

The next meeting of the Santa Clarita Valley Arts Council will be at 7 p.m. on May 8 in the student dining hall of The Master’s College, 21726 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall.