A Brief History of the Westchester County Arts Leadership Association

by Pat Wheelhouse                       

            The Westchester County Arts Leadership Association (WCALA) was created by a group of arts leaders in the county in August of 2004.  The association was based on the Rochester Area Council of Administrators of Music Education (RACAME) as experienced by Pat Wheelhouse in Monroe County, New York during her residency at the Eastman School of Music.  One important difference is that WCALA embraces all the arts, not just music.  The organization wishes to maintain relationships with such organizations as the Westchester County School Music Association, the New York State Art Teachers Association, and the New York State Theatre Education Association.

            Following a query sent out to all known arts administrators in Westchester in the spring of 2004, a small group of arts leaders gathered in August of 2004 to set meeting times, topics, and locations for the first year of the organization.  We met in various restaurants in the county.  We were in regular communication with Mark Greene, the then-current president of the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education for guidance and direction in the formation of this new organization.  Under his tutelage, the original core group registered as a non-profit corporation.  This was the first established chapter of NYSCAME in the NYC/Westchester zone.  We researched the Long Island chapters of NYSCAME, that included the Suffolk County Arts Leadership Association and the Nassau Association of Music Administrators.  Our constitution and mission statement are based on documents from these well-established Long Island chapters.

            Years two and three featured regular monthly meetings held in rotating school districts.  The purpose of the organization is to share best practices, offer professional development, advocate at the local and state levels for arts education issues, and to offer support to new and existing arts leaders in the county. 

             Founding members included:  Pat Wheelhouse, Dominic Guastafero, Joy Varley, Fred Pasqua, Lois Kral, Jean Newton, and Dina Madden.  The first Executive Board included Pat Wheelhouse, President; Dom Guastaferro, President Elect, Dina Madden, Secretary, and Lois Kral, Treasurer.  It was determined that each board member would be elected to serve a two-year term.  The second Executive Board includes Dom Guastaferro, President; Jeff Smith, President Elect; Jean Newton, Secretary;  Dina Madden, Treasurer; and Pat Wheelhouse, Past President.