A woman from Steinbach is excited about her appointment as Vice-Chair of the Manitoba Arts Council. Cindi Rempel Patrick appreciates the opportunity to serve the council at another level.

"I'm very honoured by that. I've been a member of the board for the last thee years and the appointment to put me in an executive position is a little more challenging and a little more exciting. I'll be working closely with our Chair, Keith Bellamy. We have eight new members on our Manitoba Arts Council from all over the province so I'm really, really excited about that. I have the opportunity to bring the rural voice to the table as well."

Rempel Patrick, who is also Executive Director of the Steinbach Arts Council, says the promotion means more meetings and conferences for her. And she adds, That's okay.

"There are a few more meetings and meetings with more groups and working with policies and policy-making, attending a few more conferences but it's something that I really love to do, my heart is there and I've always had a passion for the Arts. I've always worked in grassroots community development and this is another opportunity that we can connect our community to the professional artists and actually bring them out to communities. I feel this is a really great opportunity for  our local arts community as well."

The Manitoba Arts Council oversees and gives operating support to professional artists including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Manitoba Opera. It also awards a lot of grants and runs the "Artists in the School' programs. Rempel Patrick says essentially, the council, "puts professional artists in our community and supports organizations who support professional artists."

Douglas Riske, Executive Director of M.A.C., comments, "We are very pleased that Cindi Rempel Patrick has been appointed Vice Chair of the Manitoba Arts Council. Cindi has served on the Council for a number of years and brings a strong voice to the Council table given her background in the arts and her commitment to the arts as an integral part of Manitoba community life. Her work through the founding of the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre has made a significant difference to the lives of the citizens of Steinbach and it is that shared experience that will enrich the discussions and directions of the Manitoba Arts Council."