Marley Park Community Association (MPCA) congratulates the West Valley Arts Council (WVAC) on receiving the 2013 Legacy Award for Business Excellence presented by the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce. WVAC accepted the award at the Feb. 20 banquet at The Colonnade in Surprise. The Legacy Awards recognize business leaders who make the Northwest Valley a vibrant and outstanding community.

Since its founding in 1969, WVAC has enriched the West Valley by growing a connected arts and cultural community. The WVAC is the only regional organization that focuses on all disciplines of the arts and provides professional arts and culture offerings to the nearly one million residents of the West Valley.

Through proceeds from its annual Diamond Ball, WVAC has awarded $250,000 in grants to West Valley arts organizations since 1994. Currently, WVAC is working with the City of Surprise on converting a vacant space near City Hall into a regional art center open to the public. This art space will come alive with art exhibits featuring local and nationally recognized artists, including live music events, artist talks, interactive family arts activities, and showcase area arts organizations and their talented artists.

MPCA shares WVAC’s vision of connecting communities to arts and culture and is proud of its long-standing partnership with the organization. MPCA serves the community by cultivating a rich variety of activities and programs. Since 2010, WVAC has been headquartered in Marley Park, providing residents greater access to arts and cultural programming. Strategic partnerships such as these are what help the MPCA deliver on its mission to promote and fulfill common goals of community, lifelong learning, and health and wellness.