With a new president, new ideas and new initiatives, the Troy Arts Council is seeking a new identity.

The Troy Council on the Arts and Humanities was organized in 1972 with the purpose of providing meaningful art experiences for all citizens of Troy. The TAC remains committed to its mission.

“The Troy Arts Council is dedicated to bringing high quality performing arts events to Troy and Pike County,” said Ruth Walker, TAC president. “We want the TAC to be recognized as a performing arts organization. We need that identity.”

Walker said there is often confusion between the TAC and the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center, which is devoted primarily to the visual arts.

“We want people to realize that the TAC is an organization that brings performing arts events to town,” Walker said. “Each year, we schedule a calendar that includes musical and theatrical events. These events feature nationally and internationally acclaimed performers as well as regional and local performers. We want people to be aware of who we are and what we are.”

The TAC is in the process of designing a new logo that will be a visual part of its new identity. The council will also depart from tradition with its annual membership drive.

“In the past, we have hosted a reception to kickoff our patrons’ drive and the receptions have been very successful in enlisting our membership,” said Elaine Blair, patrons’ drive chair. “But, this year, our membership drive is going to be done differently. On a specified day later in the month, we’ll have packets that include information about the TAC, the opportunities of membership and a brochure about our 2013-2014 Calendar of Events is available at the Troy Tourism Office.”

The public will be invited to visit the Tourism Office throughout the day and pickup a packet for consideration.

“A day-long patrons’ drive will be more convenient for everyone,” Blair said. “We’ll have lemonade and cookies and a member of the TAC will be available to answer questions about patron membership and about the TAC and/or its calendar of events.”

Blair said TAC patrons’ tickets are “the best tickets in town.”

“We have different patron levels from individual memberships through corporate memberships,” she said. “The individual level is the only level that does not include tickets. As the level of membership increases, so does the number of tickets.”

Walker said that the quality of the performances the TAC brings to Troy is amazing.

“We join cities such as Cleveland, St. Louis, Birmingham and others in offering these high quality performances,” she said. “They are second to none. We encourage those who enjoy the performing arts to begin planning now to be a TAC patron this year. It’s big city entertainment right here at home.”