The Greater Oro Valley Arts Council has been making an enormous impact in the Tucson community for almost 13 years—but with all the concerts, festivals, school programs and not to mention contributions they make to the community, it’s hard to imagine a time that GOVAC didn’t exist. At the center of the Council’s hard work is co-founder Bob Weede, whose passion for music and the arts became not only a form of entertainment, but a way to better the Oro Valley community.

Before co-founding GOVAC with Richard Eggerding, Weede—a longtime opera performer—officially retired from his sales and managerial career in 1993. Spending his retired days in Southern Arizona allowed Weede to realize that Oro Valley and the Tucson community was in need of arts advocacy—he wanted to increase outlets for experiencing and participating in the arts within the community. Since his retirement, Weede has taken his role as arts advocate incredibly seriously, and as a result Oro Valley has reaped incredible benefits.

In 1997, GOVAC, a nonprofit organization, was created, the purpose of which was to “enhance the quality of life in Oro Valley and its surrounding communities by promoting and sustaining the arts and culture in our schools and community.” Since its inception, GOVAC has grown from an organization with one staff member and a budget of less than $50,000, to currently presenting over 57 yearly community arts events and arts programs in schools with 300-plus volunteers, 500 participating artists, 11 board of directors and a budget of nearly $1 million.

For Tucson dwellers, some of the most anticipated community events are those put on by GOVAC—some favorites include Arts in the Park; the Masterworks Concert Series; Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Festival; Riverfront Concert Series; the Summer Concert Series at La Encantada; Arts Fest and much more.

In addition to his work with GOVAC, Weede has contributed greatly to the Oro Valley arts scene as a whole. Some of his incredible contributions have included lobbying for the Town of Oro Valley to develop a 1 percent for Public Art program for all commercial development in Oro Valley (over 60 pieces have now been installed due to his work); creating a volunteer committee which raised funds to develop the 1st annual Oro Valley Independence Day Celebration; investing his own funds and resources to bring the Tucson Symphony Orchestra to present their very first concert series (Oro Valley now has more than 600 season subscribers and ticket holders each year); and spending each summer traveling and visiting various schools to seek out programs that may benefit the Amphitheater School District.

GOVAC has numerous exciting and entertaining events for the whole family to enjoy this summer. Mark your calendars with these upcoming events, and be sure to keep an eye out for Weede—he makes an appearance at each and every GOVAC happening.

June 13: Oro Valley Public Art Tour
June 19: Golf & Tennis Tournament at Ritz Carlton
June 20: Mojo Gumbo at La Encantada
July 11: Chamber Music Concert—Wayne Shen
July 25: Amber Norgaard at La Encantada
Aug. 5: Chamber Music Concert Leeza Beriyeva
Aug. 8: DESCARTA at La Encantada
Aug. 22: Big Band Music at La Encantada
Sept. 5: Jovert Steel Drums at La Encantada

For more information, visit www.govac.org.