SAN MARCOS -- Nine months after its creation, the San Marcos Arts Council has been granted nonprofit status, boosting its efforts to become a powerful advocate for all types of arts in the city.

Council founder John Lauer said Tuesday that the Internal Revenue Service recently approved the group's request to be recognized as a 501(c)3 charitable organization. The designation means donations to the council are tax-deductible.

The group's board of directors also have drafted mission and vision statements and started crafting a strategic plan that will spell out the council's goals for the next five years, he said.

Council chairman Greg Evans said creating a Web site tops the list.

Other goals include a possible arts show at a local shopping center, identifying local artists and arts venues, and collaborating on a publication that would spread the word about concerts, art shows, galleries, performances and other artistic ventures in North County, the two men said.

Council secretary Jan Jackson said she was pleased with the organization's rate of progress -- especially since everyone involved is a volunteer and the country is in a recession.

"It's a dedicated group of people who are extremely committed to making this council happen and happen well for San Marcos," she said.

Lauer first proposed the idea of a city arts council last fall. A small group of residents quickly joined him in forming the organization, which filed its incorporation papers with the state earlier this year.

The council's first fundraising event was a Valentine's Day dinner and concert at City Hall.

Although the group has no official ties to the city, San Marcos officials generally support the organization. The City Council gave the group $2,500 in seed money in February from a city arts fund.

Arts council members have said in the past that setting up on endowment that would generate ongoing income for the group is a long-term goal.

On Tuesday, Evans, who draws the popular "Luann" comic strip, said identifying potential donors who could help with that goal has been difficult in this economy.

"You find passionate interest among a handful of people," he said. "But by and large, people are just busy making a living."

However, Evans said the council's board meetings have been drawing "great people" offering a wealth of ideas. Examples he cited included artist Robert Wright, who closed his Escondido gallery last year.

Evans said Wright, who now leases space in a San Marcos shopping center, proposed the potential art show.

"There's still some big empty spaces there, and he's trying to work with the management of that complex to figure out ways to use some of these spaces as exhibit spaces or performance spaces or something," Evans said.

Someone else wants to build a large amphitheater close to Cal State San Marcos, he added.

The city and at least one developer are already working on plans for a mixed-use project in the same general area. City officials have said they want to see public art and community gathering areas included in that development as well as another project called the Creek District that has been mapped out for a section along San Marcos Creek.

"I think this council's a great thing, and I think it's the right time 'cause there's so much out there on the horizon," Evans said. "So it's good that we're getting the machinery in place now to deal with what's going to be coming and to help move things in the right direction. 'Cause it's so easy to forget about the arts."

Call staff writer Andrea Moss at 760-739-6654.