Alabama River Region Arts Center Volume 1, Issue 1 October 2010
The ARRAC Update The Search for Our New Home Continues….. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Meet Your Board
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The Founding Board has been working diligently with Wetumpka’s Mayor Willis trying to find an acceptable home for the ARRAC. Several options have been discussed.
Operations budget 2 What to Expect
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About us
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Our first choice would be the first floor of the old Hospital at 200 Coosa Street at Fain Park. The City owns the building and has moved the Police Department to the top floor. This building would require less renovation work and is laid out in such a way that we would have (10) 15’ x19’ rooms with shared bathrooms between 2 units and built-in closets. Classes could start
almost immediately! The east end of the building has (2) 19’x19’ rooms that could be combined to form a main Gallery. We would have to remove the bathrooms and all but one closet. Renovation cost would be around $4,000. New Gallery lighting is estimated at $4,500. A new Gallery entrance would need to be installed where the current right side window is located. The entrance will need a covered porch to protect the entrance from the weather. Our preference is a 40’x15’ concrete porch across the end of the building with a wood frame and
Facts …..
ARRAC Reaches for the Stars
• We need your financial help!
To some people it may look like we are reaching for the stars and we are!
• Our start up costs will run about $1,200. • We need Volunteers for Our Committees ! • We have a web site at www.arrac.org.
The Board is trying to secure the best building with the lowest repair cost, operating costs along with any other opportunities for assistance that may be available to get the ARRAC off the ground. It will then be the responsibility of the Construction, Operations, Marketing, curriculum and Grant Committees to light the fires and keep the ARRAC growing. Ready To Volunteer?
See more on Volunteering at www.arrac.org
metal roof. This will create seating area overlooking the woods and river. The cost estimate for this work would be around $10,000 for the porch and $2,200 for the entrance. An smaller alternate 8’x8’ entry porch is estimated at $2,000. Other renovation work would include general clean up, painting, and repair of bathroom fixtures as needed. The cost is estimated at $1,000. (Continued on page 2)
Our Strategic Plan 1. Meet the needs of the Community. 2. Expand our high quality Arts programs. 3. Become financially independent. 4. Develop a building fund to support our mission.
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The ARRAC Update Introducing the Founding Board of Directors Stepping up and taking the plunge into a new venture is a true test of a person’s commitment to a cause. Our Founding Board did just that, when the call to action was raised, they responded. This Board is committed to getting a home for ARRAC and get its engine running on all cylinders. These Volunteers disserve a big “Thank You” Your Founding Board: Carol Barksdale - Carol is the current President of the Elmore
County Art Guild and brings 19 years of teaching experience. Carol is a painting instructor. Myra Johnson - Myra was a founding member of the Tallassee Historical Society and brings many years of grant writing experience. Myra is a writer and genealogist. Pat Johnson - Pat worked for the Montgomery School System before retiring and now is a nationally known Wood Turning instructor. Pat brings years of Art Center program experience to ARRAC..
Frank Sullivan - Frank is a project engineer for a Montgomery government contractor. Frank is a well established Southern Folk Art potter, a mandolin player and brings 30 years of organizational and operations experience. John Wayne Taylor - John Wayne is a regional Blacksmithing instructor that brings his years of experience in developing programs, promoting traditional arts. John Wayne introduced the concept of the Arts Center to the City of Wetumpka.
The Search for Our New Home Continues….. (Continued from page 1)
A world of happiness can be created by a dedicated group of Volunteers and committed Donors !
Alternate Sites Other locations include the (2) free standing buildings in Fain Park which would require more renovation work than the hospital building.
substantial renovation costs involved with this building but due to its age, some historic grants may be available.
One last option would be the old school on Tallassee Street which housed the old Performing Arts Center. We hope to hear from the Elmore County School Board soon on their plans for the building. Once again there are
Operational Budgeting Will Be defined by Grants As we move forward with the acquisition of the ARRAC building, thoughts turn to the operational budget. How will it be funded? The operational budget covers day to day operations such as power, lights, water, sewer, telephone, computers, office supplies and so on. Some items are
large dollar, so are small dollar. Our plan calls for a combination of cash donations, material donations and a grant or two. One thing that holds true is the mix must stay flexible and be ready to be adjusted as soon as it appears a goal
is not being reached. A successful non-profit needs to monitor these items closely to insure any short fall can be made up or services cut to insure the cost can be covered. (Continued from page 3)
The ARRAC Update
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Operational Budgeting Will Be defined by Grants (Continued from page 3) Our Volunteers will be the keystone in monitoring this budget. When a Volunteer sees an issue, (S)He needs to report the concern to the President, Vice President or the Treasurer for action. The prudent use of our available resources will be critical for the Arts Center survival every year.
Non-profit originations are great tools for the community but require a lot of “Baby sitting” to keep them healthy. This is the basic directive that our President, Operations Committee, members and volunteers will need to hold close.
The cultivation of new sources of funding and materials will be an ongoing process.
What to Expect at ARRAC The ARRAC Facility will include an Arts Center Building which will house the following areas. Public Gallery for displaying and viewing of Art by local and regional Artists at no charge to the public. The majority of the art will be available for purchase by the public. Proceeds from any sale will go to the Artist and a percentage to the Arts Center. Hours of operations have yet to be established. Community Room for group art classes, workshops, study sessions and presentations. The Community room will also be available for use by other non-profit community organizations on a space available basis in coordination with the Arts Center calendar of events. Individual Artist Studio Spaces will be available within the Art Center Building to encourage interaction between artists and the public. Spaces will be rented
to Artists on a first come/space available basis. Spaces will be securable and the Artists will have 24 hour access to his/her space. Rent will be based on a standard size studio (est. 300 s.f.), the needs of the Artist and the Artist’s willingness to volunteer their services to the Arts Center. Exterior work/Display Areas which would include: Artist Working (studios) Areas for work that is not suited for an interior studio space. Flower Garden / landscaping Areas will be created and maintained by Artists, Volunteers and teaching classes. Materials will be supplied through donations. Exterior Art Display Areas for the display of outdoor Art. Gardens and display areas will be open to the public during establish hours of operations.
Got a Story ? Have you got a story you would like to get printed in the news letter? Contact Frank Sullivan at sullivanpottery@aol.com for more information.
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NEWSLETTER TITLE
ALABAMA RIVER REG IO N ART S CE NTER
85 Canal Cove Wetumpka, Alabama 36092 Phone: (334) 578-9485 Fax: (334) 578-9485 E-Mail:
About Our Organization… The Founding members are composed of local Artist from varied disciplines that have a common goal to create a public non-profit organization based in Wetumpka, Alabama focusing on nurturing all categories of arts in the River Region.
special events.
The Arts Center is a volunteer based, community supported organization that will derive it’s funding from public and private donations, contributions, grants benefactors and the proceeds from memberships, Artist Space, Rentals, Gallery Art Sales and
sullivanpottery@aol. com We’re on the Web!
ALABAMA RIVER REGION ARTS CENTER 85 CANAL COVE WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092
RECIPIENT NAME
STREET ADDRESS
ADDRESS 2 CITY, ST ZIP CODE