“But, being in the arts you need to be creative and find ways to increase awareness of your organization so that you get attention, you get needed funding and you get growth. We had a very successful ‘Garden and Studio’ tour this summer which I think helped broaden the perspective of what we do. It was just something a little bit different for us, which was also a fundraiser of sorts.
“We did launch a new giving program, on the wall at the HD Smith Gallery,” she continues. “We’ve got a metal sculpture where donors’ contributions will create artwork, the tree will grow with each donation. The artist adding to the tree will be paid a small stipend for creating those pieces and then, depending on the amount of the donation, there will be give-backs too, in the form of gift certificates, shared sponsorships and solo sponsorships. It’s kind of a win-win thing, everything sort of cycles back.”
Besty Dollar of the Springfield Art Association is also brimming with plans. “We have a lot of big ideas for the new year and a lot of aspirations, so we’re forging ahead. The Art Association has been working closer with the Art Alliance – I think there’s this perception that we hate each other, and we’re trying to really break that down and see how we can share resources. The fact that we’re offering a dual membership between both organizations as Christmas presents is one example of that.
“The economy is a challenge, but we’ve done okay with fundraising this year. I think Springfield really needs better ceramics facilities so that’s one thing we’re shooting for. Our new education coordinator has put together a great new set of classes that starts the second week in January with media that haven’t been offered here in a long time: basket weaving and stained glass, as well as straight painting and drawing. Our real goal,” Dollar confides, “is to get more people through here who, despite the fact that we’ve been here for 100 years, have never wandered through our doors.”
For his part, Fred Jarosz, executive director and chief fundraiser of the merely decade-old Hoogland Center, is maintaining at least a show of high spirits as his deadline looms. “We received some very good news from our auditor, who pointed out that without a mortgage, the Hoogland Center for the Arts is sustainable, and that if it were calculated now, as our budget stands today but without this mortgage, we would be over by 106,000 positive dollars. That’s great news – makes it all the more important that we hit our goal.”
Fred pauses to retrieve a handwritten note from an envelope on his desk. “I would like to read a few lines from a letter that we got this morning,” he says, and begins to read aloud. “‘Dear arts lovers, please accept this donation for your million-dollar campaign to pay off the mortgage. You are a great asset to Springfield and the surrounding area. Keep up the good work. Thank you for providing so much for so many.’ “Now, what else can I say on top of that?
It’s been said! As far as what’s coming in the new year, we have a great outline of new productions, new shows that will attract even more people, a bigger variety, and we’re gonna do more music in the coming years – and I do say ‘years’ plurally! Next year could be the greatest year for the Hoogland ever.”
Scott Faingold can be reached via scottfaingold@gmail.com.
