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Update for the Community January 2010

The Yellow Springs Center for the Arts (YSCA) Steering Committee is engaged in the fourth and final planning phase of its project to support the community vision of Yellow Springs as a “Center for Art.” Thanks to the commitment and hard work of many community members—well over a thousand volunteer hours have been logged by villagers thus far—much of this vision has already taken root. While much remains to be done in 2010 and beyond, a great deal has been accomplished in Yellow Springs, in spite of some very challenging times both locally and nationally.

Last year, the YSCA saw progress and increased collaboration on several major projects. Momentum in capacity building continued with the Yellow Springs Arts Council and the Yellow Springs Kids Playhouse. The Little Art Theatre completed an important transition to a nonprofit 501c3 organization. A public art initiative, kicked off in early 2009, culminated in October with three new outdoor sculptures. Summer in the Springs brought forth new approaches to collaborations between artists and organizations. These efforts demonstrated how different groups can work together to provide artists more opportunities while having a positive economic impact on the community. Moreover, new opportunities for collaboration emerged in 2009 and are ongoing—efforts with Antioch College, the Village Visioning, and others will continue to develop in 2010.

Two major steps were taken in 2009 toward the realization of a major new arts facility in Yellow Springs. The first step was the recommendation by the YSCA Facilities Task Force of the construction of a new arts facility on the site at Dayton and Railroad Sts. A purchase option for the this site was obtained in March by Yellow Springs Center Stage, a 501c3 that was revived in order to serve as a fiscal and governing organization for any future development of the new arts facility.
In addition, the YSCA Operations and Business Planning Task Force performed a community-wide survey of art activities in and around Yellow Springs. A community meeting in July provided more input regarding wants and needs for a new arts center. Based on information gathered from the community, the task force assessed the operational feasibility and sustainability of an arts center and submitted a recommendation for an operational plan to the YSCA Steering Committee.

The work by these task forces, which has been adopted by the YSCA Steering Committee, set the stage for 2010 and the next major step by the Steering Committee. A Capital Campaign Feasibility Study has been commissioned in order to assess the local and regional viability of an arts facility in Yellow Springs. The results of this study will be made available in April.

More information about the participants and progress of this project can be found online at www.yscenterforthearts@org and input from community members is always welcome. We thank the many people who have contributed to this tremendous effort so far and look forward to continuing our efforts in 2010.


Jerome Borchers, Chair
Jane Baker, Vice Chair

2010 YSCA Steering Committee Members:  Jane Baker, Vice Chair; Harden Ballantine; Jerome Borchers, Chair; Anita Brown; Mary Campbell-Zopf; Luke Dennis; John Fleming, Secretary; Paul Graham; Ellis Jacobs; Rick Kristensen; Amy Lee; Rob Lytle, Treasurer; Gayle Rominger; Laura Carlson, Project Coordinator

March 11, 2010

YS Center for the Arts Completes Fundraising Feasibility Study, Will Explore Other Options for Performance Space

The Yellow Springs Center for the Arts (YSCA) Steering Committee has completed its study of the feasibility of raising the funds to build a new performing arts center. The Benefactor Group of Columbus, which conducted the study, reported that there continues to be a high degree of interest in having a performing arts center and that the community appreciated the way the Steering Committee had sought input in its process. The study aimed to determine the level of financial support that could be expected and while several major donors were identified, the anticipated total support fell short of the sum required to build and sustain a new facility. The YSCA has held an option on property on the corner of Dayton and Railroad Streets since May 2009 but will not proceed with the purchase at this time. Said Steering Committee Chair Jerome Borchers, “Given the economic situation, it wasn’t a complete surprise to us that it would be difficult to raise over $4 million. But we intend to move forward and complete our goal of providing a quality performance space for the community by considering other options.”

The YSCA will examine the possibility of using space on the Antioch College campus. According to YSCA Facilities Task Force Chair Jane Baker, “Our recommendation of the downtown location was, among other things, based on the benefits that we saw in being located in the village center, but we had also investigated possible locations on campus. At that time, over a year ago, however, the future use of campus facilities was uncertain.”

Said Borchers, “At our public meetings in March 2007 the community expressed a strong desire to be sustainable, use what we have, and collaborate with Antioch College. Having the option to partner with the College in an existing building on campus may allow us to accomplish our goal sooner rather than later.” Borchers stated that meetings with Antioch College Interim President Matthew Derr had been very positive about a community/college partnership on campus, and that the YSCA and the college will be looking together closely at the South Gym’s potential renovation. The South Gym has been the home of many Community Dance concerts and Antioch College dance recitals.

According to both Baker and Borchers, the YSCA Steering Committee continues to envision Yellow Springs itself as a center for art. “The idea has not been that one facility would serve everyone’s needs, but that there would be spaces throughout the village,” said Borchers. “The progress that’s been made so far in building capacity and providing gallery and meeting space for the Arts Council and in helping the Little Art ensure its future by becoming a nonprofit has been tremendous. We’re going to continue our work and we want to have some definite outcomes: a quality performance space for the community, a dance space, and a downtown storefront presence for the Arts Council. We’ll also be working with the Little Art Theatre Association to develop plans for improvements to the lobby, handicap accessibility, and better seating.” The YSCA will update the community about progress toward these goals in June.

 

Read about the Yellow Springs Center for the Arts in the Yellow Springs News:

Flexibility Is Key for New Arts Center

7/30/09

Public Art to Go Public in October

7/2/09

Arts Center Site Unveiled

5/21/09

Center For Arts Strides Ahead 1/29/09
New Space First Step in Arts Plan 4/24/08
YS Explores Common Arts Vision 3/29/07

Check out the YS Center for the Arts Timeline: