The Dalles Art Center at risk of closing; hours and staff reduced
The Dalles Art Center aglow in spring flowers last year. The organization must raise $3,500 by the end of the month to keep the doors open, according to board members.
The Dalles Art Center Board Member Philip Mascher
By Tom Peterson
Board members of The Dalles Art Center are going out to its sponsors, members and the public at large in hopes of raising enough funding to keep the organization from going under, according to Art Center Board Member Philip Mascher.
On Monday, March 13, the Art Center sent out an email letting members know that if $3,500 committed monthly contributions cannot be raised by March 31, the Board plans on moving ahead with “the painful responsibility of closing The Dalles Art Center by April 15th. This is a public appeal to all residents and businesses to help us avoid such a devastating loss to the community.”
To make tax deductible donations, go to the TDAC website at www.thedallesartcenter.org/donate.
For questions, please contact the board at board@thedallesartcenter.org or 541-296-4759.
This announcement follows on the heels of a deep dive into the financial books of the nonprofit, which showed current staffing levels were unsustainable.
The lack of funding left the board in the unenviable position of having to let go of Art Center Executive Director Scott Stephenson on Friday, March 10.
File Photo - The Dalles Art Center Exec. Director Scott Stephenson works on refinishing the floors at the Art Center.
“Scott’s position has been eliminated,” said Mascher this morning, March 14. “Scott was super generous and has agreed to a smooth transition and has agreed to lend a hand on projects as a volunteer.”
“This was a really gut-wrenchingly painful to eliminate that position,” Macher said. “At the end of the day, the only other alternative was to close.”
Board members, who have brought financial contributions, are also now committed to provide volunteer hours by staffing the Art Center themselves until it can get back on its feet financially. In addition, the Board is also keeping gallery manager Kris Vercouteren on as its only paid staff.
What Happened?
COVID restrictions and the economy were, in part, to blame for the reduced funding for the Art Center in recent years.
Art Center Gallery Manager Kris Vercouteren
“In the last few years, TDAC has seen many positive developments guided by the leadership of our Executive Director Scott Stephenson,“ said Pam Westland, president of the TDAC board of directors in the news letter. “In addition to visual arts, live performances have been added, project and operations grants have been secured, public art projects were completed, and the historic building and grounds have been rejuvenated, to name a few.”
In spite of these positive developments, limited fundraising opportunities, in part due to the COVID pandemic and the subsequent financial recession, have been a challenge over the last three years, the Art Center newsletter states At the same time, inflation and other economic factors have created increased operational expenses. Similar challenges have led other art organizations in the region to temporarily close and re-evaluate their business model. Drawing insights from some of these cases, and working diligently with the support of a Murdock Charitable Trust Essentials of Development coach, the TDAC board concluded that a different expense and funding model is necessary for the continued operation of the center.
“We need the community to demonstrate that the Art Center is valuable to the community with ongoing monthly donations,” Mascher said. “Organizations like these typically run on a shoestring budget and with the challenges of the last few years pandemic, inflation and some major donations not happening… it got to a situation where a dramatic change is needed. We need to create reliable monthly income. We can’t just run to catch up with the budget.”
Mascher said the outpouring of response had generally been positive from the community thus far and the Board intends to give the community updates on their progress in hitting funding goals.
How to fix it?
From the Art Center newsletter:
The four key pillars of this model are A) increasing the number of committed major donors, B) growing monthly donations, C) leveraging TDAC assets for ongoing revenue, and D) reduction of expenses.
A & B) Increasing committed major donors and monthly donations: Many residents and companies have supported TDAC with donations in the past. These generous donations have funded a large part of operations, however, it has become clear that this is not a sustainable model long term. In order to keep providing services to the community, TDAC will nurture rewarding relationships with private and corporate donors that are committed to ongoing monthly donations amounting to a minimum cumulative total of $3,500/month.
C) Leveraging TDAC assets for reliable revenue: The board is exploring several ongoing revenue-generating partnerships, such as space rental for groups, classes, etc.
D) Reducing operating expenses. The current Executive Director Scott Stephenson will leave TDAC on Friday, March 10th. This has been a very difficult decision and the board is thankful to Scott for his leadership and many contributions to TDAC. Opening hours will be reduced to Thursdays through Saturdays 11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.. The gallery manager Kris Vercouteren will remain at TDAC, and board members are volunteering to staff the gallery until interim leadership can be identified and financially supported.
The TDAC board is passionately committed to retaining the valuable community asset that TDAC represents. Each board member has contributed significant financial and engagement resources, and many of us are long-time supporters and exhibitors. As an example for TDAC impact and long-term engagement, board member Dawn Marie Hert remembers attending summer art camp when she was a child.
How can you help? Contact the TDAC board today with your regular monthly contribution. Any amount you can pledge will help bring The Dalles Art Center towards long-term financial sustainability.
TDAC board members:
President – Pam Westland
Vice President – Vonda Chandler
Treasurer – Ed Thomas
Secretary – Dawn Marie Hert
Board members at large:
Wendy Patton
Yvonne Pepin-Wakefield
Josiah Dean
Philip Mascher
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The Dalles Art Association (doing business as The Dalles Art Center or TDAC) has been in operation in The Dalles for over 60 years. Guided by a mission to be a connecting hub to inspire and engage with art, TDAC has enriched the community with art education, exhibits/installations, and artist support.
The Dalles Art Center is at 220 E 4th St., The Dalles. Call (541) 296-4759.
TDAC serves the Columbia Gorge and is currently the only dedicated arts organization between Troutdale and Pendleton.
Over 2,500 youth and adults have participated in the TDAC education programs including Summer Art Camp.
Over 1,000 artists have been showcased through exhibits, publications, and media platforms supported by TDAC.
TDAC returned over $60,000 in commissions to local artists in 2022.
The historic Carnegie Library building which houses TDAC has been restored and cared for by our own community members. Over $75,000 and 5,000 volunteer hours have helped restore and maintain the building and grounds.
