Help: Funding for the arts

Subject: Funding for the arts
From: PoohBear
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 12:21 AM

I've just been elected to our local Arts Council and am trying to find outside funding to help with the restoration of a theatre. Does anyone have any ideas of where to look?

Cheers!

PB

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 12:33 AM

PoohBear, which side of the pond are you on, for starters? That will make a difference in a lot of opportunities.

Thanks and Congratulations on your election,

kat

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: JamesJim
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 12:47 AM

PoohBear, as it happens, I am doing the same thing in my hometown. What I have learned is that you have to start with the local politicians. City Councilmen/women, County officials, etc. Most of the time they have a discretionary budget from which they can give dollars to causes in which they believe. After you get dollars locally, you then should move on to the State level. State representatives from your area may be able to help you with your cause, but the first question they will ask is, "did you get any money from local government?" If the answer is no, you probably won't get any help from your State. Fortunately for us we were able to get some (limited) local help (actually, some of the folks working on this before I got involved had already convinced our Councilpersons to kick in some bucks). We are now pursuing State funding. What we have also learned is that the Governor of our State has a discretionary fund from which he can give to certain causes. We are going to try to get some of those dollars if at all possible. It is also important for members of your Arts Council to be influencial citizens. If they are business people, they will generally have good contacts and may be able to help get some corporate dollars. As it turns out, some of the folks working on this project have been at it for two years. As I said, I came only within the last 6 months. One thing for sure - you can't take no for a final answer (from government). Persistency is important and I believe will ultimately pay off. Of course, one way to get a few dollars to actually begin having performances in the theater. Our's is in good enough condition to do this and we have done so. However, I doubt we could get enough dollars to do any real restoration - our theatre has limited seating capacity. If you are like us, you need some big money to get the job done. What we've decided is to priortize - get things done that will help us begin having regular performances (lighting, sound, etc.). It's always good if the roof doesn't leak and the air conditioning works. If you have any ideas, I'd be interested in hearing from you. We are working with a few corporate sponsors, but it has been slow going. GOOD LUCK! Jim

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: PoohBear
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 01:08 AM

Kat, I'm languishing in the US equivalent of "outer Siberia" mundanely known as southern New Mexico.

The theatre was purchased by a couple of local business folks and essentially donated to the community. It had been a mish-mash of little shops and stuff for years. Some idiot plastered over a marvelous facade - rendering it incredibly ugly. We are at the point of getting a demolition crew inside to finish gutting it - then we can start the repair work. We'll probably go to the local high school art/pottery classes and ask them to try to duplicate the tile work as a class project.

We do have a fair amount of funding - some from the state level, if I'm not mistaken, in the form of an outright grant and some matching funds, but it's not going to be enough to complete the place. And it's in no shape for performances yet. One of the local fund raisers has been thru a performance at one of our other theatres coupled with a reception at one of the better restaurants in town. That didn't do too badly - but again just a drop in the bucket to what's still needed.

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: DougR
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 01:14 AM

Your best bet is probably a local private foundation or a local wealthy individual that might donate the money if you name the theater after them. Fundraising out of state to complete your project will be very difficult to get. DougR

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 11:04 AM

1) Trot around to the healthy local businesses (banks, etc) and ask them to sponsor a "blank"...concert, wall, etc.
2) Sell memeberships to the public. Memebers get reduced price tickets.
3) Ask construction companies, etc if they can donate or give a helathy discout for materiels.
4) Get a peice of a local artists' work (donated or other)and sell raffle tickets.
5) The biggie for fundraising--Just keep asking!! You have to ask for money, because they are NOT going to just walk up to you and volunteer it.
6) Is the National Endowment for the Arts still in existence?

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: Callie
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 08:05 PM

Some years ago the small company I worked for was in financial crisis. One of the stars from a well known US tv show happened to be in Australia and saw a tiny newspaper article about the crisis and made a substantial anonymous donation.

Through the years most of the renovation work was done by 'volunteers' (actually, people who had to work off hours in lieu of paying parking fines).

Where we could we tried to get materials for free (approached companies for donations).

Good luck with your project - don't give up!

Callie

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: CamiSu
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 08:25 PM

I too am in this position. (Gee maybe we should band together to go after some of the BIG grant money. There are actually foundations out there who won't give less than $500,000! We are only looking for $200,000) But check out state historical grants if there are some. Are you near any good size towns? Trouble with NM is that the money is really concentrated. Be ready to talk to anyone any time. Do lots of news releases as you get stuff done and keep after the papers til they print them. Have them take pictures. You've got some great idaes I may float to our board. We have a membership that we're calling on for "sweat equity" but the number who respond is small and I am getting frustrated. (I'm a carpenter as well but I can't do the whole mess..) If you can do shows in your space you can point out what you need. We are in exile so it is tougher. The only shows that make any money lately are the Shakespeare al fresco that my daughter is directing in the summer, since the rent we have to pay elsewhere eats up all our returns and then some. Good luck and if you find any federal grants for tiny theater groups let the rest of us know!

BTW anyone in the region around Hanover NH, Wavestar's show opens this Friday and runs the next 2 weekends. Email me if you want details. But that's why we haven't heard from her lately.... She'd love to see you. Bring your own chairs. It's in an apple orchard!

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: PoohBear
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 08:54 PM

Some great suggestions - thanks all! Any other ideas will be welcome.

I know NEA still exists - but getting a clear idea of how to approach them from their web site is still beyond my patience level. Our local banks, like everywhere else, are no longer so local which makes getting donations a little tough, altho some of them put their money where their advertising slogans are....

Never have been good with bureaucratic BS - guess I have to learn if I'm going to be effective at this. CamiSu is right - the bucks in NM are concentrated - in Santa Fe. The southern end of the state is pretty much ignored by the PTBs. We'll have to be a very loud squeaky wheel to get much out of them.

If I get any good leads on other resources, you can bet I'll pass them on,

Cheers!

PB

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: DougR
Date: 03 Aug 00 - 02:05 AM

Most state arts councils will not give funds for capital projects. The National Endowment for the Arts will not either. They may make a grant for archetectural fees, or a planning grant of some sort if your state arts council, based in Santa Fe, supports the project. Get the address of NEA from the Website and write for their guidlines for funding. This probably would also be available from the New Mexico State Arts Commission. As I said in an earlier message (and fund raising for the arts is the way I make my living)for projects of this kind, either a large local company or a wealthy individual or individuals would be your best bet. Some folks will give big bucks to have buildings named after them. Companies too. DougR

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: Sorcha
Date: 03 Aug 00 - 02:15 AM

I lived in NM for a while (Las Vegas/Santa Rosa). Don't I know that Santa Fe gets it all? And for the most part, SF sucks. (There are some neat museums there, though.) You gotta get good with the Beaureaucatese BS, and beg when it doesn't exactly sound like you are begging......go to the Home Offices of the "local" banks.........(etc) And it works better if you are in at the Home Office a full fiscal year in advance.

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: Margaret V
Date: 04 Aug 00 - 09:51 PM

Pooh Bear, my friend's mother pushed through a lot of very successful preservation projects in Albuquerque. She's retired now but I could find out if she'd be game for talking to you. Let me know if you're interested. Margaret

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: PoohBear
Date: 05 Aug 00 - 12:54 AM

Margaret, I sure am interested! Any advice is wonderful. I know that what's worked up north may not work here - but it's worth a try. thanks!!!

PB

Subject: RE: Help: Funding for the arts
From: Rosebrook
Date: 05 Aug 00 - 01:34 AM

You can conduct a major donor campaign within the community (assembling long contact lists for a mailing, and direct contacts with people you will ask for significant donations)...fundraising events in the community accompanied with LOTS of publicity...public speaking to local social/service groups and clubs asking them for financial support (Rotary, Soroptimists, Zonta, Lions, etc.)...go to the library and research foundations in New Mexico that do favor arts projects and capital projects....

Rose