  
|
Changing The Face Of The Arts by Lisa Christina Roche Non-profits in the '90s are entrepreneurial enterprises, because they have to be. Those that flourish must find creative ways to generate earned income that is then used to fund important community programs. RCCA: The Arts Center (Rensselaer County Council for the Arts) is one such ground-breaking organization based in Troy. In its 35-year history, The Arts Center has worked to bring the arts to the people through arts in education programs, classes and camps, funding for individual artists, and the annual Riverfront Arts Festival in downtown Troy, which attracts over 40,000 visitors to Riverfront Park. Each year, the organization looks to provide more services to the broader community, helping to boost revitalization efforts in the city of Troy and the Capital District. In the heyday of the '80s, a lot of government money was available for the arts. While government support is still necessary and valued these days, there is much less to go around. For the arts, the '90s have been lean and mean. Today, The Arts Center receives only 16% of its budget from government funding, down from 40% in earlier years. Over 60% of the income at RCCA comes from earned sources: memberships, art classes, summer camps and special events. In fact, the staff of The Arts Center has gained a reputation among area non-profits for "taking care of business." They have been invited to lecture on the subject of generating earned revenue before audiences of arts organizations from across the state. How do they do it? They treat the arts like any other thriving business. "We track budgets just as closely as the best managed corporation," says RCCA President Raona Roy. "Keeping a handle on costs allows us to give money back to the community by enhancing existing programs, and creating new ones." The Arts Center's primary profit comes from arts and crafts classes for children and adults across 13 counties in NY, MA and VT. "We have about 2,200 students each year who pay tuition and material fees for the classes," says Roy. "And lots of families buy memberships, which entitles them to discounts on classes." The RCCA Riverfront Arts Festival, held every Father's Day weekend at Riverfront Park in Troy, is another source of income -- and a long-time Troy tradition. The 32nd annual Riverfront Arts Fest drew 40,000 into downtown Troy for live and interactive arts, music, crafts, ethnic foods, blues and more. To raise money for the Festival, The Arts Center partners with many local corporate sponsors, whose generosity makes such an event possible. The Arts Center is also planning a new facility in downtown Troy, located at the former Standard Furniture Showrooms, 261-271 River Street. The renovation is a $4.3 million project, and will result in a six-fold increase in space for the organization. Roy says, "We had run out of space for our programs. The Standard buildings were perfect, and the price was right." The five buildings sold for $160,000. "There are a lot of people who want to take classes in the arts, and lots of parents who know the value of cultural education for their children. Plus, it allows us to help in the revitalization of downtown Troy." The organization estimated that 70,000 visitors will make their way to the New Arts Center each year. "That's new trade for restaurants and retail, and a great opportunity to get the word out about Troy's beautiful downtown to people who live outside of Rensselaer County." Roy emphasizes that individual, private & corporate donations are still essential to keeping The Arts Center healthy & vital. "We couldn't bring this quality of the arts to the community without the support of our patrons, friends & donors," says Roy. "To our students and members, we say: You truly do keep it going and growing." In cooperation with Troy United Ink Corp., a not-for-profit corporation 
|
|||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
