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ECCOTA director address future |
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Friday, 27 November 2009 |
By Brent Addleman
Editor
The Elk County Council on The Arts is facing the same kind of fiscal responsibility as any other organization due to the recent passage of the Pennsylvania State Budget that featured a cut in funding to the arts.
With less money coming in, the organization is going to have to become more aggressive in its pursuit of funding while at the same time keeping an eye on what it can spend with less money coming in from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
For Abbi Peters, Executive Director of ECCOTA, finding an alternative stream of funding is one of the routes she is guiding the organization that just held its annual fundraising gala event.
"The Gala went well," Peters said from her office tucked inside the ECCOTA gallery. "There was a good showing. It's tough because there are always so many different things going on around in the area. But, we had a good showing. We had about 80 people turnout.
"Overall, between donations, reservations and auction, we raised just under $6,000. So when the dust settles from expenses, we are looking at clearing around $3,500. As far as what we brought in through auction, it is much less. Our auction items went for much lower this year. Our reservations were pretty steady. Our donations were also [steady.] We were able to really cut back on a lot of our expenses this year, so that helps with the bottom line."
With the economy hitting everyone from big business to families, Peters is grateful for the money the event brought in.
"I think a lot of people have to make choices between what they are able to support," Peters said. "We have had such wonderful member support so far this year as far as renewals, new members. I think what it comes down to is everyone has budgets that they have to watch."
The state budget forced a cut into what is normally spent on the arts. The cut this year was significant.
"The PCA received a 24 percent cut in their budget," Peters said. "Last year, they received about $15 million. This year, they are down to $11 million. That is re-granting money. That's money that goes back out to different projects and programs.
"As it trickles down to ECCOTA, we receive two types of funding sources from the PCA. We received one funding source that actually ends up being re-granted back out through Project Stream and Program Stream Grants. Those are grants that are granted out to different projects and programs throughout Elk County, Jefferson, McKean and Forest County. We help distribute that money into different events and projects throughout those four counties."
ECCOTA supports two main events in the region – the Ridgway Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous and Art in the Wilds – and the Elk County Concert Choir among a host of other programs in the region.
"For 2008-09, there were about 26 different organizations that received funding," Peters said. "That funding is being cut between 14 to 19 percent. That is being cut. We also receive funding straight from the PCA as an organization. That, we are looking at about a 20 percent cut."
For ECCOTA that is a big chunk of its budget that will force Peters to look elsewhere for funding.
"What is spells is that we have less general program funding coming in and less re-granting money," Peters said. "So, we have to tighten our belts and look for other sources of funding to fill those gaps. It would either be through increasing our membership drive and our business sponsors. It would be through increasing our gallery sales. Or it would be through looking for other grants or foundation donations."
The state budget cuts bring both a harsh reality and a challenge to the organization to continue supporting the arts.
"It can be [a steep challenge] because different organizations have felt not only the state budget crunch but also their donors and foundations," Peters said. "Everyone everywhere is kind of tightening up their belts. It's a harsh reality that everyone needs to deal with. No matter what in a recession everyone has to look at their bottom line and how they are funding and their sources of income are coming in."
According to Peters, the organization is in good standing as far as where it receiving funding from, due in part to past Executive Director Andi Willis.
"Andi Willis, our previous Executive Director, did a great job at diversifying our funding source," Peters said. "We are trying to keep with that approach and not put all of our eggs in one basket."
"We've had such wonderful continue support from our members. We didn't see a big drop in our membership decline. We are really close to hitting our goal for the year, the same with our business sponsorships too.
"People at the end of the day they understand they still have money it is just a matter of how much they can give and when. So, we're just really trying to focus in and work on when we go for the larger amounts of money and being very project specific to what they are going towards and keep our expenses as low as we can and fulfill our mission of bringing art and culture into the area and promoting it and having a source for it in Elk County."
Peters pointed to support from the local community and also from local government officials in their work to make their opinions on the budget cuts heard.
"As far as the state budget goes, I would like to [acknowledge] everyone who did contact their legislators and were advocates for the arts in the area and arts in general and to keep that up and [acknowledge] their legislators for their support and to continue to remind them we made it through this round of the budget but it is not the end," Peters said. "Advocacy still needs to be a topic on everyone's mind."
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 June 2010 )
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