By Susan Dickson, Staff Writer
The ArtsCenter closed out a three-month fundraising campaign on July 1 at $160,000, less than half of its $350,000 goal.
The fundraising campaign, Keep Arts Centered, kicked off in April. The drive was intended to raise funds for a long list of needs, including a new sound system for the theater, repairs to the building’s sprinkler system and a new dance floor in the center’s dance studio.
“With the amount that we raised, we’ll be able to address some of the more immediate needs within the next few months,†ArtsCenter director Ed Camp said, adding that they’d included money for scholarships and debt reduction in the fundraising goal.
About 80 percent of The ArtsCenter’s $1.6 million budget is funded through program and class fees; the remaining 20 percent comes from grants, local government and donations.
According to Camp, the funds raised will enable the replacement of the sound system, HVAC repairs and improvements to the fire-suppression system.
“Those were all pretty vital, and we raised the money for that,†he said.
Although the campaign didn’t reach its goal, Camp said ArtsCenter programming won’t suffer.
“We’re not going to cancel any programs because we didn’t raise the money – we’re just not going to be able to make improvements to our programs,†he said.
The campaign was the first of its kind for The ArtsCenter, and Camp thinks it will become an annual event.
In the future, he hopes to start the campaign a little earlier in the year. Camp also wants to make sure people know The ArtsCenter plans to remain in Carrboro for the long haul. Because of the planned 300 East Main development, he said, some potential donors thought The ArtsCenter building would be torn down, and thus wondered why it would need improvements.
ArtsCenter staff and board members are working on a three- to five-year strategic plan to help clarify The ArtsCenter’s long-term plans.
Overall, Camp said he was encouraged by the campaign, especially “seeing how many people really have a great love for this place and how connected they feel to it.â€