Race to revolution

Durango Arts Center launches ambitious fundraising program

by Stew Mosberg

A giant thermometer outside the Durango Arts Center gauges the progress on the “Art Revolution” fund-raising goal. The DAC launched the campaign with the goal of raising $90,000 in 90 days in order to match a donation from a local benefactor. The money will be used strictly for programming rather than facilities or staff pay. The unexpected windfall came with the request that the DAC use the money to think “big and bold.”/Photo by Steve Eginoire

Launching a revolution might conjure a storming of the gates, waving of banners or a call to arms, and with its latest fundraising effort, the Durango Arts Center is hoping to revolutionize the local art community in much the same way.

With its goal of raising $90,000 in 90 days (October to December), the Arts Center plans to “turn art on” in Durango and provide dynamic new programming beginning early in the new year.

The Art Revolution objective is to enrich the DAC's current offerings with special guest lectures and presentations including workshops and classes taught by masters of the craft, such as the Creede Repertory Theater. Additionally, professional development classes for local artists, special events and enhanced youth programs are all part of the vision.

Allison Anderson recently returned to the DAC Board after a year-long sabbatical and is the newly designated Art Revolution fundraising chairwoman. Speaking about the venture, she acknowledged that the program’s incubation stems from a private donation of $90,000 by a local business owner. The unexpected windfall came with the donor’s nonmandatory caveat that the DAC seek a matching amount from the community. A suggestion “to think big and bold” was embraced wholeheartedly by the DAC Board and a group was formed to define the solicitation parameters and establish how the contributions would be utilized. It was subsequently agreed that all the proceeds would be channeled into arts programming and not for DAC building improvement or employee incentives.

The campaign to raise matching funds was branded as the "Art Revolution" to reflect the anticipated enrichment of the local art community. “What I (particularly) like about the term revolution is its secondary meanings: rotation and revolve," Board member Tim Kapustka, who designed the campaign's red flag icon, said. "I think that really fits with what we are trying to do at the DAC. We are turning things around.”

Turning things around is not alien to Board President Terry Swan. Talking about the plans and what the money can help achieve, Swan gets excited about the possibilities. "There can be new freedom to do serious theater; to take chances we couldn’t do before; to not worry about public opinion as much, and to experiment,” he said half-jokingly adding, “(Some in) the community might revolt.”

The opportunity to expand on current programming and create greater emotional responses may “shock or offend” some, Swan remarked, “but we need to take risks and aim for the scary.”

New funding will also create the opportunity to bring visiting artists and performers to Durango along with art shows and productions previously unavailable because of budgetary constraints. Both Anderson and Swan enthused about an “Artist in Residency” program that is being considered, as well as what such a renewed energy and outreach program might mean. Swan said Durango could one day be seen as an indisputable art destination, not unlike Santa Fe. He has no illusions, however, of what it might take to reach such lofty heights. Even though the initial contributions are earmarked for 2014, he hopes the successful results will lead to annual fund drives and long-term development of Durango’s art community.

DAC Executive Director Peggy Zemack is no stranger to fundraising and sees the recent monetary gift as a great catalyst for optimizing grant opportunities. “We will be applying for a $100,000 NEA grant for money to be used in 2015,” she said, adding that the DAC will also be applying for  an El Pomar grant next year. "The money raised for the Arts Revolution will definitely strengthen our application (chances)."

 Zemach was an early supporter of using revolution as a theme. “We chose Art Revolution because we thought it would be enticing and (also) a way to really engage the community, especially the younger crowd and we are attracting (them)," she said. "We had three FLC students come help us make red flag pins. They had so much fun and have since offered to spread the revolution on campus.”

To date, more than $30,000 of matching funds have been raised toward the goal. To further the chances of success, the project has launched a campaign on the crowd-funding site IndeGoGo.com.

In real life, T-shirts, stickers, pins, buttons and other items all featuring the red flag icon, are being used to promote the revolution on the ground. Local tie-in events are also scheduled, culminating in what Anderson hopes will be a “celebration party” at the DAC on Dec. 28.

And speaking of lofty heights, one tie-in program in particular is a manifestation of how local businesses support our community; now through the end of the month, Jamie Osborn, program director and “Morning Guy” at Durango’s newest radio station, X-Rock (105.3FM), will be living in a nest in the sky in the WalMart parking lot. By braving the weather, sleeping in the outdoors on a mechanical lift 30 feet above the ground, Osborn hopes to garner toys and food for needy families. During the event dubbed “Guy in the Sky,” all proceeds collected on Nov. 21, will be donated to the Art Revolution. The collaboration was conceived by Cordell Brown, CEO of Airborne Media Group, who is also a member of the DAC fundraising committee.

For more information and/or to contribute, go to: www.DurangoArts.org or contact Allison Anderson at allisonindurango@aol.com. Crowd funding site is IndieGoGo.com