Arts Council fund drive planned
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on August 7, 2015 1:46 PM
The Arts Council of Wayne County is conducting its annual fund drive and hopes to raise $45,000 this year to help fund various programs and events.
"The drive is the biggest piece of our fundraising," said director Sarah Merritt. "It doesn't involved an event, but is an appeal that goes out to the community. We're asking the community to support the Arts Council."
Last year's goal was $45,000, but the fund drive raised only about $41,000.
"We're working really hard to make sure we meet or exceed our goal this year," Mrs. Merritt said.
The operating budget for the Arts Council this year is $322,000.
"We're not a department of the county," Mrs. Merritt said. "We're not a department of the city. We are very fortunate that we do get $25,000 from the county and $25,000 from the city and about $30,000 from the state. And we get some grants."
The Arts Council also gets a little bit of income from what it charges for classes.
"But the fund drive is really key," Mrs. Merritt said. "It's vital to our income to be able to keep the organization sustainable. It's grown so much in the last four or five years, and now we're really working hard to make sure we have that financial stability for the future so we can continue all the great things we're able to do.
"With the fund drive, the money is supporting really great quality programs. It's a win-win for the community when we get support."
Mrs. Merritt said if the fund drive is not successful, the Arts Council would have to cut some programs, classes or activities. But she hopes it won't come to that.
Not only does the Arts Council have music and arts classes throughout the year, but it also has special programs, like the jazz showcase, open mic night, First Friday and a lot more. And its events are free.
"The funds that we raise through the annual fund drive and our other fundraisers really support programs that are important because anybody has access to them," Mrs. Merritt said. "If they want to come and see and exhibit and bring all their kids, they can for free. They can come to the jazz showcase and bring their family and friends. Or come to open mic night.
"All the different things we do outside of our facility, too, are free, like Sunday in the Park. We really strive to make sure that's always the case. I think it's really vital in a community that there's equal opportunity for everybody."
Mrs. Merritt said the Arts Council is here for the community.
Anyone receiving a letter about the fund drive can mail a donation back. You can also mail a check to the Arts Council at 102 N. John St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27530. Make your check payable to the Arts Council of Wayne County.
Or you can donate online at www.artsinwayne.org and click on support to make a donation.
"We recently started sustainable giving where somebody wants to give more to the arts council but doesn't have a lot of disposable income or income that they can just give away -- and that's understandable in today's economy -- they can give $120 at $10 a month for 12 months."
And every dollar counts.
The fund drive runs through June 30.
For more information, call the Arts Council at 919-736-3300.