In order to keep bringing new art through the foothills, FAC is starting a fundraising campaign.
FAC hosted a Valentine's Day dance Friday night with wine provided by Round Peak Vineyards. Guests danced the Shag to a mix of different music in the upstairs gallery that houses the Art with Heart exhibit. Attendance was low but spirits were high as dancers enjoyed the wine, music, and company.
FAC's goal is to have all of its events underwritten and to raise $15,000 through corporate sponsorship, a tennis tournament, wine festival support and new events created by the fundraising board.
G&B Energy sponsored the Christmas Concert, "Winter Tidings," last year. FAC is hoping to put on more concerts sponsored by local businesses throughout the year and bring in more area art shows.
President Erik Dahlager and Bill Colvard, program director, talked about some of the expenses that limit their ability to program new events. "Just keeping the space open has costs, of course," said Colvard. "We have to pay for utilities and bills of operation."
"We realize the economy is slow right now," Dahlager said. "That is part of why we are hoping that we can balance our individual donations with corporate sponsorship."
FAC will operate offsite parking for the Yadkin Valley Wine Festival in efforts to raise money this year with a trolley shuttling visitors from the Arts Council parking to the festival for $5. The trolley is already underwritten.
Last year FAC had an event called "Wine Down" after the Elkin wine event that did not raise enough revenue despite the donated wines from local vineyards.
"It's time to change when things aren't working from the previous year," said Margaret Griffin, the assistant programming director. "We need to start thinking outside the box with our fundraising."
Griffin talked about the tennis tournament scheduled for the fall. "It doesn't seem very arts related, but people love tennis. And it's different from all the golf tournaments people have."
Proceeds will go to events like Kid's Fest an opportunity every summer for local kids to come out and make arts and crafts for free. "We focus on arts projects you can take home after the event," Griffin said.
The Kid's Fest has free art booths, entertainment and refreshments. "If we could get sponsorship for those kinds of events, we could expand opportunities."
FAC asks for community involvement as well as funds. They are hoping more people will volunteer ideas and time to their fundraising efforts. Grant writing is also being attempted. Griffin is currently working on a grant to bring art speakers to local public schools. "It's all very difficult, but equally important."
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