ART Station Board of Trustees Sends Out Plea for Assistance

2/4/2010

The ART Station Theatre Company and Contemporary Art Center in Stone Mountain Village is in need of financial help from the community in order to survive the effects of the current recession.

According to David Thomas, President and Founder of the ART Station, the company is currently running a $90,000 deficit; some employees have not been paid for over a year; and bank loans total over $130,000. Rusty McKellar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and an employee of Pattillo Construction Company, says that "ART Station has lost over 70% of its traditional funding sources from the corporate and foundation community. If the community does not rally behind ART Station with financial assistance, ART Station will be forced to temporarily cease operations." David Thomas adds that "attendance at ART Station has never been higher, but unfortunately ticket prices do not cover the cost of operating such a large facility without corporate sponsors and individual giving.

Susan Coletti, a Stone Mountain City Council member and long time supporter of ART Station says: "There are so many ways in which we can come together to help ART Station through this difficult financial time. Of course, the first step is to write a check. Lots of people giving to this important cause will add up. But, let us not forget that ART Station's annual fundraiser, "Raising of the Green" held each St. Patrick's Day is one of ART Station's biggest fund-raising events. We need to make this year's event the most successful. Please give donations to the silent auction, buy tickets to the event, and come bid on the great items. There is also a $1000 raffle for the event. Tickets to the raffle are only $10. All proceeds will go to ART Station."

ART Station Board Member, Pat Wheeler, and Mayor of the City of Stone Mountain, says "The impact that ART Station makes not only to Stone Mountain, but to the entire metro-Atlanta area is staggering. The loss of ART Station would be devastating to our community." ART Station Board Member Michele Henson and State Representative in the Georgia House of Representatives commented that "ART Station has had an incredible impact on the community for the part 24 years. The children's lives that have been so positively affected by ART Station are innumerable. We cannot lose this tremendous organization. I encourage everyone to send a contribution, no matter how large or small.  ART Station needs your help."

According to David Thomas, President and Founder, "ART Station must raise $150,000 before the end of April. If not, we will be forced into a temporary shut down of our operations. But we know that ART Station is too important to the community for that to happen. DeKalb County Government, who actually owns the building in which ART Station operates, has recently reviewed and renewed a more favorable lease agreement with ART Station, in which DeKalb County will pay for all utilities and for the maintenance of the facility. This will save us approximately $75,000 annually in operating cost, so this is a great step in assuring our survival.  But, others have to step up to help us out of this unfortunate financial situation."

Associate Producer for ART Station, Michael Hidalgo, says that ART Station "serves over 50,000 patrons each year." The major programs of ART Station include a professional theatre company producing seven theatre productions each year; a five gallery series program producing over 14 exhibitions each year; arts classes for children and adults; a summer arts camp; a performance company for youth and a performance company for teens; a lunch time series; senior morning matinee programs; a storytelling festival at Stone Mountain Park as well as outreach programs.

To make  a donation to ART Station, click here to access the donation form. To assist with ART Station's upcoming fundraiser on March 17, call 770-469-1105. For sponsorship opportunites, e-mail Michael Hidalgo at michaelh@artstation.org.

ART Station is a not-for-profit 501 c (3) organization in which all contributions are deductible to the full extent of the law. All contributions may be mailed to ART Station, P.O. Box 1998, Stone Mountain, GA  30086 or call 770-469-1105 to make a contribution by credit card.