Art in the Loft plans for future, restructuring organization
Facing financial challenges, staff resignations
Trending
ALPENA -- Following a monthly board meeting, all previous staff members have resigned from the Art in the Loft. Board members are in the process of restructuring and moving forward as an organization following financial challenges threatening the future of the arts nonprofit.
Kendra Neumann, Art in the Loft's previous executive director, informed the public on Wednesday that Art in the Loft is facing a "threat" of closing its doors following grant cuts and dwindling funding.
Art in the Loft held its monthly board meeting on Wednesday and Neumann informed attendees that Art in the Loft needs $11,000 to get caught up on bills and $40,000 more to get the organization through the year.
She added to move forward the organization will need to raise $100,000, though their yearly expenses have "historically" been $220,000.
"To feel comfortable moving forward in a sustainable way ... and be able to grow and develop the programs we have," Neumann said. "That's where we are at."
Neumann added that the organization recently received an Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) grant for new equipment and to support programming.
Paige Fisher, Art in the Loft board member, stated that "there are financial hardships" currently challenging the nonprofit. She said that she can only speak to her time on the board since July.
"I have a limited scope ... from my experience, everyone has been doing everything to the best of their ability," she said.
She said that she appreciated the support from community members who attended the board meeting on Wednesday and that she has a positive outlook for the future of the Loft.
"The community really came together and showed up for Art in the Loft," she said. "The board is doing a deep dive into everything. We will restructure the Loft for whatever the next chapter looks like."
Both Neumann and Fisher noted attendance to Art in the Loft events have "dwindled" in recent months, citing economic hardships facing the entire community. She said that board members are all dedicated to preserving the organization's legacy and moving past current challenges.
"We are in the process of restructuring. We are figuring out what that messaging will be," she said. "Art in the Loft is an important part of the community."
On Wednesday, Neumann noted concerns from within that the organization has lost visibility, compounding its financial challenges.
"A lot of feedback that I’ve been getting is that people just haven't been seeing all of the changes we've made, and ... could be on us," she said.
Neumann and Mitchel Dipzinski, the previous outreach and development director, cited challenges regarding consistent communication with members.
"I want to do a monthly newsletter for our members, at this time, with everything we're trying to accomplish, and being a small staff of four, I opted this year to just do a quarterly newsletter," she said. "Those should have been sent to all members' emails. It’s really the best that I could do this year."
Both Neumann and Dipzinski are no longer employed by Art in the Loft. Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.