LEWISTON — A late-summer fundraising push has helped L/A Arts pay off much of its debt, but the agency still needs help with weekly expenses.
“If we can get through the next couple of months and start to see some benefits from the grants we’ve been writing and the sponsorships we’ve been soliciting and the donations we’ve received, we are going to be very close to a full recovery by the spring,” said Josh Vink, interim executive director.
The arts agency announced in July that it was considering bankruptcy and that it had drifted from its original mission. Board members said the group had amassed more than $100,000 in debt and had limited funds to pay it back.
Vink said Thursday that the agency’s outlook is much brighter today, thanks to the support of local individuals, groups and businesses, and grant money. Vink said that as much as 75 percent of L/A Arts’ debt has been paid, with grants and other income set aside to pay off the rest.
“Right now we are looking for two things: assistance to help with overhead and direct costs to keep the doors open and our programs running and repay the trust of the community that we are working hard,” Vink said. “And then there is a sense that we are working to re-evaluate and re-mission ourselves in service to the community in a way that L/A Arts has not been for quite some time.”
Vink said the agency is working to promote a 10-week poetry program in Lewiston and Auburn schools. They are looking to expand February’s Ice Fest in 2014 and to extend the downtown art walks throughout the year.
“What that means is that we are homing in on the work that is supporting the arts in this community in a way that has impact over time, not something where it’s a quick event or something where we compete with other organizations,” Vink said. “We are looking for sustainable programs that people in this community will come to know and love.”
L/A Arts fundraising
Questions or offers for help should be directed to the L/A Arts office, 782-7228, or to its website: www.laarts.org.
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