Northville Art House is now independent
While the Art House has achieved the dream of independence from the city, the COVID 19 effects have added some nightmare elements to the evolution of the facility into an autonomous non-profit organization after operating under the wing of the City of Northville for more than 15 years.
According to an article posted on the official City of Northville website, the Art House now manages operations independently and pays the city for essential services, such as accounting and maintenance, under the direction of Erin Maten, the executive director and Ryan Kaltenbach, the creative director who report to a board of directors. Chrissy Serra now manages the gift shop while board of directors member Sue Taylor acts as the community advocate.
As a new 501-c3, the Art House team can raise funds and seek grants for programming and capital improvements at the building. In addition, outside funding can help with staffing costs during free gallery exhibits and community events, provide personal protection equipment support, and fund materials and instruction for art enrichment outreach programs.
“We're operating with a streamlined business model: accounts payable, payroll, and expenses are now conducted by myself and overseen by the board. “We appreciate having the city close by for advice on financial matters and assisting with connections,” Maten said.
The board members include Ellen Bennett, Nancy Darga, Roland Hwang, Linda Liedel, Elizabeth Oliver and Taylor. Councilmember Barbara Moroski-Browne also continues to attend meetings.
The Art House is looking for additional board members who have the knowledge, resources and connections to grow and sustain the Art House, and are expanding their search to art advocates throughout the metro Detroit area.
Typically, nine to 10 free exhibits of local artists take place each year at the Art House, and feature the work of local, national and international artists. More than 10,000 people are drawn to Northville annually from throughout Michigan and other states for Art House exhibits and events, officials said in a recent post on the Northville city website.
On Aug. 1, the Art House reopened with the Dreams and Nightmares exhibit, followed by the West of Center Exhibit, going on now through Sept. 26. In mid-summer the Art House was instrumental in landing four reproductions for the “Inside Out” program, positioned outdoors within a two-block radius.
This past week the Art House ended its Young Artist Market with nine local artists, ages 8-14, selling original art in the lower level classroom.
“Events likes these are wonderful to have for the mental health of our youth, especially during COVID-19. Other high school kids got involved by volunteering to help manage the market,” Maten said.
The Art House recently established an online store. Now patrons can view and purchase art online and pick up their purchases through a no-contract method. When the pandemic struck, the arts programming was blossoming - with record numbers registering for in-house classes, school instruction and community outreach. After the March shutdown, the Art House began to host virtual classes for adults and students but the attendance wasn't nearly as high as in-person classes.
“This would have been our best year yet,” Maten said. “We were in four Northville Elementary schools with our outreach after-school art program, and also offered enrichment art classes at Goddard Preschool and Hillside Middle School. We continue to work on how to support our schools through virtual art enrichment.”
Children as young as 3 can get a taste for art through the early art education program. The Art House collaborates on several student exhibits for middle school and high school art students. More recently, the facility has provided art classes to people with Parkinson's disease and other illnesses - making a big difference in their lives.
The building itself is unique and well-loved. It's clad in brick and aluminum-siding with a tall pillared porch tucked behind the Northville District Library, between the Northville Post Office and Oakwood Cemetery with the City Dog Park almost in the back yard. The gift shop is located off the main entrance and an exhibition gallery is on the second floor is an ideal space for showcasing a variety of artwork. Classes take place in the lower level, which has a walk-out door to the back yard and parking lot. The building has gardens and outdoor installations, including two orange silhouette men, designed by local artist John Soave.
While the city is providing the building rent-free for the next five years, the nonprofit is responsible for maintenance. Volunteers tend to fix things around the Art House, which was built in 1965, but additional help is needed.
The Art House has been self-sustaining through program costs and fundraising events but anticipated contributions from individual donations and prospective grants will allow it to flourish. The new nonprofit model is expected to open more doors with the assistance of grantors and donors, who now may gain a tax deduction from their contribution.
“In the past we've raised funds with more than 200 members who contributed yearly,” Maten said. “Since COVID-19, our membership has dropped to 40 members. Our events such as Arts & Acts, Painting with Paws, Young Artists Art Market and Art Crush are annual fundraisers that bring in half of our revenue each year. All of these events have been hit hard by the virus. If things go well, we hope to have these activities back next year,” she said.
“Our budget has taken a large decrease in classes, art sales, events, sponsors and donations,” Maten noted. “It's really vital that we make up for lost revenue through fundraising, now and in the next couple years.”
