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City of Hopkins - HCA quarterly report - . QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL HOPKINS CENTER FOR THE ARTS, INC, FIRST QUARTER, 02~03 cruly-September,2002) KEY GROWTH INDICATORS Last Year 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr Total # Individual Members 307 349 349 # Business Members 0 12 12 # Grants 1 2 2 # Heritage Series Sponsors 3 0 0 I # Heritage Series Subscriptions 145 130 130 j , H";"g' s";,, Commun;Ly 1',"n'" 0 2 _~ 2 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION . Last Year 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr Total ! Heritage Series Attendance 2,735':- 123 123 Film Series Attendance 0 108 108 The Edge Attendance 0 0 0 Exhibition Openings/Events Att. 1,598 670 670 Literary Arts Events Attend. 10 21 21 Arts for All Events/Open Houses 1,000 0 0 , Fundraiser Attcndam;e 121 'f':- 0 0 , "/(P fmm 2,358 i'l 00/01 *,' down from 230 ZIl 00/01 ~~~~~~ ",teochnce figuw",e theta"!' for the ye"~ "1st Qtr" fi:"e, are for July-September, i 2002. With the exception of exhibitions, most programs do not start until September or later so figures for this period are low. We presented one Heritage Series concert, one film night, two 11t- ! erary arts events and 3 exhibition openings in first quarter. I We have no way to exactly determine how many people visit the galleries outside of opening re- ceptions, although it appears attendance is up. The sale of art certainly is, increasing from first . . quarter sales commissions of $337.50 last year to $1,609.50 this year. Lover - - -- --. "_.-|--. - . - . Page 2 NARRATIVE A major disappointment this quarter is the lack of sponsors for the Heritage Series. We contacted 20 prospects including past sponsors but did not receive any support. Prospects were quick to as- sure us the decision was economic, not a reflection on our programs. The question is whether this is a short-term phenomenon due to present economic times or reflective of a long-term change in corporate marketing away from event sponsorships, at least at smaller venues. A second economic blow was delivered by The McKnight Foundation when they decided not to fund us this year (grant request was for $15,000). The reason for their decision is that they have a policy of not funding municipal programs and consider the line between the City of Hopkins and the nonprofit HCA, Inc. to be blurred, causing concern over "city support and control" of the nonprofit. Most problematic is having a City employee staffing the nonprofit. Per Neal Cuthbert (Arts Program Director), "the door is not closed." We can reapply in about 8 months. However, we will need to address the above and continue to show progress in diversifying our funding sources. As always, they stressed that the decision in no way reflects on the programming we do or management of the nonprofit. It is our structure that is problematic. . While we have other small grants pending and are continuing to solicit individual and business memberships as well as to increase ticket sales to concerts through community partnerships, with- out a couple of "major" funders we are going to have a challenging year. There are some good signs for the future: (1) memberships are growing, slowly but steadily; (2) a few more people purchased Heritage Series subscriptions this year than last and renewing sub- scribers tended to buy bigger packages; (3) the film series is bringing in a whole new and enthusias- tic audience; (4) our exhibitions are getting stronger and therefore we are selling more work; (5) artists in all disciplines want to be presented here and we receive much positive feedback on the facility and our programs. What we are working on second quarter: . Celebrating 5th anniversary with "Arts for All" event November 2 & Fundraiser November 9 . Continuing to seek individual and business memberships as well as grants . Obtaining community partners and group sales to boost concert ticket sales . Reassessing name and structure of Heritage Series and planning 03/04 season . Finalizing plans for Pbn Song: Art of the Northern Prairies (exhibition, concert and school programs Jan 2003) and for Postal Impressions (special community exhibition Feb. 2003) . Developing pilot for The Edge, coffee house series geared towards emerging artists and young adults, spring 2003 .