Funding level 'critical' for council on the arts

Local News

Discussion

September 2, 2009

By Mary Spicer The Meadville Tribune Wed Sep 02, 2009, 11:21 PM EDT

Meadville Council on the Arts is in trouble.

That’s the word from Jack Moyers, the very concerned vice president of the organization that has called the second floor of Meadville’s historic Market House home for more than three decades.

As Pennsylvania enters its third month without a state budget in place, funding for the arts is one of the items that’s been left on indefinite “Hold.” Stir in a hearty local dose of nationwide fiscal stress and you have a situation Moyers characterizes as desperate times calling for desperate measures.

“The funds currently available to Meadville Council on the Arts are at a very critical point,” he wrote Thursday night in an e-mail targeted at pretty much everyone he knows. “Without a serious cash infusion, MCA will not see the end of the month.”

Serious steps have already been taken. For example, Executive Director Kate Radivojevich has officially been on layoff status since Friday.

“I’m a good volunteer,” she said Wednesday, speaking from behind a very familiar desk in a very familiar office. “I love this place,” she continued. “I would feel really sad if it closes. There’s so much talent in this area, it would be a shame to lose this opportunity to show it.”

“Think about no October Evenings, no Blue Planet Cafe,” Moyers agrees.

“It would be tragic to lose this icon of the community,” he continued, urging everyone who has enjoyed the “free” shows, openings, performances and fellowship MCA has given the community for more than 30 years to step forward and support the organization.

Ironically, the shortfall hit just as MCA is repositioning itself. “We’re working toward becoming more self-sustaining,” Radivojevich explained, noting that while MCA has traditionally received between $6,000 and $12,000 per year in support from Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, they’d already been warned that this year’s allocation might be substantially less.

“We have fundraising ideas and we’re developing some innovative educational programming, but it takes time to get things into place,” said Radivojevich, who has directed the organization for just six months. “It takes time to do those things — and now it looks like we might not have that opportunity.”

They’re also gearing up for October Evenings, a month-long combination of juried art, music and entertainment that has long been both a highlight of the MCA calendar and a major annual fundraiser for the organization. Both Moyers and Radivojevich are hoping there will be a gala opening night to celebrate.

To contribute, become a member or donate time, visit the Meadville Council on the Arts Web site, www.meadvillecouncilonthearts.com; visit the gallery Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; call 336-5051 during gallery hours; or send your check to Meadville Council on the Arts, P.O. Box 337, Meadville, Pa. 16335.

Mary Spicer can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at mspicer@meadvilletribune.com.

Text Only

Local News

Community agencies planning Children's Fair for April
As Crawford County child abuse numbers rank among the most disturbing in the state, officials of local courts and agencies are busy finding ways to increase public awareness of child abuse and its prevention.

February 13, 2012
Ice would be nice for upcoming fishing tournaments
The 2012 Conneaut Lake Ice Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Feb. 25, but organizer Jerry Van Tassel isn’t holding his breath when it comes to running the event as planned.

February 13, 2012 1 Photo
Budget, aesthetics a balancing act at Armory
The next time there’s a moment or two to spare for quiet contemplation, pause in the vicinity of the City of Meadville’s picturesque Diamond Park. Let your eyes rest on Parkside Commons, the meticulously refurbished structure at the northeast end of the park that was once known as “the old junior high.” Make a point of focusing on the windows.

February 12, 2012
Former rockers Drywater enjoying glow from album's rebirth
It’s funny how perceptions can differ from one person to the next; how what sparkles in one set of eyes can appear tarnished in another.

February 11, 2012
Edinboro site eyed for retirement homes
About two years after halting expansion plans into the Conneaut Lake area, Meadville-based Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community now is looking to expand north into Erie County, possibly sometime in 2013.

February 10, 2012
Langley voted in as Meadville City Council's new member
“Pleased” is the word that best describes Bob Langley’s response to the news that he had been selected to fill Meadville City Council’s vacant seat.

February 10, 2012
French Creek conservation group to benefit from environmentalist's talk
When one of the world’s best known environmentalists, the author and activist Bill McKibben, speaks next week at Allegheny College, his audience will likely be putting some money where its heart is — right into French Creek.

February 10, 2012
Vernon Police chief suspects 'human interaction' in Sunday fire
An investigation is continuing into a weekend fire that destroyed a historic structure in Vernon Township, and Vernon police are urging anyone with information to give them a call.

February 10, 2012
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position
The City of Meadville’s soon-to-be-newest administrator is a familiar name in the area and familiar with the city.

February 9, 2012
Edinboro protest planned against proposed state budget cuts
If you’re a student or faculty member at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, don’t be surprised if Trevor Belz, a sophomore from Saegertown, shares some strong opinions with you in the next few days — and urges your attendance at a campuswide protest planned for Tuesday.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

A clean-energy plan to use solar energy in eastern Pennsylvania has been met with resistance, even by environmental groups. Do you think solar energy has a future as a valuable energy source in Pennsylvania?

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Funding level 'critical' for council on the arts

A clean-energy plan to use solar energy in eastern Pennsylvania has been met with resistance, even by environmental groups. Do you think solar energy has a future as a valuable energy source in Pennsylvania?

Site Map

Contact Us