Expect Broad Brush-Stroke Impacts From Arts Merger

TC Ticker: 3 October 2014                                                                                                                           By Luke Haase

The merger between Petoskey's Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) and ArtCenter Traverse City, first reported on by The Ticker in July, is now a reality. The CTAC board gathered late Wednesday in Petoskey to vote in favor of the deal, which could have significant repercussions on the local arts scene. The union will deliver the region's largest population center -- and donor base -- to the Petoskey-based CTAC. ArtCenter Traverse City, meanwhile, joins a financially credible powerhouse. The merger is not a surprise, given the new realities of arts and dollars throughout the state. Many small, community arts organizations struggle to secure funding. Meanwhile, Governor Snyder's administration has emphasized regional collaborations in everything from economic development to road funding to the arts. Proponents say the new Crooked Tree could help build a northwest lower Michigan arts umbrella brand that could secure grant dollars smaller groups could not have access to on their own. Crooked Tree Board President Bill Millar says the organization will operate much like a college with two campuses and will have staff in both cities. The new organization will be lead by Tony Ryner, incoming CTAC president. A transition team will begin to iron out specifics in the coming weeks and months. Merger conversations began in earnest in January, when CTAC Executive Director Liz Ahrens and a small Petoskey contingent visited Traverse City to explore a partnership. Initial ideas centered around the sharing of programming -- say, having a visiting musician or show perform in both Traverse City and Petoskey. But "very quickly after that we concluded if we’re going to do this right, it would have to be a full-on merger," says Paul LaPorte, ArtCenter TC president. LaPorte says the combined group's efforts are likely to focus initially on the visual arts, given that film, theatre, creative writing, and music are "already being done so magnificently by groups here now." The merger will undoubtedly also have an impact on the future of the Traverse City-owned Carnegie Building. Both ArtCenter Traverse City and the current tenant, The History Center of Traverse City, have expressed an interest in using some or all of the building after The History Center's lease expires in December. City Manager Jered Ottenwess tells The Ticker, "I believe the merger would enhance their (Crooked Tree and ArtCenter) ability to provide services and fulfill the arrangement described in ArtCenter's...proposal for use of the Carnegie." Mayor Michael Estes notes, " Once merger details evolve, I can see Crooked Tree as a very significant player in Carnegie Building discussions," adding that he envisions a "cultural center" shared by several groups. An ad hoc committee consisting of three City Commission members will have their next meeting Monday morning; City Manager Ottenwess says the committee is committed to having a recommendation "in time for the first City Commission meeting [in] December." LaPorte calls it "mandatory" that Crooked Tree have a Traverse City home, "especially now, with elevated expectations." He says the group remains very interested in the Carnegie Building but is also exploring two other local options. Permalink

Interlochen looking for Charitable Gift Officer

From Michigan Non-profit Association Jobs listings - click here

Charitable Gift Officer (Interlochen)

Posted 8/29/2014 by MNA

Interlochen Center for the Arts, one of America’s most prestigious institutions for arts education, performance and fine arts is seeking to hire an Charitable Gift Officer. This position exists to grow the overall financial capacity of the institution utilizing the skills of professional fundraisers. The Charitable Gift Officer reports to the Associate Vice President of Advancement, the Charitable Gift Officer will manage the fundraising efforts for 120 prospects. Primary responsibilities include development of strategy, qualification, cultivation and solicitation of gifts in the $100,000 - $1,000,000 range. Major job duties and responsibilities include the following: -Direct and engage in prospect management for major ($100,000+) and planned gift donor prospects through travel and other relationship building activities including: development of short-term and long-term strategy, personal contact, cultivation, solicitation and other stewardship activities such as acknowledgement letters, donor reports on endowed funds, and donor specific strategies. -Manage a portfolio of 120 potential major and planned gift prospects; design cultivation and solicitation strategies and ensure follow-up activities and stewardship. Facilitate relationships between administrative staff, trustees, and faculty with prospects and current donors. Travel, both domestically and internationally, to meet with planned and major gift prospects and donors. Provide assistance with major gift prospects assigned to other development staff as requested. For more information or to apply please visit our websitehttps://www.smartrecruiters.com/InterlochenCenterForTheArts/78522497-charitable-giving-associate