What Can I Do To Help Arrowmont School of Art?

Posted by Dick Baker Feb - 15 - 2010 Comments Off

As many of you know, Arrowmont School of Art’s lease has been renewed until 2012 with Pi Beta Phi, but after then the future of Arrowmont school may change.

Here’s some Frequently Asked Questions and some things that you can do to help keep this amazing Gatlinburg art school in Gatlinburg!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will there be workshops in 2011?
Yes! Arrowmont’s current lease ends in August 2012. We are planning workshops and programming for 2011 and beyond.

2. Will Arrowmont have to close during this transition?
In the event that Arrowmont makes the decision to relocate to another site, we will be investigating temporary locations for the school to continue operating while new and/or remodeled facilities are completed.

3. What will happen to the Artist-in-Residence Program?
Nothing. The Artist-in-Residence Program is a very important and prestigious part of our programs at Arrowmont for over 20 years. The program is well-funded by an endowment and we have no plans to discontinue it.

4. Will Arrowmont change?
Yes, Arrowmont’s future will grow and evolve as we explore the opportunities for partnership and community collaboration of the three current options under consideration. In keeping with our internationally renowned reputation for teaching fine arts and crafts to adults and children, we will continue our mission to “enrich lives through art.”

5. Who did the feasibility study?
The firm of Kennedy, Coulter, Rushing & Watson of Chattanooga, Tennessee presented a comprehensive site viability study which included an analysis of several potential sites for relocation of the school, as well as the feasibility of remaining in the current Gatlinburg location.

6. What were the main factors in the viability studies of other locations?
The two guiding factors for Arrowmont have always been and continue to be 1) landownership and 2) the level of support and sustainability the surrounding community can offer Arrowmont. Both Greeneville and Knoxville, Tennessee have submitted comprehensive proposals addressing those two criteria. The task force hopes that Gatlinburg will also submit a similar proposal which addresses these two primary goals among others.

7. What about Townsend?
Townsend and Walland were on our original list of potential locations, but our feasibility research did not show them to be one of the top locations based on our two main criteria – land ownership and the ability of the community to support Arrowmont both in the move and for the long term.

8. Why can’t you extend the lease and stay in Gatlinburg?
Pi Beta Phi Fraternity has extended our lease until August 2012 at the same lease rate. Beyond that, the proposed terms of the new lease do not appear to be financially viable for Arrowmont as a nonprofit organization.

9. Is it possible for Arrowmont to purchase the property and stay in Gatlinburg?
Yes, that is one possibility. Appraisals for the 14 acre portion of the property that we reside on currently are being acquired now. Our goals are to own the property where we are located and be assured that the community where we reside is able to support Arrowmont as a significant cultural nonprofit institution.

10. If you own the property in Gatlinburg, will that be everything that you need?
Arrowmont has lost a significant avenue of funding. Pi Beta Phi has now moved their philanthropic focus to literacy. Pi Beta Phi alumnae clubs and collegiate chapters are no longer expected or required to contribute to Arrowmont on an on-going basis. We are now considered a historic philanthropy. Even with property ownership, the increased costs to maintain historic buildings, to upgrade studio equipment, and to support operating expenses presents challenges to a nonprofit arts organization like Arrowmont.

11. When do you think a decision will be made about the locations?
It is our hope to make a decision by August of 2010.

12. What about the historic buildings on Arrowmont’s campus should you relocate?
Arrowmont cannot speculate on what might happen to the historic buildings on campus as they are owned by Pi Beta Phi Fraternity. It would be up to the Fraternity and a new lessee or owner to determine their disposition. Preservation of these buildings is a separate issue from Arrowmont’s future.

13. Will you still be connected to Pi Beta Phi?
We have a long and rich history with Pi Beta Phi Fraternity. Their organization is responsible for the creation and the longevity of the School to date. As things change, we hope to take the best of our relationship forward into the future and continue to celebrate our history with them. Pi Beta Phi will always be part of our legacy as an organization. It is time now for change. In order for Arrowmont to move forward, we must be in control of our future.

14. Does Pi Beta Phi Fraternity still make decisions for the school?
Arrowmont’s national Board of Governors is composed of 18 voting members, 15 of whom are respected leaders in business and the arts from across the country. Three members of Pi Beta Phi’s elected Grand Council are ex-officio voting members.

15. Does that mean that there is no support from any of the members of Pi Beta Phi?
No! We continue to receive contributions from individuals, Pi Beta Phi alumnae clubs, and some collegiate chapters who value and believe in Arrowmont’s mission. With support from these donors and others, we continue to celebrate our heritage and our future.

16. Who can I contact to voice my opinion about Arrowmont in each community being considered?

Gatlinburg, TN Contacts

Barbara Huff Beville
bevilleb@bellsouth.net

Jim Davis
Public Relations Coordinator
City of Gatlinburg
jimd@ci.gatlinburg.tn.us

Greeneville, TN Contact

Bob Cantler
Morgan Square Development Group
(423) 787-7501
gm@generalmorganinn.com

Knoxville, TN Contact

Randy Kenner
Communications Coordinator
Mayor’s Office
(865) 215-3710
http://www.ci.knoxville.tn.us/mayor/

17. Is Arrowmont in financial difficulty?
Arrowmont, like many nonprofit organizations, requires significant financial support to operate. We are fortunate that workshop fees cover approximately 60% of our operating expenses. What makes Arrowmont possible is the generous gifts and planned giving of individual donors, corporations, foundations, grants and other sources who share our belief in the importance of high-quality arts education. Increased financial support from these and other sources will be necessary to build our future.

18. Where can I read more about Arrowmont’s plans and stay informed?
Visit our website http://arrowmont.org/news.html and subscribe to our email announcements on the homepage
Friend Arrowmont Art on Facebook
Follow Arrowmont on Twitter

What Can I Do To Help Arrowmont?

Many of our students, instructors and friends have asked what they can do to show support for Arrowmont as we explore our best options for the future of the institution. Here are some suggestions (in no particular order):

Make a tax deductible gift and join Friends of Arrowmont or our Signature Circle. Friends of Arrowmont is our annual giving fund of donor support for the school. The Signature Circle is an active patron’s group of supporters who donate $1,000 or more annually and receive invitations to exhibition openings and special programs. Gifts can be made online through the Arrowmont website or by mail.
Sign up for a workshop and bring a friend! Recommend Arrowmont to your friends and share one of our 2010 course catalogues with them. Increased enrollment is key to our success!
Follow all the various discussion groups on the Internet, Facebook (Arrowmont Art), Twitter (@Arrowmont) and encourage others to support Arrowmont. Keep checking the Arrowmont website for news and updates and sign-up to receive e-Visions, our bi-monthly newsletter.
Add the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts toolbar to your computer. Once you add the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts toolbar for IE or Firefox, each time you shop at one of the more than 1,300 participating stores, a percentage of what you spend will be donated to us at no extra cost to you! (you also save money as the toolbar provides great coupons and deals). The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to us. No registration is required! http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/arrowmont-school-of-arts-and-crafts
Become a Volunteer! Give the gift of your time and expertise to keep Arrowmont growing and thriving in the community. Contact Jennifer Brown (865.436.5860, ext.28) to sign up.
Consider including Arrowmont in your long-term financial plans.
Contact your community leaders to express your opinion and/or desire to have Arrowmont in your community: