The $6,000 approved by Leavenworth County Commissioners last week for the Carnegie Arts Center is a good start.
Carolyn Singleton, executive director of the center, is thankful for the funding and told the Leavenworth Times today that money will allow the center “to keep the lights on.”
It also allowed the center to meet payroll for the summer months and to pay contracted teachers and instructors of various classes held at the Carnegie.
Commissioners J.C. Tellefson and Clyde Graeber deserve credit for pushing the funding through from the county’s recreation fund on a 2-1 vote.
However, the $6,000 amounts to an emergency stopgap, and is just a drop in the bucket of what is needed to keep the historic building and non-profit organization afloat. As detailed in this space last week, the Carnegie, built in 1900, has several large maintenance issues, including the need for a new boiler, which alone costs around $75,000. Singleton said there were also some drainage issues that need to be addressed soon.
The county funds will help meet day-to-day operation expenses for a few months and Singleton is exploring some grants which may help also. More help, though, will be needed in the near future. This institution serves thousands of residents each year and lends itself to the historic and modern culture of the community. The city, county and private sector need to pool resources to determine a community solution and ensure long-term sustainability.
They’re off to a good start.
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The $6,000 approved by Leavenworth County Commissioners last week for the Carnegie Arts Center is a good start.
Carolyn Singleton, executive director of the center, is thankful for the funding and told the Leavenworth Times today that money will allow the center “to keep the lights on.”
It also allowed the center to meet payroll for the summer months and to pay contracted teachers and instructors of various classes held at the Carnegie.
Commissioners J.C. Tellefson and Clyde Graeber deserve credit for pushing the funding through from the county’s recreation fund on a 2-1 vote.
However, the $6,000 amounts to an emergency stopgap, and is just a drop in the bucket of what is needed to keep the historic building and non-profit organization afloat. As detailed in this space last week, the Carnegie, built in 1900, has several large maintenance issues, including the need for a new boiler, which alone costs around $75,000. Singleton said there were also some drainage issues that need to be addressed soon.
The county funds will help meet day-to-day operation expenses for a few months and Singleton is exploring some grants which may help also. More help, though, will be needed in the near future. This institution serves thousands of residents each year and lends itself to the historic and modern culture of the community. The city, county and private sector need to pool resources to determine a community solution and ensure long-term sustainability.
They’re off to a good start.
