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The Art Center Highland Park (TAC) broke the attendance record for its fundraiser Friday, but fell short of its goal for the amount of money raised.
TAC executive director James Lynch said the organization’s spring fundraising goal was $200,000, but netted $140,000.
“This is a tough period for us,” he said. “Funding for arts organizations is down. The arts need help. We’re not desperate at TAC, but I struggle year to year to meet our budget.
“We’re the hub of all things arts and culture in Highland Park,” Lynch said.
TAC’s annual budget is $1.2 million, which includes salaries and health insurance. Sixty contractors are artists. Organizations compete for grants, he said.
“I’m asking for $5,000, they’ve got $500,000 to give out but they have $1.5 million in requests,” Lynch said. “Granting right now is a pretty tough world. People have to know that the arts are hurting.”
TAC pays $39,739 in annual rent to the city of Highland Park for its building at 1957 Sheridan Road. “That’s a big chunk,” Lynch said.
Would the city sell its aging building to TAC?
The village of Northbrook was set to close this month on the sale of its antiquated Civic Building at 2002 Walters Ave. for $1 as is to the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
“I don’t think we’ve ever tried … to just say, ‘Hey, we want to purchase it for $1,’ and have them turn us down,” he said.
Lynch, also chair of the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce board of directors, said people ask why the city charges TAC rent.
“I would be able to buy the building if I had a dollar every time somebody asked me that,” he said. “I’ve brought it up, and I just basically get a pat on the head, saying, ‘You’re doing a great job. We’re really happy to have the arts center.’
“We would invest that $40,000 in growing our classes and outreach programs,” Lynch said.
After $1.1 million in renovations, “We’re still responsible” for upkeep, he said.
The city installed new roofing and air conditioning units about four years ago, “but their responsibilities stop at the doors and the roof,” Lynch said. The city maintains the parking lot, according to City Manager Ghida S. Neukirch.
The city purchased the former American Legion building in 2001, and agreed to a 40-year lease with TAC in 2002. In March 2002, TAC presented a $1.1 million renovation financing plan to the city.
“I’m still paying off,” Lynch said, adding there is an outstanding balance of $250,000 on an unsecured loan from the First Bank of Highland Park.
Neukirch said, “Over the years, the city has remained in close contact with TAC regarding the terms of its lease, including as recently as the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the date of the original agreement, the city has provided financial assistance to TAC in the form of rent subsidies, abatements or deferrals on multiple occasions.”
“The city has not been approached with a formal request to reconsider the 40-year lease of the property,” she said. “Should TAC approach the city with a request of this nature, the matter would be reviewed and considered accordingly.”
Fundraiser attendee Annette Lidawer, a Highland Park city council member, said, “What we want to do,” is for the city staff to, “negotiate with the arts center.
“The bottom line is, we want them to succeed,” she said. “We are an arts community.”
Lynch said city officials, “don’t see the value of us. They say they do, but they don’t see the value that we bring. We’re left out of so many things.”
TAC is, “an income-generator, a reason why people move here,” he said, adding TAC is, “an incredible resource for the city, and we’re treated like just any other retail store on a corner.
“We’ve definitely improved this place,” Lynch said, “and I’m still arguing our value. I’m still paying rent and being treated like an outlier.”
For example, Lynch said the city has not requested TAC’s input on the permanent memorial for remembering victims of the July 4, 2022, Highland Park parade shooting.
“I’ve offered multiple times,” he said. “A community with a strong arts scene is going to be better able to recover from a catastrophe, and we obviously had our issue here in Highland Park. But we keep getting left out of the mix.”
Neukirch said, “We look forward to engaging with TAC as planning for a permanent place of remembrance continues, but we are not yet at the public engagement or design consultation phase. The city strongly supports TAC’s mission and appreciates its contributions to our community.”
Friday’s fundraiser drew a record-breaking turnout of more than 300 attendees, including Steve and Deirdra Gold of Highland Park.
“We’re big fans and supporters of the arts,” Deidra Gold said.
Event honoree Steve Sarowitz of Highland Park, founder and chairman of Paylocity and co-chairman of Wayfarer Studios and founder of Wayfarer Theaters, said humanity unites, “through the arts.”
The evening included music, performances and a nod to graffiti pop art.
Lynch proposed to Highwood elected officials the concept of the first International Mural Festival launching June 6. TAC is the festival’s event beneficiary.
For TAC, he said, “My ultimate goal is to have a bigger building,” to use as “an incubator to support” other not-for-profit organizations.
“People keep thinking the arts is the icing on the cake, when we’re a key ingredient of the batter,” Lynch said.
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Karie Angell Luc , 2024-05-06 17:12:28
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