Conversation Updates
Help Creative Arts think about and shape our future!
The purpose of this page is to share some information with you, hopefully answer some questions, keep everyone on the same page as to the goals and plans for the organization, and to remain transparent.
If you have any questions, ideas or need clarification, please do not hesitate to call 781.942.9600 or email Executive Director Jennifer Hart.
Summary of School-Wide Meeting & Conversation on 4/8/09
The purpose of this important school-wide meeting was to:
- Share a little bit about what is going on for Creative Arts and our current reality.
- Ask for thoughts and input as we prepare to make important decisions about how
to address that reality.
- Discover what matters most to all of you, the individuals and families that make up this organization.
A "Current Reality" report was presented by Executive Director Jennifer Hart:
We
entered the FY'09 budget on June 1st with expectations of growth and strength, but
as you know the economic quickly began deteriating shortly thereafter. And because
of the economic climate and the fact that Creative Arts has been borrowing from
tomorrow to pay
for today for most of its 33 year life-span, we are experiencing some cash flow
problems.
Although Creative Arts will continue to serve you for many years to come, we do
need to step back and re-assess our structure and our programs. Following are some
notes of interest and/or areas we will be re-assessing.
- Rent: We experienced a 48.5% increase in our base lease rate from the Church in
FY'09; that lease will be re-negotiated for FY'10.
- Foundation Funding: Creative Arts experienced a $10k decrease from our major foundation supporter due to a decrease in their funds.
- Registrations/Enrollment: As families/individuals re-evaluate their spending habits, Creative Arts must be sure we are offering programs you need and want.
- Spending: We will continue to keep expenses at a minimum; our big expenses are rent, faculty payroll & health insurance.
- Administration: The newly created position of Education & Outreach Coordinator
held by Victoria Smith created no overall change in
payroll because it replaced the program director
positions. Office Manager Kathryn Zak is moving on to a new opportunity
Group Discussions:
Meeting attendees had three opportunities to work in conversation groups & share
ideas. The three topics discussed included: Opportunities, Dilemmas and Priorities.
The ideas harvested from these conversations can be downloaded by clicking here.
Commitment & Next Steps
The Board and staff are committed to continuing to serve you and we welcome your feedback. In addition to maintaining this page on our website, the planning for the future will include:
- managing cash flow,
- examining our lease options,
- doing strategic planning based on different economic scenarios, and
- creating programs to serve your needs, while maintaining a sound financial position.
What we need from you:
We will maintain transparency and stand true to our mission of providing quality
arts instruction. Here's what we are looking for from you:
- Show your support, confidence & dedication by continuing to sign up for classes/camps
and attending events.
- Continue sharing your ideas, thoughts, fears, etc. with us.
- Spread the word that Creative Arts is a valuable resource to our community and
encourage others to register for classes/lesson, attend events, volunteer, advertise or sponsor an event, make a donation, etc.
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Fact - vs - Myth
This fact sheet is a "behind the scene" snap shot. You will be able to read all the supporting documentation by clicking on "Fact" or "Myth" in each section.
1) Creative Arts' base rent at 25 Woburn Street increased by 48.5% in FY'09?
Fact
Summary: The monthly base rent for FY'08 was $2,500 vs the monthly FY'09 base rent of $3,712. Creative Arts has been renting space from the First Congregational Church, 25 Woburn Street, Reading for 30 plus years. With the exception of the 2-year lease signed from FY'07-FY'08, Creative Arts' rent has increased every year for the past ten years.
2) Teaching salaries make up nearly half of our yearly expenses?
Fact
Summary: Teaching salaries (theatre, music, art & summer combined) for FY'08 were $191,465; 42% of the total expenses of $451,178. This number does NOT include the additional payroll expenses and health insurance for qualified individuals.
3) Arts are abundant in our schools?
Myth
Summary: As schools become increasingly focused on high-stakes testing, there has been a narrowing of curriculum. In some circumstances, the arts have been "squeezed out" of the school day. Because Creative Arts serves over 30 communities, we have not analyzed one particular school, but we do encourage you to advocate for more arts in your school as we're sure you'll find that your kids are not getting enough to develop skills needed by the 21st century workforce: critical thinking, creative problem solving, effective communication, teamwork and more.
Did you know that young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours, three days a week for a year are: 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools, and 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair?
This information is from the Americans for the Arts website, www.artsusa.org.
4) Tuition covers the cost of running the school?
Myth
Summary: Net Tuition only makes up 84% of our budgeted income. Net Tuition for FY'08 totaled $396,304; total income was $469,473.
As a community school, we offer more than just private lessons and classes. Tuition includes monthly on-site performance opportunities for music students, art exhibits culminating each semester/term of classes, theatre performances at the end of each semester/term, multiple off-site performance and exhibit opportunities, and culminating year-end performances and exhibits. We are also able to offer more variety and scheduling options. And as a multi-arts school with various program options, there is room to express individuality.
Creative Arts does not have a savings plan and unfortunately does not have a "rainy day" fund to help get us through slow times. We rely on registrations and donations to meet our monthly expenses. The current economy has decreased and slowed registrations and donations causing us to experience a cash flow crunch.
5) Our major donor decreased giving by over 50% in FY'09?
Fact
Summary: Creative Arts received $18,300 in grants in FY'08, of which $16,000 was from our largest funder. In FY'09 that funder was only able to award us $5,100 because their investments were hit hard by the economy. We have been advised to wait for their second grant cycle for FY'10 in hopes that their estimated $500-$2,000 range for this year is able to increase with an upswing in investments.
6) There are many volunteer opportunities at Creative Arts?
Fact
Summary: YES! There are many ways to volunteer at Creative Arts. Some things can be done from the comfort of your own home. Commitments can run from a few hours once a year, to a couple hours a month, to a few hours each week. Review the volunteer opportunities on our website or suggest a way to use your talents that we haven't thought of yet!
7) You can find multi-disciple arts organizations in this area?
Myth
Summary: Creative Arts is the only multi-disciple arts organization in this area that offers theatre, music and art all under one roof. And when polled, many of you didn't want to think of where you would have to go to find the same quality services.
Being part of a multi-faceted arts school brings many benefits, including exposure to multiple arts disciplines in a convenient and familiar space and options for siblings to express their individuality.
8) General and administrative expenses are under 15%?
Fact
Summary: General and administrative expenses for FY'08 were $61,329. This is only 14% of total expenses of $451,177. Office salaries and supplies are allocated to the appropriate departments based on actual usage and/or using a percentage formula.
A new position of Education and Outreach Coordinator was added in FY'09. Because this position is a result of restructuring the administration it did not increase our administrative payroll expense.
9) "Going Green" has helped in our marketing efforts?
Myth
Summary: Our largest source of marketing used to be sending home flyers in kids backpacks through Reading and the surrounding towns' public schools. Because almost all of these schools have "gone green" we have seen a significant decrease in enrollment and in awareness. The email links and online bulletin boards have not been as successful for us and we do not have a marketing budget to do any outside print/radio marketing.
10) Creative Arts is just for kids?
Myth
Summary: Creative Arts is for ALL! Although our legal name is Creative Arts for Kids, Inc., we have been serving the adult population for MANY years. We maintain an active adult population in our Music Program taking private music lessons and in our Art Program taking drawing, painting and pottery classes.
We also serve all abilities. Whether you are just starting your exploration of the arts or you're a pro looking for a community and/or to 'sharpen the saw' - our instructors are here to help. Kids and adults with special needs are also welcome. Our staff is sensitive to your needs and will work with you to provide the best service possible.
You can download a list and description of our 2009 Outreach Activities here.
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Survey Results
The results of the survey are in! Here are a few highlights from the survey . . .
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Word of mouth was the number one response to how respondents were introduced to Creative Arts.
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Emails was listed as the best way to communicate with you.
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Quality of instruction and learning experience came up time and again as being significant and influential.
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Many of you didn't want to have to think about where you would have to go if Creative Arts didn't exist, and some said that they wouldn't go anywhere else.
To download all of the comments and see other survey information, click here.
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Fiscal Year 2008 Audit
We will post this information as soon as we receive an electronic file from our auditors. You may call our office at 781.942.9600 to request a hard copy.
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Strategic & Financial Planning
We will post this information as soon as we update it based on the feedback received from all of you.
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How can you help?
There are many ways to support Creative Arts. From spreading the word to making a financial donation, from asking the hard questions to helping us answer the questions, there is a place for YOU! Please help us pave the path for many years of quality arts:
- Show your support, confidence & dedication by continuing to sign up for classes/camps and attending events. (Music pre-registration will happen mid/end May)
- Continue sharing/emailing your ideas, thoughts, fears, etc.
- Spread the word that Creative Arts is a valuable resource to our community and encourage others to register for classes/camps, attend events, sponsor events, advertise, volunteer, make a donation, etc.
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