After sharing space at Cornelius Arts Center since January 2007, Creative Art Exchange (CAE) and Children’s Arts Project (CAP) have decided to join forces. The two organizations have named Davidson resident Kim Beard as interim executive director, to oversee the merger, which will be completed early next year and will create a combined organization with a new name.

The two groups offer art classes for children and adults at the arts center in the renovated Oak Street Mill, behind the police station in Cornelius. They’ve shared the space since the Town of Cornelius and Cornelius Parks & Recreation agreed to renovate the 90-year-old mill as Cornelius Arts Center.

The merger comes after a strategic review conducted by the organizations’ boards, with help of a Charlotte-based consultant. The merger would allow the groups to combine personnel and resources, eliminate overlapping programs, and create a new, stronger arts organization.

“We want to take advantage of the many synergies we have discovered while working side by side with CAE in the Cornelius Arts Center over the last 20 months. We look forward to completing the merger and beginning this promising new chapter,” said Cathy Templeton, board chair of Children’s Ats Project.

Added Creative Art Exchange Board Chair Karen Fesperman: “We see the creation of this stronger, unified non-profit as a chance for growth and increased programming within our community.

Children’s Arts Project (www.childrensartsproject.org) was founded by a group of parents from the north Mecklenburg area in 1997. It says it provides “process-oriented art programming in many mediums” for children ages 18 months to 12 years old.

Creative Art Exchange (www.creativeartexchange.org) offers art events, lectures and instruction for teens and adults in ceramics, print making, drawing, painting, photography and other media. It was originally founded as the Icehouse Center in Davidson before moving to Cornelius. With the merger, Creative Art Exchange director Laura Smith has left the organization.

‘FULL STEAM AHEAD’

The two groups said they will continue to offer art programming in the Cornelius Arts Center. They hope to complete a merger of their boards, staffs and programming by January. They are being advised in the merger by consultants from the Lee Institute, in Charlotte.

Both Children’s Arts Project and Creative Arts Exchange will continue their current programs of classes, workshops and exhibitions. Fall classes begin on Sept. 8.

“Art programs and classes for children and adults will continue full steam ahead this fall for both organizations while we work in the background to map out the merger,” Ms. Beard said in a statement announcing the merger Tuesday. “There is tremendous potential in creating this new, consolidated arts entity. I am excited to be a part of this transformation – it will blend the energy of the two groups with new ideas and opportunities.”

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

April 29, 2007, “Davidson residents help christen and guide new Cornelius Arts Center”

March 12, 2007, “Creative Art Exchange in new home”