By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The suspense is over for local cultural groups waiting to see how much funding they’ll get next fiscal year from Charlotte’s Arts & Science Council. It’s mixed news in north Mecklenburg: Cuts to some groups were bigger than expected, while others were pleasantly surprised just to get any money at all.

The ASC has less to dole out this year because of a 37 percent drop in giving to its annual campaign. Many organizations were already preparing for smaller grants, as well as studying how to make up for reduced contributions by individuals and corporate sponsors. Now, they’re looking closely at how to cut expenses or programs to cope with leaner budgets.

The ASC announced 118 grants totaling $8.34 million in what it said would be the first round of grants this year. Some of Charlotte’s biggest arts groups, from Discovery Place to Children’s Theater of Charlotte to N.C. Dance Theater, saw their funding cut by 25 to 35 percent.  The Charlotte Symphony was cut more than half.  (Another round of grants to artists, special projects and technical assistance will come this fall.)

“During these challenging times, the importance of engaging our fellow citizens and visitors with excellent cultural programming is more important than ever,” Robert Bush, senior vice president of cultural and community investment at the ASC said in a press release. “We thank our donors whose generous financial gifts help ASC shape a vibrant cultural life for all.”

ASC cut its own operating budget by $1 million and suspended several grant programs and initiatives for the coming year, including programs in health care, cultural tourism, Latino community initiatives, and school playground building. It also closed its north Mecklenburg and south Mecklenburg offices.

HUNTERSVILLE CUTS

Among the hardest hit organizations were two in Huntersville that top the list of repeat north Mecklenburg grant recipients by dollars.

Carolina Raptor Center, a bird rehabilitation and education center on Sample Road, will receive $145,430 in operating funds, about 23 percent less than last year.

Latta Plantation, a historic site also on Sample Road, will get $50,000 for operating support, down 29 percent.

THEATER GROUP HIT

The ASC slashed an operating grant to Davidson Community Players by 37 percent, to $13,500, for the 2009-10 fiscal year. This year, the theater group got $20,000.

Executive Director Cindy Rice had been budgeting for a 25 percent cut.  “We anticipated a reduction in funds, given the shortfall in the Arts & Science Council’s annual campaign,” she said.

“The support we receive from them is a small percentage of our operating budget, though it will be a significant challenge to replace those funds. If we are unsuccessful in doing so, we will be forced to reduce our programming,” Ms. Rice said.

That could mean cutting one show next year and eliminating an outreach program the company operates at Davidson’s Ada Jenkins Center, Ms. Rice said. She said Davidson Community Players will redouble its fund-raising efforts in hopes of making up the shortfall.

“We hope those who appreciate what the Davidson Community Players adds to the fabric of our community will step forward to help bridge the gap,” she said.

ST. ALBAN’S MUSIC

The popular Music at St. Alban’s classical music concert series will get $6,000 in the coming year. “That’s better than we thought,” director Henry Lebedinsky said. He had sought $7,500 from the ASC this year. Last year, the series got $7,800.

Mr. Lebedinsky said he already has planned big cuts in the budget. One of the biggest savings will come by eliminating his own director’s salary. He says the series will cut back on large ensembles next year, but “the idea is the audience will not notice a dip in quality or a change in the types of groups,” he said.

He welcomed the ASC grant, saying it will help this year. “Our corporate fund-raising is not going well at the moment, people we thought we could count on,” he said.

FUNDING FOR CORNELIUS GROUPS

The Arts & Science Council also will provide funding in the coming year for Children’s Arts Project and Creative Art Exchange, which share space in the Cornelius Arts Center in the Oak Street Mill, off Catawba Avenue.

The groups, which will merge as of the start of the new fiscal year, will get an operating grant of $17,500 from ASC. That’s down 27 percent from the previous year, when the two groups got a combined $24,000 in operating funds.

But it’s exactly what the groups asked for,  interim director Kim Beard said Monday. She said the organization voluntarily reduced its own grant request on seeing the difficulties at ASC. “We actually took 25 percent off our combined grant numbers from last year. We took that right off the top,” she said.

ASC officials initially responded by asking if the number was a typographical error. No, she said, but the organizations hoped to get 100 percent of their grant request. In the end, the ASC honored that request.

The Creative Art Exchange and Children’s Arts Project will continue to share space in the Cornelius Arts Center. And Ms. Beard said the combined organization hopes to work even more closely with the Town of Cornelius Parks & Recreation Department this year to market its programs.

“A year ago, we decided to be proactive by merging, by trying to strengthen the partnership with the Town of Cornelius,” Ms. Beard said. “And are very optimistic looking forward that with the town’s marketing aid and just overall assistance we can expect robust programming and student enrollments.”

SMALLER GRANTS

Both Davidson and Cornelius will get one-time grants of $4,583 under the ASC Town Initiatives program. Davidson will use the money to pay for landscaping around “Bouquet for Davidson,” its first public art sculpture installed this spring in front of the Davidson Post Office.

Cornelius will use its funds to support cultural arts for seniors in north Mecklenburg.

Meanwhile, Lake Norman Big Band is in line for a $5,250 grant to support a series of concerts in the county in the coming year.

LINKS & RELATED COVERAGE

Download the full list of 2009-10 ASC first-round grant recipients on the ASC website. (PDF)

June 21, 2009, Charlotte Observer, “Arts & Science Council cuts grants to big groups by 26%”

June 17, 2009, DavidsonNews.net, “Non-profits scout for funds, prepare for cuts.”