As Narcissa and I work in the front yard of our Gunnison home, I regularly chat with visitors passing by who ask about our historic house, the world record “W” on the side of Tenderfoot Mountain and, invariably, the irrigation ditches that run through town.
I’ll never forget an encounter several years ago with a couple who were specifically interested. They were in town for an interview one of them had with the hospital, an anesthesiologist position, as I recall. The conversation began with the niceties of my asking, “Where are you from, and what brings you to Gunnison?” They asked about the house and how long we’ve lived here.
Then they asked, “What do you know about the status of the arts and of education in Gunnison?” Coincidentally, I was teaching middle school science and was president of the Gunnison Arts Center board at the time, so I knew a thing or two about the question.
However, that’s not the point of the story. Here were two out-of-town strangers who were considering moving to town, and what was of primary importance to them was exactly what is important to us as a community. They measured the strength of our community by how much we value the arts and education, indicators of our soundness and of what we think is important, evidence of the community character they were looking for.
I was able to assure them with specific examples that the Gunnison Valley has an active and generous history of supporting the arts and education. The school bond approval is a recent reminder, and right now we have an important opportunity to reinforce and rededicate our commitment to the arts as a vital community asset.
Over the past three years, the Gunnison Arts Center has moved forward with “Reframing our Future” — a complete upgrade and remodel project and associated capital fund drive. Under the guidance of the project committee, staff and general contractor, Chris Klein Construction, GAC has raised $3.5 million during the “quiet” part of the campaign. We have made significant progress on our phased construction work that includes extensive infrastructure improvements, major historic preservation work, upgrades to the Nancy Tredway Gallery, the clay studio, art education classrooms and the exciting addition of a digital arts lab and Dot’s Kitchen, a culinary arts teaching kitchen. This is a commitment to the arts and arts education at its strongest.
Generous local support from lead private donors and major community partners has demonstrated to funders from outside the county that public and private leadership is strongly behind the project. As a result, the Framing Our Future effort has brought over $2.3 million into the valley from historic preservation funds, foundation grants and a special government grant.
Now, we call upon the greater community to close the deal in a so-called “public phase.” We are $300,000 shy of our ultimate goal of $3.85 million. That’s a gap of only 8% for funds that will close the deal on a new theater and gallery and build the GAC’s investment funds for sustainability — what we call the “last mile.”
So, what can you do?
• Stop by the GAC at 102 S. Main and ask how you can contribute
• Visit gunnisonartscenter.org and donate online
• Clip out a donation form from ads in the Gunnison Country Times and send it in
• Frequent businesses that are designating Framing Our Future as their chosen non-profit effort
• Encourage your organization to collectively give to the campaign
• Get excited! Talk it up among your friends or offer the challenge of a matching gift, all the while taking advantage of available tax credits.
As my curbside acquaintances wondered several years ago, how alive are the arts and arts education in Gunnison? I think they are as vibrant as never before, and now is the time to take them well into the future.
Make your donation today. Any amount will make a big difference!
(Hap Channell is former Gunnison County Commissioner and longtime advocate of the Gunnison Arts Center.)
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