How the economic collapse affects the arts: Intermedia Arts needs your help

by: The Big E

Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 21:18:23 PM CST

We all know that the economy is bad, but here's some perspective from an arts organization.  Intermedia Arts laid off their staff and are scrambling to figure out what to do.  I went to the emergency meeting they called for tonight.

Intermedia Arts and I go way back.  I first attended one of their events in 1987.  The Dada Christmas Show in 1989 still ranks as the coolest and weirdest holiday event ever.  

This organization has played a huge role in the MN arts community  for 35 years now and they need your help.

It's here. The wave of economic crises washing over local community arts organizations has hit Intermedia Arts-hard. It's no secret that local community arts organizations are in crisis, and Intermedia is no exception.

Over the past several weeks, Intermedia Arts has experienced sharp reductions and significant delays in funding. As a mid-sized arts organization, we rely on foundations and funders for our general operating support-foundations and funders who have lost enormous amounts of their assets in our current economic crisis.
(Intermedia Arts)

For those of you who know Intermedia Arts, please help out by making a donation now.  Whatever you can give is great, but please give something  Then find some friends who can help out, too.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with them, read on for more about their plight and the plight of Minnesota's art scene in general.

90 organizations got together this afternoon to talk.  Some groups are in the same dire straits as Intermedia Arts and others are better off.  They all know they must work together so as many as possible can survive.

"We have a 3 to 5 year plan," explained Board Chair Jim Farstad.  "But we now have 3 to 5 months to implement it and we have 3 to 5 weeks to get it rolling."

They realized last summer that they relied to heavily on major donors and major foundation gifts.  They began planning how to expand their earned income and individual donor giving.  Then the economy collapsed.  Now they have no choice but to adapt.

Intermedia Arts is probably going to survive in some form.  But, you all can help ensure that it remains a vital incubator for new artists and new organizations.

Donate Now!

Tonight, 150 people packed the performance space to hear the explanation from Farstad and staff.  Unsurprisingly, the staff members are still working their butts off to try and save the organization.

"The only thing that has been constant here is change," said Marlina Gonzalez, Programs Manager.  "Fully funded programs will continue.  Those programs not dependent upon using the facilities here [like computers, recording equipment, soundstage, etc.] will continue."

"We need foster care for our emerging artists programs," Production Manager Diana Domínguez explained.  "Frankly, we need roommates."  There are probably plenty of other organizations in similar shape, but have a little money.

Julie Bates, Literary Programs Manager, further explained why they believe so strongly in their mission and gave an passionately plea for help.  

"We're not willing to make decisions about Intermedia Arts before we've heard from you," she explained.  "Intermedia Arts is a community organization."  The second half of the meeting was a listening session.  Elizabeth and I had to leave, because peanut was too fussy, but I'm sure they'll have something up about it.

So help out with a donation of any kind.  Then find a few friends who could help too.