PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center Board of Trustees, facing a slash of half its city funding in 2009, proposed Wednesday reducing expenses by about 9 percent — without cutting exhibits or programs.
The cut would be achieved through a 40 percent reduction in the work of the development director.
The center at 1203 East Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles, displays the work of artists both inside the center and outside in the 5-acre Webster Woods that surrounds the building.
The land for the center, which is held in trust by the city, was donated by artist Esther Webster in 1985, shortly before she died.
Proposed art center cuts mean that the organization must raise more in donations, Jake Seniuk, executive director.
“We are at the point where we have to raise the greatest bulk of our operating expenses each year,” he said.
“In middle of the year, we may have to bite the bullet.
“If we can’t come up with the funds, we will be overdrawn.”
Not enough
As it is, the proposed spending cuts won’t make up for the city funding cut.
The art center board’s spending proposal falls short of meeting the proposed 2009 funding cut by about $6,500.
The Port Angeles City Council is considering reducing art center funding from $55,000 this year to $27,500 next year to help it balance its 2009 budget.
City staff have recommended that figure be brought to zero in 2010.
Seniuk said the art center’s 13-member board is proposing a reduction in spending from about $221,000 to about $200,000 for 2009.
The reduction in the work of the development director would save it $16,400 a year, he said.
Other cuts include reducing funding for transportation, janitorial services and building maintenance.
Seniuk said that there have been quite a few ideas that have been considered to raise the additional funds, but that it is too early to comment on them.
Fundraisers
The center now holds about four fundraisers a year.
The next fundraiser will take place on Dec. 17 at the C’est Si Bon restaurant, 23 Cedar Park Road, Port Angeles. Dinners will cost $95 per plate.
Also, there will be a “Art is a Gift” show at the center Dec. 6 through Jan. 3, where gift-oriented arts and crafts will be for sale.
The center’s budget has to be approved by the City Council.
Seniuk is concerned that if the center cuts back its programs, it will be less attractive for would-be donors and sponsors.
He used its educational program as an example. The program is funded by a $9,000 a year grant from the Hastings trust fund in San Diego.
“If educational programs shrink away, they will lose interest,” he said.
The center is not alone in facing funding cuts from the city.
The City Council also is considering closing the William Shore Memorial Pool, and reducing funding for the Arthur D. Feiro Marine Life Center by $22,500, the United Way of Clallam County by about $62,500, and the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society by $26,000.
City staff members have recommended that allocations to all of those organizations be cut completely in 2010.
The City Council will consider approval of its budget at its Dec. 2 meeting.
Endowment fund
Seniuk said the center does have an endowment fund, overseen by the board, but it can’t draw from it because its value has dropped below its principal of $671,000.
Seniuk said the fund has dipped “substantially below that point” but declined to be anymore specific.
“The value is below that because of the fall of the stock market,” he said.
“We can’t use it because of that principal.”
Seniuk said the city began providing funds to the center when it began to face “serious budget problems” in 2002.
That year, the city allocated $15,000 from its general fund to the center.
That amount has increased each year to $55,000 this year.
Seniuk referred to the center as a potential tourist magnet.
“It’s an asset that needs to be developed,” he said.
To donate, help raise funds or for more information, phone Seniuk at 457-3532.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or tom.callis@ peninsuladailynews.com.
