The Durango Friends of the Arts is no longer facing an uncertain future.
During a meeting last week, the Friends of the Arts board decided not to ask the general membership to dissolve the organization, because volunteers have come forward to fill leadership positions, said Carol Treat, president.
A dearth of volunteers for board position in early October lead the board to take a step toward dissolution. The general membership would have voted on the issue in November.
“I think it was a wake up call for people,” she said.
The November vote has been called off after some of the nonprofit’s “old guard” came out in force to volunteer for the board, Treat said.
Friends of the Arts was founded in 1991 to raise money to provide grants that support local artists and art organizations. In 2014, the nonprofit was recognized for its work in the community by the Durango Arts Center and named one of the Sweethearts of the Arts. From its inception through 2014, the group raised $420,000 for grants.
Recently, the organization has faced challenges.
The nonprofit has struggled to find enough volunteers as the membership has aged and some have become only seasonal residents.
This is a tough hurdle for the organization because it doesn’t have any paid staff.
Competing with 300 to 400 nonprofits in town has also been a challenge for the organization, especially because there is a limited number of people in town who support all the organizations.
“We’re all vying for the same dollar,” Treat said.
However, during 2015 the nonproft still held successful fundraisers every month, and she is hopeful about the future and new leadership under Tina Marie Trump, the incoming president.
“I still think there is a need for community support of the arts,” she said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
