Letter to the Madison Board of Selectmen re: Academy School Project

SHORELINE ARTS ALLIANCE STATEMENT ACADEMY SCHOOL CULTURAL ARTS CENTER PROJECT

In light of the significantly revised business terms offered by the Town and lack of any meaningful progress over the past year, it is with great disappointment that Shoreline Arts Alliance announces it is withdrawing from the Academy School Cultural Arts Center Project.


SAA began this project nearly four years ago, in 2012.  The Board of Selectman, following the recommendation of the Academy Ad Hoc Committee, had just voted unanimously to retain ownership of Academy School.  Under the leadership of First Selectman Fillmore McPherson, the BOS was seeking a “new use” for Academy School – one that would allow the Town to continue to own the property and serve a community purpose, while respecting the bequest from Daniel Hand and preserving the architectural and historical significance of the building and its special location near the town green. Perhaps as important, the Town was looking for a new use that would limit the Town’s financial responsibility.  This was the context in which the Town engaged with SAA for a lease of the Academy School building. After a decade of deterioration, the Town agreed to be responsible for delivering the building in basic habitable condition (thereby capping the Town’s financial exposure) and SAA would be responsible for raising funds to renovate and develop the building into a cultural arts center.  Both sides were viewing the project as a long-term “partnership”, a partnership that would benefit everyone, including Madison’s downtown commercial center.  Two key elements to the partnership:  support from Town leadership and “time”. The Town understood that the project would require SAA, a small non-profit organization, to seek state grants, endowments and private and public funding, and over time bring the Academy School cultural arts center to life.
The context has changed. Madison’s First Selectman and majority members of the current administration no longer support the project.  And while SAA has worked tirelessly over the past nine months to re-establish a “partnership” with the Town, it finds it is losing ground.  Three weeks ago, upon receiving the Town’s revised business terms for the lease - terms that vary materially from the Letter of Intent between SAA and the Town, terms that were never discussed with or agreed to by SAA, and terms that SAA truly believes are commercially unfeasible for any party - it became clear to SAA that the project has reached a point of impasse. The struggle with the Town is depleting SAA’s resources and requiring time and energy that is better spent on forward progress.  Reluctantly, SAA is withdrawing from the project and will seek a new location for its cultural arts center.  

SAA would like to thank former First Selectman Fillmore McPherson, Selectpersons Joan Walker and Al Goldberg, Town Engineer Mike Ott, SAA’s Board of Directors, members and volunteers, and the hundreds of residents in Madison and surrounding communities who have supported the Academy School Cultural Arts Center Project.  We ask that you continue your support for SAA as it seeks a new home for its cultural arts center. 

 Respectfully,
           
  Board of Directors of
  Shoreline Arts Alliance     

Shoreline Arts Alliance: 2015 Annual Meeting Minutes

Together Art Happens

Annual Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2015

Eric Dillner, CEO/Executive Director greeted all in attendance and turned the floor over to Board President, Bill Freeman.

Bill called the meeting to order at 6:15pm. He thanked the staff for their hard work throughout the year and recognized those Board Members who would be stepping off the Board: Pauline Binder-Finnema, Paul Cleary, Margaret Clark and Lisa Miksis.

Motions were made, seconded and approved unanimously to approve the Minutes of the 2014 Annual Meeting and the recommended by-law changes.

Bill then called Eric back to the floor to present the Director’s Annual Report. Eric highlighted the Scholarships in the Arts program’s mentorship award and exemplified the impact of the mentorship program as related to Rose Iannacone, 2015 Special Recognition Award Winner in Dance. Rose’s dream is to dance on Broadway. Her mentors arranged for a meeting in NYC and a chance to speak with choreographer and dance captain of a Broadway musical. Other exciting news about past Scholarship awardees: Michael Sullivan (2011 Special Recognition in Theatre, 2012 Scholarship winner in Vocal and Theatre) is performing at Ivoryton Playhouse this summer in South Pacific and Memphis; Carolina Santos-Reed (2004 Scholarship winner in Dance) choreographed South Pacific at Ivoryton Playhouse; Emily Breeze (Special Recognition in Theatre 2010) had her directorial debut, The Boy on the Edge of Everything, at Long Wharf Theatre in May. Eric then spoke about the Shakespeare on the Shoreline initiative. King Lear in 2014 taught us about limitless possibilities. Last year’s King Lear played by David Richman, who was blinded at birth, encouraged accessibility and this has become a primary focus of our programs and services. For the summer Shakespeare production this includes an American Sign Language interpreter, Braille and large print programs, assisted listening devices, increased lighting for exiting the Green and volunteer escorts for those needing assistance. At the annual IMAGES photography exhibition we are providing a ‘scavenger hunt’ to encourage a deeper look at the art work and providing a greater appreciation of the art of photography. The Rising Stars Summer Theatre Experience has also supported students with disabilities an inclusive theatre project. Eric then introduced actors from the Shakesperience Productions staff and participants in the Rising Stars Summer Theatre program who presented a short scene from The Comedy of Errors. Following the performance Eric continued his Director’s report.

SAA’s main goal is to be the business of the arts. We need to train future arts leaders. Several years ago we stated an internship program. Ten students came on board this summer through direction and supervision of Sarah Rickelman. Eric asked Sarah to speak about the goals and objectives of this summer’s internship program. Sarah explained how this program encouraged the students to utilize their strengths and assets to be philanthropic and support the nonprofit sector. They learned about incorporation, creating by-laws, understanding the budget process, strategic planning and creating a good business plan. They participated in several fund raising efforts this summer that they conceptualized, planned and implemented successfully. Sarah then introduced this group of interns who are now make up SAA’s Junior Board of Directors. They are: Sam Temple-Durham, President; Katherine SEasy-Guilford-Vice-President/Development; Danielle Klaskin-Madison, Vice-President/Marketing; Erika Kalskin-Madison, Vice-President/Volunteer Management; Sabrile McGinn-Madison, Secretary; Rhiannon Zergiebel-Guilford, Treasurer; Sam Kramer-Madison; Taylor Scully-Madison. Eric then introduced Sam Temple, President of the Junior Board to make a few remarks.

Eric then discussed our Marketing and Branding challenge. All of our programs, projects, and services need to meet one or all of the 4 E’s: Educate, Encourage, Enrich and Engage. There is a new Marketing committee of the Board of Directors who are going to help create this brand and ways to market it.  One of our efforts in building awareness this summer has been the appearance at many events of SAA’s own Flash Mob.  Eric then turned the floor over to the Flash Mob for a short skit. 

Eric then introduced Myron Gubitz, Founder of Shoreline Arts Alliance who gave a brief overview of the creation of SAA in 1980-1981.

Eric then spoke enthusiastically about the direction that the Board of Directors in taking by creating a committee structure. He also addressed the budget challenges we are facing with the loss of a major sponsor and the substantial loss in State funding.

The state of Academy School was the next item to be addressed. The Town of Madison is doing due diligence in researching some of the structural issues. We have a Letter of Intent and are moving towards a lease for the property.  As a community it is important for all to stress the importance and benefits of a regional cultural center to the town and the region. Madison has assigned a dedicated individual, the Town Engineer, to be the liaison for this project. Eric the pointed to some design plans that were on display that were created as a Master’s Thesis project by two students from the Yale Theatre Design program, Eric then asked those in attendance to help spread the word about the Academy School project to engage even more people in supporting this effort.

The State of CT has decentralized some of its grants and Shoreline Arts Alliance will be administering the Regional Initiative Grants for requests of $1,000 to $5,000 from artists and organizations in our 24-town designated regional service area. This program is expected to help direct dollars back to the Shoreline community.

After this announcement Eric turned the meeting back over to Board President Bill Freeman. Bill read the slate of Board of Directors for the 2015-2016 year. Those nominated are:

Bill Freeman-Madison, President; Richard Pierce-Essex, Vice-President; Andrew Richards-Clinton, Treasurer; Sarah Rickelman-Madison, Secretary; David Carswell-Clinton; Richard Chorney-Madison; Brown Gillespie-Madison; David Goodkind, M.D.- Branford; Sue Hennessey-Director; Kathryn Hunter-Madison; Edward Meyer-Guilford; Joel Stedman-Guilford; Martha Temple-Durham; Karen Wiswell-Hadlyme; Andrew Wood-Madison.

A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously for the slate of officers and directors.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:15pm.

Resepctfully submitted
Donita Aruny
Program & Marketing Director

Shoreline Arts Alliance Annual Meeting: August 2, 2016 Agenda

Shoreline Arts Alliance invites you to join us for the 35th annual meeting, August 2, 2016 at 6pm under the tent on the Guilford Town Green.

Shoreline Arts Alliance Annual Meeting
Guilford Town Green
August 2, 2016, 6pm

Draft Agenda

Call to Order and Welcome                                                                      Bill Freeman

Introduction of Staff and Board Members                                          

Consent Agenda                                                                                       

Approval of 2015 Annual Membership Meeting Minutes

            (available at www.shorelinearts.org)

Approval of Update and Amendments to both Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation

2015 Annual Report of the CEO/Executive Director                         Eric Dillner

Nomination and Election of 2016-2017 Officers of Board of Directors   

William R. Freeman – President (Madison)

Andrew Wood - Vice President (Madison)

Andrew (Drew) Richards, CPA - Treasurer (Clinton)

Susan Hennessey– Secretary (Madison

Ed Meyer – Acting Chair (Guilford)                              

Initiation of the Officers and Directors of the Shoreline Arts Alliance:
Junior Board of Directors

Looking Forward                                                                          

Other Business      

Our bylaws do not allow for anything to be brought up and voted on at an Annual Meeting.  However this does give others an opportunity to say something if they wish…

Adjournment