September 12, 2016
Jasmine Nelson
By July 2020, Colorado College will have complete control over the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. On Sept. 1, CC started the transition by taking over all management responsibilities at the FAC.
CC will also take over a $2 million debt along with the acquisition of the center and plans to contribute $45 million by 2020 to support the FAC, but the center will still rely on public contribution to thrive.
Part of the FAC’s new, fouryear strategic plan to determine the direction of the museum and its programs will be reaching out to local colleges, according to CC associate art professor Rebecca Tucker.
“Part of strategic planning is reaching out to places like UCCS, our other peer schools, Pikes Peak (Community College) and the (Air Force) Academy as well as the community and other arts organizations,” said Tucker.
“We really want to hear from as many people as we possibly can about what possibilities exist in this exciting new connection.”
The FAC is one of few non-profit art centers in Colorado Springs and has depended entirely on financial contributions from the community to operate.
This funding includes revenue from ticket-sales and donations. The unreliability of finances is part of the reason for the merger.
This is not the first time that these two entities have joined forces, according to Daisy McGowan, executive director of the Gallery of Contemporary Art at UCCS.
“The Fine Arts Center and the college actually were together many years ago earlier in the 20th century. The art department for CC actually was the fine arts center, and so they have a long history together,” said McGowan.
UCCS students are welcome to view the FAC’s permanent art collection free of charge, the same benefit enjoyed by members, and day-of student discount opportunities for professional theater performances.
Community listening sessions this month are on Sept. 14 from 4:30-6 p.m. in CC’s Packard Performance Hall and Sept. 26 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Music Room.