From the Beaufort County Arts Council

 

Officials of the Beaufort County Arts Council (BCAC) have announced the kick-off of the largest fund raising effort in its 42-year history. With an overall goal to raise $750,000 over a three-year period, more than $427,000 has been pledged to date.

Campaign co-chairs Nancy and Chris Furlough said they are pleased with the results so far.

“We have to thank the Major Gifts Committee for their commitment to making this effort succeed,” Furlough said. Committee members include Sadie Fowle, Ed Mann, Patricia Mansfield, Michele Oros, Reg Smith, Bill Sykes, John Tate, Trent Tetterton and Joey Toler.

The campaign has four major objectives, all of which are vital not only to the long-term success of the Arts Council but also to downtown Washington. The first goal is to have the Turnage Theater debt-free.

“There is no question the debt-load was the major reason that the Theater closed in 2009,” said BCAC Executive Director Joey Toler. “That we were able to purchase the Theater for a fantastically low price has been a big help. Of our campaign goal, $250,000 will go toward the complete elimination of the debt.”

The second objective is likewise related to ensuring the Arts Council’s long-term financial stability, with $375,000 allocated toward helping to enhance BCAC’s fund raising capacity. That includes broadening the Arts Council’s base and increasing the average size of its gifts.

“The money raised toward this objective buys us the three years we will need to strengthen our fund raising capacity. Achieving this goal is as important as paying off the Theater,” Toler said.

The third campaign objective $60,000 is to establish a revolving Program Fund for the theater.

“Some shows make money; some lose money. The funds we raise will ensure that we have the operating capital needed to keep the Theater programmed year-in and year-out,” said campaign co-chair Chris Furlough. “We already are getting great feedback from downtown restaurants and merchants with the programming thus far this year. Since re-opening the Turnage, more than 40 events have taken place at the theater. Hardly a weekend goes by without something on the schedule.”

The final objective of $90,000 will be allocated toward some badly needed repairs and equipment upgrades.

“We will use some of these monies to repair, update and improve infrastructure at the theater, with many of these tasks focused on cost-effective upgrades,” Toler said.

Furlough noted that when the Arts Council began discussing the idea of purchasing and re-opening the theater over a year ago, a number of businesses, political and downtown leaders urged them to do it.

“It’s now time for everyone who urged us forward to lend a hand and make this fund raising effort succeed,” Furlough said.

Toler explained that the campaign is not just about the Turnage Theater.

“More importantly, this is about the long-term financial and programmatic health of the Arts Council,” Toler said. “We had been talking for some time about a long-term plan to increase our services to the community and to begin reaching out to the region. The Turnage helps us achieve both those goals.”

For further information about the BCAC campaign, please contact Joey Toler at 252-946-2504 or info@beaufortcountyartscouncil.org.