Situated at the Gateway to the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, View is a non-profit center for art and science education. The new facility will be a cultural anchor in the Central Adirondacks region that will contribute directly to the lives of individuals residing and visiting this area of rare natural beauty. The new Arts Center was designed with sensitivity to the environment and broad community input, resulting in plans for a 28,000 square-foot arts, culture, and ecology facility to be built overlooking the Old Forge Channel, at the beginning of the Fulton Chain of Lakes. 

 

For 56 years, The Arts Guild of Old Forge, Inc. has provided a holistic approach to the cultural and economic revitalization of the fastest-growing county in the Adirondacks through its comprehensive Arts Center. More than 36,000 people visit or participate in the programs of the Arts Center each year, and 45,000 are expected when the doors of the new center open in 2010.

 

Environmental stewardship is at the core of the new building’s design. Recognizing that the impact of human development on natural systems continues to grow, we are committed to developing this project in a manner that minimizes impact on the natural environment.  As part of that effort, the building has been designed to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.  Awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council, this building rating system acknowledges the center for its state-of-the-art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, utilization of geothermal systems and photo voltaics, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. 

 

Strategy

Highlights of our strategy for the New Arts Center include:

 

·        Continue to offer the highest quality programming in our core mission areas while expansion is implemented.

·        Establish, for the first time a robust, high quality Performing Arts program enabled by the Gould Auditorium.

·        Expand the breadth and number of workshops.

·        Broaden our programming in all seasons with a particular focus on the slower tourist seasons in Old Forge.

·        Implement programming aligned with our mission “to foster an awareness of the relationship between art and the precious ecology of the Adirondacks.” The Eco Gallery is the first example.

·        Establish a strategic alliance with the Wild Center in Tupper Lake and the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain to build the brand and awareness of this very unique region and the three institutions.

·        Collaborate with the local business community to bundle visitor and educational packages for our customers.

 

The Arts Guild of Old Forge, Inc. is inviting supporters of its mission to “Come Grow With Us” by participating in a Capital Campaign to complete the new multi-purpose center. The Arts Guild of Old Forge, Inc is seeking support from individuals, businesses, foundations and government grants toward the completion costs and debt retirement of $6.5 million.

 

The New Arts Center facility will offer: 

 

·        A multi-purpose performing arts auditorium to serve as the Region’s largest educational and entertainment venue, seating over 200. This space will support touring events, children’s shows, concerts, lectures, and musicals for the Central Adirondack region of New York State. The auditorium will also be available for conferences, receptions, graduations, ceremonies and workshops;

·        Climate-controlled galleries for exhibiting a vast array of art;

·        Artist’s studios offering space for creative and fine arts including pottery, painting, jewelry making, sculpture, digital photography and woodworking.

·        An Ecology Gallery and learning center focusing on ecological research and alternative energy exhibits, actively demonstrating how we interact with nature and our delicate environment;

·        An outdoor courtyard featuring native landscape with sculpture pedestals as an outdoor venue for special events;

·        Expansion opportunity of the existing Kinderwood Early Education Program for preschool children.

·        Community meeting rooms welcoming groups of a variety of sizes;

·        A handicapped accessible “Woodland Walk” providing a natural outdoor learning experience;

·        An Artisan Gift Shop featuring an array of original works of art and offering a comprehensive line of art supplies and;

·        A commercial grade kitchen to be used for professional catering, in-house benefits and cooking workshops.

 

Revenue Summary for View, the New Arts Center in Old Forge

The total revenue for the New Arts Center in Old Forge grows by $402,500 over 5 years, a 122% increase. Revenue analysis is divided into earned income, which is received from programs in support of our mission and contributed income, which comes as support from donations, benefits, grants and membership.

 

We view the Arts Center with our broad and expanded programming to be an industry and economic engine to the Central Adirondack region. (See Chart Next Page)