What’s better than opening up a brand new Emporia Arts Council building in downtown Emporia?
Opening it sooner!
In fact, construction could begin very soon, thanks, in part, to an anonymous donor who wants to bring this two-year, $2.8 million campaign to a close. The donor has promised to give $75,000 to the EAC Capital Campaign if the remaining $62,000 can be raised by Sept. 30.
The last stretch of any fundraising campaign is often the toughest. Those who believe in the cause have typically already given generously and getting those last dollars donated can require some creativity and old-fashioned salesmanship on the part of the organization.
This matching gift is certainly a clever move on the part of the donor to inspire those last-minute donations to come in. But why should a person give now?
How about because:
• The arts council needs the space. They have more than outgrown their building on Mechanic Street. And more space will mean more arts in Emporia.
• Their new building, north of the Granada Theater, will enhance what each will be able to do as arts, culture and entertainment centerpieces in downtown Emporia.
• Opening a new arts center on Commercial Street will not only draw more attention to downtown, but it will strengthen our community’s effort to make downtown an arts and entertainment district.
• The EAC already serves more than 8,700 children and 8,500 adults in the area. With a larger, more modern, well-equipped, multi-use facility, even more children and adults will be exposed to the immeasurably valuable influence that art can have on their lives.
If none of those inspire you to give, then how about this — the Emporia community has believed and supported what the Emporia Arts Council has been doing for more than 30 years — and it still does.
There’s no doubt the money will come in. Construction on the new building will begin. The doors will open. And Emporia will be a more dynamic place to live because of it.
Don’t be left out. Give a dollar or give a hundred dollars. Choose to be part of something positive in our town.
To give a donation, call 343-6473.
Ashley Knecht Walker
Projects Editor
The Gazette will be following this 30-day challenge on Page 1. Watch the color rise in the paint tubes every day as our community gives toward the completion of this campaign.