Project Rescue Phase One Succeeds!

Art League Exceeds Debt Reduction Campaign Project Rescue, the campaign to Save Marco Island’s Art League, achieved a major step in insuring the Art League’s future. The campaign, formulated by Marco Islander, Dave Rice, was implemented November 1, 2009, as a two phase project. The focus of Phase I was fundraising, first to eliminate the League’s $100,000 debt and then to establish a Reserve Fund, while continuing to keep the doors of the Center open. The focus of Phase II is restructuring to develop and implement a new business model and to continue building the Reserve Fund to ensure the future of the organization.

The goal of Phase I was to eliminate the debt during the 242 day period from November 1st to June 30th. Rice reports that, as of April 7th, the goal to reduce the debt to a “0” balance was achieved in 158 days. Stated Rice, “Not only has the debt been eliminated ahead of schedule, it now allows for the Art League to concentrate the remaining 84 days towards establishing a Reserve Fund – a sure way to securing the organization’s future.”

As part of Phase II, which began January, 2010, committee members have been conducting brainstorming sessions to identify the organization’s opportunities and challenges. These efforts will assist in the creation of the new business structure, which is to be implemented no later than October 1, 2010.

Rice states, “I cannot fully express my gratitude for the efforts, time, commitment, dedication and passion put forth by the Executive Director, Christine Neal, and Board members Kathy Anderson, Nancy Carrington, David Caruso, Maury Dailey, Keith Dameron, John Dougherty, Sandy Elliott, Inez Hudson, Carole Roberts and Kenneth Stroud. Also to be remembered for their support are the many volunteers, Art League members, former leaders, businesses and patrons of the arts of Marco. It confirms my feeling that Marco Islanders will step up when needed in support of keeping culture alive in our city. It was truly a team effort and, although the challenge looked insurmountable, it made the success so much more rewarding. This team is World Class!”

Continued contributions to Project Rescue are encouraged to secure the future of the Art League. Please contact the Art League Marco Island’s Center for the Arts directly at 394-4221 for information on tax deductible donations.