The Arts Council of Southern Indiana may be the area’s best kept secret. But, that may be the organization’s biggest problem.

For 33 years the Arts Council has provided numerous programs for youth and adults and handed out yearly scholarships to local seniors. It has promoted all different types of arts, but now, is looking for a little support from the community.

The Arts Council, which is located at 820 E. Market St. in New Albany, needs to raise $50,000 this year to stay afloat. That is why officials say 2010 is a make-or-break year.

“That pays for one staff member and operating costs for the building. We hope to get the $50,000 and then start adding to our resources,” said Pat Harrison, president of the board of directors.

The Arts Council has gone through some change in recent months. Edie Luther is now the interim executive director after Andrea Grossman resigned late last year. The board of directors has also been shuffled around.

“The energy of the board has really picked up,” Luther said.

Luther, who has been the Arts Council program manager for three years, said it is “very important” to keep the organization alive and continue to promote children’s programs.

“We are evaluating what our strengths are, and try to build on that,” Luther said.

“We want to focus on youth,” Harrison said.

The Arts Council plans to host and promote several fundraisers this year. Officials have hit the ground running and Harrison said $10,000 has already been raised. She said a program is already under way for patrons to pledge to donate $100 a year for three straight years to help build up the operating budget.

Two groups of donors — the Five-Hundred Sustainers and Arts Angels — will be recognized at the Arts Council building. Art Angels, who donate $1,000 to $10,000 annually to help fund programs, will have their names inscribed on a “Pathway to the Future” plaque which will be displayed wherever the Arts Council is sponsoring an event.

The Arts Council is also hosting an event — A Chocolate Affair to Remember — at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 12 at its office. Tickets for the event — which includes live music, champagne, food and a silent auction — are $40 before Feb. 9 and $50 at the door.

The Arts Council is no longer affiliated with the Indiana Arts Commission and will focus much of its attention to Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties in the near future.

“We have to raise funds for the arts. They are so important for our kids’ future,” Harrison said. “We should be supporting local artists and we can do that if we keep it simple and local.”

Many of the grants and funds the Arts Council receives pays for popular programs such as Arts Appleseed, Jammin’ With Jamey and annual scholarships to local seniors.

Luther said she hopes to have enough funds to make the Arts Council building handicap accessible since more art displays and programs will be held on site. She also hopes grant funding will be used to repair the steps and walkway at the entrance of the building.

“We would like to develop and go further with the Arts Appleseed program,” Luther said. “We would like to utilize more artists in the area. I would like to bring an art educator on board in the future. We want to be more visible in the community.”

Jazz musician Jamey Aebersold plays in front of 30 school groups a year through the Jammin’ With Jamey program. Harrison said he does a “great job” interacting with the kids.

“There is nothing like seeing a live performance,” she said. And the Appleseed program introduces kids to art who “otherwise might not get an art experience,” Luther said.

Harrison said she is confident the Arts Council will survive the tough economy and continue to provide local programming for both children and adults.

“I think a lot of people don’t know about us,” she said. “We are a hidden treasure.”



IF YOU GO

WHAT: A Chocolate Affair to Remember, a fundraiser for the Arts Council of Southern Indiana

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 12

WHERE: The Arts Council of Southern Indiana, 820 E. Market St., New Albany

COST: $40 per person before Feb. 9; $50 at the door

FOR TICKETS: Call 812-949-4238 or www.artscouncilsi.org