Montclair Arts Council, Executive Director Jim Peskin (shown here) said in a statement today that without the support of the Township, the organization is “unable to meet its minimum financial needs and will have to cease operations immediately. Our plan is to officially cease all activities and lay off the staff by the end of the month.”
This coming year, the the independent 501(c)3 would have been entering the third year of a five-year contract with the township that was subject to government appropriations. Peskin notes that MAC staff members have not received medical coverage, pensions or other benefits but adds that the Township did provide office space for the MAC within the Municipal Building.
In addition to Peskin, who holds a part-time position, the MAC has employed a part-time administrative assistant, as well as consultants to work on arts calendars, newsletters, marketing, communications and grant writing. According to Peskin’s statement, much work has been done by MAC’s volunteers.
MAC Board Chair Phoebe Pollinger said in the same statement, “The Council talks about economic development – MAC does it. The Council talks about generating revenue – MAC does it. The Council talks about serving our seniors – MAC does it. The Council talks about supporting the arts – MAC does it. It is hard to understand how the Council is ready to not only walk away from all of the initiatives it claims to embrace, but also walk away from the substantial amount of additional funds MAC has received by leveraging Township funding.”
Since 2005, according to Peskin, the MAC’s efforts yielded more than $318,000 in grants, sponsorships and donations, $150,000 in public art projects, and has “built bridges between artists and the business community, university and residents, while leading Township in cultural tourism and economic development initiatives.” MAC also created DestinationMontclair.com (partially funded by the NJ Department of Tourism).
Peskin says the MAC’s other accomplishments include filling the void created when the Montclair Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) lost its funding, strengthen the town and gown relationship with Montclair State University and the Creative Aging Initiative, which developed arts programs for seniors. He adds that MAC’s Board will be working to save a number of successful programs through their partners for the benefit of the Montclair community.
So sad it had to end this way. It certainly pulled it’s weight and more so I don’t totally understand the logic behind it. I hope a reincarnation is in the future when things improve.
Let’s see. Cut things that actually bring in revenue. Hmnnn.
Another sad day in Montclair.
For me, the most aggravating part of this situation is that there was no process. The Manager and Mayor, in effect, said the MAC had to go.
This should have been a decision. And it should have been made months ago. Nothing has changed for the last three months. Why a fire sale now, less than three weeks before the end of the year.
There was NO discussion among the Council to “de-fund” the MAC. Or the Pre-K for that matter. My requests last night to at least hear from the individual Councilors was denied.
The municipal budget is $70MM. Why are we deciding on only TWO entities? Who knows where else money could be saved? How much are we spending on that darn Clary Anderson? I understand we’re about to invest in capital improvements for it! Why? Why can’t we discuss the ENTIRE budget?
I’m not saying here we should, or should not fund the MAC. I’m saying we should at least talk about it. Seems to me that’s what our form of government is all about.
Cary Africk
Cary,
Are you saying the council didn’t discuss this at all? The council isn’t discussing the entire budget? So who is?
More proof that America is a country that doesn’t give a twit about the arts! >:-(
The claims of revenue generation comparedto costs don’t seem to match the reality of the financial statements. Perhaps they could institute some small fees to cover the costs? Since the volunteers provide most of the work and I am sure the Township could continue to provide office space, perhaps many, if not all of the programs could be saved?
hmmm, is there a contractual commitment?
Wait, is it just me or did everyone cry out against the MAC when he posted his letter to Bnet last week and now everyone’s sad that it’s being shut down?
Hey yalls! Been thinking about “art”. Feeling like I need to “express” myself. Want the earth to know me and everything abt me. Just read an bloggable article about the buzzband the MACS in the mtc. They were the most important artists in 2K10. Damn. Kinda feel sad that the MACS got “hosed”. Seems like Peskin is a chill bro who is prolly effing “pissed” (via unemployment). Wondering if the Peskin bro will become a conceptual art project (via homelessness). Confused abt whether the MACS are authentic or just a band of lamestreamers. Just want to find relevant “artistic” experiences to build my personal brand.
Miss u macs.
H8 u mtc.
Do you love “art”?
Is the Peskin bro overrated?
Should I be “scared” of the “Council”?
Will the MACS “crush” it in 2K11?
Jersey,
No one is discussing the budget, other than to say “things are bad.” We’ve received little information, to date. We did have presentations, but they didn’t include staffing levels or personnel.
There was no vote or discussion on MAC or the Pre-K. The Manager said it was “his” budget, which is true. The Council is now free to vote it in, or out. Process is being used to eliminate discussion. I guess it’s a matter of when you don’t like what you’ll hear, don’t let ‘em talk.
Funny, we are going to be asked to vote on a temporary budget on December 28th, but won’t be given the budget until January 15th.
“Since 2005, according to Peskin, the MAC’s efforts yielded more than $318,000 in grants”
And their budget of township funds during that time period was $500,000.
Is that the return on investment? Couldn’t we just have FUNDED the 318 k ourselves and saved 200k?
ROC is indulging in magical thinking, I guess– do you seriously think that all of the projects and programs run by MAC appear magically without any investment? MAC was providing services. If you want to understand the return on investment, you’ll have to consider more than a simplistic formula (you know that already, but took the easy slam).
The mayor and manager have acted impulsively, without getting the kind of input that informs good decisions. What a disappointment.
“magical thinking” ? Whatever benefit we derived from the $318,000 in grants procured by the MAC, we spend roughy $500,000 to get. Meaning a negative return and a bad investment.
“a negative return and a bad investment.”
so the only way to judge an arts organization is by the numbers in an equation?
that is regressive, myopic thinking, and perhaps the best argument one can make to highlight the necessity of community arts funding.
First of all, I’ve been doing community arts for 35 years. The Town Council dropped the ball on this one. Do you know that The Montclair Arts council has made more connections than any other arts organization in Montclair’s history. It was the only ‘Arts Council’ in Montclair’s entire 135 years(?) of being an incorporated municipality. Also, we have made the greatest effort of any of Montclair’s Arts organizations to bridge the ‘African American ‘ Arts Community in Montclair’s history. As a volunteer on the MAC Music committee, we have sponsored many seminars that would have never happened, if it weren’t for the MAC. for the town council to say that we don’t put in enough volunteer time and to insult the executive director in unacceptable. They are also the first arts organization to put a full court press effort into making Montclair a regional arts paradise. The mayor, seems to be more concerned with his bike paths than some real economic growth. The only one whotried to at voice some support for the ‘ARTS COUNCIL’ was councilor Cary Africk.Their is anothr council person that I thought would be in the arts council’s corner, she did not come through. But, they sure came through for First Night, just goes to show you where their priorities lie. Truly, i hope First night fails, how dare they have a party, and people and organizations are being shut down and laid off. And I am being nice, because of BARISTANETS RULES, Which I respect. Because, If I had my way, I would use much stronger language.
Sorry, and by the way! This is the same MAYOR, that wanted to tax Montclair State University students $100.00 a semester in taxes to attend Montclair State. So, just remember what you are dealing with in Montclair.
In addition to the direct revenue generated there are also the indirect benefits of people having a day /night on the town. We don’t know how much income was generated that does not show up on the books.
There are also as mr or mrs cunningham suggested additional values to the arts apart from financial.
If the fine folks and businesses of Montclair found MAC valuable, cough up some dough to make it happen. Perhaps MAC could join forces with other art groups in Baristaville to continue their mission.
Time for the arts community to think creatively about how to keep going instead of rolling over. Benefit concerts, art galas, Colbert readings, etc. Come on art people, get some balls.
SOME OF THOSE THINGS WERE BEING DEVELOPED,WHEN THIS WENT DOWN! I CONTRIBUTED MANY IDEAS DURING MANY OF THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS THAT I ATTENDED. ONE OF WHICH, WAS TO REGENERATE THE MONTCLAIR ARTS AWARDS! BUT, THINGS LIKE THESE TAKE TIME TO DEVELOP PROPERLY AND PROFESSIONALLY. THE TOWN COUNCIL, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND DID NOT EVEN BOTHER TO LOOK INTO WHAT THE ARTS COUNCIL ACTUALLY DID ON A DAILY BASIS. THAT WAS EVIDENT BY THE COMMENTS THAT A COUNCILOR MADE ABOUT VOLUNTEERS, AND IT WAS QUITE INSULTING, NOT ONLY TO STAFF, BUT ALSO TO THOSE WHO VOLUNTEER. And to that councilor that made that that comment, let me hip you to one person that does a heck of a lot of volunteering. The Montclair African American heritage Parade and Festival(10) years, Montclair Arts & Cultural Allience(10) years, Patrolled mischief night(10) years, montclair arts council(5) years, first night(volunteer,tech staff,performer(off and on since 1988), Founder and Executive Director(Montclair Blues & Jazz Festival(14) years, Co-Founder, Montclair Jazz Project, Founder of Jazz Month In Montclair(2003-present), Developed the Monclair Jazz Archives(present), just to qualfy that i’m not talking trash!
I’ve been following the dialog of this issue for a while and felt compelled to contribute (my detailed comment was erased by the Baristanet software – this is a shortened version)
I believe that now is the time for Montclair to live up to its reputation of “being a creative community” by finding creative solutions to this minor set back.
In the grand scheme of life, and during a time where people are losing jobs, community participation is imperative. Instead of everyone placing blame and offering negative comments, perhaps looking at this as an opportunity to react in a positive way would be more productive.
Although many believe Montclair is an affluent township please do not forget the people who are trying to figure out how to survive after job loss. This is an unnecessary expense in their eyes – however, by the community participating on a volunteer basis, and cultivating students from Montclair State for help, keeping this organization going it completely plausible.
Anything is possible when non-linear thinking is applied to linear issues.
Think of the New Deal / WPA project that was developed during a very similar time in our history. The result lead to artists such as Berenice Abbott, Jackson Pollock, William DeKooning, etc. it was a reaction to the situation and it had positive results.
Originally from Buffalo, NY, where the economy began to implode decades ago, I know that tenacity within the community will be the vehicle to save it. Slow and methodical, Buffalonians had hope but no funding. With this approach, it has now turned into the host city for the National Trust for Historic Preservation in October 2011, hosts the largest and oldest art festival in the nation; hosts the Taste of Buffalo in July (also the largest of its kind in the nation: hosts the Garden Walk (also the largest in the nation); and has redeveloped one main artery (similar to Bloomfield Avenue and reincarnated it into “Elmwood Village: All due to the tenacity of the residents with limited to no funding but a lot of hope and motivation.
Remembering this is a temporary issue, we can take the initiative to become the collective thread that weaves an incredible tapestry of community participation and formulate a solid foundation for the future via creative thinking.
“The guy who takes a chance, who walks the line between the known and the unknown, who is unafraid of failure, will succeed.” (Gordon Parks, American photographer.”
Thank you for reading this.
I’m in favor of as much of a WPA project as zero dollars will buy.
I’ve had some thoughts on how to keep our reputation as an “arty” community alive. Here is my post from a different thread, with some edits:
Given the demise of MAC, it’s up to us to keep The Arts alive in Montclair, which is why I’m looking for volunteers for a multi-denominational (We’ll add a bunch of additional characters simultaneously celebrating different holidays, pagan Druid rituals, etc.) Living Nativity Scene cum Performance Art Installation. Volunteers will need to be considerably more zealous and motivated than I (since I have zero interest in freezing my butt off dressed as a shepherd), and preferably have access to sheep, cows, donkeys, and a camel. And, of course we will be needing some grant money so the Magi can be sufficiently resplendent, the Druid priests have enough for robes, ceremonial daggers and mistletoe, and everybody that needs a staff and sandals has them… Any ideas? Location TBD. Stay tuned