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September 24, 2020 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 5

NORTHVILLE
NORTHVILLE

On their own

Northville Art House is now independent

The official Dreams and Nightmares The board members include Ellen
exhibit at the Northville Art House is set Bennett, Nancy Darga, Roland Hwang,
to close Sept. 26, while the title may aptly Linda Liedel, Elizabeth Oliver and Taylor.
describe the ongoing efforts at the facility. Councilmember Barbara Moroski-Browne
While the Art House has achieved the also continues to attend meetings.
dream of independence from the city, the The Art House is looking for additional
COVID 19 effects have added some night- board members who have the knowledge,
mare elements to the evolution of the resources and connections to grow and
facility into an autonomous non-profit sustain the Art House, and are expanding
organization after operating under the their search to art advocates throughout
wing of the City of Northville for more the metro Detroit area.
than 15 years. Typically, nine to 10 free exhibits of
According to an article posted on the local artists take place each year at the Art
official City of Northville website, the Art House, and feature the work of local,
House now manages operations inde- national and international artists. More When the pandemic struck, the arts pro- level, which has a walk-out door to the
pendently and pays the city for essential than 10,000 people are drawn to gramming was blossoming - with record back yard and parking lot. The building
services, such as accounting and mainte- Northville annually from throughout numbers registering for in-house classes, has gardens and outdoor installations,
nance, under the direction of Erin Maten, Michigan and other states for Art House school instruction and community out- including two orange silhouette men,
the executive director and Ryan exhibits and events, officials said in a reach. After the March shutdown, the Art designed by local artist John Soave.
Kaltenbach, the creative director who recent post on the Northville city website. House began to host virtual classes for While the city is providing the building
report to a board of directors. Chrissy On Aug. 1, the Art House reopened with adults and students but the attendance rent-free for the next five years, the non-
Serra now manages the gift shop while the Dreams and Nightmares exhibit, fol- wasn't nearly as high as in-person classes. profit is responsible for maintenance.
board of directors member Sue Taylor lowed by the West of Center Exhibit, going “This would have been our best year Volunteers tend to fix things around the
acts as the community advocate. on now through Sept. 26. In mid-summer yet,” Maten said. “We were in four Art House, which was built in 1965, but
As a new 501-c3, the Art House team the Art House was instrumental in landing Northville Elementary schools with our additional help is needed.
can raise funds and seek grants for pro- four reproductions for the “Inside Out” outreach after-school art program, and The Art House has been self-sustaining
gramming and capital improvements at program, positioned outdoors within a also offered enrichment art classes at through program costs and fundraising
the building. In addition, outside funding two-block radius. Goddard Preschool and Hillside Middle events but anticipated contributions from
can help with staffing costs during free This past week the Art House ended its School. We continue to work on how to individual donations and prospective
gallery exhibits and community events, Young Artist Market with nine local artists, support our schools through virtual art grants will allow it to flourish. The new
provide personal protection equipment ages 8-14, selling original art in the lower enrichment.” nonprofit model is expected to open more
support, and fund materials and instruc- level classroom. Children as young as 3 can get a taste doors with the assistance of grantors and
tion for art enrichment outreach pro- “Events likes these are wonderful to for art through the early art education pro- donors, who now may gain a tax deduction
grams. have for the mental health of our youth, gram. The Art House collaborates on sev- from their contribution.
“We're operating with a streamlined especially during COVID-19. Other high eral student exhibits for middle school “In the past we've raised funds with
business model: accounts payable, payroll, school kids got involved by volunteering to and high school art students. More recent- more than 200 members who contributed
and expenses are now conducted by help manage the market,” Maten said. ly, the facility has provided art classes to yearly,” Maten said. “Since COVID-19, our
myself and overseen by the board. “We The Art House recently established an people with Parkinson's disease and other membership has dropped to 40 members.
appreciate having the city close by for online store. Now patrons can view and illnesses - making a big difference in their Our events such as Arts & Acts, Painting
advice on financial matters and assisting purchase art online and pick up their pur- lives. with Paws, Young Artists Art Market and
The building itself is unique and well-
with connections,” Maten said. chases through a no-contract method. loved. It's clad in brick and aluminum-sid- Art Crush are annual fundraisers that
bring in half of our revenue each year. All
” ing with a tall pillared porch tucked of these events have been hit hard by the
virus. If things go well, we hope to have
behind the Northville District Library,
The new nonprofit model is expected to between the Northville Post Office and these activities back next year,” she said.
open more doors with the assistance of grantors Oakwood Cemetery with the City Dog “Our budget has taken a large decrease
Park almost in the back yard. The gift shop in classes, art sales, events, sponsors and
and donors, who now may gain a is located off the main entrance and an donations,” Maten noted. “It's really vital
tax deduction from their contribution. exhibition gallery is on the second floor is that we make up for lost revenue through
an ideal space for showcasing a variety of fundraising, now and in the next couple
artwork. Classes take place in the lower years.”