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 Contact Us |
An Update on the West Valley Art Museum... If you need to contact us please write to: info@wvam.org
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That was then ... (click on images to see them enlarged) |
And this is now... |
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Dear Members and Friends of West Valley Art Museum:
So much has been happening that we have not kept you as informed about your West Valley Art Museum as we should have. We have shut down operation of the building except what is needed to protect the collection, to conserve our resources while we try to find solutions to the many problems we now face. We are in a very critical situation.
We need to share these problems with you since rumors are not accurate and you need to be aware of the facts. They are as follows:
- There is over $120,000 in receivables past due and late fees to be added. This is in addition to the outstanding building loan.
- We are immediately putting the land and the building up for sale.
- There is no cash on hand to move the collection or to start up in another location.
What are we doing about all this? What about the Cell Tower Income membership was told about last summer? Why is the Museum out of money all of a sudden? What of the Heard location in Surprise? Should I retain my membership? Are there going to be any programs/exhibits that I can participate in?
First and foremost, action has been taken to protect the collection for which we hold a Public Trust. All items are now in the collection room under climate control. In the event the building is lost or has to be sold, another location for the collection has to be found. Possible locations are being investigated at this time. If you can help us with this, please let us know.
The Cell Tower's purchase/rental was held up by the Museum's bank as they are making first claim on the property's control since the property was collateral for the loan. This has not allowed the transaction to take place. The Cell Tower Company is still desirous of completing the transaction.
This situation is not a sudden one. For the last three years the Museum has been operating with a growing deficit due to slowing membership renewals (dropping from over 2,000 to less than 1,500), a costly cafe renovation which did not turn profitable, the subsequent drop in facility rentals, smaller attendance in both adult and children's classes, a reduction in daily visitation, reduced availability of grant monies and a general rise in costs. As a result, Museum revenue dropped precipitously. Staff was laid off, events cancelled and members of the museum paid payroll as well as utility bills to try to help the situation.
After exploring a number of business scenarios for transfer to the Heard property (which would have to be shared with the Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce) and subsequent running of the Museum without direct funding from the City of Surprise, there was simply no possibility of financially making any of the scenarios work. In the long run, it would be more feasible to stay where we are and where the possibility of more revenue streams exist (Concerts, rentals, Cafe, etc).
Can you help?
The West Valley Art Museum is still a viable 501C3. We need money to be able to secure our collection in a new location, and need appropriate materials in which to pack it and move it. Storage must be temperature controlled and pest free.
An amount of $250,000 would allow us to payoff our debts, save our building, and give us time to restructure and raise money to continue. Many viable fund raising opportunities have been presented. We simply need the time to make them happen. If you know any investors who might be interested in buying this beautiful facility please let us know.
If you believe that the West Valley needs the kind of cultural leadership that WVAM has provided for nearly thirty years please consider a donation of money or time.
We know we can make this work and make the Museum viable again; we just need time, money and volunteer help to make it happen. .
Best Regards,
West Valley Art Museum Board of Trustees
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