Butler Art Center’s fate in balance after boiler failure, COVID losses
A cultural institution founded more than 50 years ago is in danger of closing if county art lovers don’t offer financial support.
Butler Art Center, 344 S. Main St., which ranks among the oldest establishments in Butler, faces a daunting financial situation after its boiler failed on Dec. 19, said Amy Stockert, center treasurer. The failure of the boiler-based heating system during winter also forced the nonprofit to drain all the pipes in the building to prevent them from freezing and bursting, so water remains shut off indefinitely, too.
The center had to close its doors and was unable to host events and bring in revenue.
Now the nonprofit must meet operating costs, from a dwindling reserve of just over $12,000, if it is to avert closure during the next six months.
“We’re fighting to save something that has been part of the community,” she said, referring to the historic building the center has made its home. “It doesn’t seem like the community’s that concerned about that loss.”
“We’ve had very little response, so for it’s kind of disheartening,” she added.
The art center first received its 501(c)(3) status in the 1960s, Stockert said. She said she thinks it first began in someone’s home.
“And for all those years, we’ve had so many talented artists in Butler,” Stockert said. “And I don’t think people even realize that we have painters, we have sculptors ... we have jewelry makers, we have people that make origami, we have photographers. ... If we go away, how are those people going to display their talent?”
“No matter where you go, there’s art,” she said. “You pick up a magazine cover, that’s art. You see a picture on the wall, that’s art. You drive down the road, there’s sculptures. If the art center closes, it truly is a part of the history of Butler that you’ll never get back.”
The art center has weathered a variety of hardships over recent years that have put it at risk: COVID-19, the recent problems with the building, the closure of the original Natili’s restaurant near the center, which bolstered foot traffic and visitors to arts events.
But the art center found a path forward through much of this, securing crucial help from a CARES Act Grant it was fortunate enough to receive throughout nine months of lockdown, Stockert said.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, delivered $2.2 trillion in stimulus funding from the U.S. government to communities following March of 2020.
The ongoing closure presents unique challenges of its own though, including a possible Catch-22 surrounding the arts center’s lease. The nonprofit can survive no longer than six months without reopening, Stockert estimates, but the lease it shares with the building requires at least six months’ notice before the nonprofit can move, she said.
“We probably don’t need 7,000 square feet,” Stockert said, referring to the option of possible relocation. “We probably could reduce our footprint, as far as the space that we need goes. But we’d really like to stay in the city of Butler.
“We’d like to stay actually more in towards the cultural district. That’s really what we’re known for. ... But there’s no spaces.”
The arts center has reached out to several landlords and property owners within the city, explaining its plight, Stockert said.
Launching a capital campaign presents obstacles too, since the arts center can’t operate out of its facility, she said.
Donors who would like to help the arts center by making a tax-deductible contribution can do so by visiting https://www.cognitoforms.com/ButlerArtCenter1/Donate, Stockert said.
The arts center needs to reopen before March, when momentum over donations could dwindle and artists who hope to display their work will start to look for other venues, Stockert said. The nonprofit typically requires $25,000 to cover expenses, although any amount in donations would help, she said.
“Last year, we received a very generous donation and were able to provide summer camp ... to over 100 kids, free of charge, because of that generous donation,” she said. “And you have to get children interested in art early in life. They take that with them as they become adults.”
People can help in other ways too though, Stockert said.
“We are actively looking for board members, preferably people that are familiar with nonprofits, maybe have some experience with grant writing and fundraising,” she said. “Our board consists of artists, retirees, retired people that come from other industries, like (information technology).”
“There’s going to be some hard decisions that have to be made in the next several months,” Stockert said.
