Associated Artists hopeful for Art Center’s future with new boiler installation
Although the Masonic Temple on Main Street in Butler had a new boiler installed this week, the Associated Artists of Butler County are unsure of how long the nonprofit can continue operating the Butler Art Center, which rents space at the temple.
Shirley McCauley, board secretary for the Associated Artists of Butler County, said the failure of the building’s boiler in December put the organization in a tough financial situation, leaving the nonprofit with a few options.
“One is to close down the physical Associated Artists and operate remotely and have our shows at different venues around the county,” McCauley said. “One is to move to a new location where we can get more foot traffic. We don't need 7,000 square feet, quite honestly.”
The Associated Artists of Butler County has existed since 1934, according to McCauley, and it has leased space on the first floor of 344 S. Main St. from the Masonic Temple for several years.
Ed Fair, a board member for the Order of DeMolay in Butler, said the boiler’s failure was a inconvenient for everyone, including the Masonic organizations that hold meetings in the temple.
He also said the organization was able to secure a new boiler sooner than he expected, and it was being installed this week. However, Fair said he still is concerned about the artists’ organization.
“I want to take care of the artists,” Fair said. “They have been having some financial difficulties ... We'll get through it all right.”
Members of the Associated Artists regularly staffed the Butler Art Center, allowing it to be open several days a week.
According to McCauley, the boiler’s failure forced everyone out of the building because of the cold temperatures and the waterlines being shut off. The closing of the center added to the nonprofit’s financial woes.
“We had to cancel a number of events because we weren't sure if we would be open,” McCauley said. “Hopefully within a week or so we'll be back open and have classes again and start planning shows.”
Fair said it may take a few days for the new boiler to be ready for use, and even more time before it could heat the entire five-story building. In the meantime, the Masons had been using space heaters to keep the temperature of the building in a good range, and members had been conducting meetings in other places throughout Butler.
McCauley said the Art Center always has survived on individual donations and financial contributions from community organizations. However, the Associated Artists are searching for a more long-term solution to its financial situation, so they can continue hosting classes, galleries and shows through the years.
Moving the art center to a location on Main Street that gets more foot traffic is an option the Associated Artists are seriously considering, according to McCauley.
“We need more members; we need donations; we need somebody that can help us write grants,” she said. “We have enough funds left to keep us afloat for maybe three months. Without some significant income or grants or contributions, we don’t know what we’ll do.”
McCauley said she hoped to get artists back into the Art Center as soon as possible. She also said she and other administrators are spreading the word about the center to garner donations.
“We're optimistic that things are going to work out,” McCauley said.
The Associated Artists’ website, butlerartcenter.org, has posted links for people to donate money online via PayPal, Venmo and GoFundMe.
