Nazareth arts destination 'breaking even' in tough economy

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Nazareth arts destination 'breaking even' in tough economy
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
By Pamela Sroka-Holzmann
The Express-Times

NAZARETH | In a tough economy, the Nazareth Center for the Arts has drawn spectators thanks to dedicated volunteers, quality musical acts and various fundraisers.

The center at 30 Belvidere St. includes a 60-seat performance hall and gallery. Center business manager Ross Nunamaker said it relies primarily on donations received through fundraising and is breaking even on its annual revenue -- a budget goal of $30,000.

"Right now it's a month-to-month operation," Nunamaker said. "It's paycheck to paycheck."

The center opened its doors in December 2009 with a handful of volunteers and various musical acts. Today it has a board of about nine people, the Nazareth Cultural and Arts Commission. Volunteers helped run nearly 100 events.

Lon Werner, vice president of the Nazareth Center for the Arts board, said the center would like to build a $10,000 to $15,000 fund to cover the cost of future capital improvement projects and for emergencies.

It's a long-term goal and won't be achieved overnight, he said.

The center's goal is not to make huge profits, he said.

"We don't charge $50 to $75 a ticket," Werner said. "We're trying to keep it $10 or less or just based on donations."

Despite the closure of Insomniak Theatre Co., nearby on South Main Street, Nunamaker said, he isn't worried.

"If you build a plan in a bad economy, you'll do that much better when the economy does good," he said.

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