Title
Consideration of Joint Funding for the Development Director at the Washington Center of the Performing Arts
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Consider a request from the Washington Center to jointly fund the Development Director position for the next two years.
Report
Issue:
Consider the Finance Committee’s recommendation to use $150,000 from the Center’s Endowment Fund to support current Center operations. Also, recommend funding a full time Development Director for the Center at up to $100,000 per year for two years. The funds for the Director, as well as the operations, will be a reimbursement of expenditures.
Staff Contact:
Steve Hall, City Manager, 360.753.8447
Debbie Sullivan, Deputy Administrative Services Director, 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
Jill Barnes, Executive Director for the Washington Center for the Performing Arts
Background and Analysis:
The City owns the Washington Center for the Performing Arts (CPA). It is operated by contract through a nonprofit organization directed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
In 2015, the City Council agreed to support a Development Director position for the Washington Center’s Endowment Fund. The job of the Development Director is to increase revenues of all types to support the Center and its mission. The City allotted up to $100,000 from the endowment to cover the cost of salary and benefits for the position. Authorization for that funding ends in January 2017.
Executive Director for the Center, Jill Barnes, is proposing to continue to the position for an additional two years with a joint funding proposal. Ms. Barnes will present her proposal plus a summary of the past fundraising work of the Center.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The WCPA provides a venue for dozens of local performing arts organizations. Ensuring success of the Center will allow these groups to continue and to thrive.
Options:
1. Recommend the proposal to the full Council.
2. Modify the proposal.
3. Do not recommend the proposal.
Financial Impact:
The Washington Center Endowment Fund has a current balance of $970,000.