Spokane Art School Forced to Sell Building

Via the Spokesmanreview, the Spokane Art School has decided the best way to solve their financial issues is to sell the building they’ve called home since 1984. The school is not closing but has decided they can’t afford to keep running things the way they have been and are looking for more creative ways to spread an appreciation of the arts to our city.

Is this a big deal? Karen Mobley, the city of Spokane’s Arts Director, mentions this is something most organizations in the city have gone through recently. It reminds me of a few years back when Centerstage almost closed and the persistent life support rumors about area theater groups.

It’s tough to be an arts organization in this city, but why? Is there too little support or too many organizations to be supported by a community of our size? From what I know of other metro areas of 1/2 million residents I would say Spokane stacks up pretty well in the arts department. A professional symphony, jazz orchestra, several theater groups, a decent museum (or two), close to a dozen art galleries downtown, and other organizations like Centerstage and the Spokane Art School keep things from getting too stale. I also think we could support more.

I do not agree with arts organizations who think they should be supported “because we’re about art”. I agree art is important but I also believe it’s the responsibility of the arts organizations themselves to craft a responsible budget, use advertising effectively, and present a compelling artistic product that stirs interest and discussion in the community. Maybe that’s a lot to ask but I think it’s attainable.