Arts Support Stays Strong in Northville

Despite the recession, Northville hasn't forgotten about the arts.

The Northville Arts Commission rang up a surplus of $22,230 for the just-ended 2010-11 fiscal year, members announced this week.

While late-arriving expenses might reduce that figure a bit, commission members still regard the past 12 months as something of a financial masterpiece.

"The city is keeping its books open for another two months and we will likely have some additional expenses coming in, but it was still a very good year," commission Treasurer Gerry Culpepper said.

With money coming from a variety of sources, the commission raised $105,931 and spent $83,701 since last July.

Added to existing reserves, the new surplus will raise the commission's fund balance to just under $78,000, Culpepper said.

While nothing has been decided, the commission discussed spending at least some of that money on improvements to the Art House, the community gallery it operates on Cady Street.

Support for such fundraisers as the just completed Arts and Acts, Art In the Sun and Reel Michigan , was strong, Art House Office Manager Joan Thomas said.

A recent miniature art event for young people was also a hit and could be expanded next year.

"The kids were really excited by it," Thomas said.

At their montly meeting Wednesday, commissioners said they would look to having more kid-friendly events next year.

In an Art House update, the gallery store has added a new vending machine allowing patrons to purchase small objects of art for a modest fee.

Items from finger puppets to painted blocks to bronze castings will be available from the converted cigarette machine for $5.

While considerable discussion remains, the commission is also considering conducting a membership drive in the coming year to gain additional support for the Art House and community art programs.

"We have discussed this in the past but we need to look at putting the work into it," said Sue Taylor, who was re-eelcted commission president at Wednesday's meeting.

Further discussion could wait until the end of the year, when the commission is expected to receive word on its pending 501(c) tax exmept status from the Internal Revenue Service.