The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
$8,000 more needed for full six-concert schedule
One of the most popular summer events in Crested Butte could be curtailed due to a budget shortfall. The Monday evening Alpenglow Series is scheduled to start June 29 and run for six weeks. But funding for the host organization, the Crested Butte Center for the Arts, is about $8,000 short of its spring fundraising goal, and that could mean four Alpenglow concerts will be held instead of six.
“Our goal was to raise $40,000 through the Alpenglow concerts,” explained Center for the Arts executive director Jenny Birnie. “The board started the campaign in March and we have raised about $32,000 so far. I am confident we can raise the other $8,000 before the first Alpenglow concert.”
Birnie says the board has focused on four fundraising areas. Former board members were contacted and asked to donate money. A concerted effort to involve local contractors has been successful and will result in a “Building Contractors Night” at one of the concerts. The current board stepped up among themselves and raised more than $3,000. The center’s “Partners” program members have also been approached for additional donations.
“We are now asking individuals to step up and help,” said Birnie. “The Center’s budget has already been cut 25 percent and we need the $40,000 to operate through October. If we can’t raise that money, all of our programs are at risk, including Alpenglow.”
According to Birnie, the basic cost to put on an Alpenglow concert is about $2,500. That goes primarily to the band and the technical crew.
Birnie says a lower amount of Alpenglow business sponsorships is also hurting the center’s budget. Last year businesses contributed about $40,000. This year, just $15,000 has been pledged for business sponsorships.
“The businesses in the area have been hit pretty hard and that is impacting us,” said Birnie. “We understand that but it is a significant hit. Two of our Gold Sponsors from last year have said they can’t step up in that capacity again this summer. Hopefully we can get a few more business sponsorships before June 1.”
Birnie expressed hope that the $8,000 can be raised before the scheduled June 29 concert. Otherwise Alpenglow will be strictly a July event.
“Alpenglow is important to our community,” said Birnie. “Everyone loves the event and it is obvious that helps to bring the community together.”
The board is already looking ahead to the summer of 2010. “We all want to keep it a free concert but we are looking at all the alternatives for the summer of 2010,” Birnie said.
Birnie said any size donation is appreciated. Contact the Center for the Arts at 349-7487.
