By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A local, grassroots organization with a mission statement of putting the spotlight on art in all its forms will continue to use a Whitewater-owned building with reduced rent as part of a proposal approved last week.
The Common Council on Feb. 3 voted in favor of a request by Linda Long, president of the Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA), to pay less annually to the city. At the same time, WAA and other leaders have pledged a desire to ramp up the level of programs offered.
When WAA forged its relationship with the city and began using the Cultural Arts Center building, 402 W. Main St., monthly rent was set at $400. In the years since, however, rent has climbed to double that amount, and organizers have been paying $800 per month.
“The (WAA) board certainly understands that it is only fair that we contribute to the monthly operating expenses,” Long wrote in a letter to the city. “But the increase to $800/month has placed a significant burden on our organization.”
As part of its motion, the council agreed to reduce WAA’s monthly rent back to the original amount of $400 per month. But there is a caveat: if WAA does not provide a pre-determined level of community programs, monthly rent would jump to $1,200 per month.
For its part, WAA organizers have stated the annual $4,800 savings in rent will go toward investing in current and future community programs.
WAA has hosted programs at the arts center on an almost monthly basis. Some of the organization’s recent initiatives have included an arts gallery and a concert series known as Savory Sounds.
This fall, the organization will take part in the city’s Main Street Festival.
