DUE TO DECLINING REVENUES, INTERSTATE FIREHOUSE CULTURAL CENTER, INC. TO CEASE OPERATIONS THIS SPRING
Posted: March 19th, 2010 1:39 PM
(Portland, OR) – Faced with decreasing donations and grants during the continuing recession, the board of directors of the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, Inc. (IFCC) has made the difficult, but responsible decision to shut down operation of the nearly 28-year old non-profit arts organization as of May 1, 2010.
Despite generally good attendance at its exhibitions and performances, IFCC, Inc. is still faced with a significant budget shortfall, one that has forced the operating board to make the decision that the program needs to close indefinitely while the board regroups and determines a transition plan.
IFCC, Inc. has been a tenant of the City of Portland, operating out the City's historic former firehouse located on North Interstate Avenue. The firehouse building is managed by Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), who will be exploring possible future tenants for the site.
PP&R will review events that have been scheduled at the facility after May 1 and will make determinations about any staffing needs that may be required. Existing rental agreements will be honored until June 30.
IFCC, Inc. is governed by a community-based Board of Directors and run by a staff of three, with help from volunteers. Earned income, including rental fees, class fees and ticket sales, account for 20% of the organization's income. The remainder comes from foundation and government grants, and corporate and individual contributions.
IFCC, Inc. has historically been subsidized through Portland Parks & Recreation in the form of an annual grant and through maintenance of the facility.
IFCC, Inc. may explore reorganizing in some form in the future and continue their focus of celebrating culturally diverse artists and audiences.
In the meantime, in an effort to limit closure of the firehouse building and continue programs for the North Portland community, Portland Parks & Recreation staff are open to exploring options with other non-profit organizations interested in providing programming at the site.
- History -
Founded in 1982 under the leadership of then Portland Parks Commissioner Charles Jordan, IFCC quickly became an important multicultural arts organization in Portland. IFCC, Inc. was established as a private non-profit organization in 1988.
###
Replies to this message do not go back to the sender.
Go to http://FlashAlert.net/login.html to change or delete these messages.
