photo by: Bremen Keasey

The Lawrence Arts Center at 940 New Hampshire St. in downtown Lawrence pictured on Dec. 18, 2024.

Lawrence Arts Center leaders say they’re facing an “unprecedented financial challenge,” from such factors as inflation and lingering effects of the COVID pandemic, and a fundraising email the center sent to its supporters this week claims that its very future “is at risk.”

The letter requesting donations was sent out to subscribers Tuesday evening and was signed by Ryann Galloway Tacha, the Arts Center’s chief development officer. It was billed as a “call for action” and suggested that some programs could be at risk of being cut.

“The programs and services that have become integral to our community’s identity — those that provide artistic opportunities for all, from young children to established artists — are in jeopardy,” the email said.

According to data from the news nonprofit ProPublica, the Arts Center last year reported $3.86 million in expenses and $2.94 million in revenues.

In email responses to a list of questions provided by the Journal-World about the letter, Tom Huang, the Arts Center’s interim executive director, said the Arts Center is facing multiple challenges, including inflation and a delay in “right-sizing” some expenses post-pandemic.

Huang said the center has taken steps to reduce expenses and is working to find the right balance of “expense reduction and fundraising to keep LAC vibrant and healthy.” He said those steps have reduced the reported nearly million-dollar gap between revenues and expenses, and that the organization plans to “close the gap further” with reductions and fundraising efforts.

Like many other nonprofits, Huang said, donations are down at the Arts Center this year, but he said there is strong community support for the Arts Center and it has appreciated the support this year.

“We are incredibly grateful for our donors who have continued to support us through our history and have responded to our recent appeal,” Huang said.

When asked if there were specific programs at risk because of the financial challenges, Huang said there may be changes in programming as the center “works to right the ship,” but did not provide any further specifics on what type of programming could be affected.

Huang said that everyone at the Arts Center is acutely aware of the responsibility to maintain the center, which is in its 50th year, and that they are doing everything they can so it will be able to serve the community.

“We want to continue to be the place where joy, creativity, and connection are experienced on a daily basis,” Huang said.