HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTIONS-1973-019-R-73RESOLUTION I -R-73
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Alderman Harper
Alderman Connor
Alderman Staples
WHEREAS, The City Council of Evanston, mindful of the im-
portance to the community of encouraging the appreciation
and pursuit of the creative arts and desiring to foster those
endeavors which enhance the quality of life in this community,
did in 1966, lease the major part of the Sigma Chi building to
the Evanston Art Center stipulating that the Evanston Art Cen-
ter agree "to operate the premises as comprehensive community
art and cultural center, and in achieving this objective to
cooperate with other organizations operating in the fields of
art, education or culture ..... and to promote the full use of
the premises so that it is of maximum practicable value to the
community..." and
• WHEREAS, the Evanston Art Center, pursuant to that charge, has
offered programs enriching the lives of all segments of our
racially and economically mixed community, has developed into
an institution of national acclaim which enhances the reputation
of the City as a good place to live and conduct business, and
has gained the support of a large working volunteer force from
throughout the con-nunity, and
WHERL,AS the City of Evanston values the Evanston Art Center's
contribution and particularly notes the following:
A full schedule of meaningful and well-equipped classes in
the arts plus a complex schedule of free exhibits in the
Center's Galleries and in other public places in Dranst.on;
The assistance, thro��h its volunteers, to the school
ren of Evanston, scholarship aid in its own classes, and
participation in certain activities of the Parks and ;:tecre-
• ation Department;
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Providing annually for the entire community q comprehensive
• and renowned art festival which attracts upwards of 20,000
people;
The investment of $5000 by the Center to replace the roof
of the Jens Jensen conservatory, thereby conserving for the..
City this declared architectural landmark;
The welcome addition to the business base of the City through
the new enterprises established by students of the Center's
classes; and
The willing assistance to other cultural, artistic, and ed-
ucational activities in the City, including the MacDowell
Society, the'wanston Symphony, Children's Theater 65, the
United Community Services, the Evanston Family Service,
the Senior Citizens, the �,Ielcome Wagon, Art In •.ction Days
and grade school classrom lectures, consultation and cooper-
ation in 'Beautifying Evanston' projects, the craft section
of the Black Arts Festival, the E'1'HS student exhibit and
program, and the hanging of art works in municipal offices
and hospital corridors; and
WHEREAS, the Evanston tart Center in fulfilling and demonstrating
its commitment to the City has accepted financial responsibility
to the extent of nearly $40,000.00 for all maintenance and im-
provements related to the interior of the City's building and
conservatory over the past six years; and has invested $18,000
in the equipment and improvements which are necessary to main-
tain the excellence of the school plant; and is at the present
time making many concerted efforts to derive financial assist-
ance from private sources; and is seeking to further its involy-
ment in the community by adding to its Board of trustees a mem-
ber of the Department of Parks and Recreation and by planning
cooperative activities with the Evanston Symphony and tho_.Asgo-
ciation for the Children's Theater; and
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WHEREAS, the City Council finds
that the Evanston Art. Center needs and deserves further
support in that public demand for the programs and activi-
ties of the Center has grown to such an extent that present
available space is inadequate and an increasing number of
Evanston groups wishing to use the Center are disappointed;
that the Evanston Art Center is operating at a deficit in
providing these services to the comriunity while cities
comparable to ours have established regular operating
support for their art centers;
that a small increment of financial support will make a
significant improvement in the fiscal strength of the Center;
and that endorsement by the City will greatly enhance the
Center's efforts in obtaining other sources of revenue and
foundation grants.
NOW, THI EREFO2E BE IT MSOLWM 3Y THE CITY COUi`3CIL OF �JtlivSTOPd:
THAT, recognizing the unique benefit afforded to the people
• of this City, to local artists, and to neighboring communities
by the Evanston Art Center, the City Council adopts as its
stated pplicy the encouragement and fostering of the continued
growth of the Center;
AND further, in the implementation of this goal, that the
City.Council hereby endorses the Evanston Art Center's activities
and shall aid the Evanston Art Center by granting it the use of
the main building in its entirety as presently occupied by the
Center and including the apartment therein without remuneration
or charge commencing January 1, 1973.
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CITY CAbRK
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