Fundraising for BAC is mission of new charitable foundation

The Brewery Arts Center formed a charitable foundation designed to raise funds so the BAC can remain a cultural force in Carson City for years to come.

"The financial world is really, really difficult these days, and one of the first to be hurt by this is culture," said Barbara Danneo, president of the newly formed 501(c)(9) foundation. The former BAC board member now heading the seven-member foundation board said the arts always suffer during difficult economic periods.

Among the fundraising techniques to be spearheaded by the foundation are planned giving, also known as legacy giving, and commemorative naming of items or spaces to recognize donors. The foundation may also hold events separate from those put on by the BAC.

An example of the commemorative-naming approach, Danneo said, is a brick project to coincide with plans eventually to tie the Brewery Arts Center's old Tahoe Brewery building and adjacent structure together with the old St. Teresa's church building, now serving as the BAC's main performing arts venue.

Closure of Minnesota Street between West King and 2nd streets will allow the campus to be knit together over time.

John Shelton, executive director of the BAC and one of the foundation board members, said the goals of the charitable organization are to raise money for capital improvements and to serve as a long-term underpinning for the BAC.

The BAC has capital needs, he said - such as lighting, sound and related performing arts equipment - covering a range of prospective projects. He said the BAC equipment currently is old and outdated, much of it below standard and costly to operate. Outdated lighting, for example, is costlier to run and generates lots of heat while providing less than perfect illumination.

As for the BAC, which is a 501(c)(3) educational and programming nonprofit, Shelton said its finances are improved since he joined the center but there still is work to do.

"We're getting stronger, but we're like any nonprofit these days," he said.

Joining Danneo and Shelton on the foundation board are Ron Waicul, who is in banking; Amy Clemens, financial services; Bruce Robertson, commercial real estate; Scott Anderson, deputy secretary of state; and Robert Stansbury, retired.

Danneo said the foundation's goal is not only to "support and ensure the future of the Brewery Arts Center," but also to knit together the cultural and larger community.

"What is a community if it doesn't have the arts?" she asked. "This is a community endeavor."