Mission

 

The Art Base fosters creative expression in the visual arts for all ages and abilities, through education opportunities, exhibitions, and events.

EDUCATION programs are designed to be accessible to everyone and encourage creative expression and lifelong learning through all-ages visual arts workshops and outreach programs in partnership with local nonprofits and Basalt schools.

EXHIBITIONS support student, emerging, and established Colorado-based artists and are focused on solo show opportunities with an emphasis on artists living in the Roaring Fork Valley.

History

 

1996

The Wyly Art Center founded by artist and teacher Deborah Jones, as a project of Compass in Woody Creek, Colorado.

 

2005

The Wyly formed its own 501(c)(3) and relocated to Basalt, Colorado.

 

2015

Genna Moe hired as Executive Director.

Organization name changed to the Art Base.

 

2016

The Art Base updated vision to establish itself as a hub of activity and a gathering place in Historic Old Town Basalt—a cultural anchor in the mid-valley.

 

2020

The Art Base receives approval from Basalt Town Council on new building project.

Audience

 

The Art Base serves the Roaring Fork Valley, specifically the mid-valley and Basalt community, which includes several adjacent unincorporated areas in both Eagle and Pitkin counties, Garfield County, and the Roaring Fork School District.

 

 

Three public schools are located in Basalt with 1,650 enrolled students.

At Basalt High School 70% of students are of a race other than white. Of those students, the majority are Culturally Linguistically Diverse (CLD).

 

At Basalt Elementary, 40% of the student body is on Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL).

 

 

Annually, the Art Base welcomes 10,000 visitors, 45% youth and 55% adult.

Finances

Income

  • Earned income : 18%
  • Contributed income : 36%
  • Membership : 28%
  • Events : 18%

Expenses

  • Educational programs : 49%
  • Exhibitions : 27%
  • Administration : 16%
  • Fundraising : 8%

The Art Base New Building

 

 

 

 

In the current 1,800sf leased facility, fully enrolled (with waitlists) adult and youth programs compete for space and calendar slots. The Art Base plans to build a permanent 6,500sf home on the River Parcel across the street from the current location in Lions Park, Basalt. The new building, designed by CCY Architects, will be an iconic and inclusive space that will add to the Art Base mission by enhancing the learning experience and offerings, elevating support for Colorado artists, and introducing a coveted artist residency program.

 

 

 

 

 

Goals

 

Continue and increase free youth programs.

 

Continue unlimited scholarships to those in need.

 

Increase art and mental health programs in schools.

In New Facility

Grow English-language newcomer public art program to include Basalt Elementary and Middle School.

 

Establish artist residency program.

 

Offer simultaneous youth and adult classes.

Design and open digital suite and embellish youth and adult class schedule accordingly.

Increase high-caliber exhibition space with 1,500 SF new gallery to elevate and better support Roaring Fork Valley student, emerging, and established artists.

Promote new outdoor terrace to attract community use and event rentals as alternative form of earned income.

Motivation

Art does more than help those with low socioeconomic status achieve key positive outcomes—academically, socially, and civically—art helps us all better understand ourselves and the world around us. Access to art, both making and viewing, builds strong community.

 

 

“The arts help us express our values, build bridges between cultures, and bring us together regardless of ethnicity, religion, or age. Arts spark creativity and innovation. The Conference Board reports that creativity is among the top 5 applied skills sought by business leaders—with 72 percent saying creativity is of high importance when hiring. Arts improve academic performance. Students with an education rich in the arts have higher GPAs and standardized test scores, and lower drop-out rates—benefits reaped by students regardless of socio-economic status. Students with four years of arts or music in high school average 100 points better on their SAT scores than students with just one-half year of arts or music.”

-Americans For The Arts