For the past 18 months, volunteers have worked to transform a former lumber store into the Red Curtain Arts Center in Marysville, bringing arts education and programming to the underserved population of north Snohomish County. 

The lease on the building expires on Feb. 1, and we are raising funds for closing costs and a down payment to maintain occupancy of the space, continue Red Curtain's ongoing community impact, and expand our efforts to create a true center for the arts.  

The Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts was founded by a group of local arts supporters and educators in 2009 as a non-profit arts education and production organization. We came together with the goal of bringing artistic experiences to underserved communities, especially nearby areas hit hardest by the recession. We were passionate about keeping the arts affordable, and ensuring that people from all walks of life would have the opportunity to participate as artists, students and audience members.

In 2013, our operations moved into a one-time lumber store in Marysville, Washington. This location was chosen because its size will allow the organization to grow, the layout works well for an arts center and performance space, and it is located in the heart of this growing town. But, mostly, we moved into the space because Marysville, with a population of nearly 65,000 residents, had no existing arts center or even an adequate community meeting space.

Over the past 18 months, our all-volunteer staff has worked tirelessly raising funds to bring the structure up to current building codes. These efforts paid off, and the Red Curtain Arts Center officially opened its doors in April of 2014. We immediately began offering classes, producing plays, and making the space available for renters and other community groups.

Marysville's mayor, city council members and RCF volunteers celebrated the official ribbon-cutting in April 2014.

But last month we were informed by the property owners that our lease agreement will expire at the end of January of 2015, and it will not be renewed. We have an immediate need to raise the funds necessary to close on the purchase of the property, or this small community will lose its only arts facility. 

While we recognize that a goal of $50,000 is a challenge, we are focused on garnering support from 1,000 people who can contribute just $50 each.

The property, 1.5 acres of prime commercial real estate, has been appraised at $2.6 million, but Red Curtain has negotiated a purchase price of just $1 million, to be paid over 10 years. The total amount needed for the down payment and closing costs is approximately $120,000. Through partnerships and connections we've developed within Marysville, with the Tulalip Tribes and individual donors, we have potential commitments for as much as $70,000 towards our goal. Now we find ourselves reaching out to the community, and taking a grassroots approach to fund the balance.

An Achievable Goal

Last year at this time we ran our first crowd funding campaign on Indiegogo to fund the installation of a fire monitoring system, and to make necessary safety and ADA-required upgrades to the arts center. That work was completed last April, thanks to broad community support and the donations raised from that initial campaign. Since then, our classes, programming and ongoing donations have helped us cover the operating expenses of about $3,500 per month, but have not allowed us to make significant progress towards purchasing the property.

Your contribution to this new campaign will allow us to keep operating in Marysville, a community that has enthusiastically welcomed us. More than this, having the property listed in Red Curtain's name will allow the organization to pursue other options which were not available to us as a renter, including the ability to receive a property tax waiver (saving approximately $24,000 per year).

Finding one thousand people who share our passion for invigorating the community through the arts seems like an attainable goal. However, if we aren't able to fulfill our financial obligations, funds raised through this campaign will instead be used to cover transportation fees and storage costs for all of Red Curtain's lighting and sound equipment, set pieces and costumes...but we don't want to think about that outcome.

The Impact: A Stronger Community

When creative activity is happening in large and small ways throughout an area, it creates surprising ripple effects of benefits, even for those who don't participate directly. The arts ripple effect creates at least two kinds of benefits: 1) in the economic vitality of an area; and 2) in how communities come together and understand each other.

--The Arts Ripple Effect, by TOPOS Partnership for the Fine Arts Fund, 2008

Red Curtain has had the opportunity to establish partnerships with a number of local arts and community organizations, many of which are excited to have access to a facility devoted to the local arts community. The Marysville City Bands, Northern Sound Choirs, Marysville Arts Coalition, the Public Servants and Final Boss Productions have all been invited to consider the arts center their “home,” with rehearsals and member meetings – as well as performances – being held on the premises.

Red Curtain's ongoing educational programming features a variety of classes for all ages and experience levels. Offerings include theatre classes for kids aged 6-16; monthly open mic and acoustic jam for musicians of all ages; piano, guitar and acting lessons for all ages; and classes in a variety of theatrical skills for those 16 and up.

As public schools struggle with declining budgets, arts programs are often targeted for cutbacks. Both in K-12 and in secondary education, students are offered fewer opportunities to learn about and participate in the arts—both visual and performing arts—even though creative activities have been shown to increase critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

A comprehensive study by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH) “clearly shows the effect of arts education on student academic achievement,” noting that communities with robust arts programs aid in “improving test scores and fostering their students’ competitiveness in the workforce.”

Participation in supervised, creative group activities in a safe and supportive space is especially valuable for teens who may otherwise choose to spend their time in less constructive ways. The link between creative self-expression and appropriate societal behavior, as well as enhanced academic performance, has been documented time and time again.

Developing a performing arts center for the north Snohomish County communities of Marysville, Tulalip, Arlington—as well as Lake Stevens, Stanwood, Granite Falls and other outlying areas—will contribute to the overall quality of life in the area. The performance space will complement other tourist attractions and entertainment venues in the region, giving visitors another reason to spend time and money in the area and contributing to the local economy.