“I can’t begin to thank you for everything you did for us. Without your guidance we simply would not have made it to the point of being able to present a plan to our funders. Having such a strong Sustainability Plan was critical to gaining the support of new supporters as well as those who have been there for us repeatedly.”
Becky Chadwell, Board President, Glass Art Kalamazoo
In Dire Straits
At the beginning of 2016, the West Michigan Glass Art Center was at the brink of closing its doors. A staple of the downtown Kalamazoo arts and crafts trade center, the small nonprofit was in debt and the few hours the store was open did not bring in enough revenue.
Besides that, it was one of Kalamazoo’s best kept secret.
The local funders decided to pull the plug, unless the Glass Art Center produced a convincing plan to move forward.
What was needed was more than just a strategic plan. What was needed was a roadmap to survival and sustainability.
We guided the board of directors and community leaders with strong ties to the regional arts community through our proven strategic planning process.
We created compelling mission and vision statements that provided the clarity needed to develop goals and strategies that would move the Glass Art Center through revival and into sustainability.
The revival was signaled to the community via name change to “Glass Art Kalamazoo.”
Today, Glass Art Kalamazoo is thriving.
Budding artists can take classes in glass blowing, lampworking, bead making, kiln fusing, and cold working. School programs and summer camps teach glass art to the younger generations. Members rent the downtown studios and glass equipment to create their own masterpieces.