"Non-Profit" The Word
with Heather René Dunaway
Jan 2025
Happy New Year everyone! It seems like just yesterday we were just entering into the 2020s and now we’re halfway done with the decade. Where does the time go?
I spent the rolling in of the new year with friends watching 1960s horror movies and eating way to many of those little meat balls. Just before we closed our offices for the holiday, I did a deep clean of my office. I wanted to return to work in a fresh space. I’ve been working hard to make my office cute. My inspo words were “local,” “fun,” “artsy,” and “colorful.” My old office, though I still love her, was dark and cozy and mostly brown. I wanted to kick off my new role as Public Art Director with a bang. Hence the cool new digs.
I’ve been growing my local art collection for literally years. This whole time it’s been living at just my house, but I thought my office would be a better place to show it off. I currently have work by Anna Patrick, Jay Jacobs, Lea Rigdon, Becca Anchor, Leslie Hamrick, Johanna Keefe, Eliza Taylor, Michelle Prahler, Mary Besel, and me (duh). This doesn’t count all the art I have back at home. I’ve purchased them directly from artists, through galleries like Westobou and Gertrude Herbert, and at Events like Arts in the Heart and SEEDS. This office has lots of walls, so I’m excited to fill them up.
That’s part of the fun of working at an arts non-profit. You get to be out in the community with the people who inspire you and see all the amazing things they do. It does hurt my wallet a bit, I must say. But the work is well worth it as I get to continue to surround myself with the vibrant arts we have in Augusta.
There are some misconceptions about what arts non-profits do, or are capable of. Things you wouldn’t really know unless you WORKED for one. I was on the outside of that fence once, so I get it. So here I am, in my monthly blog, to help folks understand how things work a bit better. Yay!!
I think the first thing that gives it away is our name: “non-profit.” Which means at the end of the fiscal year, our account balance is a big fat zero (or else we get in trouble with the IRS). It’s one of the reasons why we pay to have an audit every year. It keeps us operating at our best and holds us accountable for the funds that we receive, whether through donations, memberships, grants, sponsorships, etc. ALL of the money has to be accounted for. We have this big ol’ excel-spreadsheet-of-a-budget where we slot in all the funds. Money for projects, money to market those projects, money for events, money to pay staff and artists, money for operating expenses like rent, the internet bill, post-its and paperclips You name it, there is a line item for it.
As a non-profit, to be considered one legally (which you gotta if you want to apply for most organization or project grants) you have to register and be approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3). Part of all that budgeting comes in handy when it’s tax season and we have to show big brother where we put those bucks to use. Part of that accountability, via big brother, is that our 990 is publicly available too. You can find our info online on sites like ProPublica. Transparency is key when you are working with the public and incorporating funds through their support.
Though we are not a branch of government, or a government entity (many assume that) we do often work with our city’s government. As the Public Art Agency for the City of Augusta, in public arts projects as part of the city’s public art master plan, it’s kind of essential. Basically, its easier for the city to give the work the the folks who know the role best (an arts non-profit) and we’re pretty old (about to turn 57 years old in February). The city also donates funds each year to Arts in the Heart, which basically turns around and helps us to pay the sheriffs and deputies for all their hard work in keeping us safe during the festival. We also work with city in managing the City Gallery in the Municipal Building, and agencies like Destination Augusta/Visitors Bureau in managing the Augusta & Co. Gallery. Both of which are “local art only” galleries.
GALLERY SHOUT OUT: You can find currently installed in the Augusta & Co. Gallery a solo exhibition of local artist Sindhu Pillai’s most recent works, titled “Overtones.” And soon to be installed in the City Gallery is the Augusta Black History Exhibit featuring the Mayoral Collection of Augusta Black History along side local artist Theron Cartwright’s works. More on what’s in our galleries at www.augustaarts.com/galleries.
So, with the support of arts lovers, sponsors, donations and grants we are able to feed our mission to enrich the quality of life for citizens and visitors in Augusta’s River Region by advancing vibrant cultural arts. Since our annual budget accounts for all of our funded projects in advance, we can’t always offer up money for spur-of-the-moment projects. Which is why we provide so many resources for our community to find through our website at www.augustaarts.com/resources. Plus, we are always here to lend a guiding hand if you have questions or need feedback. 99% of our projects are approved WAY in advance (we do have a board of directors to report to). So, if you have something for 2026/27 … That 1-2 year window is something we like. It helps us to find additional funding and plan our year out so we have time to work with you. We do our best personally, but remember, the office is only 4 people.
If you want to get more involved in what the Arts Council is doing, consider volunteering in our office or at an event, donating or joining as a member. We are always seeking awesome folks to work with to make Augusta an ARTS destination. You can always email me at [email protected] or our Executive Director, Denise at [email protected] with any questions.
Well that’s the word,
Thanks! Now go make your New Year’s artsy.
-Heather