FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5 2013
MEDIA CONTACT: Paula Danoff, [email protected]
(847) 475-5300, ext.206
In Response to the City of Evanston Human Services Committee Meeting of November 4, 2013
The mission of the Evanston Art Center (EAC) is to foster the appreciation and expression of the arts among diverse audiences. In order to fulfill our mission, one that has vibrantly served thousands in this community for more than eighty years, we initiate and engage in strategic partnerships that include other nonprofit arts groups, social service agencies, local businesses, universities, public schools, and the City of Evanston.
At last night’s Human Services Committee meeting, as promised, we provided an update on the progress we’ve made over the last thirty days toward identifying necessary building improvements with City officials. Our update addressed upgrades already incorporated in to the ceramics area, which were suggested by Captain Novak of the Evanston Fire Department, and contracting with IFF Real Estate, LLC – one of the country’s largest nonprofit community development and financial institutions - to assist us in our ongoing investigation of the facility and our options to finance any improvements deemed necessary.
We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our partners at the City of Evanston as we investigate the feasibility of our potential continued tenancy of 2603 Sheridan Road and adjacent Coach House. We are willing to make building improvements deemed necessary by mutual consensus between the City and EAC. We will make another update at the December 2 Human Services Committee and report back again at the committee’s January meeting.
We are, however, deeply concerned about damaging and objectionable remarks voiced recently and publicly about safety issues in the facility at 2603 Sheridan Road and we reiterate the fact that the facility is safe for public art classes in all departments. Are there improvements to be made? Yes. Are we willing to invest in correcting any deficiencies deemed mutually necessary by the City of Evanston and EAC? Yes. Moreover, throughout the process that lies ahead of us, we will conduct ourselves in a professional manner and expect that all those involved will conduct themselves similarly.