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East Alabama Arts Association asks Opelika council for $75,000 to cover refunds and debts
Summary
Anna Cogswell, president of the East Alabama Arts Association, told the Opelika City Council on April 21 that the group needs $75,000 — $20,000 to refund patrons, $30,000 for artist refunds and about $25,000 for operating costs — to erase accumulated deficits and restart a scaled-down performance season.
Anna Cogswell, president of the East Alabama Arts Association, asked the Opelika City Council on April 21 for an amendment to the association’s existing contract with the city to provide $75,000 to cover debts and resume programming.
Cogswell said the nonprofit — which she said was founded 61 years ago and runs the long-standing Performance Series — had to cancel the last three shows of the spring season after operating “in arrears for several years.” “The total funding request tonight is for $75,000,” she told the council, and said the amount breaks down to roughly $20,000 for patron refunds, $30,000 for artist refunds and about $25,000 for other operating costs such as lights and technical fees.
Cogswell outlined steps the association plans to take if funded: a scaled-down four-show season with at least half of performances having educational elements in partnership with Opelika City Schools, a public feedback survey running through the summer, and efforts to display association-owned artwork in community spaces rather than in storage. She also described partnerships with Southern Union and outreach to broaden the board and community engagement.
A council member noted that, if approved, the money would be provided as an amendment to the association’s current contract for services with the city rather than as an unrestricted grant. Council members thanked Cogswell for the presentation and offered support; the transcript does not record a council vote approving the requested amendment at this meeting.
The association said its goal is to eliminate the deficit and “draw a line in the sand” so it can rebuild trust with patrons and sponsors and plan future programming. The council moved on to other agenda items after the presentation; no formal action on the funding request was recorded in the meeting minutes provided.
