Rochester Art Center Scrambling for Cash?
The future of the Rochester Art Center is in jeopardy.
A new report from MPR titled, Rochester Art Center in deep financial trouble, says that a decline in contributions, corporate sponsorship and memberships have created "substantial doubt" about the operation's ability to continue.
Construction at the Mayo Civic is being blamed for a decline in visitors. City Council President Randy Staver agrees that work could have impacted attendance but wants to know more about their financial situation.
Rochester Mayor, Ardell Brede, talked about the situation on KROC-AM this morning. He said he’s “not surprised” at the news. Our sister station also reported that: City Administrator Steve Kvenvold met yesterday with the Art Center leadership, which briefed him on the situation. Kvenvold says he was told the center is planning to restructure its operations and at this point, is not seeking extra money from the city.
The city has given the Art Center more than a million dollars since 2011.