Essex Art Center

CONTACT:

56 Island St.
Lawrence, MA 01840
978-685-2343
www.essexartcenter.com

Leslie Costello

DESCRIPTION:

Lawrence is a city plagued with chronic poverty and crime -- the poorest (per capita) city in Massachusetts, and 23rd poorest in the nation; school drop-out rate is 55%; teen pregnancy, though declining, is still a very serious problem; with respect to "quality of life," the city's youth generally face bleak prospects. The Essex Art Center was created in 1993 by three women who wished to bring the pleasures and values of art to the Lawrence Community, and especially to its children and youth. Opening in a storefront, they mounted their first gallery show and school vacation workshops in February 1994. Their annual growth rate since then has been 25%; in 1995 they incorporated, and moved a few blocks into a mill building -- light, airy and spacious -- ideal for art teaching and exhibition. Growth quickened; in 1997-1998 enrollment doubled. Managing growth in the benefit sector is often a challenge, because productivity and income tend to be loosely connected at best. Owing to the economic level of the Lawrence community, membership financial support (on which most arts organizations rely) is not there. EAC needs to find new sources of income; perhaps you can help.

(1999: CULTURE: Arts: Community)