Arts committee eyes a change in status

The Arts Review Committee may cease to become a township board so that it may accept donations and hold fundraisers.

By: Josh Appelbaum
   The Arts Review Committee may cease to be a township board so it can fundraise and bring new programs to the Gourgaud Gallery.
   As a township board, the group cannot accept donations from individuals or hold fundraisers. According to committee co-Chairwoman Lisa Walsh, the Arts Review Committee is seeking to incorporate as a nonprofit, tax exempt group and lease the Gourgaud Gallery from the township.
   Committeewoman Pari Stave, the Township Committee liaison to the Arts Review Committee, said the township is looking to lease the space to the group for a nominal fee and possibly give the group "seed money" to get started. The group would become a subcommittee of the Cranbury Arts Council, according to council President Sue Leson.
   Ms. Stave said the township attorney is drawing up a legal agreement between the township and the Arts Review Committee detailing the terms of the lease. She said the lease would be modeled on the agreement the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society has to lease the Gristmiller’s House at 6 S. Main St.
   Ms. Walsh said the township and the Arts Review Committee sought to change their relationship because it left the township open to legal action if someone found the content of any of the art or programs hosted at the gallery offensive.
   "This way, the township won’t be held responsible." Ms. Walsh said. "But we will ensure that nothing is inappropriate."
   Ms. Walsh also held out the possibility that the Arts Review Committee will change its name to be more closely associated with the Gourgaud Gallery.
   She said the newly formed group would expand its programming to include musical performances, film screenings and a more diverse body of artwork.
   Because the membership of the Arts Review Committee and the Cranbury Arts Council overlaps, Ms. Leson said both groups will benefit from the change.
   "I think it will help as far as membership and program attendance," Ms. Leson said. "I think the groups will revitalize each other."
   Ms. Walsh also said that the volunteer pool for both groups will be greater thanks to the cooperation and said the Cranbury Arts Council has a lot to offer her group.
   "It will be very helpful to be under the umbrella of the arts council, because they’re already nonprofit," Ms. Walsh said. "I think we’ll be able to work together and they will help us seek funding. We can also review art and bounce ideas off each other."
   Ms. Leson said she is pleased to see the township take such a pro-active role in helping the Arts Review Committee become a nonprofit.
   "To have the township be so active in this process is delightful and very heartening," Ms. Leson said.
   At Monday’s Township Committee meeting Ms. Stave said the township would retain the Gourgaud Gallery space as a meeting place during business hours and the Arts Review Committee would use the space for its needs after hours and on weekends.