CAA, Smithy Agree On United Management

Wright, Raddatz New Board’s Leadership

Edition of: June 6, 2014

By JIM KEVLIN

Cooperstown’s two premier arts organizations – the Smithy Pioneer Gallery and Cooperstown Art Association – have announced the formation of an alliance “for the purpose of enhancing the experience of the arts” locally.
According to the announcement, the two entities’ boards on Friday, May 30, voted to create a “corporate union” with a single board and executive director, but the Smithy and CAA would remain separate non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations with “independent art screening processes.”

That arrangement, which was put together with the guidance of NYCON (the New York Council of Nonprofits), is similar to that of The Farmers’ and Fenimore Art museums, according to Cheryl Wright, longtime CAA board president who will serve as president of the new organization, which has not yet been named.
Each campus – the Smithy in Cooperstown’s oldest building, 55 Pioneer St., and the CAA in Village Hall, 22 Main – will continue to be maintained, and each will have “independent art screening processes for each campuses.”
“The combination of administrative duties will allow for a more effective organizational economy by consolidating mailing lists, fundraising ventures and marketing,” the announcement said. “The supervision of the two organizations under a single executive director will unite them by creating and overseeing programming, event and exhibition calendars for both campuses.
“This opportunity will ensure artistic diversity by reducing duplication, while also retaining ad promotion the personality and integrity of both the Smithy and the CAA.”
The boards are already working on enhanced art classes for children and expanding fine arts and pottery programs.
Don Raddatz, vice president of the Smithy board, will serve in that capacity on the new board. Henry F. Weil, a Cooper descendant and president of the Smithy board, will serve as a board member.
Janet Erway, CAA executive director, will continue in that capacity with the new entity. The Smithy’s executive director position has been vacant since the resignation of Danielle Newell in the spring, although Kristin Bergen has been serving on an interim basis.
“Janet and the board of this new organization look forward to a vibrant, positive conversation with artists and the art enthusiasts in the area,” according to the announcement. “It is a perfect time to express your ideas, hopes and dreams for arts in our community.”
She welcomed volunteers to step forward and call Erway at 547-9777.
The decision to create the new umbrella organization followed two focus groups convened in March and April by Weil and Wright at the CAA annex on Pioneer Street.