Last January, Elena Bachrach arrived at the Newburyport Art Association with a list of goals.
After one year at the helm, she's filled many of them and is adding more to the list.
Addressing the association members at their annual meeting last week, Bachrach spoke optimistically of the state of the group and discussed her plans for its future.
Taking the lead of the association, Bachrach, a West Newbury hoped to see the membership base grow. She sought to increase the amount of discussions and lectures at the gallery and to develop youth programs.
She's making lots of progress.
The membership is "staying steady" at 635, despite the state of the economy, Bachrach said. The goal is to reach 700 soon.
While certain programs that Bachrach hoped to implement didn't gain momentum, others did. She would like to continue to grow the number of interest groups offered by the NAA and open to the public, including sculpture and a "sketchbook club," similar to a book club.
"The expectation is that interest will grow with time, ongoing marketing and constant thinking about how to make such programs more varied and accessible," she told the members.
Some ideas will succeed, and others will not, she added. "As an association, the NAA needs to pride itself on remaining open to new possibilities or it will find itself stagnating over time."
Bachrach plans to continue to reach out to the community, the schools and business owners to explore "an interdisciplinary connection" between the arts and others, when "it makes sense," she said.
"I'm always thinking of new possibilities," Bachrach said.
Bachrach joined forces with high school creative writing teacher, Deb Szabo last fall. Her students visited the gallery and wrote a poem based on a piece they saw that inspired them.
Several of the students returned to read their final pieces aloud to the members last week. Bachrach said that she wants to see other disciplines explore similar initiatives. She would like to see a mentorship program form between members and students and the relaunching of a portfolio review workshop where members view students' works and offer advice.
She also envisions more lectures and seminars — such as by taking the defunct NAA On The Road field-trip program and revamping it into an in-house discussion group. An Art of Business marketing seminar began last year. A one-man play will be performed at the Art Association in March.
"I'd love to bring in music performances," Bachrach said.
Bachrach spearheaded a new networking program with the executive directors at other area art associations, where they meet monthly to exchange ideas and discuss collaboration on programs and services.
"We're only limited by our limited resources," she said.
The 2011 budget for the Art Association totaled $169,000, and preliminary figures showed a shortfall of $9,000. However, Bachrach said, an early gift from a donor and a containment of costs helped fill the hole.
With the weak economy, art purchases and memberships are considered discretionary — as is art education, which contributed to low enrollment figures, Bachrach said.
"Much work has been done in 2011 to lay the groundwork for better results in 2012," she added, including cultivating new donors and exploring the possibility of renting the facility for additional income. The Fund Development Committee is working on plans to create a new brick courtyard behind the association and will sell bricks for engraving to support the project.
Kelly Gray, president of the Board of Directors, said that Bachrach brings an energy and enthusiasm to her position that is contagious.
"She has been such a fabulous addition to the NAA," Gray said. "She's really been a great ambassador. I think Elena has been open, and open-minded, to trying new things to better support our community. We've been thrilled."
"For me, professionally, I feel very much alive here," Bachrach said. "I'm excited about the possibilities for all of us."
Ravi Spared Prison in Rutgers Webcam Case
Miss. Prison Quiet After Riot; 1 Dead
Obama Confident Afghans Can Take Security Lead
Raw Video: Deadly Bombing at Yemen Parade Preps
Professor: Chinese Activist's 'Spirit Is Good'
Ring of Fire Eclipse Seen in U.S., Asia
Golden Gate Bridge Celebrates 75 Years
G-8 Seeks Unity on Euro-debt Crisis, Iran
Prosecutors: Trio Planned to Attack Obama's HQ
Obama: G8 Unified in Stance on Iran, Syria
