HOLYOKE — Nonprofit arts education organization Enchanted Circle has announced plans for a strategic pause, effective July 1, as part of a border initiative to strengthen the organization’s operational strategies to better serve the community in the long term, amidst financial insecurity.
Enchanted Circle bridges the arts, culturally responsive education and social emotional wellbeing and are dedicated to centering diverse and marginalized voices and building equitable and inclusive learning spaces.
The pause is expected to last for about a year, during which time the organization will retain its 501c3 status and the Board of Directors will develop new business and financial models.
Enchanted Circle Board President Mel Redwin told Reminder Publishing the financial challenges posed by the end of COVID-19-related aid have prompted the necessary pause.
“While emergency relief funding enabled us to sustain our activities through unprecedented times, the non-renewal of these funds has created a significant shortfall in our budget,” Redwin explained. “Enchanted Circle is not alone in our struggle. We are a local example of a national crisis. Peer institutions in the community arts education ecosystem, such as the University of the Arts, have announced closures in the wake of unprecedented challenges and financial strain. We are pausing operations while we can, as an attempt to avoid closure in the future.”
Redwin added the time off will allow the board to develop robust business and financial models to sustain operations moving forward. She said she was thankful to the Mass Cultural Council and the Community Foundation of Western Mass. for helping create COVID-19-specific funding opportunities working out of the coronavirus pandemic.
During the time off, Enchanted Circle still plans to engage the community thought discussions with Holyoke youth, families, educators, artists and community partners.
“Our goal is to align our future operations with the needs and values of our community, ensuring that we continue to make a meaningful impact,” said Iohann Rashi Vega, vice president of the board.
The organization will continue to support the community by facilitating connections between local partners and a roster of teaching artists available as independent contractors. Additionally, the board will use this pause to plan for the recruitment and hiring of a new Executive Director to lead the organization starting in summer 2025.
“In addition to the financial and business strategy work, we’re going to be engaging with our community with some listening sessions, interviews and collecting thoughts around how we approach our mission. We want to make sure that how we do our arts education work is extremely relevant to our home community in Holyoke,” Redwin said. “We’re going to be engaging with our [local] partners and experts in the field to make sure that the way that we apply how we bridge the arts, culturally responsive education and social emotional well being is appropriate for this exact spot.”
During this transition, Enchanted Circle welcomes the continued support and feedback from donors and community members. Financial contributions during this period will be crucial for funding the strategic planning process, facilitating community listening sessions, financial planning and the hiring of a new executive director.
Enchanted Circle will provide updates throughout this period. Community members are encouraged to engage, provide input and stay informed through regular communications via email and the organizations website. For more information or to make a donation, visit enchantedcirclearts.org.
Redwin hopes the proactive nature of the pause pays off as they prepare for the next year of reorganizing and coming out in a stronger place.
“We aim to build a stronger foundation to be able to build capacity,” Redwin added.
