Mission, Vision, Goals, and Core Values
The Cascio Clay Center will soon be up and running under the excellent guidance of Director Stephanie Zeiler and Assistant Director Kristen Tull! (Yay!) Stay tuned for more information. Like so many nonprofits, KIFA is affected by recent changes in the availability of grants and donations. A majority of the money we rely on is no longer available. As a result, we proactively plan to close KIFA for three months this coming winter, December, January, and February to save on the costs of running the house. THE CLAY CENTER WILL REMAIN OPEN.
Lastly, for the first time in many years, renewal fees are going up. At current rates, a senior membership comes to just $2.91 per month; an individual membership is just $3.33 a month. However, the cost of running the house is about $1,850 per month. Your continued membership and understanding of the need for this increase is very much appreciated. The Executive Director and the Board take the stewardship of the house and the continuation of our mission very seriously.
MISSION: KIFA is to enhance the cultural and artistic climate of Queen Anne’s County through diverse programming in arts education and arts exhibits, and by encouraging participation in and promotion of the visual arts, performing arts, and literary arts. We will provide equitable access to our people including Special Needs folks, Seniors, Veterans, and minority members of our community. Our aim is to assist in developing artistic skills through education and exhibits, and to improve the quality of life for all people in our community through the arts.
VISION: To increase our organization's presence in the Queen Anne's County community as an active "hub" and expand our contributions to our artistic community through improved opportunities for artists, art students, and those who simply love art. Along with other county arts organizations, the
ABOUT US
Message from the Executive Director
About KIFA
Kent Island Federation of Arts envisions a community where the arts play an essential role and people are transformed by the power of art and artistic expression.
GOALS:
- Improve and expand educational opportunities in a diverse population of youth and adults, with distinct attention to Special Needs people, Seniors, Veterans, and Minority children.
- Expand scholarship fundraising efforts and budget allocations via grants and local donations to include more scholarships for high school students going to college and summer camp youth.
- Generate new membership to include diverse demographics by targeting events and classes. Engage with community leaders, artists, and organizations from less represented areas or communities to better understand and respond to their needs.
- Train new people for grant writing to increase the number of KIFA grant writers. Apply for new grants. Strengthen efforts to increase diversity through existing grants programs.
- Share information on a regular basis with Historic Stevensville Arts & Entertainment district, Kent Island Heritage Society, the QAC Chamber of Commerce, ART EAST, CBEC, The QAC Historical Society, and the Queen Anne’s County Arts Council for strong community partnerships and expansion of opportunities for the people of Queen Anne’s County and surrounding environs. Reinforce contact with organizations to enable sharing of information.
CORE VALUES
- We believe in providing arts education to a diverse population of youth and adults, believe in being a good steward in our community, and believe in continuing to grow our youth and adult membership.
- We value our local artists and wish to provide gallery space for their exhibits. We value our volunteers, members, docents and people in our community.
- We believe in working together with community organizations and partners in pursuit of mutual goals for the arts.
Explanation of Bequests and other Finances
Fortunately, two bequests came our way in 2022. First, the Lynne Riley-Coleman bequest for $200,000 which is restricted for repair and maintenance of the house located at 405 Main Street in Stevensville. The Lynne Riley-Coleman funds can be used for replacement windows, roof repairs and replacement, oil burner replacement, Mitsubishi heat/AC units, a new well, electrical and plumbing upgrades, dead tree removal, and only house related expenses.
These restricted Riley-Coleman funds cannot be used for costs directly related to KIFA’s daily operations. Operating expenses are paid with grants, donations, and fundraising.
Operating costs for the house include:
- Insurance
- Phone
- Internet
- Heat/AC
- Electric/Oil
- Lawn service
- Snow removal
- Trash removal
The second bequest was received from the Carole Cascio estate in the amount of $250,000 and restricted for a clay center for the community.
The Cascio funds can be used for both building and operating costs at the Cascio Clay Center. Operating costs: The plan is that operating costs for the Cascio Clay Center will be covered through individual donations, tuition income, and earnings from investment funds.
Kent Island Federation of Arts, or KIFA, was founded in 1963 as a small non-profit community organization, built on making the arts accessible to Kent Island and the surrounding environs.
KIFA’s story began in the 1960s when a number of artist residents, realizing that there was no place locally where artistic work could be exhibited, formed a group to meet and mount annual shows of their work. The first show was in 1962, and by 1972, as a result of the enthusiasm of the original group, the Kent Island Association was formed. In 1979, The Association was officially incorporated as the KENT ISLAND FEDERATION of ARTS (KIFA). With 93 members, KIFA opened its first art gallery on Kent Island in an old house across the street from Christ Episcopal Church in Stevensville.
Exhibit space was limited to two rooms, so in 1983 the gallery was moved to its present location at 405 Main St., in Stevensville. In 1985, KIFA purchased the lovely Victorian style house and became a landmark in Historic Stevensville. By 1995, with 140 members, and the mortgage paid, KIFA was mounting eleven art exhibits a year with emphasis on art education and service to Queen Anne's County. With a membership today of over 200 artists, artisans, craftspersons, and others who love and support the visual arts, KIFA continues to be a staple of the artistic and historic community.
KIFA’s main mission is to provide an opportunity for people of all ages to better appreciate the visual arts and to develop their own creative and artistic skills. We host exhibits as well as hold classes, member events, fun fundraisers, and summer art camps for children. We pride ourselves on friendliness and inclusiveness.
We operate with the support of volunteers and especially with the help of our Docents who keep the doors open! KIFA also has a newly expanded gift shop featuring beautiful handmade items by our local artists.
All KIFA events are open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to come and find out what we’re all about. For more information contact KIFA at 410-643-7424 or email us at info@kifa.us
- Water & Sewage
- Pest Control
- Office supplies
- Website/KIFA NEWS
- Bookkeeping
- Tax accountant
- Other Admin Costs
Message from the Executive Board:
Leading KIFA Forward
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