Last week I received the following email blast from the
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. They need financial support. When you think of how much so many artists have depended on their annual income from one or another of the Ann Arbor art fairs, they have to be grateful to this event that started it all. Not only do the artists have much to be thankful for, but the art fair patrons who have flocked by the millions to Ann Arbor for the past 50 years for this vibrant rite of summer are also indebted for the enrichment and pleasure the fair has brought them. I am asking each and every one of you to heed this call from the Street Art Fair and show your thanks and your support to keep it going. I know you will.
$50 for 50th Campaign The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original Needs Your Support!For 50 years, The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair has been connecting a carefully selected group of artists with an appreciative audience from Ann Arbor and across the country. During this half century, the Fair has won many awards, been a national leader in operational and program development, provided substantial economic benefit to the local business community, and often been recognized as the brand of Ann Arbor.
How Much Does it Cost to Put on This Free Event? While most events of this caliber are run on budgets well exceeding one million dollars, The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair has managed to grow and flourish with
an annual budget of just $350,000. As a non-profit organization, the Fair has relied on artist fees, souvenir sales and national corporate support to meet these budgetary requirements and operate as a
free public event.
Why We Need Your Support Due to a combination of factors (poor economic conditions, reduction of revenue producing space due to construction, and general corporate pull out from the state of Michigan) the income generated from these key sources is no longer expected to cover the Fair’s annual production costs. Individual contributions could help offset the expected $65,000 shortfall facing the Original Fair. Donations will go directly to supporting our world class programs, including projects like the Zero Waste Initiative, the New Art New Artists series, the Art Zone/Imagination Station’s free art activities, art demonstrations, and the Townie Street Party.
How YOU Can Help Become a supporter of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair today! We’re asking for a
“Fifty for Fifty” commitment: $50 to celebrate our 50th Anniversary. But don’t worry if that’s not in your budget this year – your gift will be appreciated no matter what the size. If each of our 500,000 visitors donated even $5, we would have enough to run the fair for over seven years! You can
donate online by visiting our website, or you can send a check to our office at: Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original P.O. Box 1352 Ann Arbor, MI48106 Thank you for considering a donation to the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. If you have any questions, please contact us by email (
kdelhey@artfair.org) or phone: (734) 994-5260. The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original is a 501c(3) non-profit corporation.Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
A Few Reasons to Donate Today: **More than
$78 million is spent locally in Ann Arbor hotels, stores, and restaurants by the estimated
500,000 patrons who visit during fair week ** The
Townie Street Party, a special free kick-off event for the community to celebrate the Art Fairs, is hosted annually by the Street Art Fair on Ingalls Mall and North University
**The Kid’s Art Fair gives young artists the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work and the
New Artist Program allows University level artists to experience what it’s like to participate in the Street Art Fair. **The Street Art Fair’s
Zero Waste Program was initiated two years ago with a goal of minimal environmental impact. This program was one of three invited to present at the MFEA Conference this year.
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