Looking back at 2024, FYACS had another eventful year, our fifth year of building creative community, and we’re excited to share our latest annual report with you for a peek into what we achieved.
Some Highlights from the Year
- FYACS hosted more than 250 classes, workshops, and special events, including three Live from the Living Room concerts, seven Teen Coffeehouses, and eight Gallery exhibitions.
- We built a new patio, with extensive community support, as an outdoor extension of FYACS’ performance and class spaces.
- We celebrated our first cohort of high school emerging artists in the Create Your Opportunity (CYO) program, and welcomed a new cohort of five high school students for mentorship.
- Our Arts for All program supported 61 individuals and families with over $9,500 in tuition and adaptive assistance.
- There were 37 artists and writers in residence at FYACS, who shared their works in open studio tours, gallery sales, and Writers Studio events.
- FYACS responded to our community’s feedback and introduced a new registration system, more live performances, and new workshops and classes.
Strong Community Support
Last year, FYACS was the grateful recipient of contributions from over 250 individuals, families, businesses, and foundation supporters. Every patio brick, Chalk Walk square, grant, and donation supports FYACS’ work in the community, our stewardship of The Big Yellow House, and our ability to adapt our offerings to meet the community’s needs. With less than two thirds of our costs covered by program fees, this support is integral to our ability to provide the quality instruction and events we are proud to offer.
Our Plans for 2025
We have a lot to look forward to in the next five years. The FYACS Board of Directors is revisiting the organization’s strategic plan this year, taking into account everything we have learned as we plan our next stage as an established independent nonprofit arts center.
Perhaps our biggest news is that we are working diligently toward purchasing the Big Yellow House as Follow Your Art’s permanent home within the next 18 months. We have been applying for grants and are regularly putting aside funds toward the acquisition, but we need the community’s support to reach our goal. Learn more about the capital campaign and how you can be involved.
In other exciting news, our lower level is back under construction this winter after we started our extensive renovations last year. We are expanding our ceramics studio to meet demand for pottery classes, particularly for adults wanting advanced instruction on the pottery wheel.
We will share updates on our building acquisition and ceramics studio plans in the near future – be sure you’re signed up for our weekly newsletter and follow us on social media so you don’t miss anything!
For more details about our impact and how you can get involved, visit fyamelrose.org/our-impact.