Making Art Accessible to All

School of Service - Access Arts is a teaching program offering quality experiences in the arts with accessibility to people of all ages, origin, background, to the abled and to those with disability, to the disadvantaged as well as the privileged.  Its focus is to elevate all people to a higher level of creativity in which art becomes a threshold to life.

Beneift to our Community and its Children

  • 200 annual classes scheduled weekly throughout the year in pottery, weaving, writing, drawing, sculpture, music, photography and mixed media
  • Classes include those of all ages, financial circumstance, ability/disability and ethnic background
  • Scholarships or fee waivers for those unable attend classes without financial assistance (about 400 annually in value
    of $14,000-$17,000)
  • The place to bring humanity to life in children and adults.  The means is expression; one way is art.  Art is an important way and very positive step for human growth.

Announcement

We regret to announce that Chris Sharp will no longer serve as Executive Director of School of Service - Access Arts.  The Access Arts family is grateful for Chris' years of service and his dedication to our mission.  He was instrumental in the success of the transition when Naoma Powell retired.  We will now face another period of transition and we are confident that our organization will move forward and prosper with the help of the Access Arts family.

We will keep you apprised of any developments through this web site.  The Board welcomes your comments and suggestions for our future.

Sincerely,
School of Service - Access Arts
Board of Directors

Board of Directors

The current Board of Directors are:
  • President - Dennis Wright (term expires October 2013)
  • Vice President - Carrie Watkins (term exp. August 2013)
  • Secretary - Margaret Walter (term expires March 2012)
  • Treasurer - Jeremiah Turner (term exp. November 2012)
  • Director - Andrea Heiss (term expires February 2012)
Honorary Board Member:
  • Naoma Powell

Board Minutes - click to display:

ACCESS ARTS BOARD of DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
5:30 p.m., Aug. 9, 2011, Community Room, Access Arts

Present:  Dennis Wright, Carrie Watkins, Amy Cox, Andrea Heiss and Maggie Walter.  Also attending Chris Sharp, executive director.  Not present:  Jeremiah Turner.

Carrie Watkins made a motion and Andrea Heiss seconded it to accept the minutes of the March meeting.  The minutes were approved.

The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27.  Heiss made a motion and Watkins seconded it to change the regular meeting night to the fourth Tuesday of the month.

Director's report

Chris Sharp gave the director's report.  Amy Cox made a motion and Carrie Watkins seconded it to accept the director's report.  It was unanimously approved.

Other business

The board directed Maggie Walter, the secretary, to write a letter to Jeremiah Turner to ascertain his intentions to remain or to resign as a board member.

Sharp recommended Mike Vangel as a possible new board member.  The board asked to see a resume and that he be invited to the September board meeting.

Walter reported talking to Jill Dudley of Sylvan Learning as a possible board member.  She's interested in being involved but a bit too busy with work right now.  She asked to be contacted later in the year.

The official logo for Access Arts was discussed, with a preference for the child in the bubbles image.  It was unclear if the distinction would hold in a smaller format such as mailing labels.  It was agreed to favor it for now, with a request for a smaller image to be presented to the board.

The board revisited its June decision to discontinue the Independent Studio policy.  After considerable discussion, Wright agreed to meet with students and staff to try to work out an agreement on the issue.

Walter made the motion to adjourn.  It was seconded by Heiss and approved by all.

Respectfully submitted,
Maggie Walter
Secretary, Access Arts Board of Directors

ACCESS ARTS BOARD of DIRECTORS’ MEETING
5:30 p.m., Sept. 27, 2011, Community Room, Access Arts

Present:  Dennis Wright, Carrie Watkins and Maggie Walter.  Also attending Chris Sharp, executive director.  Not present: Amy Cox and Andrea Heiss.

Carrie Watkins made a motion and Dennis Wright seconded it to accept the minutes of the August meeting.  The minutes were approved.

The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 25.

Director’s report

Chris Sharp gave the director’s report.  Maggie Walter made a motion and Wright seconded it to accept the director’s report.  It was unanimously approved.

Other business

Walter made the motion to adjourn.  It was seconded by Watkins and approved by all.

Respectfully submitted,
Maggie Walter
Secretary, Access Arts Board of Directors

ACCESS ARTS BOARD of DIRECTORS’ MEETING
5:30 p.m., Oct. 25, 2011, Community Room, Access Arts

Present:  Dennis Wright, Andrea Heiss and Maggie Walter.  Also attending Chris Sharp, executive director.  Not present:  Amy Cox and Carrie Watkins.

Andrea Heiss made a motion and Dennis Wright seconded it to accept the minutes of the September meeting.  The minutes were approved.

The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 29 (one week later than usual to accommodate Thanksgiving Week).

New business

It was decided to ask Philip Grisham for a resume and statement of interest to join the board of directors and to invite him to the next meeting.

A motion was made by Dennis Wright and seconded by Maggie Walter to officially adopt the child in the bubbles as the logo for Access Arts.  It was unanimously approved.

A new Independent Pottery Studio policy as proposed by Wright was approved.  Walter made the motion, and Wright seconded it.  Approval was unanimous.  It will begin Jan. 9, 2012, and is to be reviewed in six months.

Director’s report

Chris Sharp gave the director’s report.  Andrea Heiss made a motion to approve and Wright seconded it.

The 40th anniversary celebration netted about $6,400 after expenses.

Other business

Walter made the motion to adjourn.  It was approved by all.

Respectfully submitted,
Maggie Walter
Secretary, Access Arts Board of Directors

ACCESS ARTS BOARD of DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
5:30 p.m., Nov. 27, 2011, Community Room, Access Arts

Present:  Dennis Wright, Carrie Watkins and Maggie Walter.  Also attending Chris Sharp, executive director.  Not present:  Amy Cox and Andrea Heiss.

Carrie Watkins made a motion and Maggie Walter seconded it to accept the minutes of the October meeting.  The minutes were approved.

The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 27, at the Access Arts Community Room.

New business

Philip Grisham, a prospective new board member, attended the meeting and was introduced to the board.  He is a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute with a major in printmaking.  He was asked for a resume.  After review, it was decided to have an online vote by the board to decide on board membership.

It also was decided to invite one of the artists in residence to become a representative to the board.  The artists will select their delegate.  Dennis Wright made the motion and Walter seconded it.  It was unanimously approved.

There will be a meeting to review the reception and gala celebration at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, in the Access Arts Community Room.  Chris Sharp will prepare a financial breakdown of costs and income for the events.

The annual appreciation dinner will be on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012.  Sharp said he would ask Emily Nickel to coordinate the event.  Walter said she would supply Nickel with the planning materials from the 2011 event.

Watkins made a motion to accept the director’s financial report for October, and Walter seconded the motion.  Income was $10, 043.63 and expenses were $11,064.13 for a net loss of $1,020.50.  Of the current business reserve, $35,175.52 is in use, with $14,824.48 available.

There was considerable discussion about activities and costs.  Plans call for more workshops and to coordinate them with school holidays, emphasizing Friends of Access Arts membership, and continuing to monitor costs versus income.

A class in the MU School of Business will be evaluating Access Arts finances and offering suggestions.  Wright is also arranging for an MU communications capstone class to prepare a branding plan for Access Arts.

There are also plans to retrofit the light fixtures in the three buildings for an additional savings on utility costs.  Sharp was directed to look for a donor for the needed materials.  The city also has been monitoring the costs of running the kilns.  An anticipated savings of 40 percent on the electric bill is projected.

Access Arts received a donation of four screen presses.

Mary Potzmann previously offered a mangle for Access Arts.  Sharp was going to check on it.

There was discussion of upcoming fundraising events, including the annual Benefit Sale on Dec. 11 and 18.

A speaker from Community Foundation of Central Missouri, created by John Baker, will be invited to the December meeting.  The organization coordinates donations and could possibility help to establish an endowment for Access Arts.  The organization charges a fee for its services.

Walter made the motion to adjourn and Watkins seconded it.

Respectfully submitted,
Maggie Walter
Secretary, Access Arts Board of Directors

ACCESS ARTS BOARD of DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
5:30 p.m., Jan. 24, 2012, Community Room, Access Arts

Present:  Dennis Wright, Carrie Watkins, Andrea Heiss and Maggie Walter.  Also attending Chris Sharp, executive director; guest, Mike Sleadd, Columbia College art professor

Carrie Watkins made a motion and Maggie Walter seconded it to accept the minutes of the November meeting.&nbps; The minutes were approved.

The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the Access Arts Community Room.

New business

Mike Sleadd, a prospective new board member, attended the meeting and was introduced to the board.  He is an art professor and chair of the art department at Columbia College.  He is a previous member of the board of directors.  After review, Walter made a motion to accept Sleadd as a new member of the board.  Andrea Heiss second the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

Additional candidates will be invited to the February meeting for consideration.

It was decided by acclamation to create a teaching staff representative position on the board.  It will be a one-year, non-voting position.  Additional details are to be determined.  In addition, the artists in residence have a non-voting representative on the board.

Steven Baxter, an artist in residence, is now living in the McAlester Street house.  He pays $250 a month rent, and he also is the custodian and on-site manager.

Walter made a motion to accept the director’s report for November and December, and Dennis Wright seconded the motion.

The electric utility costs should decrease significantly as a result of a monitoring program established for the kilns.  Efforts are being made to recoup some of the previous overbilling from the city.  The amount is estimated at about $400 per month over at least three years.

There was considerable discussion about activities and costs.  Plans call for more workshops, especially in the summer

Revenues from class enrollment have dropped from $54,018 in 2010 to $37,122 in 2011.  Current business reserve is at $9,432.

A class in the MU School of Business will begin evaluating Access Arts finances, starting in early February.

Foundation repairs to the McAlester Street building were completed at no cost to Access Arts.

Jobs previously performed by Jean Peacock, who retired at the end of December, will be split among the artists in residence.

The new policy for adult pottery classes is now in effect.  Students will receive a set amount of kiln space as part of their class fees.  Additional space will be assessed at $0.015 per unit.

Watkins made the motion to adjourn, and Heiss seconded it.

Respectfully submitted,
Maggie Walter
Secretary, Access Arts Board of Directors

ACCESS ARTS BOARD of DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
5:30 p.m., Feb. 28, 2012, Community Room, Access Arts

Present:  Dennis Wright, Carrie Watkins and Maggie Walter.  Also attending Chris Sharp, executive director; not present:  Mike Sleadd

Carrie Watkins made a motion and Denise Wright seconded it to accept the minutes of the January meeting as amended.  The minutes were approved.

The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 27, in the Access Arts Community Room.

New business

Lisa Bartlett and Brooke Cameron were unanimously accepted as new board of directors members.  The motion was made by Maggie Walter and seconded by Wright.

The resignation of Jeremiah Turner from the board of directors was accepted.  The motion was made by Wright and seconded by Walter.

An amendment was approved by acclamation to create a board of directors position for a teaching staff member or artists-in-residence participant.

There was some discussion of recruiting additional board members.

Director’s report

Grant applications have been submitted to MAC, Veterans United, VWMT, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club, totaling $20,000.

Communications Department students at MU are researching potential business partners, low-cost media resources, marketing demographics and FCC requirements for public service announcements.

MU grant writing students on working on grant applications for new computers for the lab and start-up funds for the clay/pottery supply business.  They are also working on plans to covert the garage to storage space.

Planning is under way for Summer Camp classes.  Plans call for 8 weeks of camp from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Meetings with Gary Kespohl, City Council member, were not successful in obtaining a refund from the city for higher electric rates over a four-year period.

Class evaluations are being distributed to students to gain feedback on programs.

Walter made a motion to accept the director’s report for February.  The motion was seconded by Watkins and unanimously approved.

Old business

Watkins and Wright agreed to review the Friends of Access Arts project, with the intention of revamping and revising it as a fund-raising opportunity.

Wright made a motion to adjourn, and Walter seconded it

Respectfully submitted,
Maggie Walter
Secretary, Access Arts Board of Directors

ABOUT US

School of Service is a non-profit, 501-C-3 charitable educational organization, incorporated in August, 1971, by its founder, Columbia architect Hurst John, with tax-exempt status granted in 1973.  Hurst John died in early February 1979.  Following program "blueprints" designed by her architect father for a school recognizing abilities of the disabled, Susan Newstead continued her father’s plans for School of Service, and on February 26, 1979, Naoma Powell officially joined the Board of Directors and became the Director of the program, a position she retained for the next quarter century.

Open to all ages, accessible to a range of abilities, disabilities and economic circumstance, Access Arts is a place for learning centered on the arts and dedicated in service to people.  Staff qualifications, program, professional equipment and facilities, an open studio policy for students beyond classroom experience, seminars with recognized artists:  each indicates concern for all people to experience artistic expression and quality.  Community outreach through teaching and demonstrations in the arts for public schools and home schoolers, for churches and civic groups, for agencies dedicated to the disabled and disadvantaged extends community benefits.  Broad area financial support shows the reciprocal and collaborative aspect of community involvement in Access Arts programs.

Access Arts continues to offer classes to groups of all ages, children through seniors.  Annual enrollment records show primarily a continuing and consistent growth pattern.  From 28 total registrations in its first year, its annual enrollment has grown to exceed 2,000.  The program serves a high percentage of disadvantaged populations (66% low income) and offers assisted classes for those with disability (requiring higher costs for implementation).  Since poverty is income disability, generous fee waivers and scholarships serve the financially challenged and all high-risk persons.  For all participants, the school offers recognition of the arts as a basic foundation necessary in human development.

Access Arts activities reach out beyond a 30-mile radius to diverse communities within and surrounding the Columbia area.  Eleven four-week units of regular classes are offered each year.  Studios are available for advanced students to work independently year-round, and workshops extend class instruction.  In addition to regular classes, home-schooled children expand their art experiences in our studios.  Special needs classes in pottery, writing, music, and weaving are scheduled for those with physical and/or mental disabilities with special assistance offered each participant.  Clients from Boone County Family Resources and Woodhaven Learning Center are among the regular special needs enrollees of Access Arts.  Access Arts outreach programs include lessons and demonstrations for schools, Scout troops, pre-school day care centers, school field trips from nearby counties, visiting foreign students, church, mosque and synagogue youth groups.  Demonstrations of weaving, spinning and wheel-thrown pottery are scheduled by request at schools and craft fairs.  From these early introductions, many continue active participation in the arts throughout their lives; all will gain an appreciation for the arts.

During its 40 years of growth, the School has changed from a limited, full-time, multi-function volunteer staff to a paid teaching staff averaging fifteen, a paid, full-time maintenance engineer, and a three-quarter-time, paid administrative/records staff.  Beginning July 2005, a matching grant from the National Endowment for the Arts has helped to fund a salaried director for the school, Christopher Sharp.  An active volunteer program supplements services the School offers its students and the community.  Access Arts facilities have developed from a basement-corner classroom to a three-building campus with classrooms well-designed for studio working space and equipped with highly professional tools and equipment to match or exceed the quality of any studio in the region.

The Missouri Arts Council, the City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs, and various foundations and civic organizations supplement program funding.  Of unusual significance is the 25% of total budget funding that comes from individual supporters, primarily in small donations, multiplied many times over by those who value the School.  Access Arts remains a school of service for all people.