When we opened The LAVA Center at the very end of January 2020, one of our first events included a talkback session. We asked what folks would like to see in a downtown arts center—because a key part of our vision is community involvement.
You, the community, said you wanted inclusivity and variety: a wide range of programs that would serve a wide range of people in the Pioneer Valley. We responded with book launches, open mics, and readings from community groups such as Voices from Inside and Human Error Publishing; participatory events and workshops from origami to disco dance, play readings to improv storytelling; gallery displays of the work of local artists. In our six weeks, we offered 17 events and featured the work of 6 local artists and arts organizations. We also hosted groups that produced their own programs, such as Silverthorne Theater.
And then came COVID-19.
We closed our doors to the public on March 13, and immediately began investing in equipment that will make the LAVA Center as safe as possible for our reopening: a sound system to permit greater social distancing, and a heavy-duty HEPA air purifier.
Just as we were building momentum, we lost some of our major source of funds: rentals and door donations at public events. Grants we’d applied for did not come through, as many foundations and funders are, understandably, refocusing on critical needs such as food and shelter. Yet we still need to pay to maintain the space.
We received only a small fraction (1/10) of our request for emergency SBA loan funds. Sadly, we are currently not eligible for any further federal, state, or local relief funds available to private businesses because we are too small, too new, and too nonprofit.
During the quarantine, we have branched out into online programming and outreach. We produced 3 online open mics; 2 improv storytelling sessions; monthly online book club meetings; and From a Distance: 2020 (corona)vision(s), a major short play fest from conception, playwriting, casting and rehearsal through production. These come with costs in personnel, too.
We are currently reopening slowly, following the strictest guidelines. Our occupancy limit will be cut to an estimated 20, with increased time and materials costs to maintain social distancing and frequent sanitation. We will continue online programming in addition to events in our physical space. We must remain poised, as well, to curtail public events again should there be a resurgence of the virus.
Your financial support is especially critical during this challenging time. You can help us most with a commitment to a recurring donation—this will help us through the transition of reopening our space and to secure our future.
Each monthly donation level is named for a type of lava:
- Ultramafic: $55/month
- Mafic: $40/month
- Andesitic: $25/month
- Felsic: $10/month
Thank you for your consideration in supporting LAVA in any way you can!
Ultramafic
$55/month
- Thank you on our website and in a plaque in the arts center.
- LAVA pen and t-shirt.
- Invitation to our patrons-only grand re-opening party, date TBD
- Free use of the Center for two private two-hour events per year.
Mafic
$40/month
- Thank you on our website and in a plaque in the arts center.
- LAVA pen and t-shirt.
- Invitation to our patrons-only grand re-opening party, date TBD.
- Free use of the Center for one private two-hour event per year.
Andesitic
$25/month
- Thank you on our website and in a plaque in the arts center.
- LAVA pen and t-shirt.
- Invitation to our patrons-only grand re-opening party, date TBD.
Felsic
$10/month
- Thank you on our website.
- LAVA pen.
- Invitation to our patrons-only grand re-opening party, date TBD.
