The Chippewa Valley Post provides news of area nonprofit organizations in order to increase public awareness of their missions and activities, and to provide information that otherwise might not be made available.
Our “6 of Substance” series is part of this effort. It will present answers from nonprofit organizations, in their own words, to six questions we asked about who they are and what they do. The responses will be edited only for length, grammar and style concerns.
This series will be updated regularly to introduce Chippewa Valley residents to the many nonprofit organizations and people working to serve the needs of our area. If you have a favorite nonprofit organization that you’d like to see featured here, please let us know at cvpostwi@gmail.com.
Chippewa Valley Cultural Organization (Heyde Center)
Who do you serve?
The CVCA was formed in April of 1976; however, it took a long time to complete the restoration of our building, the former McDonnell Memorial High School. This historic building was constructed in 1907 by Alexander McDonell, a benevolent lumberman, in memory of his wife and children. It was closed in 1964 when a new high school was built on the other side of town. For years, the building was allowed to deteriorate. After a long process of fundraising and restoration, the Heyde Center was formally opened as a center for the arts in 2000.
How long have you been established in the Chippewa Valley?
The CVCA was formed in April of 1976; however, it took a long time to complete the restoration of our building, the former McDonnell Memorial High School. This historic building was constructed in 1907 by Alexander McDonell, a benevolent lumberman, in memory of his wife and children. It was closed in 1964 when a new high school was built on the other side of town. For years, the building was allowed to deteriorate. After a long process of fundraising and restoration, the Heyde Center was formally opened as a center for the arts in 2000.
What are the major issues you will be facing over the next 18 months?
- Promotion and Marketing
The Heyde Center has been bringing in high quality arts and cultural experiences and supporting excellent local performers and artists –and as our reputation builds, we see more and more new people coming and discovering the Center. However, the major issue, as for many organizations, is getting the word out about what is happening.
- Breaking People Out of their Comfort Zone
If we could get people to realize that live, human interaction is 100 times better than two dimensional digital formats, we would have much bigger audiences for everything that goes on in the Chippewa Valley – including sporting events, arts, culture and individual physical pursuits.
- Recognizing that Local Performers and Artists Have Value
The Heyde Center loves to showcase local performers, culinary artists, visual artists, writers, etc.; however, too often audiences won’t pay for tickets to local performers. Those tickets not only support the artists or performers, they also help venues cover their basic operating costs.
Aside from financial support, how can the Chippewa Valley Community support you?
Get out and see a show or an exhibit at the Heyde Center. Take an art or music class. Get involved in the community choir, a community theater production, a local artist group. Bring your family to experience a shared memory – dance with your parents or grandparents, watch a magic show with your kids or share a meal and a show with your friends.
Who are some of the key people in your organization?
Volunteers, artists, performers, supporters, audience members – everyone who has enjoyed a shared arts and/or cultural experience at the Heyde Center.
What is the most important thing about your organization that people should know, but don’t?
I don’t think that people understand the amazing breadth and variety of things that are happening at the Heyde Center all year around. Sometimes on the same day we can have a dance class on the first floor, a community theater rehearsal on the third floor and an artist organization group meeting on the second floor. Then the next day we could be hosting a wedding reception or a business conference.
— by Debra A. Johnson, Executive Director
If you would like more information about the Chippewa Valley Cultural Association, visit www.cvca.net.
To download a copy of the “6 of Substance” questionnaire, click here.
To see earlier “6 of Substance” listings, click here for the Archives.