Empty Space Declares Bankruptcy
Almost exactly two years ago, I started this blog on The Shunpike's website because, as I wrote at the time,
2004 has been an intense year for Seattle's theater community. From the crisis at ACT, to the death of the Fringe festival, to the suspension of activity at Empty Space, it's been a lot to deal with. I see signs of a dramatic shift in Seattle's theater scene, and I wanted to be able to document it.
And today, after several cash- and location-transfusions, the Empty Space died on the operating table. Why? The Board president says there were too few board members:
[Board President] Blachford noted that serving as a non-profit arts organization board member is mostly a matter of "passion for the art. ... Our board was down to eight members. That is just not enough for a non-profit the size of the Empty Space."
I'm sure it was a hard decision. Nonetheless, I think he misses the mark when he says that being a board member is mostly about a "passion for the art." Sure, that's there. But you also have to have a passion for your community. Nonprofits serve communities. Good ones should have no trouble recruiting board members because they have very supportive communities behind them.
I guess what I'm saying is that if board recruitment is your problem, then you don't have a problem. The real problem is a lack of community support. And that, despite good ticket sales this season, seems to be Empty Space's real problem. After rallying their last community of Fremont to pony up $400 grand to save the theater, they closed up shop and left the 'hood. Not exactly the way to develop a strong community!
I should add, of course, that nonprofit theaters who want to avoid such a fate should sign up for our Sustainable Organizations program, which focuses on recruiting and developing board members.