On September 21st, 2011 at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center’s Annual Membership Meeting the Center unveiled a new report on the culmination of a three-year strategic plan that commenced after the new Executive Director, Zoot Velasco, was hired in mid 2007. Since that time the center has tripled its patrons, members, volunteers, programs, arts education, audience, outreach and almost doubled its budget. The Center is having its third consecutive record year since the plan was introduced, even in the face of losing $60,000 in city funding due to budget cuts and losing two major sponsors totaling $16,000. The center hit a record $834,000 in income up from the $430,000 reported in 2007 before the plan went into effect. This unprecedented growth happened while the economy went through its worse years since the Great Depression and while the vitality of America’s arts sector nationwide reached a 12-year low in 2009 (Americans for The Arts, 2010). In addition to its revenue and program growth the Muck received a city-wide award from the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce for Best Non-Profit Program, a county-wide award from Arts OC for Best Arts Program and two readers poll “Best of” awards during this period from the OC Register as a top three museum and by OC Parenting as a historic site.
“The Muck,” as it is affectionately called, reached such great heights in the face of such difficult times by planning and partnering with over 75 different community organizations, government organizations and businesses. Their patrons went from just over 10,000 to almost 29,000 while members went from 64 to 750, but most astounding is in the performing arts where audience jumped from just over 500 to over 8,000 in the three years span. Arts education grew from 1,300 students onsite to over 3,600 in outreach programs at seven sites including the Children’s Hospital Orange County (CHOC) and four Crittenton Foster Care sites. This coming year looks to be another banner year with concerts selling out since the July 1st start.
In 2012, the Center will be working to help others succeed by presenting a two-day training seminar February 15th and 16th on the basics of non-profit management with an emphasis on the arts. The seminar will include grant writing, fund development, strategic planning, and marketing among other topics. It will be open to all. Cost is yet to be determined, however, the Muck is looking for sponsors to facilitate the possibility of making the seminar free to all.
“It is only because of our great support and partnerships in the community that we have had any success,” said Zoot. “Please come and be part of what we have built together.
The Muck mission is to provide the community with experiences that stimulate creativity and imagination and to conserve the heritage of the Muckenthaler Estate. Commissioned at an original cost of $35,000, the Muckenthaler home was built by Walter and Adella Muckenthaler in 1924 atop a hill in Fullerton. The 18-room mansion, on 8.5 acres, was donated to the city in 1965 by Harold Muckenthaler who wished to see his childhood home used as a cultural center for the public to enjoy. In 1999 the Muckenthaler received designation by the National Register of Historic Places.
The Muckenthaler Cultural Center Foundation, The Muck, is located at 1201 West Malvern Avenue, Fullerton California 92833. For more information about this or other events at the Muck, please visit www.TheMuck.org or call 714-738-3135.
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