Amarillo Art Institute - Arts in the Sunset Renovation
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Amarillo Art Institute __________________________________________________________________________
Arts in the Sunset Renovation
Request Amount: $17,000 Project Budget: $54,000 (31.48% of Project Budget)
Applicant Organization
Amarillo Art Institute
3701 Plains Blvd. Ste. 117
Amarillo, TX 79102-1022
Year Founded: 5/24/2004
Type of Organization: Arts, Culture & Humanities
Website: www.amarilloartinstitute.org
Mission Statement: To inspire, educate, and enrich lives through art.
Organization and Leadership: The Amarillo Art Institute (AAI) was developed using Ann Crouch’s
vision for a school where people at all levels of experience can be inspired, take workshops and classes,
enjoy being in a creative environment, and express themselves through art. Today, the AAI exists in more
than 25,000 square feet of space at Sunset Center. This space provides the school with an open-concept
floor plan, where several classes can take place at once in the same open space. This format has created a
sense of community and has encouraged collaboration over the years among the students and instructors
who use the facility. The school has more than 100 members, 60% of which are seniors, and features
nationally- and internationally-recognized artist instructors. Classes, workshops, and camps are offered
throughout the year to more than 200 adults and children in a wide variety of media. The school houses an
art library and hosts local art groups like the Golden Spread Woodcarvers, LoneStar Pastel Society,
Watercolor Society, Panhandle Rug Hookers, Golden Spread Decorative Painters, and Amarillo Fine Arts
Association. Rachel Flores has been the Executive Director since 2015.
AAI travels outside the walls of the building often, providing community programs across the region. In the
past few years, AAI has increased its outreach programs offered, which include:
- Math in Art and Resident Artist programs, where instructors presented 29 sessions to more than 1,300
students at schools during the 2020-2021 school year in partnership with Window on a Wider World
- A high school art club called Yellow City Youth Artists that exposes youth to a variety of techniques and
styles of art each month and primarily serves youth from the Amarillo Children’s Home
- Senior art classes at Ussery Roan, Park Central, and the Cottages have helped residents explore creativity
and improve motor skills (these classes were not able to take place in 2020 or thus far in 2021)
- Art classes for homeless individuals through partnership with The Panhandle Adult Rebuilding Center
achieves AAI’s “Healing Art” initiative focused on teaching others how to use art as a form of therapy
- Monthly First Friday Art Walks, an opportunity to invite in the public to create art, watch artists create,
and buy art. This very popular event helps to educate and inspire the public and will be returning after the
renovation is complete.
The Crouch Foundation was created in 2018 as a support organization to AAI using $10,625,096, multiple
pieces of property including Sunset Center, and art work from the estate of Anna Morgan (i.e. Ann) Crouch.
The mission statement of the Crouch Foundation is to sponsor and support the fine arts in Amarillo, TX and
surrounding counties including the Panhandle Art Center. Sunset Center is being renovated and AAI will
expand from 25,000 square feet to around 120,000 square feet. AAI will be expanding its programming
beyond classes, workshops, and community programs to include studio memberships and managing public
exhibition space for shows, exhibitions, and public education.
Amarillo Art Institute MEBF Board Meeting: 08.2021 Page 1 of 6
Amarillo Art Institute __________________________________________________________________________
Crouch Foundation Amarillo Art Institute
Board of Directors Board of Directors
Executive Director – FTE
Rachel Flores
Development/Program
Assistant – FTE Facilities Manager – FTE
To be hired late 21, early 22 Daniel Gamez
Workshop Instructors Class Instructors
(Independent Contractors) (Independent Contractors)
2021 Amarillo Art Institute Board of Directors
Will Estep, Chair Mike LaFleur, Vice Chair Johnna Luther, Treasurer
Lee Blakeney, Secretary Titiana Frausto Stephanie James
Marshi Lair Tonya Roberts
2021 Crouch Foundation Board of Directors
Mike LaFleur, President Tom Panger, Vice President Ashely Ware, Treasurer
Rachel Flores, Secretary William Estep Steven Denny
Janette Dickerson Marshi Lair Jelaine Workman
Financial Information
FYE 12/31/2021 Operating budget: $255,450
Reserves: Yes. If yes, value of reserves: $72,042
Description of reserves: There are no restrictions on use of reserve funds except that any use that will result in
the balance dropping below the minimum of three months’ worth of operating expenses must be approved by a
two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
Endowment? No If yes, value as of the most current 990/Audit:
Financial notes: Amarillo Art Institute does not have an endowment; however, the Crouch Foundation will.
MEBF giving history to Organization
Grant Year Project Title Grant Amount
2008 To bring the Masters Workshop Series to AAI. $25,000
Total Number of Grants Awarded: 1 Total Amount Granted: $25,000
3 Most Recent Year End Financials Income Expenses Variance Net Assets
FYE 12/31/2020 IRS Form 990 $222,788 $209,484 $13,304 $102,062
FYE 12/21/2019 IRS Form 990 $124,952 $129,728 -$4,776** $88,758
FYE 12/31/2018 IRS Form 990 $123,054 $103,506 $19,548 $102,594
Crouch 12/31/2020 Internal Financial Statements* $9,787,256 $894,547 $8,892,709 $12,923,456
Crouch 990 12/31/2019 -$943,523 $2,559,292 -$3,502,815 $6,203,589
Crouch 990 12/31/2018 $10,988,103 $1,276,145 $9,711,958 $9,711,826
*The Crouch Foundation provides AAI with financial support in return for tenant revenue. The Crouch
Foundation also provides the Sunset Center facility to AAI for rent that is less than the fair market value.
In 2020, the Crouch Foundation provided AAI with $61,890 in cash support and $60,000 in-kind support.
Amarillo Art Institute MEBF Board Meeting: 08.2021 Page 2 of 6Amarillo Art Institute __________________________________________________________________________
**During 2019 the Crouch Foundation transferred all duties to AAI and some costs incurred that year related to
the transition were unexpected and led to a small fiscal-year-end deficit.
Board Giving/Volunteering
Staff Does your organization require board members to make a “meaningful” financial Yes
contribution to your organization according to their ability?
Full Time 2 If yes, what percentage of your Board of Directors made a “meaningful” financial 100
Part Time contribution to your organization during the current fiscal year?
Volunteers 15
What percentage of your Board of Directors volunteered time and/or services to the 77
charity – beyond attending board meetings?
Funding Sources as per most recent IRS 990 or Audit (in percentages):
Religious 0 Special Events: 20 United Way: 0
Organizations:
Civic Clubs: 0 Endowment or Interest 0 In-Kind Contributions: 2
Income:
Corp/Bus Donors: 2 Fees or Earned Income: 51 Other: 1
Individuals: 10 Government Grants: 6 Explain Other Funding Rent from local
Sources: art groups
Foundations: 8 Government Contracts: 0 Total % of Funding 100.00%
Sources:
Age Group: Gender: Program Area:
All Ages Both Arts, Culture & Humanities
Ethnicity: Counties Served: Type of Support:
Multiple Ethnicities/Races Potter,Randall,Moore,Carson Capital - New Construction,
Renovation, Equipment,
Land/Building Purchase
Beneficiaries: # of Beneficiaries:
Seniors or Elderly,Children or Youth,Homeless 6,300
*Beneficiary Clarification: Annual amount unduplicated
Project Description:
There are very few opportunities for artists in Amarillo and surrounding communities to get education outside
of degreed college classes. The Amarillo Art Institute (AAI) started providing such classes in 2004 and now
hosts ten weekly classes, a variety of workshops, and open studio for artists of every level of skill and
experience. Open studio at AAI is an opportunity to paint, sculpt, weave, and create outside of class time since
many artists do not have the space or equipment at home to work. Members spent more than 4,700 hours in
open studio in 2020. There is also a need in the community for private studio space for working artists to
produce artwork. A centralized location for artists produces a creative space that helps the artists and exposes
the public to the artistic process and invites them to engage and participate.
AAI and the Crouch Foundation are currently in phase one of renovations on Sunset Center. This phase
involves moving High Plains Bingo to another portion of the building due to their extensive lease and the need
to remove them from the middle of the building. This arrangement will allow for AAI’s expansion at the end of
the lease. The building will be scaled down while maintaining the majority of the North wing’s metal structure
and concrete slab to become an outdoor space. The East wing will be roofed and then receive renovations in
HVAC, electrical, lighting, and mechanical. There will also be new lighting, flooring, painting, and some new
wall construction. The Crouch Foundation is funding the renovations needed for Sunset Center.
Amarillo Art Institute MEBF Board Meeting: 08.2021 Page 3 of 6Amarillo Art Institute __________________________________________________________________________ AAI has some programmatic needs as part of the overall renovation. (1) A wall be added to the classroom space to create a separate area for ceramics. In the classroom area of the facility there are designated spaces for painting, drawing, weaving, encaustic, and ceramics. There are currently spaces for local groups like the Golden Spread Woodcarvers and Decorative Painters Society who will move into a different section of the mall once renovations are complete. This move will allow the other designated spaces to grow. The ceramics department has grown so much that working artists and students alike are using the facility and clay dust from the ceramics process has become an issue. To prevent any damage to paintings and to cut down on the amount particles in the air during cleaning, AAI will enclose the ceramics department with walls and glass so the area can be more easily managed. During construction, the contractor will be placing a ventilation system in the roof, but creating a walled-in space with built-in shelves will create much more functionality and make the space easier to clean. (2) ‘Art wagon’ storage and shelving will be added behind the classroom space. A large portion of AAI members are seniors and it is quite common for students to need to leave their supplies at the school rather than take them home every day. Many members put their art supplies in a wagon to transport them to and from their cars. The wagons clutter the classroom space and the items are not protected. AAI will build large cubbies for ‘art wagon’ storage as well as shelving to store art canvases (new and/or in progress). (3) Program supplies for the classroom space will be purchased. The current tables and chairs in the classroom space were purchased from an auction house close to ten years ago and many do not function properly. Many of the easels are older and are not used because of the limitations of the older design. In addition, having a cohesive look and operability among all classes will help students more easily adjust to new classes or spaces. AAI needs to purchase one more 7 cubic feet electric kiln and three new wheels to increase work and firing capacity in the ceramics area to keep up with the needs of students and members. (4) Shelving will be added to the resident art studios. AAI will begin interviewing for resident artists soon. Resident artists will have requirements to spend a certain amount of time working in their studio to ensure visitors to AAI can see the art process. Resident artists will also have volunteer requirements for art events at Sunset Center. The requirements will increase engagement between the public and artists as well as provide space for artists to complete their work. AAI will focus on creating a cohesive look throughout the facility and needs to build shelving in resident art studios. The shelving will allow resident artists to have space to store their art supplies and art work in-progress. (5) Moveable walls will be purchased. Moveable walls will be used in the hallways and the exhibition space as needed. The display walls will provide a space for artists to exhibit their work. The walls will also allow AAI to create a ‘flow’ of the visitors walking through the halls to slow movement down and hopefully increase exposure to the art and process of creating art. The walls can be moved into the exhibition space for art shows. (6) A checkout counter will be added to the exhibition space. The checkout space will facilitate the sale of artists work during art shows and other events. (7) Program supplies for the AISD classroom/studio space will be purchased. AISD is renovating the building directly North of Sunset Center which will become AmTech Career Academy. AAI is partnering with AISD to support this new venture by offering space for a fine arts studio and classroom. AAI will incorporate the AISD studio into a mentoring program with resident artists. Shelving, easels, tables, chairs, and display walls are all needed for the space. (8) Technology and security upgrades will be made. New computers will be purchased for staff and new projection equipment will be purchased. Two new cameras will be added to the security system to cover the hallway with artist studios and the exhibition room. An access control system will be added so that certain doors can be individually unlocked at certain times and/or locked at others. Amarillo Art Institute MEBF Board Meeting: 08.2021 Page 4 of 6
Amarillo Art Institute __________________________________________________________________________
AISD Classroom and Studio space (accessible from outer door)
Amarillo
College
Space Bingo Hall
Ann Crouch
Gallery
Large exhibition
space
Studios along hallway
AAI Classroom Space Art
Existing Wagon
event room Storage
Ceramics area
AAI partners with Amarillo College, West Texas A&M University, Amarillo Museum of Art, Panhandle Adult
Rebuilding Center (PARC), Window on a Wider World, and Amarillo Independent School District. A letter of
support from Denise Olson, Amarillo ISD Director of Arts Education, expressed the value the professional
development that AAI provides art teachers as well as excitement over the benefit the collaboration between
AAI and the AISD AmTech Academy will have for AISD art students.
Amarillo Art Institute MEBF Board Meeting: 08.2021 Page 5 of 6Amarillo Art Institute __________________________________________________________________________
AAI will host at least one exhibition or show per quarter the first year after renovations are complete and will offer 15
artist studio spaces for the resident artist program. AAI will interview resident artists every six months to ensure the
program is providing enough opportunities to work and exhibit. AAI plans to increase student enrollment in classes,
workshops, and camps by 60% over 5 years, growing incrementally each year. Student registration is tracked in
spreadsheets through payments and attendance and will be reviewed to ensure the incremental growth each year is met.
Public exposure to the arts will be increased by 30% each year as measured by attendance at First Friday Art Walks,
shows and exhibitions, fundraising events, and other events.
ARTS IN THE SUNSET RENOVATION BUDGET
EXPENSES Amount
Amarillo Art Institute
Dividing wall for Ceramics Dept with glass $5,000.00
New Kiln (Scutt 7.0 cubic ft) $3,700.00
New Wheels (Shimpo VL Whisper Wheel $1,200 x 3) $3,600.00
Easels (materials to build, lumber, screws, fasteners) $1,500.00
Tables (materials to build, lumber, screws, vinyl top covering) $1,500.00
Chairs (rolling computer chairs $55 x 40) $2,200.00
Wagon Storage (materials to build lockers, lumber, screws, paint) $1,100.00
Paint, rollers, brushes $500.00
Studios
Shelving (materials to build, lumber, screws) $1,500.00
Paint, rollers, brushes $1,000.00
Exhibition Space
Moveable walls (lumber, screws, fasteners, $5,000.00
Checkout center (lumber, screws, hardware, paint) $2,000.00
AISD Classroom & Studio
Shelving $1,000.00
Easels $800.00
Tables $800.00
Chairs ($55x20) $1,100.00
Technology
Two new projectors $500.00
Two new computers (Microsoft Surface Studio for Business & Dell Inspiron Desktop) $5,000.00
Laptop (Microsoft Surface) $1,200.00
Security
Burglar Alarm & CCTV/Camera System $15,000.00
Total Expenses $54,000.00
REVENUE Amount
Received Funds
Balliett Foundation $10,000.00
Josephine Anderson Charitable Trust $12,000.00
Pending Requests
Payne Foundation $15,000.00
Bivins Foundation $17,000.00
Total Revenue $54,000.00
If funding is not granted, the Amarillo Art Institute will still work to create functionality in spaces but will cut down the
number of upgrades and will use existing furniture, shelving, and technology. Plans will be made to upgrade these items
over time but there will be a decrease in the functionality of the space in the interim.
AAI will cover operating expenses through an endowment from The Crouch Foundation. The principal amount will
remain and sustain the facility’s main operating costs moving forward. AAI expects a growth in revenue from building
rentals, event sponsorship, increased membership, and classes/workshops upon project completion.
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