Update on the Harris Center for the Arts
September 1, 2020
Dear Friends,
We are sincerely grateful for the outpouring of support and understanding following the Harris Center for the Arts' (HCA) announcement on June 10 that we would be forced to temporarily cease operations on July 1 due to the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an announcement that we hoped not to have to make, but we have been heartened by the loyalty of the HCA community and your patience as we work through these historic circumstances.
As we noted in our June announcement, there is no timetable for the reopening of the Center and it is our goal to reopen as soon as possible, but we expect it will be at least a year before we are in a position to confidently welcome patrons back to the Center safely. To be clear, even though we don't know when, the Harris Center for the Arts will reopen.
This forced temporary closure provides us an opportunity to look for ways that we can improve the Center's operations and business model to ensure that we are providing the best possible experience for patrons, members, donors and community partners. The economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis has led to a new statewide budget crisis, so we will have to explore new ways to maintain our excellent standards while increasing our financial stability, including potentially a new management structure for the Center. To help us with this effort, we have contracted with the consulting firm, Management Consultants for the Arts (MCA). Our partners at MCA will help us look at what has made HCA so successful over the years and where there might be areas to improve our ability to provide outstanding programming and service for years to come. No matter the outcome of MCA's analysis, the HCA will continue to support – and rely on – members, donors, community organizations and patrons like you to ensure our long-term success.
We look forward to sharing the results of the study with you in early 2021. In the meantime, if you would like more updates and to learn about fun virtual HCA events, please contact Kathleen Leavitt in Member Services at kathleen.leavitt@harriscenter.net to be added to the newsletter list.
On behalf of everyone at the Harris Center for the Arts, Folsom Lake College, and the entire Los Rios Community College District, we hope you remain healthy and well during these trying times.
Dr. Brian King
Chancellor
Los Rios Community College District
Dr. Whitney Yamamura
President
Folsom Lake College