"Things Are Changing..."

Letter from Kathleen Allen, Executive Director | June 27, 2025

Recently I attended a meeting organized by the National Council of Nonprofits about the impact of recent executive orders and federal funding cuts. One statistic stood out: only 5% of Americans believe they’ve been affected by nonprofits. This reveals widespread a misconception about what nonprofits are and what they do. Many don’t realize that the hospitals where they receive care, the youth sports league their children join, or the art schools where they take classes, are in fact, nonprofits and that these organizations have a huge impact on their lives. Given this, I’d like to share about Gage’s impact and accomplishments this year, where we are going, how we do all of this as a non-profit, and why that involves your support.

It's been a big year for Gage, despite uncertainty.

Despite the rising financial challenges of an uncertain economy, this past year has been one of growth, resilience, and community strength for Gage. Together, we:

Surpassed our $2.5 million Next Level Campaign goal by our Grand Opening on September 7. This campaign supported construction and infrastructure upgrades in both the new SLU campus and at the Georgetown location.
Increased class enrollment by 11% over the previous year.
Introduced new classes and events, and instituted a “pay-what-you-wish” model for the popular Drawing Jam.
Welcomed more new students than in the past, many of whom are staying engaged in our programs.
Expanded tuition assistance and scholarships to reduce financial barriers.
Hosted a year-long exhibition series in the new street-level gallery, drawing in walk-in visitors and new art patrons from the surrounding community.
Partnered with civic and community organizations such as the Downtown Seattle Association, Seattle Design Festival, and Seattle Public Schools’ Creative Advantage program to activate our new space.
Extended our reach to youth artists at neighboring Mary’s Place, Cultivate South Park, Big Picture School in Highline, and Summit Public Schools in Seattle.
Continued Eastside Teen Art Studios at Highland Community Center after the Bellevue Arts Museum’s closure.
Launched the Sculpture Atelier at the Equinox complex, and expanded participation in the Equinox Second Saturday Art Attack events.
Celebrated Best of Gage in the SLU building with more than 400 people attending and 93 works of art on display.

Nonprofits mean business.

While some may not recognize the impact of nonprofits on their everyday lives, nonprofits are a key component of our economy. Nonprofits are businesses with trained and paid professional staff. We operate with the same principles as for-profits: efficiency, value, and sustainability. The key difference? Instead of distributing profits to shareholders, we reinvest every dollar into our programs and the communities we serve.

Another key difference is we rely on a balance of two types of revenue, program fees and donations. If we relied only on the revenue we receive from programs, we’d have to charge 60% more than we currently do in order to provide the quality instructors, the purpose-built facilities, the staffing, and infrastructure needed to run the high caliber programs that Gage is known for.

We are aware that a 60% price increase would make our programs out of reach for most people, therefore we rely on charitable donations to make up for the difference. Generous donor support allows us to offer affordable classes, provide tuition assistance, as well as offer community events such as Drawing Jam, and free programs such as Teen Art Studios. This equilibrium of funding helps to uplift the entire organization and enables us to serve more students.

It takes a strong team.

To raise charitable donations takes a strong, professional team. We are very fortunate at Gage to have Advancement Director Sudeshna Dixit at the helm, leading with dedication, compassion and deep understanding of the value of art and arts education. Sudeshna shares why she chooses to lead this work:

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"I joined Gage at a pivotal moment, just as we began planning our move to South Lake Union. It was an exciting time, full of possibilities and from day

one, I was struck by the incredible community of students and supporters who make Gage so special.

Since then, I have been continually inspired by the care and generosity our community brings to Gage. Whether stepping up to meet a need or aligning their support with their values, our donors and volunteers lead with heart, and we are deeply grateful for their continued support, especially during these uncertain times. I chose to lead this work because I believe in the power of art to build connections, inspire belonging, and spark transformation."

Our committment does not change.

We know we face challenges right now. Federal actions have restricted government funding and may impact private foundation giving. As national policies shift, our commitment does not. We prioritize our work to make Gage more inclusive and accessible and a place where all students can creatively and freely express themselves.

Moving ahead, we will continue to advocate for and provide access to the powerful benefits of arts learning. In particular, we plan to expand programs for the next generation of artists through deepening school partnerships and uplifting youth voice and leadership through a new Youth Arts Advisory Board. In the near future, we seek to create a Youth Atelier program modeled after the immersive and supportive learning environment of our adult ateliers and designed to welcome aspiring young artists of all backgrounds and abilities.

As we sustain our commitment, we will need your commitment to thrive and flourish. It is the time to stand together to face challenges and not back down. A donation now, of any amount, is essential for Gage to complete our fiscal year ending on June 30 in a strong and stable position. We will be prepared for further growth and able address any uncertainty ahead because of your support

Thank you for being part of our collective passion, creativity, and belief in the transformative power of the arts.

With gratitude,

Kathleen Allen
Executive Director, Gage Academy of Art