Wyoming Fine Arts Center FY19-20 Annual Report

music art dance
Wyoming Fine Arts
CENTER
2019 - 2020 Annual Report

Our mission is to educate,
create experiences,
and nurture appreciation in music
and other creative and performing arts
across all ages, races, abilities
and backgrounds.
Mission
We do this through excellence
in teaching, creative programming,
interdisciplinary experiences,
community partnerships
and engagement.

A Letter from the Board President
Welcome to The Wyoming Fine Arts Center (The Center) annual report for the Fiscal Year 2019/2020. Many
have found this past year to be unique and unprecedented; and we are no exception. This past year has been
challenging. We started with the loss of The Center’s founder, Paul Bartel. And are ending in the midst of a
global pandemic with devastating losses to the arts sector.
As we begin the celebration of The Center’s 25 Years of Creativity, we are grateful for your support.
Generosity upon Paul’s passing resulted in significant funding of the Paul and Jan Bartel Scholarship Fund with
over $30,000. For the 2019-2020 school year, seven (7) students received full scholarships. And nine (9)
students have been fully funded for the 2020-2021 academic year.
The continued resilience of The Center is a result of your ongoing support! We are humbled by the dedication
of numerous families who switched to remote lessons. We are grateful for the volunteers who continue to
work in our garden. And we are continually amazed by our dedicated faculty who creatively find ways to
educate and engage our students remotely.
Three weeks before the Coronavirus shutdown, The Center hired a new Executive Director, Julie Collinsworth.
Her energy, enthusiasm, and entrepreneurial spirit have helped The Center’s faculty transition to remote
lessons, launch a vibrant new brand, and create new collaborations in the region. Julie understands how
valuable the community is to The Center; and wants to ensure the organization can support the families,
students, and faculty where they need it the most. If you have not had a chance to meet her, please do. She
will gladly give you a tour of our historic facility, and share with you the many updates that have made the
building usable during COVID-19.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the realities of systemic racism, inequality and injustice
in the United States. The Center’s Board of Directors has prioritized developing our Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Action Plan, including metrics to measure and ensure
accountability across our organization. Our DE&I Action Plan will complement our longer term
strategic plan.
Sharing ideas, valuing our differences, and celebrating our successes together is what makes
The Center a special place to foster creativity. I am honored to serve an organization that is
committed to the arts, our community, and to our students and faculty.
Stay Creative!
Bobbie McTurner
Chair, Wyoming Fine Arts Center

Board of Directors
BOARD MEMBERS
MEETINGS: 3 RD THURSDAY, 7:00PM
Bobbie McTurner
PRESIDENT
Barbara Magella
VICE PRESIDENT
Elise Edelman
SECRETARY
Romeliza Villegas-Ding
TREASURER
Andrew Ulmer
SUZUKI LIAISON
Spring Starr Pillow
PROGRAM LIAISON & DIRECTOR
Jody Besse
TRUSTEE
Jeanette Cooper
TRUSTEE
Sam Cooper
TRUSTEE
Shannon Crutchfield
TRUSTEE
Kevin Gillie
TRUSTEE
Autumn McKinley
TRUSTEE
Kate Miller
TRUSTEE
Jennifer Pinson
TRUSTEE
Jason Bartel
BOARD ADVISORY POSITIONS
Julie Collinsworth
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
Bobbie McTurner
CHAIR
Julie Collinsworth
Elise Edelman
Barbara Magella
Spring Starr Pillow
Andrew Ulmer
FACILITIES
COMMITTEE
MEETINGS: 2 ND THURSDAY, 4:30PM
Kate Miller
CHAIR
Gene Allison
Julie Collinsworth
Liz Gavin
Andrew Ulmer
EVENTS COMMITTEE
Jeanette Cooper
CHAIR
Julie Collinsworth
Monica Tuck
DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
Shannon Crutchfield
CHAIR
Julie Collinsworth
Elise Edelman
Barbara Magella
Bobbie McTurner
FINANCE COMMITTEE
MEETINGS: 2 ND TUESDAY, 1:00PM
Julie Collinsworth
Barbara Magella
Bobbie McTurner
MARKETING/
COMMUNICATIONS
COMMITTEE
MEETINGS: 2 ND TUESDAY, 7:45PM
Jennifer Pinson
CHAIR
Julie Collinsworth
Sam Cooper
Cathy Cordes
Liz Engel
Autumn McKinley
PROGRAM
COMMITTEE
MEETINGS: 2 ND WEDNESDAY, 3:30PM
Spring Starr Pillow
CHAIR
Jody Besse
Julie Collinsworth
Kevin Gillie
Autumn McKinley
Bobbie McTurner
SCHOLARSHIP
COMMITTEE
Julie Collinsworth
Barbara Magella
Bobbie McTurner

A Letter from the Executive director
In a normal year, I am sure I would have met most of you by this time. But as all of us know, this has not been
a normal year. As my tenure as the Executive Director began the last week of February, I would never have
predicted that I would be hired to close The Center three weeks later due to a global pandemic.
I feel that I was destined for this role. My excitement about joining the Wyoming Fine Arts Center was
cultivated many years ago growing up in a family of professional musicians. I have been blessed to be
surrounded by music, art and creativity my entire life. To be able to do this for my work is a dream opportunity.
Which is the result when passions become your occupation.
There are some many wonderful things about working in an arts center. My favorites are the lovely sounds of
children – and adults – dancing, laughing, and playing. I knew that our team needed to find ways to continue,
especially since we are a fee-for-programming organization.
With so many programs not able to move to remote instruction, I tapped into my entrepreneurial background
to develop alternative programming as well as delivery options to keep The Center relevant during this crisis.
When the musical theater, voice and piano lessons went remote, I asked the teachers to have the students
record themselves and we edited together recitals for students and families to enjoy. When cases of
COVID-19 forced the schools to teach remotely, our team developed the Cosse Learning Program which
provides safe space for students to study remotely, while still experiencing music and art.
Of course, I do not do this alone. The dedicated staff, volunteers, teachers and families have
remained focused and flexible, embracing the new strategies and normalizing them for our
students. Thank you to all of you who made this happen!
It is the arts that have delivered and connected humanity through its darkest hours and this
year is no exception. I am inspired and driven by the mission of The Center. Every day, I feel
lucky to have this beautiful institution entrusted to me and it is my goal to deliver us to the
other side of this unprecedented year better and stronger than we were before.
Thank you for welcoming me to the neighborhood. I look forward to meeting each of you.
Stay Creative,
Julie Collinsworth

Last
in-person recital
prior to
COVID-19 shut down.
March 12
2020

Normal Programming
Cincinnati Contra Dance
IN THE COMMUNITY
• Summer Fair at Coney Island
• Wyoming Art Show
• World of Wyoming
• Cincinnati Civic Orchestra
• CSO Lollipops Pre-Concert at
Music Hall
• Evergreen Retirement
Community Concert
The Wyoming Fine Arts Center hosts
in-house lessons in music, art, and dance,
and provides a diverse assortment
of programming to
the community.
• Art Outreach for Cincinnati
Public Libraries
• Playhouse “Off the Hill” pre-show
concert in Springfield township
• Collaborative Concerts with
St. Michael Church
• Light Up Wyoming
• Music, Art, and Dance
Summer Camps
• Suzuki Violin and Piano
• Group Concerts and Orchestra
concerts at Wyoming Schools
and WFAC
• MusikKids
• Workshops with Rob Flax
AT THE CENTER
• Colors & Cupcakes
• No School? Let’s Art! Day Camp
• Parent’s Night Out Art Camp
• Hip Hop Dance Recital
• Cincinnati Contra Dancers
• Dancing with Parkinson’s
• English Country Dancers Ball
• Flying Cloud Academy
Library Outreach Program

Playhouse “Off the Hill”
Virtual Performances
• Twinkle Across the Ocean
Collaborative Virtual Recital
• cARTwheel with
Wavepool Gallery
• Virtual Art Classes
• CSA Twinkle Project
VIRTUAL EVENTS
• Playhouse “Off the Hill”
Virtual Performances
• Virtual Music Recitals
• Family Music
• MusikKids
Because of COVID-19,
ALL dance classes and partner
organizations have suffered.
The in-person community engagement programs
were put on hold and in-person activities have been
canceled or have changed significantly.
CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19
• Cincinnati Contra Dancers
• Dancing with Parkinson's
• ArtsConnect Line Dancing
• May Fete
• Music Recitals
• Children’s Musical
• Flying Cloud Academy
• Cincinnati Civic Orchestra
• Repair Cafe
• Love without Borders
• Playhouse in the Park
• Guitar Star Summer Camp
due to COVID-19
275 Events CanceLeD
THROUGH AUGUST 30TH 2020
20
65
49
6
28
11
31
16
15
34
Rentals
Summer Camps
Art Events/Recitals
ArtsConnect Line Dancing Events
Flying Cloud Events
Lessons
Civic Orchestra Events
Dancing with Parkinson’s Events
Contra Dancer Events
Classes
covid-19 Programming

COVID-19 Response
On March 9th, 2020 Ohio Governor Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency to
help slow the spread of COVID-19. March 13th, 2020, the Wyoming Fine Arts Center
was closed and all in-person classes were canceled. All teachers chose the online
method that worked best for them and their students. The faculty’s creativity
allowed The Center to begin offering online classes and host virtual recitals.
“Matt Wiles and the
lessons for my son
have been a lifeline
during COVID.”
- mother of remote
learning student

A GLOBAL PANDEMIC CALLS FOR GLOBAL SOLUTIONS
The
Cincinnati Suziki School
hosted
Twinkle Across the Ocean
under the direction of Dr. JaeEun Lee.
Four countries participated, including
South Korea, Australia, the Philippines,
and the United States.
Watch on our YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySGvoDA9ksA

“Our faculty are absolutely
amazing! Musicians, artists,
and actors pivoted
immediately to ensure
continuity in arts education.
We could not have done it
without families supporting
their efforts.”
- E.D. Julie Collinsworth
Our partnership with
the Public Library of
Cincinnati continued
with to-go projects that
can be picked up at
various locations and
completed from home.
MusikKids
with Friendship Preschool

With summer camps on the horizon, and 20% of the organization’s revenue at
stake, our team developed in-person safety protocols that set the standard for
the arts organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati region.
“We love Miss Melinda, and WFAC is doing a great job
following safe practices for class. Like they did with their art
camps, you drop off in the parking lot, and Miss Melinda takes
your child's temp before admitting them to class. Masks are
required, and they keep the students apart in class. It's pretty
easy to distance when a class is this small.”
- parent of 4th grade art student
Socially distanced
Suzuki group class
taking place on
the lawn
In order to maintain
proper social distance
during classes, camps,
and events, the team
created colorful pool
noodle rings, allowing
students to understand
what social distancing
meant.

COVId-19 Management
The Wyoming Fine Arts Center is taking many steps
to ensure the safety of our students and our staff
during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The COVID-19
protocols are for in-person lessons and camps.
WYOMING FINE ARTS CENTER COVID-19 PROTOCOL
SOCIAL DISTANCE POLICY
According to the State of Ohio Director’s Stay Safe Ohio Order, social distancing requires
maintaining a six (6) foot social distance for both employees and members of the public
at all times.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
• Be healthy, no fever, no cough.
• Bring your own water bottle for lessons.
• Maintain appropriate social distance with all people in The Center.
• Listen to teachers and Wyoming Fine Arts Center staff.
• Wash your hands regularly, and when asked by faculty.
• Wear a mask at all times when in the building for your lesson.
• Have Fun and Be Creative!
FACULTY RESPONSIBILITIES
General responsibilities:
• Wear a facial covering that includes covering mouth, nose, and chin.
• Sanitize hands after working with any individual student before
interacting with the next student.
Beginning of lesson (to be conducted by Faculty or Center staff member):
• Take temperatures of students as they arrive.
• Provide hand sanitizer to each student upon arrival.
• Have Fun!
During lessons:
• Ensure 6-foot social distancing between each person in your room
(family members count as one unit.)
• Communicate with staff for any additional needs that may arise
throughout the day.
After lesson:
• Clean high-touch areas in classroom.
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
•
• Talk to the child about the importance of having their temperature
taken.
Wearing a mask is required of all students. Talk to child about the
importance of wearing a mask.
•
• Provide a water bottle for your child. Water fountains will not be
available to use at The Center.
• Explain to child the rules of social distancing.
• Explain to child the importance of washing hands regularly.
•
Ensure the child is healthy each day of lessons.
Wait until student’s temperature is taken prior to leaving the
premises.
• Parents know their child best. If you do not feel that the child is
well, regardless of a fever, please keep them home.

Each studio room was provided a safety box with a
spray bottle of hand sanitizer, a pump bottle of hand
sanitizer, Clorox wipes, a spray bottle of diluted
bleach solution, a digital thermometer, tissues, wet
wipes, disposable masks, and paper towels.
While the building was closed,
many improvements were made.
• Cleaned and sanitized HVAC system
• Repaired significant plumbing issues
• Repaired basement urinals
• Repaired significant roof issues
• Installed ceiling fans in studio rooms and
Masonic Lodge to provide fresh air flow
to allow in-person lessons
• Installed high-speed internet with
WiFi boosters throughout the building
• Updated electrical in the Masonic Lodge
• Repaired Masonic Lodge windows
• Installed HEPA air purification systems
for each room
• Purchased iPads to teach online lessons
“Thank you for our
#restarttaskforcekit from
Cincinnati USA Regional
Chamber, Brain Brew Whiskey
Cincinnati and @proctergamble.
We are ready for summer camps.
#makingcincyproud
#artswave #nonprofitlife”
- WFAC Facebook 6/1/20
BuILDING IMPROVEMENTS

Cosse Learning Program
Cosse (meaning “pod” in French) is a solution for families choosing remote
education during the pandemic and a program to support families with
hybrid learning obstacles.
Working with the Hamilton County Public Health Department, The Center
submitted COVID-19 protocols, building designs, and other key items,
and has been approved to stay open through at least Level 3.
COSSE LEARNING
DAILY SCHEDULE
Students participate at The Center with structured
activities. Designated locations are assigned for activities
which include proctored time for their remote school
lessons, as well as daily music, art, and energy pursuits.
All classes are taught by The Center’s current staff of
qualified teachers and partner organizations.
Outside/inside and the Wyoming Fine Arts Center
I found a red leaf -
and in the garden I found MANY treasures--
mushrooms on stumps
painted rocks
wooden sticks and scaly fossils...
The sticks were kind of thick!
When I walked the red, brick path I found...
A HUGE, painted, flying pig --
a small. dainty twig...
white walking stones and some striped whites cones!
In the ballroom we saw...
BOOMWHACKERS, cool noodles, tables and chairs...
precious white walls - that hold the building up...
keyboards for music making --
They were breathtaking!!!!
There were rainbows, mermaids, and some moons
all with awesome musical tunes!
-- pink pots and music stands...
We heard children laughing and a BIG BRASS BAND!
Outside/inside at the WFAC - YEAH!
And THAT'S the story of our day!!!!
-written by Cosse students
with Word Play

“My favorite part is
making our own
musical. My next
favorite part is art.”
-1st grader
“I love Ms. Victoria
from the Opera.
She was amazing!”
-2nd grader
with Kara Garrod

FINANCIALS & Numbers
77%
of revenue came from
music programming
including traditional
lessons, MusikKids,
and Suzuki School
56% of expenses
were used for
direct programming costs
REVENUE
EXPENSES
25% Traditional Music Lessons
15.5% MusikKids
36.5% Suzuki School
1% Other
5% ArtsWave
6% Restricted
1% Registration Fees
3.5% Art
2.5% Dance/Theater
1.5% Summer Camp
2.5% Outreach and Partnerships
56% Direct Programming Costs
2.5% Depreciation
0.5% Bad Debt
5% Occupancy
5% Maintenance
3.8% Office Supplies
1.8% Outside Services
1% Insurance
3.4% Professional Services
21% Personnel

FINANCIAL IMPACT
OF COVID-19
19%
275 events between our music, art, and dance
programs including 49 lessons, 65 classes, and
20 summer camps, were canceled. Programming
income was down 19% because of the COVID-19
pandemic.
Emergency Funding came in the amount of
$3,750 from ArtsWave (which was put toward
editing costs for virtual performances) $85,186
in Paycheck Protection Program Funds, and
$10,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Assistance.
EMERGENCY FUNDING
EMERGENCY FUNDING
EMERGENCY FUNDING
$85,186 in
Paycheck Protection
Program Funds
$10,000 in
Economic Injury
Disaster Assistance
$3,750 from
ArtsWave put towards
editing costs for virtual
performances

Indiana
135
CincyWest
679
Butler County
851
Tri-County
5,426
Kentucky
215
CincyCentral
895
CincyEast
905
Northeast
1,144
East of 275
256
STUDENTS BY REGION
Through our in-house and community
programing, our reach stretches across
the tri-state, drawing not only students
from our home in Wyoming,
but as far north as Dayton and
as far south as Florence.
STUDENTS BY ZIP CODE
* teal represents the 45215 zip code, blue encompasses outisde zip codes

“Ms. Annie has been amazing.
The Cosse program is basically
our education right now. Our
child is thriving and being with
other kids has helped her feel
normal.”
- parent of a remote learner
“Thank you!
This is great.
It is good to see all
the kids. Thanks for
putting this together.”
- parent of music student
“Thanks Cheryl... You are so creative
and thanks for bringing your students
together in a unique way!
Recitals are a great way
to help the students learn
important skills about their delivery.
Thank you for making this opportunity
happen in a unique manner!”
- parent of music student

Thank you for all your support.
We are looking forward to all of our continued collaborations.
with Kara Garrod

Paul Bartel (b. 1952 - d. July 27, 2019)
Paul Bartel was a violinist, music educator, owner of the
Baroque Violin Shop and founder of the Wyoming Fine
Arts Center.
A 1972 graduate of Miami University and former music
teacher, Paul established his Baroque Violin Shop with
the vision of supporting school music programs by
providing high-quality instruments at low cost.
In 1995, Paul purchased the 1850s-era former Masonic
Lodge from the city of Wyoming, aiming to transform it
into a community arts center. He conducted a massive
renovation at his own expense for what would become
the nonprofit Wyoming Fine Arts Center.
Paul loved playing his rare 1680 Stradivarius and is
remembered by Cincinnati’s music community as being
generous, humble and wanting to help young people.
Paul Bartel, founder of the Wyoming Fine Arts Center, passed away in July 2019. In his honor, his wife, Jan, set up a scholarship
fund. Donations to this fund are used to help under-served music students continue learning and advancing at The Center.
We greatly appreciate being able to share Paul's love of music.
A tribute to Paul Bartel

© 2020 Wyoming Fine Arts Center