PRESS RELEASE

Community Thank You        6-28-2010

The Trustees of the Carolyn Jenkins Charitable Trust are writing to thank everyone in the Capital region for their enthusiastic support and advice at our recent public forums. Since our appointment to the Trust and assuming responsibility for the Kimball Jenkins Estate, we have met every other week and held three public forums. We've come away from these forums with the firm belief that the public enthusiastically supports giving new life to the Estate and have written a comprehensive business plan, which we have put on the Kimball-Jenkins website, worthy of that support. We thank everyone joining us in our Renaissance Campaign for the Kimball Jenkins estate.

The Trustees appreciate the public's reminders of the Estate's original purpose and the importance of its architecture—we thank those of who have already volunteered to take part in and contribute to the Estate's restoration. Folks like Carol Bagan told us the history of her dear friend's Carolyn's home. Byron Champlin encouraged us to look at multiple artistic uses of space. Neighbors, like Missy Fields, noted the importance of preserving the integrity of the historic district. We listened carefully to the concerns and suggestions expressed by leaders of local history, preservationist, arts, and many other groups participating in our forums. Your concerns and advice were taken to heart.

We also thank you for making clear how important the School of Art is to the visual arts community —we have made increasing art classes the linchpin of our plan. Thanks to your input, this fall we will offer more one-day workshops as well as half a dozen new courses. We thank you for the record setting enrollments in our Summer Arts program, which have guaranteed our most successful program ever.  And a special thanks goes to the Supporters of the School of Art who provided Arts scholarships for twelve deserving young artists:....

We especially appreciate all of you who have demonstrated your confidence in the Trust's rebuilding efforts and have already contributed financially with goods, in-kind services, and loans, and cash donations. When we've asked for a refrigerator, you provided; when we asked for a computer, you gave. When we launched our Renaissance membership program just last week, dozens of you responded immediately, and we've also received loan commitments from community leaders to provide funding until bank financing can be arranged. The Trustees strongly believe that art is for everyone and we invite all of you to join our Renaissance, today. Visit our website, www.kimballjenkins.com , or facebook page at www.facebook.com/kimballjenkins

Thank you,

Trustees of the Carolyn Jenkins Charitable Trust:

William Chapman

Sherilyn Young

Gary Shirk

Peggy Senter

Steven Metzger

Lorrie Carey (recent nominee)

See the Kimball-Jenkins Business Plan

Read our Appeal for Support

    KIMBALL-JENKINS PUBLIC FORUM ANNOUNCEMENT

 The Trustees of the Carolyn Jenkins Charitable Trust, which oversees the Kimball-Jenkins Estate in Concord have announced that the third in an ongoing series of Public Forums is scheduled for 5:15pm on Thursday, June 17.

 At the two earlier forums the Trustees (Bill Chapman, Gary Shirk, Sherry Young, Peggy Senter and Steve Metzger) sought and received substantial input on how the Estate could be best used to benefit the greater Concord area community, including the neighbors in the estate's historic district.  The majority of those attending the forums expressed support for three primary uses;

     1. Continuation and expansion of the estate's popular School of Art and its visual arts education     program.
     2. Restoration, refurnishing and preservation of the historic 1880's mansion building

    3. A broadening of opportunities for other art forms (performing, literary, healing, etc.) and studio space for both trained and aspiring artists and artisans.

A key question for the Trustees was how to accommodate the wishes of the community in a manner that would provide both short and long term stability and sustainability, no easy task during a recession when all non-profit organizations are struggling. For the past several months the trustees have evaluated the comments and suggestions offered  by attendees, and also conducted an extensive study of other options available,  including affiliations with compatible institutions and organizations. They then identified a group of initiatives that collectively would meet the stability and sustainability criteria, assuming active and financial support would be forthcoming from individuals and businesses in the community. From the results of this process the trustees developed the vision and strategic blueprint they will present at the June 17th forum.

The Trustees invite everyone who is interested in seeing the Kimball-Jenkins Estate thrive to attend the forum, offer their comments and hopefully pledge their support.  

FIRST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE

CAROLYN JENKINS CHARITABLE TRUST

             The Trustees thank everyone who attended the January 28, 2010 "Public Forum," which was held to discuss the future of the Kimball-Jenkins Estate. We were delighted with the turnout (approximately 100 people), the enthusiasm of the attendees and the broad range of ideas put forth. We also want to thank those who conveyed their ideas by e-mail and letters.

            The Public Forum (1) affirmed that the School of Art is a valued community resource that should be continued and have the ability to expand its course offerings, and (2) revealed that the community has a need for a facility that can serve a broad range of art, cultural and civic activities – ranging from incubator/teaching space and studios for artists to hosting performances and meetings to serving as a museum and an historic bed and breakfast.  The challenge facing the Trustees is one mentioned at the Forum, “sustainability,” a use or uses that will be self-sustaining, covering all expenses including annual fixed operating expenses of about $50,000 for the Kimball-Jenkins facilities (four buildings and grounds).

            The Trustees see two distinctly different ways forward.  One is to affiliate with an existing charitable or educational organization that has the resources to use the facilities to expand its operations, leaving room for the School of Art and, possibly, other community uses identified at the Forum.  The other is to affiliate with one or more charitable organizations that have the resources, or a viable plan to develop the resources, to use and/or coordinate the use of the facilities by multiple community groups and individuals, again leaving room for the School of Art.

            Time is a critical factor in terms of deciding on the way forward.  For a number of years the New Hampshire Technical Institute has leased the facilities for its arts curriculum course offerings, contributing some $100,000 per year, or almost 50% of total revenue.  Since the Public Forum, the Trustees have discussed with NHTI whether it would like to enlarge its use of the facilities and enter into a long term relationship, but it has decided not to do so and will end its relationship with the Trust this summer.  This means the Trustees must replace the NHTI revenue or face a deficit that would, among other things, threaten the continued existence of the School of Art.

            As of this report, the Trustees have received and are studying a proposal from a community charitable organization that would like to expand the School of Art course offerings and coordinate use of the facilities by a broad array of other community groups and individuals.  The Trustees would welcome proposals by other charitable or educational organizations or groups, existing or to be formed, as to how they would like to use the facilities, or portions thereof.  Any such organization or group should click on the “Concept Sheet” below for the basic elements the Trustees ask be built into a proposal.  Proposals should be mailed to Proposals, Kimball-Jenkins Estate, 266 N. Main Street, Concord, NH 03301 or submitted by e-mail to proposals@kimballjenkins.com.

            At the January 28 Public Forum, the Trustees stated they would hold a second forum to keep the community advised of its work.  The forum will take place at the Carriage House on April 22, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.  The public is encouraged to attend.

Click on Concept Sheet

Dated: March 19, 2010

FIRST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE (3).DOC