Operating Support

6: ?The infrastructure of arts organizations is strengthened through access to operating funds, professional development and best practices sharing.? Past Operating Support funds have supported marketing which allows for exposure and growth while strengthening other facets of infrastructure. This is expected to continue. Staff have been affected in many positive ways through salaries to having access to updated software and computers and outsourcing of skills. 3: ?The capacity of those providing arts experiences is increased or strengthened by changing, expanding, or enriching the ways in which they connect to their communities through the arts.? The organization of MVAS is a facilitator between those wishing to study the arts and those willing to teach and pass on their knowledge. The more adept the organization becomes as a facilitator, the more the organization will grow and therefore its ability to enrich the region's communities through traditional, contemporary and folk arts. Art is not for everyone, but MVAS is striving to make art as accessible to all those in the community that wish to make this journey. 9: ?Regional residents gain awareness and appreciation for a variety of artistic disciplines and mediums.? Our mission to accept all art forms is evident in the classes taught on any given year. Fine arts, silversmithing, carving, Scandinavian arts, culinary and fibre arts are all taught which opens the community up to a variety of artistic disciplines and mediums. As an art school, MVAS does not wish to be pigeonholed in one art genre. The funding gives us the scope to grow and expand our offerings. Regional students will benefit the most as they will have more offerings and will have greater access to art choices. Classes on offer: MVAS loses some classes each year, but adds more than is lost. 2019 had a record number of classes and 2020 has more than 2020. Information is available on our class and student database. Student numbers: Student numbers are up significantly in 2019. The Spoon Gathering has reached its theoretical maximum with 200 - 220 attendees. We may go to 250, but the number must remain manageable with the facilities and resources available. Information is available on our class and student database.Revenue from classes and events: Revenue is up 20% over 2018. This is expected to continue. Revenue from the Spoon gathering is up with a 30% growth in attendees one rate last 2 years. Information is available on our QuickBooks. Student Feedback online: Issuing Feedback forms for every class is not possible due to staffing, however classes, especially new classes or instructors are targeted. Students are sent a simple feedback survey online. Roughly 30% will respond. Paper feedback after class is not productive. Students are tired and do not wish to fill out a survey at the end of class. Verbal feedback from all students and instructors in classes. The director is constantly in contact with students and instructors during classes and is able to compile valuable data and feedback. Many of the school's initiatives and changes to events and classes are the result of this feedback.