Growing Puyallup’s outdoor art collection one member at a time

With an increasing number of empty pedestals that once held art, Arts Downtown was forced to get creative when it came to securing more permanent art for the city’s art collection.

Arts Downtown is made up of volunteers passionate about making art a piece of Puyallup. Some of the art on display is permanent, but the majority is on a two-year rotation. Once the rotational period draws to a close, the art can be purchased by citizens to remain on display. Arts Downtown will also purchase one piece awarded the People’s Choice Award to donate to the city. The art not purchased or selected as a People’s Choice leaves town following the rotation period.

When the Washington state Legislature changed the state law on lodging tax in 2013, Arts Downtown faced additional financial challenges when it came to purchasing art to donate to the city to continue Puyallup’s outdoor art collection.

“We had to come up with another source to gather capital funds,” said Dave De Groot, Arts Downtown chairman.

Last month, Arts Downtown started a paid membership program to secure sustainable funding to continue growing the city’s art collection.

“Currently, we have donated 47 permanent pieces to the city,” De Groot said. “Our current collection is valued at $499,000.”

The paid membership program allows people to participate in the nonprofit and keep Puyallup’s art collection strong.

“There’s a certain amount of maintenance required with outdoor art,” De Groot said. “It needs to be cleaned or repaired, and the paid membership will help pay for that.”

Former Puyallup Mayor Kathy Turner, who serves as the group’s membership chair, said the nonprofit is already seeing success in the paid membership program.

“So far we’ve had two legacy donors, four commitments for capital donors, and one sponsor,” she said. “We’re moving forward with a good response.”

Membership for an individual or a family starts at $30 a year. Options for paid membership also include what the organization calls a Capital Friend, where the donor gives $100 to $499 toward purchasing art. A Sustaining Friend can give anywhere from $100 to $499 toward annual organization operations. Businesses can also get involved, with donations starting at $250 to receive business recognition on the organization’s website and marketing materials.

Paid membership allows people who want to be involved with Arts Downtown, but aren’t keen on scrubbing down sculptures or replacing signage, De Groot said.

“Having a paid membership allows people to participate and keep this art collection going,” he said. “The idea is to allow people who are interested to participate in a way, and keep art in downtown. It allows people to fund work.”

“This (paid membership) means we can continue to grow the city’s art collection, and encourage people to get involved,” Turner added. “Whether that’s taking tickets at events or coming to a meeting, there’s so many ways to get involved.”

“It’s amazing what a small group of volunteers can do,” she said. “I appreciate the city’s commitment to Arts Downtown and our volunteers.”

To join Arts Downtown, contact Turner at krturner2507@msn.com or visit www.artsdowntown.org.

This story was originally published February 22, 2016 at 4:25 PM with the headline "Growing Puyallup’s outdoor art collection one member at a time."