The A.R.K. in Financial Trouble, Danger of Closing
by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul. 15, 2003 at 7:03 AM
imported from the old IMC postnuke site

The ARK, a community space in Marigny that hosts cultural events, PLAN B, the New Orleans Bike Project, and a new computer lab (among other things), is in financial trouble and may shut down in a few months, members say.

Kelly McGittigan and Wes, who have been running the ARK single-handedly since early June, say that unless they start taking in more revenue the ARK will not make it to the fall. Since April the ARK has not made its rent, largely as a result of being forbidden to have punk and hip-hop shows, which in previous years had gotten the ARK through the notoriously slow New Orleans summer. Kelly and Wes have been paying the bills and buying supplies out of their own pockets, and simply can’t cover the costs of maintaining a 10,000 square foot space without more assistance. Another factor was Recycle for the Arts leaving the building when they were offered more space for less on the other side of St. Claude with the New Orleans Green Project.

Despite these difficulties, the ARK continues to host acoustic music, traveling circuses, educational events, puppet shows, and just about any other alternative, offbeat entertainment that operates below the radar screens of more well known, big money venues. The computer lab expands and a darkroom is developing, PLAN B equips the city with low cost bikes and bike repairs, a lending library makes plans to set up shop, local activist groups hold meetings, and the ARK continues to try to pay its bills, including a $400-$600 per month electric bill. Wes says they haven’t been able to pay that bill in “quite some time”.

Kelly, on the other hand, stresses not only the money but the importance of volunteers in keeping the ARK going. When the ARK originally started three years ago, there were eight people running it, a situation which broke down as a result of, according to Kelly, “people falling in love, moving, and deciding that drinking was more fun than running a space… but mostly, that it is hard, under appreciated work.” But Wes has stuck it out since the beginning, and Kelly, who was originally booking shows, has been involved for a year and a half, and neither of them plans to quit until they are thrown out of the building.

THE ARK NEEDS YOUR HELP. PUBLIC MEETINGS ARE HELD EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 7:30 AT THE ARK, 511 MARIGNY (AT DECATUR) AND ADDITIONALLY THE ARK IS PUTTING OUT A PUBLIC REQUEST FOR HELP. PLEASE COME BY AND VOLUNTEER OR IF YOU CAN’T, MAKE A DONATION SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THE ARTS AND THESE COMMUNITY SERVICES ALIVE IN THE MARIGNY.

Send checks to:

THE ARKc/o Kelly McGittigan1127 Mazant
New Orleans, LA 70117

You can also make Cash donations at any of the upcoming events, including:

Tom Ricker from the Quixote Center speaking on the Central American Free Trade Agreement, Wednesday 16, 8PM

Cakalak Barnstorm, a Crimethinc. Circus, Friday 18, 8 PM,

Autonomadic Bookmobile and Medicine Show, Friday 25, 8PM

The Gunshy, an Acoustic Music Event featuring Micah and Cord, Monday 28, 9 PM

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