Facebook Status – January 30, 2017 at 06:30PM

Passing this along from C4 Atlanta:

Save the Arts Exchange
C4 Atlanta is forwarding on this letter from our friends at the Art Exchange regarding information important to it’s future. Contact information for the Arts Exchange is available in the body of this email for more information.

APS blocks sale of the Art Exchange

January 29, 2017

Dear Atlanta Arts Community,

The Arts Exchange needs you to send a few emails and to attend a meeting of the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Directors on Monday February 6 – arrive 5 p.m. – meeting begins 6 p.m.

We have a contract to sell our property and are being blocked by APS Board.

We have a wonderful buyer on board and a firm contract for a June 30, 2017 closing. However, last week APS lawyers notified us we would not get the needed extension through the sale of the property. The Atlanta Board of Education has placed the matter in the hands of Dr. Meria Carstarphen, Superintendent of Schools.

Dr. Carstarphen and members of the Atlanta Public Schools Board need to understand that, by granting a 6-month continuation of the forbearance, our debt to APS will be paid in full and The Arts Exchange will be preserved to continue a legacy rooted in service to students and emerging artists, providing affordable studios, and giving audiences a venue for a broad range of experiences.

We are appealing to them to do the right thing and honor their commitment.

We need your help!

Email your district representative at the Atlanta Board of Education,the Arts Exchange district rep Leslie Grant, all the at-large members, and the Board Chair.

Email the Superintendent Dr. Carstarphen.

Attend the APS board meeting Monday February 6 – begins at 6 p. m.; sign up to speak during public comment, arrive before 5 p. m..

Invite friends and colleagues to raise their voices.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Sincerely,

The Board, Staff, and Tenants of The Arts Exchange

http://ift.tt/2cK9TO6

For more information or assistance, contact Priscilla Smith, Community Liaison, 404-578-4430, SaveArtsExchange@gmail.com

HERE ARE STEPS TO MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU TO HELP:

Remember to cc: SaveTheArtsExchange@gmail.com:

Send Emails (sample texts are at the bottom of this email)

1) your district representative at the Atlanta Board of Education. Find your district at: http://ift.tt/2jN4CuC

District 1: Leslie Grant lgrant@atlantapublicschools.us
District 2: Byron Amos bamos@atlanta.k12.ga.us
District 3: Matt Westmoreland mwestmoreland@atlantapublicschools.us
District 4: Nancy Meister | Board Vice-Chair nmeister@atlanta.k12.ga.us
District 5: Steven Lee slee@atlanta.k12.ga.us
District 6: Eshe’ P. Collins epcollins@atlantapublicschools.us

2) Arts Exchange Rep.: Leslie Grant lgrant@atlantapublicschools.us

3) At-large members: At-Large Seat 9: Jason Esteves jesteves@atlantapublicschools.us
At-Large Seat 8: Cynthia Briscoe Brown cbriscoe_brown@atlanta.k12.ga.us

4) School Board Chair (also District 7) Courtney D. English | Board Chair cenglish@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Write Dr. Meria Carstarphen, Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools at
suptoffice@atlanta.k12.ga.us

PLEASE cc: SaveArtsExchange@gmail.com

Attend the Atlanta Board of Education Meeting

Location: 130 Trinity Street SW Atlanta GA 30303
Date: Monday, February 6
Time: 6:00PM. (sign-up for public comment at 5 p.m.)

Share this information with friends, family, and colleagues. Volunteer to help us. Come stand with us….we are 6 months away from the resettlement of a 33 year old artists run organization in Atlanta. Who is whispering in APS’s ear that developer’s dollars are more valuable than service and stewardship. Why can’t they give us six months?

Sample Texts for your Emails:

To: Atlanta District Representative Leslie Grant

From: (YOUR NAME HERE)

Re: Save the Arts Exchange!

Dear Rep. Grant,

Please help preserve a cultural asset that has served Atlanta for over 30 years. The Arts Exchange has a firm sales contract but APS has decided not to extend its forbearance of debt agreement with The Arts Exchange until that closing. You and your fellow board members have placed the matter in the hands of Superintendent Carstarphen.

I’m writing today to ask that you please ask Supt. Carstarphen to extend the forbearance of debt until The Arts Exchange can complete the sale, for which they already have a buyer and a firm contract with a June 30, 2017 closing.

As an Atlanta artist (INSERT PERSONAL NOTE)

OR

As an audience member (INSERT PERSONAL NOTE)

Save the Arts Exchange! Please grant a 6-month continuation of the forbearance of debt, so that this valuable Atlanta institution can continue its important role in our great city!

Thank you!

(SIGNED)

Sample text

To: Dr. Meria Carstarphen, Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools

From:

Re: Save the Arts Exchange!

Dear Dr. Carstarphen,

Please help preserve a cultural asset that has served Atlanta for over 30 years. The Arts Exchange has a firm sales contract but APS has decided not to extend its forbearance of debt agreement with The Arts Exchange until that closing. The Board has placed the matter in your hands.

I’m writing today to ask that you please extend the forbearance of debt until The Arts Exchange can complete the sale, for which they already have a buyer and a firm contract for a June 30, 2017 closing.

This will provide The Arts Exchange the opportunity to repay APS in full for its years of support, while still affording this invaluable organization the chance to continue to serve a broad range of artists and audiences with even greater range, scope, and quality.

As an Atlanta artist

OR

As an audience member

OR

As an Atlanta parent

(INSERT PERSONAL NOTE)

Save the Arts Exchange! Please grant a 6-month continuation of the forbearance of debt, so that this valuable Atlanta institution can continue its important role in our great city!

Thank you!

For more information on the meeting, go to:

If you have any questions, or need help shaping your emails to the APS Board and Superintendent, feel free to reach out to Priscilla Smith, Community Liaison, at SaveArtsExchange@gmail.com

Copyright © 2017 C4 Atlanta, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
C4 Atlanta
PO box 170319
Atlanta, GA 30317