Arts Agenda - Contemporary cutbacks

Atlanta Contemporary Art Center has announced that it will suspend operations of Nexus Press Feb. 28, and Press director Brad Freeman will be let go. The suspension of the Press is just the latest blow to the Contemporary, which has had to reduce expenses in an economy weakened by the “the threat of war and the overall decline in support for the arts,” says Executive Director Rob Smulian.

Founded in 1977, the Nexus Press is the only experimental offset artist book press operating in the country. It’s the latest victim in a series of cutbacks by the Contemporary, which in 2001-2002 made staff cuts and suspended publication of exhibition catalogs to reduce costs. The Contemporary had an operating deficit of $150,000 in 2002 and a projected deficit of $55,000 for 2003.

“One hope I have is that this is going to be a shock to everybody and that it may flush some support out,” says Smulian, who hopes the move is only temporary. He plans to turn to Contemporary supporters and contributors for financial help and create a task force to develop a sustainable business plan for restarting Nexus Press.

“We’re very clear about not shutting this down and not cutting this. We are suspending operations, and we are going to work like hell to figure out what is viable here,” says Smulian.

Although he doesn’t anticipate any immediate additional budget cuts, Smulian says, “If we go to war, all bets are off.”