End of Year Letter

As we approach the end of the decade, I want to thank y'all again for your ongoing support of Co-Lab Projects and the artists with whom we collaborate. The last ten years have been immeasurably formative for our organization and me personally as an administrator, curator, and occasionally reluctant artist.

Over the last ten years we:
- formed a nonprofit,
- established boards of directors and advisors,
- built a donor and collector base,
- applied for countless grants,
- exhibited over five hundred local, national, and international artists,
- partnered and collaborated with organizations near and far,
- provided sub-granting and umbrella status opportunities for young artists and organizations,
- relocated three times and persevered,
- watched the Eastside completely transform (for better or worse),
- welcomed countless numbers of people to experience our dynamic programs.

Thanks to each of you for contributing to this experience in whichever way you have, it truly takes all of us to create unique cultural moments in a city struggling to retain the arts.

Despite the challenges, 2019 has been an incredible year for Co-Lab Projects. The programs at the Glissman property, presented in collaboration with the nomadic curatorial collective Partial Shade, have attracted new audiences and provided artists an opportunity to exhibit in a nontraditional outdoor space. These exhibitions and events have allowed us to share our vision and site plans for the studio complex, building awareness and support for its inevitable construction. The new gallery space at Springdale General allowed us to resume regular monthly programs and collaborate with another inspiring group of amazing artists. The programs have been a hit with the public, artists, collectors, and the creative community at this complex. Our gallery's location and regular open hours have increased our organization's visibility to a much larger audience than any previous exhibition space. Most importantly, during a year of ambitious undertakings and growth, we’ve implemented new internal criteria for how artists get paid by working toward W.A.G.E. (Working Artists and the Greater Economy) standards for artist compensation, we hope to obtain certification in 2020.

Over the last year, our development plans for the Glissman property have been moving forward in a timely fashion. Thanks to Nelsen Development, and Austin and Carson Nelsen, we've completed our architectural and engineering plans and submitted the site plan to the City of Austin. Additionally, we obtained our property tax exemption and designed our capital campaign publication with the help of the talented Daniela Valle. In 2020, we will pursue construction funding from foundations and private donors while the permitting process is underway, which will take up to twelve months to complete (city permitting is a nightmare these days). Upon permit approval, we hope to have a majority of the funding in place to break ground in 2021. Once open and operating, the complex will provide studios to artists at stabilized and subsidized costs. The more we raise, and the less we borrow, the more affordable the studios become. It is our vision that with more affordable space, we can continue to build better economies for the artists working in Austin.

While all very promising and exciting, this work cannot happen without your continued support! Funds raised at this time will assist with paying artist stipends, commissioning new projects, covering operational and production budgets, and affording ongoing predevelopment costs for the studio complex. Help us further stabilize the organization during these ambitious times and keep our plans on track for a successful development by making a charitable and tax-deductible contribution today.

Thank you, as always, for your consideration and support! Let's continue to work together toward a sustainable future for the arts.

Happy Holidays and all the best to you in the new decade,
Sean Gaulager and the Co-Lab Team