Kate Peila: In "lessons learned" post, Harwell ignores DNA's efforts

Two respected leaders of New York's dance community differ in their accounts of the recent history of The Sun Building at 280 Broadway, the former home of Dance New Amsterdam (DNA), a dance education, development and presenting organization which went bankrupt and shut down last year after a long struggle to renegotiate its lease and pursue a new business plan.

[Read more here: Curtain Closes On Dance New Amsterdam: Beloved NYC Studio And Simonson Technique Hub Bankrupt, To Close Doors by Nadine DeNinno, International Business Times, August 29, 2013]

280 Broadway, located across Chambers Street from City Hall, was recently annexed by Gibney Dance Center, an organization that administers Gina Gibney's dance troupe and several rental studios developed at 890 Broadway, a Flatiron District building owned by ballet choreographer/director Eliot Feld. GDC has reconfigured the Lower Manhattan extension for a slate of dance classes and plans to create new spaces for performance at the site. In addition, the organization's well-regarded Community Action program for survivors of domestic violence will be relocated to 280.

On May 14, Lane Harwell, Executive Director of Dance/NYC, contributed a blog post to The Huffington Post about "lessons learned" in the effort to save 280 Broadway for New York's dance community. The essay, which makes no mention of DNA's accomplishments or struggles, begins,

There are lessons for the creative sector in the story of 280 Broadway, whose new tenant, Gibney Dance, opens its doors to the community to shape the future. In a real estate climate where too many are losing space and reporting escalating costs -- real threats to creative life -- some, like Gibney Dance, are making solutions.

[Read more here: Making Space Solutions for Making Arts and Culture]

Catherine A. Peila, who served as Executive and Artistic Director of DNA from 2007 to 2014, asserts that that organization's "30 years of community building has been disappeared." In her initial response, posted yesterday on Facebook and forwarded to this writer among others, Peila wrote,

Having received phone calls from the cultural community regarding Lane’s blog “Making Space Solutions for Making Arts and Culture,” I must respond. It is imperative that a deeper investigation regarding the 280 Broadway transition from DNA to Gibney Dance be initiated before any attempt of a qualified statement regarding “lessons learned” be made. As the executive and artistic director of DNA, 2007-2013, Lane’s post is devoid of information that sets the stage for the DNA to Gibney transition. DNA’s original renovations, partnership negotiations, efficiency practices and financial modeling, legal battles, bankruptcy filing and its unnecessary dissolution enabled Gibney Dance to “reengage” the 280 Broadway dance space.

DNA successfully saved a space in NYC for dance, which represented nine years of unflagging work by its staff and board, thousands of artists, pro-bono lawyers and financial analysts, foundations and individual donors, elected officials, city cultural representatives, and Fram Realty. Gibney’s team received all the benefits without the burden of DNA's renovation debt, which proved to be its ultimate unraveling. Lane omits vital information that shows the cultural, funding and government sectors colluded to transfer the assets of DNA's/Dance Space Center’s 30 years of community building and program development to what they considered to be a healthier business. 280 Broadway is reengaged. I recognize Gina Gibney's commitment, but it is important to publicly analyze 280 Broadway’s transition so a proper list of “lessons learned” will aid in strengthening the non-profit field and this city’s cultural policy.

Yesterday, I reached out to Lane Harwell for a response to Peila's concerns, and he agreed to forward a written reply by 10am this morning. I have not received his response in time to include it in this post. Business travel over the next few days will delay my ability to post a follow-up, but I still hope to receive and append anything that Harwell would like to share with the readers of InfiniteBody.

Your comments on this issue are also welcome.

DNA update (as of September 12)

SEPTEMBER 12 Update from Dance New Amsterdam

Dear DNA Community, Today we have reached an agreement with our landlord, Fram Realty, that allows DNA to remain at its current location through mid-October, after which DNA has agreed to leave 280 Broadway.  However, Fram Realty has agreed, in good faith, to continue to listen to any viable proposals DNA presents to it. Our agreement is being documented and submitted to the Bankruptcy Court for approval. Classes and rentals will be running through October 13. Know that we continue to work on a solution to support the DNA teachers, students,  artist,  audiences,  etc.; but as of yet,  we have not been able to secure a partner or find another solution that would allow us to meet DNA's business responsibilities and remain at 280 Broadway. The DNA Community is more than a 280 Broadway space; it exists regardless of where we work, dance, teach, create, and perform. For our part, we will help keep the lines of communication open between teachers, students, artists, and community supporters while looking for ways to keep our programs alive.  In the meantime, please come take class and rehearse! With great respect and awe, Catherine A. PeilaExecutive/Artistic Director

For InfiniteBody's earlier post on the DNA situation, click here.

Dance New Amsterdam files for bankruptcy protection

Dance New Amsterdam Files for Bankruptcy
by Felicia R. Lee, The New York Times, May 29, 2013

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May 29, 2013

To the Students and Community of Dance New Amsterdam:

Many of you have seen the announcement that DNA has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.  We'd like to talk to you about what this means for the organization, and how it affects you directly.

First, let me say that DNA isn't going anywhere.  Our doors are open, all our classes, workshops, and programs are happening as planned, and the theater is buzzing with performances.  

Second, I'd like to shed some light on our current situation:

DNA's financial challenges aren't about the amount of money we take in every year.  In fact, what we earned in 2012 completely covered our expenses.  Our challenge is past debt.

Our move to 280 Broadway was filled with delays, cost overruns, and several poor decisions by past management that created close to 4.5 million dollars in debt.  That is a big number, and it impacts our ability to solicit funding from foundations and the government. 

However, a lot of good things are happening that help chip away at that number.  Here are just a few:

Thanks to you, class and workshop numbers are strong and steady
We've added some new, fantastic folks to our contemporary faculty
Applications for our International Student Visa program are way up
Our existing partnership with Pace University remains strong, and new partnerships with the Joffrey Ballet School and the Tom Todoroff Acting Studio are diversifying the DNA community.

We now have a number of commercial clients who have committed to rehearsal space on an ongoing basis.

So why file for bankruptcy?  Chapter 11 is a business reorganization process that exists to protect organizations from their creditors while they get back on their feet.  It allows us to chip away at that debt faster without the looming threat of eviction.  More importantly, it allows us to focus on providing you with a creative space to train, perform, and collaborate with your peers. 

Finally, the most important thing you can do to help is to come to class, sign up for a workshop, see a performance, and continue to donate!  DNA is your home, and if there's something we can do to make you feel more welcome, please let us know.

We'll continue to communicate updates on our progress, but in the meantime, come and dance!

All the best,
   
Catherine A. Peila
Executive/Artistic Director
Dance New Amsterdam

Catherine Peila on why DNA--and your support--matters [AUDIO]

Catherine Peila, Executive and Artistic Director of Dance New Amsterdam, discusses the current challenge for this educational and presenting organization and the action that community supporters must take to help ensure its survival and future.

Listen here. [7:26:00]

For complete background information, see my previous post on DNA's Five Year Recovery Plan.

Donate to DNA now

Rally around Dance New Amsterdam

Click here to support Dance New Amsterdam:

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DANCE NEW AMSTERDAM ANNOUNCES
FIVE YEAR RECOVERY PLAN

Current Situation Still Challenging
Immediate Needs Totaling Nearly $150,000

NEW YORK, September 12, 2012 – On the heels of winning a 3-year battle to renegotiate new lease terms which substantially reduce its monthly rent obligations, Dance New Amsterdam (DNA), NYC’s foremost progressive dance education and performance center, releases the outline of its 5-year Recovery Plan. The announcement coincides with the opening of its 2012-2013 DNA PRESENTS Season and the introduction of strengthened educational offerings. Initiated by Executive and Artistic Director Catherine A. Peila, the plan is already actively being implemented and outlines key initiatives the organization is taking to achieve financial stability within three years and create income surplus within five years. Shaped by community concerns for public access and stability for artists’ careers, the plan incorporates cultural entrepreneurism and the economics of culture connected to the revitalization of Lower Manhattan/Tribeca. By serving more than 35,000 individuals yearly and providing over 650 arts-related jobs, DNA bolsters local businesses and greatly adds to the dynamic downtown cultural scene.

Since 2011, Michael M. Kaiser of the Kennedy Center’s DeVos Institute/Bloomberg Philanthropies has been working with the DNA team to offer greater insight into a successful turn around. Development of the plan included ongoing input from NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, a broad spectrum of key business representatives and cultural advocate Paul Nagle. State Senator Daniel Squadron, aligned with state and local elected officials and strategic cross-sector advisors, was also included in the conversation.

"DNA has been an integral part of Lower Manhattan's recovery, and critical to our neighborhood's emergence as one of New York's burgeoning cultural centers. In June, we reached an agreement to ensure that DNA remains in its home in ourLower Manhattan community. And now, DNA deserves another round of applause for continuing to work to forge a strong, viable, and dynamic path forward withtoday's strategic plan," said Senator Daniel Squadron. "I'm proud to stand with DNA, and the many community-based cultural organizations that make New York so great. Thank you to DNA for your invaluable work, and to all of our partners who helped make this strategic plan a reality."

The plan identifies four major strategic objectives:

1. Lower monthly lease costs and negotiate a settlement on arrears (achieved)
Peila announced on June 1, 2012 that new lease terms lowered DNA’s rent by an average of $30,000 per month through 2020. Additionally, the renegotiation resulted in the forgiveness of rent arrears debt.

2. Practice effective business operations

Under Peila’s direction, DNA has responsibly reduced general operating and programming expenses from $3.6 million to $2.3 million annually. The organization has implemented programmatic and curatorial changes and strengthened educational offerings. These restructured production and education programs expand artist services and include fitness, teen and children’s programming. DNA has also implemented energy efficiency measures and initiated restructuring plans to bring on new upper management hires with diverse cross-sector skill sets. The plan also puts keen emphasis on increasing thenumber of board embers by two to three times.

3. Build capacity through key partnerships to increase earned revenue and contributed income

Since 2008 DNA has built various strategic partnerships to generate additional streams of revenue and provide artists with increased access to services. Beyond these partnerships (Lower Manhattan Arts League, Tribeca Performing Arts Center/BMCC, the New Museum, and the National Museum the American Indian), DNA is working with elected officials, Community Board 1, community members, peer organizations, local businesses and artists from all five boroughs to establish additional opportunities for growth and community engagement. These local, national and international partnerships will provide an actively nurturing platform for dance, from DNA’s signature Simonson Technique© to ballet, contemporary and experimental dance. DNA artists and students are seen in performance spaces such as Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The Joyce Theater, La MaMa, MoMA and Whitney Museum of American Art, among others. Increased revenues will be used to further incubate existing and future generations of live performance artists.

4. Restructure the existing debt burden to create manageable payment schedules

DNA’s success in lowering the monthly facility lease payments means it is now in a position to move forward on restructuring its debt through a mixed model of refinancing, forgiveness of contributed investments and increased revenues. Under Peila’s leadership the organization has already cut deficits by $1.2 million and increased individual and philanthropic giving by 45% and earned income by 25%.

CALL TO ACTION:

The plan’s four objectives are focused on stabilizing DNA’s finances and operations. DNA projects $2.1 million for 2013 programming and facilities operations. The loss of a large rental client has recently created an unexpected income gap for the organization. An immediate call to the community to meet DNA’s first target goal of $150,000 by September 15, with the larger goal set at $450,000by the end of the current fiscal year (June 2013) is necessary to keep programs running and meet strategic milestones. A multi-year target of an additional one million for the next three years and a benchmark constant income goal of $3.5 million during years four and five are also part of the plan to create a surplus.

“I’m incredibly proud of the progress DNA has made over the past four years; especially when the future looked dismal. Already, DNA has achieved more than expected without sacrificing our mission,” said Executive and Artistic Director Peila.  “Our success thus far is due to the stability of our creative and educational programming and the energy and commitment of DNA’s staff, students, artists, funders, audiences and partnering organizations. However, even after all this hard work the recent unexpected income gap could result in Lower Manhattan losing one of its few ‘public access’ cultural centers and incubator art spaces. We moved to Lower Manhattan to be a part of its revitalization. We call upon the philanthropic community and government representatives to join the community and ensure DNA meets our immediate goal - and to further support the long-term solutions in this strategic plan, propelling DNA to a place of sound fiscal health thus creating a stable environment for artist works and the birth of new ideas. ”

DNA’s Strategic Plan FY2013-2018, represents the organization’s commitment to offering the highest caliber of dance programming, continuing DNA’s 28-year tradition of supporting the life, career and longevity of dance artists. Upon accepting the leadership position in 2008, Peila began turnaround initiatives advised by Arts ActionResearch and supported by funds from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. In 2010, as part of a Bloomberg Philanthropies grant, DNA attended the DeVos Institute of Arts Management Capacity Building Arts Advancement Initiate conferences. In 2011 Ms. Peila initiated further development of the 5-year plan working closely with Kaiser, local elected officials, DNA partners, while reaching out to funders and the community. The organization is not only developing a strong strategy to become financially stable but anchoring a downtown cultural campus that encouragesentrepreneurial spirit, provides a space for arts incubation and fosters collaboration.

###

About Dance New Amsterdam

Founded in 1984, DNA provides a community hub for the highest quality dance training, choreographic exploration and innovative performance, developing new audiences and bridging communities. It provides valuable opportunities for the aspiring, emerging and established artist, including daily classes, certification courses, commissions and artistic residencies, along with studio and administrative office subsidies. DNA encourages professionalism, entrepreneurial cross-disciplinary initiatives, community engagement and diverse artistic expression. It was the first nonprofit arts organization to move to Lower Manhattan after 9/11, serving as a renewing force in NYC's cultural landscape. To learn more about DNA and supporting its programs through charitable donations, visit www.dnadance.org

DNA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and its 2012-2013 programming is made possible through the generosity of its supporters. As of July 2012, public funding provided by: New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; and New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Private funding provided by: Bloomberg Philanthropies, with support from the Kennedy Center/DeVos Institute; The MAP Fund, a program of Creative Capital supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation; Mertz Gilmore Foundation; Jerome Robbins Foundation; Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; and FJC, a Foundation of Philanthropic Funds. In-kind support from: Arts & Business Council, Fox Rothschild LLP, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, and Materials for the Arts. Additional support provided by our Advisors, Programming Partners, Neighborhood Partners, International Partners, and DNA’s community of individual donors. Dance New Amsterdam is part of The Lower Manhattan Arts League and its downtown festivals, made possible by generous support from The New York Community Trust – LuEsther T. Mertz Advised Fund. For a full list of DNA’s partnerships, visit www.dnadance.org.

New lease, new life for Dance New Amsterdam

State Senator Daniel Squadron at DNA press conference (photo by Eva Yaa Asantewaa)

l-r: State Assemblywoman Deborah Glick; Squadron; Community Board 1 Chair Julie Menin; DNA's Executive/Artistic Director Catherine A. Peila; Board of Directors Co-Chair Martha Chapman (Photo by Joon Shin)

Supporters, advisors and colleagues of Dance New Amsterdam's unsinkable Executive/Artistic Director, Catherine A. ("Kate") Peila, gathered at the studio, theater and exhibition center on Friday to learn how, after three years of dogged work, DNA had finally reached agreement with landlord Fram Realty for a substantial decrease in its rent and debt. Removing the threat of eviction from this institution, hit hard by the economic downturn, is not only a big win for the dance community but also for Lower Manhattan, where many small arts groups--such as 3 Legged Dog and Access Theater--maintain a tenuous hold in a high-stakes environment dominated by financial institutions.

"What we did was, basically, whatever it took," said State Senator Daniel Squadron. "At the end of the day, [Fram] did the right thing."

Peila exulted in her center's new, 10-year lease on life, the possibility to move forward with plans to restructure its educational department and engage artists with visions for the future of dance. Moreover, she said, the organization's new-found stability means that donors--some who stayed and others who chose to withdraw--can be assured that "their money will not disappear. We will be here."

The organization will still need to raise the more than $1.2 million needed annually to maintain its facilities.

DNA has 18 full-time employees and extends programming that supports 400 artists in commissioned and produced work. The organization also services over 11,000 individual students and dance company members yearly. Its location in The Sun Building includes six studios, a 130-seat theater, two art galleries and artist administrative space. DNA provides jobs for over 650 teachers, choreographers, technicians, visual artists and musicians through its programming. Dance education programs, performances and rehearsals are estimated to reach more than 11,000 students and dance company members along with the 20,000 plus community visitors resulting in an economic benefit of over $1 million to local businesses, MTA and the government.

While celebrating DNA's survival, State Assemblywoman Deborah Glick delicately noted the ever-present threat.

"This is a tough city in many ways," she said. "We do not do enough to nurture the soul of the city. It's a tough place because real estate runs this city."

That was the underlying theme of an informal roundtable following Squadron and Peila's press conference, attended by representatives of several at-risk arts groups from Lower Manhattan. Speakers questioned how public officials and funding agencies can expect artists to be "more entrepreneurial" with odds stacked against them and little practical support.

Participants described a long-standing atmosphere in which artists, having pioneered and transformed New York's neighborhoods, are considered, at best, temporary place-holders, at worst, barriers to economic progress. Public officials, paying lip service to the notion of helping small businesses, actually give zoning preference and tax breaks to corporate tenants with big pockets. There's little recognition of the prominent role that the arts have always played in driving New York tourism as well as stabilizing and developing neighborhood communities.

While DNA's 2010 crisis, now resolved, served to identify powerful allies such as Squadron, Glick, former City Councilmember Alan Gerson and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, arts organizations will need to educate and sensitize many more public officials and mobilize communities to demand respect for the artists who make their neighborhoods more vital, safe and nourishing places to live and work.

Sign at 2010 press conference/support rally for DNA at City Hall (Photo by Eva Yaa Asantewaa)

Click here for DNA press conference and roundtable mp3 (1:33:11)

Statement from Catherine A. Peila

Almost exactly two years ago, Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) informed the public that we were threads away from eviction. DNA’s current space, which was renovated and made possible as a result of post 9/11 revitalization efforts and more than $4 million of contributed and public funding along with DNA programs revenue, was not affordable. The community supported DNA with more than 4,000 signatures of support to Mayor Bloomberg. A vow of support from the DNA dance community was further showcased on the steps of City Hall including dancing and speeches in the pouring rain.

After three years of appeals to landlord Fram Realty LLC and Abro Management, building owner, Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) – and with the help of extraordinary political leaders State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblymember Deborah Glick, City Council Member Margaret Chin, Community Board 1, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, former council member Alan Gerson and advocates Dance/NYC and policy expert Paul Nagle,– DNA was able to secure an affordable amended lease and reduce debt. None of which would have been possible without our dedicated pro bono lawyer Meredith Kane of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP as well DNA Board Co-Chair Richard Reice of Fox Rothschild LLP. Additionally many city agency leaders committed their time and energy to supporting DNA in finding creative solutions to our lease and cash flow conundrum.

DNA is forging ahead powerfully, building relationships and partnerships with other community arts and cultural groups. We are working personally with Michael M. Kaiser of the DeVos Institute (supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies) who is renowned for assisting world-class cultural institutions to build business models that provide the healthy atmosphere necessary for artists to thrive. We are in partnership talks with cross-discipline cultural and academic organizations, along with cross-sector businesses and institutions – allowing DNA to support and augment college accredited courses, film and acting related connections for dancers.

We are also building international contemporary partnerships that not only support the training and creation of jobs for artists but also help artists legitimize their own contemporary dance styles. We are increasing our network within the contemporary dance world and the entertainment industry such as Broadway, television and film. We are also developing an innovative entrepreneurial program that provides tools and practices to artists for developing and sustaining a creative career including merchandising and sales. We expect to announce further details within the next few months on many of these initiatives.

However, with this good news, DNA is not out of the water. Still to tackle is our debt from the original build-out (which was fraught with set-backs) and bridge loans (a result of delays and recalling of promised funding due to the economic downturn). The news of a possible eviction resulted in loss of support from funders wary of awarding grant monies to an organization that may not exist in the near future thus resulting in a severe cash-flow strain along with a reevaluation and redevelopment of budget projections, programming and administration. Today’s news is one more nod towards DNA’s
commitment to thrive in New York’s dance community. It is also an opportunity to reiterate how vital DNA is to incubating and supporting dancers, choreographers, related visual and complimentary discipline artists as well as presenting innovative cultural programming and artist commissions, quality dance education and resource sharing for dance artists of diverse dance genres.

We also hope that today’s press conference will make a statement that DNA is here to stay – we will not give up on artists whether it be lengthy multi-year negotiations, debt consolidations or loss of funding. DNA’s staff is working tirelessly to keep our doors open and we are restructuring so our programs are relevant in today’s environment. DNA’s mission is to support the development of the whole dancer through educational and creative opportunities and in a professional atmosphere – from studio-to-stage and beyond. We’ve refined our schedule of core classes and increased contemporary workshops led by Guest Artists who are active in the field of education and performance. We’re committed to artists through long-term (multi-year) residencies from conception to final product focusing on projects beyond DNA – we encourage development of touring and merchandise development and sales along with career development through cross-sector collaborations. DNA continues to offer opportunities for artists to create and be presented at DNA, to seek and develop partnerships with our cultural neighbors and businesses, advocate for arts institutions as sustainers of communities, and increase our creative and economic footprint in Lower Manhattan and New York. DNA is here to stay - and we dance on.

Rally tomorrow for Dance New Amsterdam

Dance New Amsterdam, facing possible eviction this week, is holding a protest rally tomorrow at City Hall.  Listen to my audio interview with DNA's Kate Peila here and come to the rally!

***

LAST CHANCE TO DANCE?

No Way!!

Dance for Justice for DNA!!

Join us for a rally for dance

When: Tuesday, July 13, 1pm

Where: The steps of City Hall

We must send a strong message to Mayor Bloomberg and the City that Dance is important. We need dancers and dance lovers to come out in force. 

We cannot allow the City to let DNA be lost to the dance community. Share this message with your friends and please join us on Tuesday.

We will not stop dancing!

Interview with Dance New Amsterdam's Kate Peila

Catherine "Kate" Peila (Executive Director of Dance New Amsterdam) discusses the organization's current financial and legal crisis and details the international scope of DNA's work and its value to New York City.

Listen to Kate Peila interview

Also see: Show some support for Dance New Amsterdam

Sign DNA's petition here: DNA statement

Donate to help DNA keep going!

Show support for Dance New Amsterdam

Dance New Amsterdam is in grave danger of being evicted from its Lower Manhattan space on July 14. Read more about this and sign the statement of support here.

Excerpted from DNA's Press Statement:

We are seeking a solution enabling uks to maintain our mission to teach dancers to dance, commission choreographers to create, and present dance performances to the public. We’ve requested lower rent to match current market rates and non-profit tax abatement. Unless there is immediate consensus between DNA, city agencies and Fram Realty, our legal teams will have to proceed accordingly.

DNA provides jobs for over 250 teachers, choreographers, technicians, visual artists and musicians as well as 18 full-time staff. Our dance education programs, performances and rehearsals are estimated to reach more than 8,000 students and in total 32,000 individuals each year, resulting in an economic benefit of at least $750,000 to local businesses. The loss of our cultural institution will have great impact on Lower Manhattan’s community, not to mention the loss of a home to thousands of global dancers and artists.

Institutions like DNA make New York─and more specifically, Lower Manhattan─unique. They take years to build, but only hours to destroy. We encourage dancers, cultural advocates and the community to stand together with our team of lawyers from Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP; Paul Weiss; and Seyfarth Shaw as well as elected officials State Senator Daniel Squadron, City Council Member Margaret Chin, Assembly Member Deborah Glick, Community Board 1 and others to keep DNA Alive.