Greetings all!
This sad news came out today. For those of us who love and collect artists'
books, this is extremely heartbreaking. We can only hope that the
suspension is only that, and not the end of Nexus and its marvelous
creations.
Moira
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Moira Steven, Head Librarian
Atlanta College of Art Library
1280 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: 404-733-5021/Fax: 404-733-5312
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"Art is a human activity having for its purpose the transmission to others
of the highest and best feelings to which men have risen." Leo Tolstoi
Atlanta Contemporary Art Center cuts Nexus Press
Due to current funding challenges, The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center will
suspend operations for Nexus Press starting Feb. 28.
One full-time staff position will be cut. The Contemporary's board of
directors will create a task force to develop a sustainable business plan
for Nexus Press.
"This was an extremely difficult decision for The Contemporary to make,"
said Rob Smulian, executive director. "With operating funds now harder to
come by, a downturn in the economy combined with the threat of war and the
overall decline in support for the arts have lead us to this painful point."
Faced with a projected deficit of $55,000 for fiscal 2003, on top of a
larger operating deficit in fiscal 2002, The Contemporary has had to make
tough decisions. Nexus Press is not self-sustaining -- Its operating funds
come directly from The Contemporary's budget. The Contemporary said Nexus
Press' operations have been based on a business plan that is not sustainable
in the current business climate.
At current programming levels, Nexus Press costs approximately $8,500 per
month to run. The Press produces on average from four to eight books per
year with sales of $15,000 to $20,000. The Press is carrying a significant
inventory of books representing approximately 60 titles.
Nexus Press is the only experimental offset artist book press in the
country. It has produced artists' books for the past 25 years through
various residency programs and artist-initiated projects. Titles are
distributed to individual collectors, booksellers, galleries, museums and
libraries, both nationally and internationally. Nexus Press book titles are
represented in major collections throughout the world, including the Museum
of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
In recent years, at least two other similar artist book presses were forced
to close due to a lack of financial sustainability. The limited market for
these books is unable to sustain the dwindling number of artist book presses
remaining.
While Nexus Press operations are suspended, the task force will consider all
options to make it viable, which may include finding a linkage with other
institutions.
© 2003 American City Business Journals Inc.
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