The Creamery Campaign
2026 marks a defining moment for the Creamery Arts Center.
For some, it’s where they showed their first painting.
For others, it’s where their kids took their first clay class.
For many, it’s where this valley began to feel like home.
Now, we’re ready to take the next step: purchasing the Creamery building and securing this space as a permanent home for the arts in the North Fork Valley.
Our 2026 Campaign Goal
This year’s fundraising supports both day-to-day operations and the first major steps in our three-year plan to buy the building.
Our campaign is built around three ways to give:
Legacy Builders
Secure Our Home
Goal: $165,000
Supports the costs required to protect and stabilize the building.
- Down payment
- Lease-to-own payment
- Property taxes
- Upkeep & maintenance
Legacy Builders help ensure the Creamery remains a creative home for generations.
Become a Legacy Builder. Support our campaign
Community Sustainers
Support Our People
Goal: $75,000
Supports the staff and leadership who make the Creamery run.
- Executive Director
- Staff
- Business services & operations
In 2026, we’re seeking an Executive Director to help guide the Creamery into its next chapter.
Become a Community Supporter. Support our campaign
Creative Champions
Expand Studios & Programs
Goal: $15,600
Invests in creative spaces and educational programming.
- Clay studio upgrades
- Educational programs
- Floor repair & paint
Creative Champions help keep the Creamery inspiring and accessible.
Become a Creative Champion. Support our campaign
Our Three-Year Ownership Plan
A Community Investment in the Future
Buying the Creamery is a three-year effort designed to ensure long-term stability.
Year 1 — Secure the Future
Total: $165,000
- $50,000 Down Payment to finalize the purchase
- $6,000 Lease-to-Own Payment
- $8,000 Property Taxes
- $5,000 Upkeep & Maintenance
- $96,000 Building Principal Payment
Year 1 Focus: get the keys in hand, build momentum, and stabilize the organization as we transition to ownership.
Year 2 — Stabilize & Strengthen
Total: $115,000
- $6,000 Lease-to-Own Payment
- $8,000 Property Taxes
- $5,000 Upkeep & Maintenance
- $96,000 Building Principal Payment
Year 2 Focus: strengthen operations, improve the building, and continue expanding programs for youth and adults.
Year 3 — Complete the Purchase
Total: $115,000
- $6,000 Lease-to-Own Payment
- $8,000 Property Taxes
- $5,000 Upkeep & Maintenance
- $96,000 Building Principal Payment
Year 3 Focus: complete the purchase, build reserves for future repairs, and invest in long-term improvements.
This three-year ownership plan is a working draft, shared in the spirit of transparency. As we move forward—finalizing financing, learning together, and responding to community input—we’ll continue to refine and update it. We’re committed to keeping this process open, clear, and grounded in what’s best for the Creamery and the community it serves.
We Need You!
Your support helps to:
- Protect a beloved community arts center
- Preserve an historic Bridge Street building
- Support local artists, classes, and youth programs
- Build long-term stability for arts and culture in the North Fork Valley
You’re not just supporting a campaign—you’re helping write the next chapter of What the Creamery Means to Me.
“What the Creamery Means to Me”
This year’s theme celebrates the voices that make this place what it is.
Every donation, volunteer hour, and shared story adds another brushstroke to the collective portrait of the Creamery.
When you give, you’re not just funding a building — you’re investing in belonging, creativity, and the shared belief that small towns can do big things through art.
Join us as a Legacy Builder, Community Sustainer, or Creative Champion — and help write the next chapter of What the Creamery Means to Me.
