Hinsdale Center for the Arts' Decision to Close 'Painful,' Board Member Says

The  (HCA) has closed its doors in due to "loss of vital funding" and "general economic turmoil," according to a press release Patch received Saturday.

"I can confirm that as difficult as it was, we have ultimately been forced to make the decision to close the [HCA's] doors," board member Jan Tuthill said in an accompanying email to Patch. "I can't tell you how painful this was for the whole board."  

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According to a July 25 story in The Doings, participants signed up for current summer classes have been notified of the closing. Enrollment numbers this summer were underwhelming, Tuthill told The Doings.

The HCA closed on July 20.

The following is the HCA's official statement regarding the closing:

After 32 years as the area’s regional arts center, Hinsdale Center for the Arts is closing its doors. Loss of vital funding, along with the general economic turmoil, have caused great financial struggle to the Center over the past several years. 

In spite of the inspired work to save the Center by its staff, board, and supporters, the Center was unable to stem the tide of debilitating financial loss.

Since 1980, HCA has offered first-rate educational programming in the visual arts, music, dance, and creative writing, hosted chamber music performances by some of Chicago’s most renown musicians,  showcased both established and emerging artists in it’s gallery, provided outreach opportunities to area schools and underserved populations, and honored its mission to “educate, encourage, and facilitate participation in the arts."