What is the S.H.A.C.? Now find and support SHAC on 
The space is to be used for our already established programs (which you can read about on our website) as well as for the following new concepts:
- Hands on studio space for short term or long term rent / lease
- For individuals to rent for their own creative use
- For adult and youth groups to use for creative collaboration, gathering and learning
- For special needs groups to expand their creative spirit
- For K-12 after school art and music programs
- Class room space
- For other art organizations and artist instructors to use
- For other creative instruction such as music
- Community space
- For other organizations to gather
- For periodic gallery displays for VFAA members, performances, and events
We feel the time is ripe to launch this endeavor. “Supply” of places to create art, outside of public school art classes, is low and being minimized or eliminated, which in turn increases demand. We have a place in mind that we believe will be perfect but still needs to be acquired. We are also open to other place opportunities for creative SPACE that will allow the programs we currently have and that we envision for the future to thrive.
If you’d like to donate towards the realization of the S.H.A.C., please do so here:
Or write a check out to VFAA with “SHAC” in the memo line and mail to VFAA c/o 238 N. Main Street, Milford, MI 48381.
The VFAA is a 501 c 3 non profit organization since 1992 and your donation is tax deductible.
If you’d like to help, or want more information, please contact:
Andrea Perry, the S.H.A.C.’s Director of Development at:
shac@milfordvfaa.org or call 248-797-3060
Susan Gollon, VFAA Executive Director at:
contactus@milfordvfaa.org or call 248-421-3337
Want to Know More?
The VFAA has been around since 1992 as a 100% volunteer organization. The community has been our venue, with meetings and events held at various locations around town: free lectures at the Milford Presbyterian Church, art shows at Milford Public Library and the Huron Valley Council for the Arts, gallery space at local businesses such as The Blue Grill and Caribou Coffee, and facilitating community projects at Huron Valley Hospital, the Healing Arts program at Henry Ford Hospital and The Learning Center.In April 2012, the opportunity arose for dreaming bigger. We were offered funding in the name of Suzanne Haskew, one of our founding members. We were asked, “What is your vision for the future?”
The VFAA board of directors labored long and hard about what to do in her memory. Our conversations kept coming back again and again to having our own space, which has been the VFAA’s dream since the beginning. We would call that space the VFAA Suzanne Haskew Art Center, a.k.a. The S.H.A.C., and we hope it becomes a special jewel not only in the Village of Milford, but to surrounding communities as well.
An essential part of our vision was to provide a service that no other art organization in the area is already offering. Currently, there are galleries, artist co-ops and the Huron Valley Council for the Arts (HVCA) supplying the usual art opportunities. Upon asking local artists, parents of creative children, and especially young adult artists (high school through college graduates) what they would like to see in the Milford area with regards to the arts, we kept hearing the same word over and over again: a PLACE to create art. A PLACE to congregate with fellow artists, to share each other’s creative work, ideas and inspiration. A PLACE where kids can get the art education that the schools struggle to provide. A PLACE for my studio other than my basement, attic, closet, dining room table, etc.
And it will continue being a home for our already well-established programs (lectures, art shows, workshops,).
Research has revealed several models already in operation around the country that meet the above mentioned criteria, and the Village of Milford currently has no community space for creative, visual art endeavors. We believe that adding this element to the VFAA while collaborating with businesses and programs already offered in the area will provide the Milford Village with an important community asset. We believe the S.H.A.C will help nearby businesses with increased traffic while working as an “anchor” to help support the area in which we are located, all the while continuing to serve our current mission and do so in a unique, community-based way.
For over two decades, the VFAA has been a magnet to the Village of Milford. Even though the group was founded and is headquartered in Milford, most of our membership and event participants come from various neighboring communities. Milford benefits greatly when they do because they dine at the local restaurants and shop at the stores. Many were first introduced to our beautiful Milford public library by participating in our annual spring Poetry Art Night event. In conjunction with other activities, we set up our artwork to entice residents and visitors to the downtown area and enhance community events. We’ve already been doing this for years. It’s time we did that better, too. A place of our own is the next step.
We feel the time is ripe to launch this endeavor. “Supply” of places to create art, outside of public school art classes, is low and being minimized or eliminated, which in turn increases demand. We have a place in mind that we believe will be perfect but still needs to be acquired. We are also open to other place opportunities for creative SPACE that will allow the programs we currently have and that we envision for the future to thrive.
We hope you agree.
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