by Anonym ·
Thursday, December 18, 2014
by Joan Eliyesil
The non-profit Center on the Common, which has attempted for the past two years to create a viable cultural center in Harvard’s old library, announced today that it was shutting down.
In a letter emailed to the Board of Selectmen Thursday evening on behalf of the Center’s five-member Board of Directors, Director Bob Hubert announced the organization had decided to “discontinue” its programs. “It is clear to us that the Center cannot fully support itself” under the terms of its current lease, he wrote, and he blamed what he termed “the situation with town hall” for “our ability to fully achieve our financial model.”
The building was closed all day Dec. 18 following an order by the Board of Selectmen that the Center cease its activities there until it could produce a valid certificate of insurance. Groups attempting to enter for regularly scheduled activities found a sign on the front door banning its use. In recent months, the Center has been home to yoga, dance and ballet classes, informal music jams, jazz concerts, and art exhibits.
In his letter, Hubert wrote that although the Center’s “revenue has been consistent, it has not been enough to fully cover our staff, programs, and building expenses.” In an effort to raise money owed to the town for back rent and utilities, the center began a fundraising campaign a few weeks ago on Fundrazr, an online fundraising website, and received $3,185 in donations. That campaign has been suspended.
The Harvard Press will continue to follow this story on our website.