The Johnson Center for the Arts 2016 membership drive closed out in record fashion in October with more members and more membership funding than ever before.

Vicki Pritchett, JCA director, said the 2016 membership drive was the most successful in the history of the arts center “by far.”

“The total for our 2015 membership drive was $40,000 so we set that amount as our goal for the 2016 drive,” Pritchett said. “But, once again, we set record numbers for our membership drive with nearly 200 members and $58,000. That’s wonderful for a town the size of Troy. We don’t have that many people to pull from. That says a lot about the people of Troy and Pike County and others associated with the Johnson Center.”

Pritchett said the $18,000 increase in membership funding was aided by two patrons of the arts who pledged $5,000 each once the drive hit the $10,000 mark.

“We had some people who wanted to help us reach $10,000 early in the membership drive because that amount would quickly double,” Pritchett said. “And, too, the benefits of membership are very attractive. Depending on the level of membership, members have travel opportunities, free tickets to ‘Christmas at the Center’ and discounts to other events. The JCA newsletter is also free to members.

Pritchett said Earl Ellis, membership chair, made many personal contacts in the downtown and business communities to let them know the importance of the arts to the economic development of the downtown area and to the growth of business.

Pritchett said the record-setting membership drive is an indication that people are buying into the JCA’s mission to educate people in the arts and to provide after-school and summer programs for children and adults.

“We want to offer opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the different forms of art,” Pritchett said. “If you are not of the age to participate in the art programs at the Colley Senior Complex, then you have nowhere to practice art so there is a need for a place that offers art programs for children and adults.”

Pritchett said it is encouraging and exciting to know that more people are realizing what the arts mean to them personally and to the community.

“We have an outstanding plan for the Johnson Center in the year 2016 and we are excited to have 200 members who will be the strength and support of all that we do,” she said. “Membership to the Johnson Center is always open and we invite and encourage others to join us in our support of the arts.”

The Johnson Center for the Arts at 3000 East Market Street in Troy is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and until 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is always free. For more information about memberships or exhibits and programs at the JCA, call 334-670-2287.