Since moving into The Center in the spring of 2009, Arts of the Albemarle has established itself as the champion of cultural activity, not only in Elizabeth City but across the region.

In the renovated Lowry-Chesson building on Main Street, AoA has created a home for the full range of visual and performing arts. The Center houses multiple galleries on its first floor, the Maguire Theater and additional rooms for classes and seminars on the second floor and a small ballroom on the third floor. Patrons can enjoy the work of others, whether it’s art, music, dance or theater, or tap into their own creative juices with dance classes and art lessons. A prime example of the latter is the Center Players, the youth troupe that has grown from eight to 40 students. The Center Players exemplify AoA’s educational outreach and effort to fill the arts education void in the public school system.

The Center showcases not only local artists but brings talent from outside the area, including the Carolina Brass, the Hurrah Players from Norfolk, Va., jazz singer Melva Houston and plein air artist Joshua Been. AoA has also made an effort to foster diversity in its shows and programs, and has the potential to use the arts to help bridge the divide that persists between the races in Elizabeth City.

In addition, last year, AoA was selected Non-Profit Business of the Year by Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Executive director Ray Meiggs deserves much of the credit for AoA’s accomplishments. Since coming onboard in December 2009, he has provided the vision, energy, passion and hard work required to make The Center an arts and entertainment destination and a catalyst for building a creative economy in northeastern North Carolina. Unfortunately, Meiggs announced his resignation last week to take a position at the Whalehead Club in Corolla. It’s a clear case of one organization’s loss being another one’s gain.

The AoA board’s quick appointment of Rhonda Twiddy as interim director will aid in meeting the challenge of filling Ray’s shoes, but the lack of funds to provide a competitive compensation package certainly complicates the recruiting process.

As with all non-profits, AoA faces the ongoing struggle for consistent funding. The organization survives primarily on contributions from corporate and private citizens and grants. This requires relentless fund-raising and hand-to-mouth budgeting. While this is the nature of the non-profit beast, for an arts organization it forces less than strategic cutbacks, such as limiting marketing and promotion, which is so critical to filling theater seats, and not providing any of the staff with benefits. As most business leaders know, employees are your most important asset.

AoA has received some government funding. In 2010, Elizabeth City awarded AoA $15,000 from the community support funds it divvies out to non-profits. In 2011, that figure dropped to $10,000, but the Tourism Development Authority, which receives its fund from the occupancy tax, gave $15,000. Pasquotank County chipped in $2,667 and Camden County $2,500. Though AoA is grateful for this support, it amounts to only 5 percent of the group’s annual operating budget of about $600,000.

We think it’s time for local government to recognize what AoA contributes to the local economy and to the quality of life and provide commensurate financial support — institutionalized support.

AoA’s presence clearly adds positive energy and activity to downtown Elizabeth City. It draws people to the myriad events held there, including the parties and fundraisers held by other individuals and organizations who rent The Center’s space. Patrons of The Center dine out at local restaurants, stay in local B&Bs and hotels and are exposed to the area’s retail offerings. This AoA-inspired energy was illustrated on a recent Tuesday night when cars jockeyed for parking as the Center Players left rehearsal and the Wine & Art students arrived for their lesson.

As former AoA board president Randy Midgett once quipped, the building should have been named “The Epicenter” instead of “The Center.” In addition to the art shows, plays, musical acts, classes and parties hosted at The Center, AoA is the “A” in the Elizabeth City H.A.S., a campaign to showcase the region’s history, arts and sciences.

AoA is already fueling the creative economy of the Albemarle region. But, in order for the organization to help that economy continue to grow, it needs consistent funding, not just from corporate donors — a thin resource in our region — but from local governments.

As Meiggs has said, imagine Main Street without The Center.