The Orcas Center had record attendance in 2008, made progress toward most of its strategic goals but closed the fiscal year with an operating deficit of $48,000 due to shortfalls in membership and special events.

In 2008, the center saw an increase in attendance of 14 percent and average attendance increase to 73 percent. Participation in performances was up 80 percent and 37 percent more people attended classes and workshops.

But attendance covers only 20 percent of the center’s expenses. In the past, donor support has made up the rest of the required funds with the center relying on endowment funds for programming and operations. The center’s unaudited 2008 financial statement reflected losses in endowment funds of approximately $208,000 or 29 percent.

At the center’s annual membership meeting on March 8, Center Board of Trustees President Joe Massey said the Orcas Center was facing perhaps the most challenging financial period in its history.

Orcas Center’s management has responded to the lack of funds by making cuts to the budget, including reducing staff.

Massey requested that center members and the Orcas community keep their memberships current, attend events, sponsor season events, and consider providing for Orcas Center in their estate plans to help them weather the current financial crisis.

The annual report saw increases in all the center’s goals, except finances, with two-thirds more artists performing at the center and arts education for students being serviced by weekly dance and theater instruction.

The 2008 “Margaret Exton Award” was presented to the Visual Arts Committee in recognition of their volunteer efforts. The “Bunny Award” will be presented to Grace McCune who played Belle in “Beauty and the Beast” and Louisa in “The Fantasticks.”