Another leadership change coming for iconic arts group CSPS

CEDAR RAPIDS — Iconic Cedar Rapids arts organization CSPS will experience another leadership shake-up when its interim executive director leaves at the end of this month.

Jim Miller, who has served as the interim leader since January, will leave July 31. He stepped in after the departure of Taylor Bergen — the first leader of the organization after the departure of the group’s founders, Mel Andringa and F. John Herbert.

“We really appreciate the job that Jim Miller did and we wish him well in the future,” board President Monica Vernon said. “The board together with staff are working through a plan for operations going forward.”

Vernon said the board will conduct a search and evaluation for leadership, but the timeline is uncertain.

The board feels “positive about the transition” with bookings already planned through the next year, Vernon said. A more concrete transition plan will come soon, Vernon said, but Miller’s decision to step aside was recent so the board is “in the process right now of tightening up those plans.”

The departure comes as the group grapples with financial struggles and it awaits the IRS’ reinstatement of its tax-exempt status.

Leadership changes and COVID-19 disruptions already had dealt the group a blow as leaders worked to pay off more than $100,000 in debt. Then the IRS last July revoked the organization’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity status after it failed to file tax returns for three consecutive years — 2018, 2019 and 2020. That happened under previous CSPS staff and board members.

To fill in the gaps while much grant funding remains inaccessible without tax-exempt status, CSPS’ board is looking to raise $125,000 by the end of 2022 to maintain its operations. The group’s leaders expect a decision on the reinstatement of its status still is several months away.

In the meantime, Vernon told a small group of supporters in June the group is taking steps to chart a long-term sustainable path by boosting revenue, focusing on fundraising and strengthening community connections.

Contributions for charitable purposes meant for CSPS must instead be made payable to Fractured Atlas, a nonprofit arts service organization, until CSPS regains its own tax-exempt status. Those looking to support CSPS can donate by visiting cspshall.org/donate.

In addition to donations from supporters, the fundraising strategy could include increasing sponsorships and corporate engagement, renting space in parts of the building at 1103 Third St. SE, offering naming rights agreements and launching annual fund drives, Vernon said.

Vernon did not disclose how much money CSPS has raised since making its funding pitch.

“People do support CSPS,” Vernon said. “It just takes quite a bit of community support to keep organizations like that going.”

Miller, 51, of Cedar Rapids, accepted the interim executive director position in December 2021 and came onboard in January 2022.

“The largest and most significant” task awaiting him was to submit the nonprofit reinstatement application to the IRS. “The three tax returns that were not filed had been filed by the end of December,” he noted, and working with an accounting firm, it took most of January to get the application ready and submitted in early February.

Now the organization is waiting to hear back, and Miller said he’s been told the IRS typically grants those requests in May and November. Since CSPS wasn’t in the May grouping, he’s hoping the 501(c)(3) status will be reinstated in the fall.

He’s built his career working in the arts and culture scenes, with long stints as owner of Center Stage costumes in downtown Cedar Rapids and executive director of the Valley Junction district in West Des Moines. Most recently he was vice president at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids before joining the CSPS staff.

He doesn’t have another position lined up, but is working on some leads and anticipates staying within the arts and culture realm.

“I’ve enjoyed events and programs at CSPS like everyone, and was excited — and am excited,” he said. “It was a good opportunity — some heavy lifting, but a good opportunity.”

Revival Theatre and SPT Theater shows already were on the calendar, but Miller and the CSPS staff also worked diligently to bring in other concerts, art exhibits and collaborations with NewBo/Czech Village entities in Cedar Rapids, as well as partnering with the Englert Theatre in Iowa City to bring Grammy-nominated folk singer/songwriter Mary Gauthier to the CSPS stage Sept. 17.

“We’re all trying to do the same thing, so let’s try to do this together,” he said, adding that joining forces to split costs and profits “is really smart for all the organizations.”

Leaving now after about six months was his choice, he said. He said he’s accomplished what needed to be done to help get CSPS back on track, so he felt it was time to move on.

“I was always interim director, and that was a mutual agreement,” he said, “so interim isn’t forever.”

Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com

Diana Nollen of The Gazette contributed to this report.