GUADALUPE, Calif. - The Guadalupe Dunes Center and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts are trading spaces. The two groups will now work on creating a shared campus, they believe will improve services to the members and public.
According to their news release, "The Dunes Center has operated an interpretive visitor center at 1055 Guadalupe Street for more than ten years, with school programs and administrative offices located at 1045 Guadalupe Street. Next door at 1065 Guadalupe Street is the 12-year old Guadalupe Cultural Arts & Education Center, an organization that focuses on the Native American and cultural history of Guadalupe and the surrounding area. On October 27th, both centers will celebrate their grand re-opening at their new locations, a move that will position each organization for long-term health and continued success. The Dunes Center will be at 1065 Guadalupe Street and The Guadalupe Cultural Arts & Education Center will be at 1055 Guadalupe Street
The Dunes Center Board of Directors proposed the innovative collaboration between groups as a means of both improving services and addressing financial challenges. "Our primary role is to provide science and environmental education programs to K-8 students in the classroom and at other locations. We served nearly 5,000 students during the past school year, and with our staff working primarily off site, we simply don't need much office space," stated Frances Romero, Executive Director for the Dunes Center. "Reducing our physical space enables us to maintain our visitor center and redirect funds formerly needed for overhead into increased educational outreach," she said. Romero noted that the timing was ideal to address the Guadalupe Cultural Arts and Education Center's expansion needs. Karen Evangelista, executive director of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts & Education Center, noted that her organization had needed additional space for some time. "We expanded our building in 2008, but any future growth is constrained by our lot size. We considered adding a second floor to meet our growing needs, but our new arrangement with the Dunes Center is a much better solution," she said. Both groups recognize the increasing challenges faced by non-profit organizations operating in a difficult economy and the need to operate efficiently.
The Dunes Center's Romero said that when the new arrangement is complete, both organizations will be able to better serve the public and more effectively deliver their services. "We are proud to join with the Guadalupe Cultural Arts and Education Center in an innovative, forward thinking, collaborative relationship," Romero said, adding that in addition to the headquarters operations of each organization, the two are creating a shared campus to enhance the visitor experience. The wall that formerly divided the centers has been removed to provide easy access to both facilities so visitors can enjoy and learn about the natural and cultural history of the Central Coast. The community and public are encouraged to stop by over the coming months to enjoy a firsthand view of the changes and progress already underway. "It's exciting to see collaboration and innovation in action," said Evangelista."
