FAQ
As Solomon so wisely stated in Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. After enjoying a 45 years-long season of drawing Christian makers and thinkers together for encouragement and edification, CIVA ceased programming at the end of April and will finalize its 501(c)3 dissolution paperwork by the end of 2023.
We recognize you may have questions about what led to this decision and how it will affect our current members. In anticipation of those questions, we created this page to provide more information on the board’s decision.
Who decided to close, and will the members need to approve it?
After closely monitoring several key performance indicators over the past four years, CIVA's Board of Directors decided to cease programming and finalize 501(c)3 dissolution paperwork by the end of 2023. CIVA is a registered 501(c)3 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Following Massachusetts law, the Board did not need member approval to dissolve the organization voluntarily.
What factors went into the decision?
Several factors contributed to the Board's decision, including rising compliance, operating and personnel costs, and a challenging fundraising environment. Additionally, numerous other organizations sprouted up as the art and faith conversation became more widespread over the last decade. Many of these organizations grew from connections to CIVA. The Board applauds these organizations and believes they are evidence that CIVA achieved its mission of advancing the visual arts within the church and bringing the art and faith conversation into mainstream culture. This is worth celebrating.
CIVA seemed so healthy, so why close?
Operationally, CIVA was the healthiest it had ever been. Even with our membership reaching an all-time high in 2022, we continued facing obstacles that proved too cumbersome for the organization to thrive. Instead of closing abruptly under financial hardship, the Board made the difficult decision to honor its 45-year legacy by “ending CIVA well.”
What action went into trying to save CIVA?
The decision to close CIVA came after several attempts since 2018 to overcome technology and compliance hurdles and to generate the necessary revenue to ensure CIVA's future financial health. In 2020, the Board launched an ambitious plan to increase revenue across three income categories (membership, earned income, and fund development). The plan included increasing staff levels to support this initiative. Despite these tremendous efforts, we did not make the necessary progress to continue operating at a level acceptable to our standards.
Will there be a conference or other events in 2023?
CIVA formally ended programming on April 30th, 2023. Unfortunately, there will not be a conference or any other gatherings in 2023.
Can CIVA help me find other like-hearted organizations?
Please visit the Find Your Fit page for other art and faith organizations we recommend.
Is there a plan to preserve CIVA's legacy?
Yes! The Board believes CIVA's history is worth preserving for future research. CIVA’s historical archive will be housed at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. It will be made available for scholars to explore in 2027.
Image: Ray of Hope, Ronnie McClure (banner)