The board of Cityfolk voted unanimously this week to dissolve the organization and will pass on its assests to the University of Dayton. An agreement between the UD and Cityfolk will allow the arts organization’s jazz programming to continue after it closes.
Cityfolk began looking for ways to continue its jazz programs after cancelling its 2014 festival and other arts activities earlier this year. Now the organization will turn over its remaining jazz funding to UD to help them integrate jazz into UD’s arts programming. Cityfolk board president, Matt Dunn, says even though the 30-year old institution will close, its mission will live on.
“It is bittersweet," says Dunn. "We’re confident that UD will continue to raise that bar in terms of the quality of musical offerings for the community.”
Paul Benson, dean of UD’s College of Arts and Sciences, says the university welcomes the chance to carry on Cityfolk’s work.
“One of the things that was so important about Cityfolk’s legacy," says Benson, "is that they always brought top-rate performers to Dayton, and we are intent on continuing that tradition.”
Cityfolk's JazzNet endowment fund totals about $500,000, which will provide UD with roughly $28,000 annually. Although Cityfolk’s board will disband, several members will continue as part of a community advisory board, which will recommend opportunities for jazz programming and outreach.
The agreement between Cityfolk and the University of Dayton is expected to be completed by year’s end.
