What is Wonderland?
Wonderland is an emerging non-profit that aims to catalyze the full cultural and economic potential of Columbus’ creative community.
How exactly will you do that?
Through a mixed-use creative facility and an unconventional, strongly collaborative approach. Spaces in the facility will be offered to artists and start-up entrepreneurs at or below market rate. They will be designed to inspire interaction and exploring, so the success of one tenant or event helps feed the success of all. Organizational systems will be implemented to encourage sharing of information, as well as internal and external partnerships. And a variety of educational opportunities will be provided for stakeholders and the general public, from art workshops to business development seminars.
What sort of things will be in the facility?
Wonderland will bring together an unprecedented mix of artist studio space, gallery space, retail space, recording studio, performance and event space, shared office space, a physical fitness space and a restaurant and bar as a virtual one-stop shop of creative endeavors and entertainment.
When will it open?
Wonderland is moving forward at the speed of the donor community.
Who’s working on this?
A team of 10 board members, two staff members, several paid consultants and over 100 volunteers. Several of these are featured on this website, along with some background on our board and staff.
What’s been going on with the project recently?
We’ve been working behind the scenes to achieve several project milestones, including securing the facility, filing 501c3 paperwork and preparing for major fundraising. We’ve been developing our board and a dedicated core of volunteers. Through a series of focus groups, we’ve also been consulting with the local creative community on how the facility can best serve their needs.
Why a non-profit?
The decision to seek non-profit status came down to public response. Going non-profit ensures organizational transparency and a focus on community service, and gives Wonderland a better chance of becoming an enduring community institution.
Have tenants been confirmed?
Tenants will be confirmed as the project progresses.
Between individuals and businesses, several hundred have expressed interest – more than the building can accommodate. Selection will be guided by community need and the project’s mandate to create educational opportunities for tenants and the public through workshops, mentoring between start-up entrepreneurs and established businesses, and other collaborative programs.
What are you raising funds for specifically?
Wonderland’s capital campaign seeks funds to develop a one-of-a-kind facility serving the local creative community. We are also raising funds to cover start-up operating expenses including payroll, consultant fees and donor management.
After the fundraising campaign, then what? How will Wonderland stay in the black?
Wonderland organizers have created a self-sustaining business model with a diversity of revenue streams, including tenant rents and workshop and event proceeds. Low-level fundraising will continue upon opening through membership initiatives and special events.
Why did you choose to change course and leave the bread factory?
As much as we were hoping to go into the bread factory, our professionally licensed evaluators assessed the cost of the building. We offered the high end of that range. The asking price and the fair market value were not in sync. We decided that our fiduciary responsibility would not allow us to spend above fair market value.
Where are you now with Wonderland's building plans?
Over the past few months, we have gone through an extensive search of over 50 properties near downtown. That search has been narrowed to a selection of two primary facilities we are interested in. We have begun the negotiation process.What locations are you presently considering?
We are currently reviewing property in both Franklinton and the Warehouse District. Should the scenario arise where neither of these make it through the negotiation process, we are prepared with backup locations within proximity to downtown.
What is your timeline for getting things to happen again?
We have agreed that we will not set a timeline for opening until a building has been decided and diligence on architecture, construction, and financing are determined. The timeline for negotiations is determined on discussions with all parties.
Why did the IRS take so long in deciding your 501c3 status?
The 501c3 process can be long. We had a new and industriously exacting agent from the IRS whose thorough reviews caused us to go through three reiterations of our paperwork. This we did successfully. The IRS was concerned with issues of private inurement to the owner of the bread factory. When fair market value was assessed, we offered the greatest amount acceptable (fair market value). When that offer wasn't accepted, we chose to walk away. After that point, there was no private enurement and we were granted our status.
How have the funds been used for Wonderland?
A percentage breakout of expenses from the first 2 years of the project are displayed (link to project review)
As we were applying for our 501(c)3, Ohio Art League served as our fiscal agent. This allowed donors to realize the tax benefits of being a donor, helped Ohio Art League further its mission of supporting the arts statewide, and allowed Wonderland to receive donor funds in a responsible way. The fiscal agent relationship has ended but our commitment to working with Ohio Art League as a community partner is still strong.
How are decisions made regarding Wonderland?
A Board of Trustees is responsible for making the decisions of the organization. Major financial decisions, programming decisions, and marketing decisions are all discussed by this team.
