Mike and Ruth Schueller Art Fund will benefit fine arts, performing arts and music
MEEKER | The Meeker Education Foundation (MEF), a local non-profit that raises funds independently to support and enhance educational opportunities for the Meeker School District, has received a very generous bequest which will fund the Arts (fine arts, performing arts and music) in Meeker’s three schools into perpetuity. The Mike and Ruth Schueller Art Fund is essentially an Endowment for the Arts.
Since 2018, the board has known this windfall would be a reality after the passing of the sibling donors, Robert and Patricia Schueller. Anonymity during their lifetime was important to them. They established the fund in their estates, in memory of their parents, who had a connection to Meeker. The revenue earned by this $1,500,000 gift will support every conceivable aspect of the Arts.
The agreement signed in 2018 with the Schueller siblings states. “The Fund shall be used and applied primarily for the purpose of restoring, improving, developing, providing, furthering, enhancing and sustaining the arts educational curriculum and programs in the District.” It goes on to identify probable expenditures and activities for the fund. The list includes enrichment opportunities as well as everything from venues, staffing, curricular materials/equipment/supporting supplies.
Additionally, the agreement outlines a very limited use of the fund should the annual revenue, in any given year, exceed the District’s needs for the Arts. The other educational purposes shall be “unique or occasional in nature and shall not include ongoing or regular occurring program costs.” Athletic purposes are excluded.
A press release from the MEF board states, “MEF and the District are extremely grateful for this amazing gift and it will be exciting to witness the many ways the Fund will enrich our students’ educational experience. The possibilities are endless and will further the goal of providing all our young people with a well rounded program.
It’s important to emphasize, however, that the MEF board assures the School District and the community that the Schueller Fund endowment, in no way, dwarfs MEF’s strong commitment to the District’s many other curricular and program needs. Efforts to raise meaningful funds for them will always be a priority and will be vigorously pursued.”